Bringing Your New Cat Home

As part of an on-going section from the book “Essential Cat: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Your Cat”, I will explore the necessary preparation a family must make before and after bringing a new cat home. After you have decided to get a cat, whether it is the first cat or an addition to other cats it is important to set aside time preparing for the new arrival. It is suggested that a few days before you bring the cat home that you take their new beds to their current home, so they can use it there. The cat’s own smell, or that of his mother and litter mates, will transfer to the bedding and make him feel more at ease both when traveling home and once you’re there.

In the passing days before the cat arrives home, it is important to buy the necessary supplies to welcome your new kitty into your home. Food and water bowls, a litter box, litter, a bed with bedding, toys, a collar and ID tag, a pet carrier and a scratching post are all necessary to have upon bringing a new cat into your home. A cat friendly first-aid kit (details including the contents can be found here) is also important to have on hand.

Upon bringing your cat home, make sure to ask the current caretakers what food and litter the cat is currently using so that you can continue use. Changing the litter and food the cat is already used to will cause more stress in the new home. Also find out how much the cat is being fed and how often.

When you are ready to bring your cat home, put the bedding you brought for the cat a few days earlier in the pet carrier. Remember that cats and kittens often relieve themselves when traveling, so make sure to bring spare bedding and antiseptic wipes to clean up any mess. One this is done, place the cat in the carrier, closing the door securely with the cat inside. Secure the carrier with a seatbelt in the back seat of the car (like you would a child’s car seat) or place securely in the footwell on the floor. Regardless of how much your cat meows, do not let them out of the carrier, as this is an important and vital safety device that could help save your cat’s life in an accident.

Once you arrive home, put the cat into a spare room or pen. Make sure to take a few minutes to sit with the cat in the new space to reassure them, then leave them for a few hours to settle down. After this resting period, allow your cat to investigate the house but leave the spare room or pen open so that the cat can go back in if they want to. Letting cats explore their new home in addition to food, will help you establish a bond with the new cat. For the first night, put your new cat in the spare bedroom or pen to sleep – that way the cat will be both safe and not getting into any mischief.