How Introduce Cat to a New Home

Expert Tips Introduce Cat to a New Home

Being introduced to a new home can be a tense and scary experience for a cat. Your patience and care are essential during this adjustment period. There are a lot of different ways to make your cat feel good in their new home. That’s why we reached out to experts from Toronto to Dallas to show you how to properly introduce your cat or kitty to a new home.

Patience is key for Cat’s good Intro to New HomeLong Hair Cat laying new home

Introducing a new cat to a home where a cat already lives, the key is patience!  Confine the new cat to one room of the house with a litter box, food, water, so your resident cat doesn’t feel threatened by the newcomer. They can smell each other under the door. That way gets to know each other without being in each other’s faces. You can help them associate each other’s scents with something good. Do this by giving them treats on their side of the door at the same time. – Humane Society of Oldham County

Prioritize safety during Introduction to New Home

Sweep and maintain areas of the home that could be hazardous to cats. This includes toxic plants, cleaners, cords, small items that cause choking, fragile items that can shatter, and human food. Ensure that everybody in the family understands what is safe and unsafe for cats. Be aware of any windows or doors that are frequently opened. Important to be careful so as not to let your cat escape. Should you move, change the contact information registered to your cat’s microchip. Be sure information reflects your new residence and update their collar tag.  Pounce Hawaii

Take it slow Introduce Cat to New Home

A tip for introducing a new cat to your home would be to introduce the cat slowly. Too fast to the entire home and it can be quite a shock. Scary to be placed in a completely new environment. Start with keeping them in one small room for at least a few days. Once they are more comfortable let them start exploring more of the home. I would also highly suggest using some sort of pheromone diffuser (such as Feliway). In the room, they are kept in, as a means to reduce stress. What I did with my cat when we moved to Las Vegas from the bay area. – The Comforted Kitty

Instead of immediately allowing the kitty to roam free in your new home, select one room in which they can begin to settle in. Any room with a door will suffice, but an office or bedroom with familiar furniture is ideal. Fill the litter box and place it in the room. Put out food and a water bowl on the other side of the room. Moreover, add some toys and a scratcher, so your cat doesn’t get bored. While keeping the room door closed, open their carrier and allow your cat to step out when they are ready. The key is to let your cat acclimate to a small area of the house first, so they can become acquainted with the new smells before venturing further. You can keep your kitty in the room for a few hours or up to a week, depending on how they’re doing. – Cats at Home Pet Sitting

Don’t get too fancy with items for Cat’s New Home

Don’t start with anything too fancy in terms of equipment. When I first bought my kitten home I had purchased a kitty litter “house” with a flap and a tray inside. He had no idea what it was and peed on the couch. I quickly moved to a simple litter box. – The Discerning Cat

Take their preferences into considerationCat relaing in basket new home

Did you know that a cat’s food and water bowls should be kept separated, preferably in different rooms? As humans, we like to have order and convenience when it comes to setting up our living space. However, it’s important to think about your cat’s needs and preferences as well. Cats really dislike eating and drinking in the same area. Possibly due to genetics telling them that there’s a time and place for hunting and quenching their thirst. Regardless, separating food and water dishes will make your cat happier. Also, prevent some unwanted behaviors- like learning how to turn on the bathroom faucet while you’re away! – Carver Scott Humane Society

Keep ‘em close by during the introduction process

When moving to a new home I like to prepare a room where we all hang out and sleep for a few nights. For us, three cats, my husband, and I in one room. I like to prep the room the day before with their favorite items. These include cat beds/sleeping spots, toys, their feeders, and a water fountain. After a few days, we will open small sections of the house one day at a time and hang out with them there. If they ever get scared they have that first room as a home base to hide.  Sven and Robbie

Set up a kitty “zen den” in New Home

It’s important to create a safe, welcoming environment for your feline family member when settling into a new home. Our team recommends setting up a kitty “zen den” to help them acclimate. This should be an enclosed space that includes their litter box, enrichment activities, food and water, and a cat carrier. We also recommend utilizing Feliway which is a natural, drug-free product that provides “happy messages” through calming pheromones. – Haines Road Animal Hospital

Cats are very territorial animals and can be sensitive to changes in their environment, especially if there are other pets involved or if the cat has a more timid personality. It’s important to provide a quiet, safe space such as a small bathroom or bedroom where the cat can become accustomed to all of the new sounds and smells of their new home before giving them full reign. In a new territory, it is important to be patient and let the cat gain their confidence to explore on their own while providing a safe space to retreat if they get overwhelmed. Each cat is different and the acclimation period can vary based on the personality of the cat. – Daily Mews Cat Cafe & Boutique

Make it familiar bring in items furniture they know

Cats are cautious creatures, especially nervous in unfamiliar places. Before moving into your new home, bring some items and furniture that your cat really likes. On arrival, the kitty’s new home will feel like the old home is a part of it. The discovery of a new catnip toy or scratcher next to a familiar item will make it easier to accept and soon enjoy this strange new territory. – One Spoiled Kitty

When petting your new cat, place a sock on your hand to collect the pheromones from the side of its face and then rub the sock on the legs of the furniture, other objects in the house, and even yourself and other family members. Your cat will feel more at ease and adjust quickly if its new territory smells like itself. – Raising Your Paws

If you have other catsWhite Kitten with adult cat

For now, have the new cat in the room for a week or two, so both the new and old fur family members are able to adjust. After three days, start switching the cats’ beddings so they get to know each other through sniffing the scent leftover on the bed. Later on, set a time for the new cat to explore outside their room while keeping your other cats in another room. Two weeks passed, you can try introducing them to each other, if there is aggression, separate them for another week and continue with swap scenting until both are comfortable with each other’s presence. As for dogs, the approach is slightly different, however, the same. Keep them in a separate room, rub each hand towel on your dog and your new cat, switch the towels, and give them time to sniff it. – Art Your Cat

Originally published on Redfin

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