How to Help a Cat Adjust to a New Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Having a new animal in the house can bring great joy, trouble, and even stress. Many owners, especially those without experience, face unexpected problems, difficulties understanding the pet, and anxiety during the adaptation process. Are you worried you won’t know how to acclimate a cat to a new home? Our tips will help you make this process smoother.

Preparing Your Home Before Bringing a New Cat

The process of creating a comfortable space for a pet takes several days. It can be compared to a child: future parents buy them cribs, strollers, clothes, and additional accessories. A new animal often behaves like a baby: unfamiliar surroundings, new smells, and people scare them. It is necessary to prepare the house in advance to minimize risks. Here is what you can do:

• Buy the necessary items for the pet. A bowl for food and water, a litter box, fillers, a bed, and toys are the basic set of a future cat owner. Choose areas that are most convenient for placing these things so that the cat can start getting used to them right away.
• Minimize dangerous objects. In the first few days, the cat may avoid you, hiding under the table or bed. Clean up in advance to remove any foreign objects, dust, and small things that the cat can swallow or hurt itself with.
• Consult a pharmacist about safe sedatives. Natural-based drugs are suitable for most cats. You will need them if the stress level of your new friend remains the same despite how long it takes for the cat to adjust to a new home. For example, if after a few days, the animal continues to ignore you, skip meals, and refuse to play, sedatives will help them relax faster.
• Protect upholstered furniture. Destructive behavior is one of the common signs of stress. Anxious pets love to damage sofas, beds, and curtains. If you are worried about the furniture's safety, try covering it or putting it in an inaccessible place. You can also buy a scratching post in advance to train your cat to use it.
• Learn about vaccinations and make an appointment with a vet. Shelters and catteries usually give away cats with vaccinations and a health card. However, if your pet does not have the necessary vaccines, consult a vet about the timing and correctness of them. A general examination of the pet's condition will also not hurt.

Are you worried about how to help a cat adjust to a new home? Do not forget to take care of your condition: study videos on YouTube and learn from other people's experiences and their advice on adaptation. This can be difficult for you, too, so prepare yourself mentally for a few stressful days.

How to Acclimate a Cat to a New Home: The First Few Days

Congratulations, you made it! Your pet is already exploring the new space with interest, and you are ready to form a bond with them. What to do next? Be prepared: These changes will come as a surprise to your pet, and they will need time to get used to the smells and new surroundings. Here's how to make a new cat comfortable:

• Limit the space. Let them take it one thing at a time. Choose a room or area where they can be alone, with food, water, and a litter box. Then, wait for them to settle in, rest after the transportation, and get used to the new sensations.
• Give them time. It's normal for a cat to sit in a carrier and not want to come out. Don't try to push them out or move them to a new bed or into your arms. How long do cats take to adjust to a new home at first? They will come out gradually on their own once the initial shock of the move wears off. Try to be there during this time, watching your pet and letting them get used to your presence.
• Create a calm atmosphere. Avoid loud noises and strong smells, and try to keep the atmosphere relaxed and peaceful. If you have children, prepare them in advance for a new animal and explain how to behave. In addition, the number of new people in the apartment should be limited: guests can get acquainted with the new pet when the cat is comfortable.
• Create positive associations. Of course, scolding or punishing the animal during this period is taboo. But you can support or motivate it to contact you with treats. This will help them gain trust and improve their appetite. Play with and pet the cat only when it wants it.

How to help a cat adjust to a new home? In the first few days, you have one job: to be a constant who is always nearby. Watch from afar, and let the pet get used to your presence. The adaptation time is individual for different animals, so you need to try to make them feel at home.

Creating a Safe Space to Help Your Cat Settle In

Zoning when preparing your home is a lifehack of how to help cats adjust to a new home. Creating a safe and quiet place is not difficult, but it will help in the adaptation of the pet.

Cats love to hide and choose a shelter. Create a space for them like a hut we made in childhood: cozy and comfortable. Do it in the corner of the room, under the coffee table, or on other furniture so that the pet can feel comfortable. Place food, water, and a tray nearby: it is advisable to choose a secluded place.

The first rule of a safe space is that it must really be safe: imagine that this is where the personal boundaries of your new friend begin. Avoid unnecessary intrusion into this zone so that the cat feels secure in the new home.

How Long Does It Take for Cats to Adjust to a New Home?

Cat behavior and reactions are individual: some you can track depending on the breed, but most depend only on character. In general, the whole process can be divided into several phases: caution, settling in with the territory, and getting used to people.

The first 48 hours, the pet will hide and avoid contact with you. What should you do for a few days after bringing your new cat home? Do not put pressure on them. Let your new friend take their time to understand what's going on. The cat's main activity will be at night when the others are sleeping, and there is a minimum of noise. 

The next phase lasts about a week: this is active getting used to the territory. The pet will be more confident in walking around the new house, sniffing objects, and climbing on surfaces. This time is ideal to start training to use the litter box. Follow the daily routine so the pet won't get overwhelmed.

The next period feels much easier. The pet finally gets used to it, begins to trust you, eats and goes to the toilet regularly while playing with new toys, and settles in with the routine. Contact with the owner gets stronger every day, which will definitely please you, and you will be less stressed about how to help a new cat settle in. This period can last from several weeks to three months.

Tips to Make a New Cat Feel Comfortable and Secure

Get used to the fact that your life will be different now. More responsibility, a new family member at home, and a lot of happiness are already waiting for you! It is important to make sure that your new friend feels the same way about you. How to help a cat acclimate to a new home? Save useful life hacks:

• Use your clothes. Your smell should become something comfortable and familiar. Put your old T-shirt nearby to create positive associations with your smell and home.
• Create vertical space. Cats love to observe from above, so provide access to windowsills and shelves or install a special cat wall.
• Turn on the background white noise. This is a great tool for both humans and animals to calm down, relax, and drown out extraneous stimuli.

The initial stages are full of unpredictability: the behavior and reactions of your new friend can change very quickly. Be prepared for this, and remember that the aggressive behavior of a cat is only a tool for fighting negative feelings.

How to Make Adopted Cat Feel at Home: Key Steps

Let's recap our preparation! So, your steps depend on the stages the cat is at. You should prepare your home for them in advance, including a safe space, toys, and food. Then, observe the animal's behavior to understand what they are facing now and what step they are going through.

The whole process of how long for cats to adjust to a new home is divided into several stages, based on which you can form your reactions and behavior. Remember that a cat is a big responsibility. You can’t just throw your hands up and let it be. Keep an eye on your new friend, do not be aggressive, do not change the routine and diet abruptly. Slowly, comfortably, and smoothly – these are the answers for how to adjust a cat to a new home. Build your connection and let it become something special for you!

Meet New Pets Stress-Free with FlatRover

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FAQ

How long does it take for a cat to adjust to a new home?

The time of how to make a new cat feel at home depends on the age of the cat and their character. In general, the initial adaptation lasts from 1 to 3 weeks. Then, the pet begins to feel comfortable in the new home, getting used to cohabitants: smells, habits, and routine. Full adaptation can last up to 3 months, but the most difficult stage lasts a month maximum.

How to get a cat adjusted to a new home?

It is risky to force this process: the cat may psychologically fence itself off from you, and as a result, you will get the opposite of what you wanted. Be close, observe, offer affection and games, and use catnip, treats, and toys to create an initial connection with a new friend.

How do I make my new cat feel safe and comfortable?

Psychological comfort begins with physical. Create a shelter for them where they will be calm and quiet. Make sure that the pet always has food, water, and a clean litter box. Monitor stress signals and be close by to comfort your friend.

Should I give my new cat space or interact immediately?

Giving the cat space is a mandatory condition that will form a strong bond with you in the future. Watch the desires of the cat. Do they climb into your arms? Great! Respond to their affection and let them spend as much time on your lap as they want. Does the cat seem distant? Let them be alone.

What should I do during the first few days with a new cat?

Give your new cat a quiet room with food, water, a litter box, and a hiding spot. Let them explore at their own pace and avoid forcing interaction. Keep a consistent feeding schedule and speak softly. Gradually introduce them to other areas and pets. Be patient – adjustment takes time.