How to help a cat adjust to new home is a major problem for first-time cat owners or for cat owners who just relocated to a new city.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips and tricks on how to help a cat adjust to its new home and make its transition as smooth as possible.
So, whether you’re a first-time cat owner or have had several cats in the past, keep reading to ensure your cat is comfortable and happy in their new environment.
How to Help a Cat Adjust to New Home
The followings are some tips on how to help a cat adjust to its new home:
Create a healthy cat environment
The first thing you can do to help a cat adjust to a new home is to create a healthy cat environment.
This will help the new cat feel relaxed even as they are new to the environment.
Here are some common tips for creating a healthy cat environment for your cat:
- Map out a section of a room, a basement, or a garage for your cat
- Scan your compound for cat repellents.
- Shut down every route for other animals to enter your cat space.
- Provide cat trees or shelves
- Make a scratch post available
- Get a good litter box
- Provide moving and interactive toys
- Provide cat or cartoon movies.
Provide the basic cat needs and equipment
Here are some basic cat needs:
- Food and water bowls – cats need access to fresh, clean water at all times, and should be fed a balanced diet of cat food.
- Litter box and litter – most cats are trained to use a litter box to go to the bathroom, so you’ll need a box and litter for them to use.
- Cat carrier – for vet visits or travel, you’ll need a secure carrier to transport your cat.
- Scratching post or pad – cats need to scratch to keep their claws healthy, so providing them with somewhere to scratch is important.
- Toys – cats love to play, and having toys to keep them entertained can help prevent destructive behaviors.
- Bed or resting area – cats need a comfortable place to rest and sleep.
- Grooming supplies – depending on the type of cat, you may need a brush, nail clippers, or other grooming supplies to keep them clean and healthy.
Provide extra hiding places with interactive toys
Providing extra hiding places with interactive toys can be a helpful way to ease a new cat’s transition into its new home.
When a cat is placed into a new environment, the cat may feel scared or unsure of their surroundings.
By providing them with several hiding places, such as cardboard boxes or pet carriers, you are giving them a place to retreat to if they feel overwhelmed.
Additionally, interactive toys, such as puzzle feeders or toys that move on their own, can help to stimulate their minds and provide a source of entertainment.
This can be particularly helpful if the cat is hesitant to explore their new surroundings.
Let your cat explore at their own pace
Cats are observant animals, but they also require a sense of safety and security.
Don’t urge your cat to do anything they’re not comfortable with; instead, let them explore their new space at their own leisure.
Keep your cat in a single room for the first few days so that it may gradually become used to new surroundings. This will make them feel more at peace.
Gradually introduce them to new rooms
While settling into a new home, keep your cat in one location at first and gradually introduce them to other parts of the house.
They will be able to adapt more readily and won’t feel overwhelmed as a result.
Let them explore one area at first, and as they get more comfortable, slowly open the doors to the other rooms.
Keep their routine consistent
As far as you can, keep your cat’s normal feeding and playtime routines.
This will make them feel at home and increase their sense of security in their new place.
If you do need to alter their schedule, make sure to do it gradually over time.
Provide the cat with only things that smell familiar
Put your cat’s favorite bed, favorite blanket, favorite toys, or something familiar in the room, and don’t keep changing it.
Placing items that smell like you or your cat in the room can also help.
For example, you can add an old sweater or running t-shirt – something that smells like you and smells like home.
Since cats have very sensitive noses and use them to tell if something is safe or not, this provides them with solace in times of stress.
Provide plenty of love and attention
Offering your cat lots of love, care, and affection will aid their adjustment and help them feel more at home in their new environment.
Build a close relationship with them by playing with them, giving them pet attention, and offering them food.
Avoid all forms of stressful events
If you are thinking of how to help a cat adjust to a new home, avoiding stressful events should be a major concern.
Stressful events to avoid include loud sounds, noises, other dogs, other cats, visitors, etc.
Regulate your visit to the cat room
Do not become a threat to your own cat by frequent visits, give your cat enough space and time to get used to the new house.
Make out a specific time you visit and stick to it.
Be patient
Every cat is different, and it might take some time for them to adapt to a new environment.
A few days or even a few weeks may pass before some cats feel at home.
Give your cat the time it needs to acclimatize while being kind to them.
Your cat will gradually feel at ease and content in their new home if you show them love and patience.
Learn more about caring for a cat.
FAQs
How well do cats adjust to new homes?
A cat can adjust very well to a new home from 1 to 4 weeks with the help of the owner who provides a comfortable cat environment.
Cats are not fantastic with changing environments, so you need to monitor your cat.
Make sure you have a microchip on your cat and a cat tracking device each time you want to relocate with your cat.
How long does it take for a cat to get used to a new home?
It takes a cat 3 to 5 weeks or more to get used to a new home with the help of the owner and in a cat comfortable environment.
Once a cat settles down within 3 weeks, you need to introduce the cat to your area.
Put the cat on a leash and take a walk down the street to allow your cat to explore its environment.
How do you bond with a new cat?
Here are some things to do to help you bond with a new cat;
- Offer special cat food
- Offer treats when your cat stays with you.
- Obedience training.
- Get special toys for your cat
- Bath your cat with warm water.
- Groom your cat twice a week.
- Map out playing time for your cat.
- Let the cat be when the cat wants to be alone.
- Do not change your cat’s daily routine
- Do not shout at your cat
Checkout: Can a lost cat find its way home?
Is it normal for a new cat to not eat?
Yes, it is normal for a new cat not to eat for 1- 2 days because cats eat less when they are stressed, and introducing a cat to a new home is a lot of stress.
When you get a new cat, and it refuses to eat, try microwaved tuna with lots of flavored food to attract the cat.
But the most important thing is to give your cat space to get used to the new environment.
How long can a new cat go without eating?
A new cat can stay about 8 hours or more without eating anything, you can always attract the cat with high-flavored food or treats.
A new cat will always look for a place to hide, so make sure you provide a hiding place for your cat before getting a new cat.
Cats love treats and highly flavored food like microwaved tuna, so you can always use these foods to attract cats.
Why do cats hide when they go to a new home?
Cats hide when they get to a new home because everything around them looks new and strange to them and they need time to get used to everything around them.
Cats are not comfortable with changes so anytime you change the environment for a cat, they hide until they are sure it is safe for them.
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Conclusion
It is very easy to help a cat adjust to a new home if you follow the above things I have outlined.
The most important thing is to not allow your cat to be stressed out by noise or other animals.
Keep your feeding time constant, and provide toys with cat trees, as well as hiding places for your cat.
Always be patient with your cat as it may take longer than required for a cat to adjust to a new home.
