Help with a Recent Adoption

If you have adopted a cat/kitten:

Preparation & Patience Are Key

There’s often a transition period for you, your new pet, and other animals living in your home. It can take anywhere from two days to two months for you and your pet to adapt to each other. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth transition and a happy homecoming:

Plan your cat’s arrival

Try to arrange the arrival of your new pet for a weekend or when you can be home for a few days. This will allow the pet to adjust to his new surroundings much faster. Get to know each other and spends some quality time together. Don’t forget your other pets and people in your home, too! It’s often best to keep the new pet in a quiet room the first several days and away from other pets in the home. Let them get used to each other’s smell through a door. 

Coming home

You may already know this, but cats hate to travel. For the trip home, confine your pet in a sturdy cat carrier. Don’t leave him loose in your car, where he might panic and cause an accident, or escape when you open the car door. He may howl, cry, and use his herculean muscles to try and escape, but don’t give in. He’s much safer in the carrier until he has reached his new home.

Arrived home

After the ride home, your cat, will likely be tired from the ordeal and won’t be in the mood for fun. To ease the transition, select a quiet room where he can hide until his catches his breath and is more comfortable. If necessary, sit on the floor next to him, offer him treats and some light conversation. Let him sniff all your belongings and investigate all the hiding places.