GUIDELINES TO INTRODUCING A NEW CAT INTO YOUR HOME
Before you adopt:
Congratulations! You have made the decision to add a new kitty to your family! Opening your heart and home to a kitty in need is a very rewarding decision and can bring years of happiness to you and your kitty. Before adopting a new kitty, it's important to consider what is going to be a good fit for you/your family and possible the other pets in your home. Before bringing a new kitty home, think about your schedule, activity, other people or pets in your home and how they will adjust to a new furry friend, as well as how these factors may affect the new cat and if the new kitty's needs and personality offer a good match for your situation. Choosing the right kitty companion will help ensure a successful adoption and hopefully help make the transition to your home smoother for both you and the cat. It's a good idea to talk with your adoption representative to help you find a cat that is not only what you want in a feline friend, but one that will do well in your home and that you are prepared to welcome into the family.
Patience will pay off:
Adopting a kitty is exciting and often adopters can't wait to make their new furry family member a part of the household. But it is very important to give your new kitty plenty of time to adjust and get used to being in a new place surrounded by new smells, sounds, people and other furry friends. Below are some important guidelines to follow when welcoming your new kitty into your home that will help the transition go smoothly and be a more comfortable experience for what may otherwise be daunting or traumatic for your new feline friend.
Kitty needs a slow and calm introduction:
Going to a new home can sometimes be a frightening experience for a cat. The kitty probably came from a familiar place that offered them a sense of security and is now being bombarded with all sorts of changes. Both travel and change are not comfortable things for cats. Scared and uncertain, the cat might be terrified when he arrives at a new home, and fear may cause him to scratch, bite, avoid the litter box or possibly even refuse to eat or drink. Unfortunately, a response like this can cause the new owner to feel the cat is not a good match and return the kitty without giving him a proper chance to adjust and become comfortable in the new home. Taking the steps necessary to properly introducing a new cat to your home will pave the way for a rewarding and long lasting relationship. Some kitties will adjust quickly to a new home and have little or no problems during the transition while others will require a little (or a lot) of time and patience as they get used to everything. It's important to be understanding of your kitties needs and not to rush the process if your new kitty is shy, timid or needs more reassurance during the introduction period.
Taking the cat home:
Bringing a new kitty home is exciting for you, but can be a frightening ordeal for the cat. Things will go smoother if you:
• Use a cat carrier (preferred) or if you don't have a carrier, use a secure, closed box with holes to take your new kitty home.
• Keep the kitty confined at all times. Removing the kitty from the carrier while in the car or letting the cat roam freely in the car is an invitation for an accident to happen for either you or the cat.
• Keep windows rolled up or just barely cracked. Make sure the car is a comfortable temperature and that the kitty is not placed in direct sunlight.
• Keep the drive home calm and quiet. Avoid loud, blaring music, loud conversation, and don't poke fingers in at the new cat.
At home:
It is important that you do NOT give kitty free access to the house as soon as you get home. A new cat may need up to two weeks (or more) to comfortably transition into a new home, especially if there are children or other animals. Instead, have a small room prepared as a temporary isolation area for the kitty. A spare bedroom or bathroom works well. The cat will feel more comfortable, at first, in a smaller space. Be sure there are no hiding places that the kitty can access that will prevent him from interacting with you (like under a bed or couch). Rooms with tile or hard floors work best for easy clean up in case any accidents happen while kitty is figuring out his new space. To help your new kitty adjust to your home:
• Have the isolation room ready with a clean litter box, a cat bed, water and toys before the kitty comes home.
• If possible, bring familiar items (such as a bed, blanket or toys) from his previous home. Giving kitty familiar smells will help make him feel more at home.
• When bringing kitty into your home, do not open the cat carrier until you are in the isolation room. Set the carrier on the floor and allow the cat venture out on his own when ready. It may take a little time but the kitty will be less frightened if he isn't pulled or forced out of the carrier. Small spaces offer a sense of security so leaving the carrier in the room with kitty will give him a safe but accessible place to hide.
• Once kitty is comfortable enough to venture out of the carrier, give him a few minutes to explore the room. Be sure to show kitty where the litter box and water is located.
• Don't linger too long. You'll want to give the cat time alone to become familiar with the new surroundings without feeling overwhelmed by people watching his every move.
• After 30 min to an hour, return to the kitty's room with food and spend more time with him. Offer petting and snuggles if he is accepting, use toys to engage him, or simply talk in a soothing, quiet voice to reassure him and allow the cat to get used to you.
Why the isolation period is important:
The isolation period offers your new kitty a calm, quiet environment which is a lot easier to adjust to, at first, and will help make the transition to a new home much easier. It allows him time to get used to the new smells, sounds and people in the home without being overwhelmed or scared. The isolation period also give you the opportunity to keep an eye on the cat's health, monitor his eating, drinking and litter box habits to make sure everything is normal. It’s common for a cat to be frightened or shy when arriving at a new home and he may not eat or drink for a couple of days. However, if this behavior persists, the cat is at risk of becoming dehydrated (which could lead to other severe health issues) and would need medical attention from a veterinarian, so keep a close eye on his physical state.
Use the isolation time to:
• Make sure the cat is eating, drinking, and properly using the litter box.
• Look the cat over for signs of health problems. Stress can take a toll on a kitty's health so it's important to monitor his well-being to make sure he is adjusting well and there are no immediate health concerns (such as weight loss, dehydration, respiratory infection, loose stool, thin or patchy fur, etc.). Keeping the new kitty separated from other pets in the house is also important to make sure that you are not introducing possible illness to the other pets.
• Let the cat become familiar with the scents of other animals in the house and visa versa to help make introductions with other pets a little smoother.
• Let the kids come in to meet the cat one at a time.
• Give kitty plenty of time to settle in. Once he is eating and drinking, using the litter box, playing and being social, you can begin to introduce the new kitty to the rest of the house and the other pets in the home.
If you have kids:
Kids of all ages need to learn the proper respect and treatment of animals. A friendly kitty will become mean or antisocial if mistreated. Biting and scratching is a cat's primary defense and can be expected when a cat is scared, is being abused or doesn’t feel safe. Important things to teach kids when you adopt a cat are:
• A cat is a living being that has feelings and can be hurt.
• Be gentle when petting or holding the cat, speak softly, don't force the kitty to do something it doesn't want to do, and do not pull or grab any part of the cat.
• Let the cat come to the kids and don't make any sudden moves or squeal or yell in excitement.
• Never tease or annoy the cat.
• Be mindful when opening the door, and be sure to close the door carefully and tightly when going in and out of the isolation room.
• Parents should always supervise younger children around the cat.
If you have dogs:
Even if your dog is used to cats, the kitty may not be used to dogs and definitely is not used to your dog, so introducing a new kitty to your dog needs to be a slow and steady process to avoid any accidents if one or the other does not respond well. But there are things you can do to help make the introductions a little easier on both you and the pets:
• Bring the dog’s bed, blanket or toys into the isolation room so kitty can get to know its scent.
• Bring the kitty’s bed or blanket out for the dog to smell.
• Isolate your dog while the new cat explores the rest of the home. It’s best to introduce the kitty to one room at a time under your supervision.
• Introduce kitty to the dog indoors and while the dog is under control of a leash.
• Don’t tolerate any aggressive behavior from the dog.
• Don’t ever let the dog chase or corner the cat, even if she’s being playful.
• Reward the dog for good behavior with a positive comment and/or a treat.
• Keep the dog confined until the cat feels safe in the new home.
• Make sure the cat has a safe place to retreat, if necessary.
• Don’t leave them alone together until long after the transition period and once you’re certain they will get along.
• Give the dog extra attention to avoid jealousy.
If you have other cats:
There is a pecking order in a cat household, especially if there are multiple cats, so taking things slow will help both the new and resident cat(s) ease into the idea of meeting new feline friends. You don't want to force the introduction. With time, they will grow to accept one another, or even become best friends. Have patience and keep these things in mind:
• Let the new cat become acquainted and comfortable with his isolation room before introducing other kitties.
• Bring the empty cat carrier that was used to bring the new kitty home out into the living area for the other cat(s) to smell.
• Bring the resident cat’s bed or blanket into the isolation room so the new kitty can get to know her scent.
• Bring the new cat’s bed or blanket out for the resident cat(s) to smell.
• Isolate the resident cat(s) while the new cat walks around and explores the new home. It’s best to introduce the kitty to one room at a time under your supervision.
• Offer food/treats to both new and resident kitties on opposite sides of the isolation room door. This will allow them to smell each other under the door and associate the other kitty's smell with something positive.
• Under your supervision, introduce your new cat to the others one at a time in a room where the new kitty has already become comfortable.
• Let the cats become familiar with each other on their own terms. It will take time, so don’t force it. Hissing and even mild swatting is to be expected, but growling, snarling, or if kitty's ears are pinned back can be signs of aggression and the kitties may need more time before being ready for a face-to-face meeting.
• If a fight breaks out, either toss a blanket over one cat, clap or make a loud noise to distract the cats, or gently place something large between the cats to help separate them. (Do not try to handle or break up fighting cats directly. This may result in you getting scratched or bitten. Find an object like a chair or large pillow to gently wedge between them and once separated, guide one of the cats to another room until both cats have calmed down).
• Don’t leave them alone together until long after the transition period and once you’re certain they will get along.
• Do not disrupt the routine or your resident cats. Give them plenty of attention and treats for good behavior.
Additional things to know:
When you adopt a cat, it’s important to be prepared. Some additional things to consider include:
• Getting your cat micro-chipped (be sure to register the chip right away) and use an ID tag as soon as possible.
• Schedule the new cat for a visit with your veterinarian for his first check-up (and shots if necessary).
• Cats need to scratch. It's a good idea to get a scratching post or cat three and encourage this as an appropriate place for kitty to scratch.
• Do not declaw!! Keep kitty's nails trimmed or, if necessary, use nail caps on your cats claws to protect kids and furniture from scratches.
• Avoid planning any large gatherings or visits in your home until after kitty is comfortable and had acclimated to the house and your family. If you must have a houseful of guests during the adjustment period, be sure to keep the new cat isolated in a safe and quiet place to avoid overwhelming and stressing the cat. Make sure the room is secure and that there’s no chance of him escaping to the outdoors.
• Have each family member spend quality time with the kitty to create relationships and feelings of trust.
• Cat-proof your house. Remove or secure items that may be dangerous to the cat if played with or ingested.
• Cats will jump on furniture and counter tops. Be sure to move or secure items you don’t want accidentally knocked down or broken.
• Remove any toxic or hazardous plants from your home. Keep cats from using pots and planters as a litter box by placing large rocks on top of the soil.
MAKE YOUR HOME A FOREVER HOME
Adopting a cat or any new pet is a lifelong commitment. It's important make sure your new friend will enjoy becoming a new member of the family. Chances are your new cat will be a devoted and loving companion for many years to come, and he deserves the same love and devotion from his family.
*Source: http://www.sheknows.com
Congratulations! You have made the decision to add a new kitty to your family! Opening your heart and home to a kitty in need is a very rewarding decision and can bring years of happiness to you and your kitty. Before adopting a new kitty, it's important to consider what is going to be a good fit for you/your family and possible the other pets in your home. Before bringing a new kitty home, think about your schedule, activity, other people or pets in your home and how they will adjust to a new furry friend, as well as how these factors may affect the new cat and if the new kitty's needs and personality offer a good match for your situation. Choosing the right kitty companion will help ensure a successful adoption and hopefully help make the transition to your home smoother for both you and the cat. It's a good idea to talk with your adoption representative to help you find a cat that is not only what you want in a feline friend, but one that will do well in your home and that you are prepared to welcome into the family.
Patience will pay off:
Adopting a kitty is exciting and often adopters can't wait to make their new furry family member a part of the household. But it is very important to give your new kitty plenty of time to adjust and get used to being in a new place surrounded by new smells, sounds, people and other furry friends. Below are some important guidelines to follow when welcoming your new kitty into your home that will help the transition go smoothly and be a more comfortable experience for what may otherwise be daunting or traumatic for your new feline friend.
Kitty needs a slow and calm introduction:
Going to a new home can sometimes be a frightening experience for a cat. The kitty probably came from a familiar place that offered them a sense of security and is now being bombarded with all sorts of changes. Both travel and change are not comfortable things for cats. Scared and uncertain, the cat might be terrified when he arrives at a new home, and fear may cause him to scratch, bite, avoid the litter box or possibly even refuse to eat or drink. Unfortunately, a response like this can cause the new owner to feel the cat is not a good match and return the kitty without giving him a proper chance to adjust and become comfortable in the new home. Taking the steps necessary to properly introducing a new cat to your home will pave the way for a rewarding and long lasting relationship. Some kitties will adjust quickly to a new home and have little or no problems during the transition while others will require a little (or a lot) of time and patience as they get used to everything. It's important to be understanding of your kitties needs and not to rush the process if your new kitty is shy, timid or needs more reassurance during the introduction period.
Taking the cat home:
Bringing a new kitty home is exciting for you, but can be a frightening ordeal for the cat. Things will go smoother if you:
• Use a cat carrier (preferred) or if you don't have a carrier, use a secure, closed box with holes to take your new kitty home.
• Keep the kitty confined at all times. Removing the kitty from the carrier while in the car or letting the cat roam freely in the car is an invitation for an accident to happen for either you or the cat.
• Keep windows rolled up or just barely cracked. Make sure the car is a comfortable temperature and that the kitty is not placed in direct sunlight.
• Keep the drive home calm and quiet. Avoid loud, blaring music, loud conversation, and don't poke fingers in at the new cat.
At home:
It is important that you do NOT give kitty free access to the house as soon as you get home. A new cat may need up to two weeks (or more) to comfortably transition into a new home, especially if there are children or other animals. Instead, have a small room prepared as a temporary isolation area for the kitty. A spare bedroom or bathroom works well. The cat will feel more comfortable, at first, in a smaller space. Be sure there are no hiding places that the kitty can access that will prevent him from interacting with you (like under a bed or couch). Rooms with tile or hard floors work best for easy clean up in case any accidents happen while kitty is figuring out his new space. To help your new kitty adjust to your home:
• Have the isolation room ready with a clean litter box, a cat bed, water and toys before the kitty comes home.
• If possible, bring familiar items (such as a bed, blanket or toys) from his previous home. Giving kitty familiar smells will help make him feel more at home.
• When bringing kitty into your home, do not open the cat carrier until you are in the isolation room. Set the carrier on the floor and allow the cat venture out on his own when ready. It may take a little time but the kitty will be less frightened if he isn't pulled or forced out of the carrier. Small spaces offer a sense of security so leaving the carrier in the room with kitty will give him a safe but accessible place to hide.
• Once kitty is comfortable enough to venture out of the carrier, give him a few minutes to explore the room. Be sure to show kitty where the litter box and water is located.
• Don't linger too long. You'll want to give the cat time alone to become familiar with the new surroundings without feeling overwhelmed by people watching his every move.
• After 30 min to an hour, return to the kitty's room with food and spend more time with him. Offer petting and snuggles if he is accepting, use toys to engage him, or simply talk in a soothing, quiet voice to reassure him and allow the cat to get used to you.
Why the isolation period is important:
The isolation period offers your new kitty a calm, quiet environment which is a lot easier to adjust to, at first, and will help make the transition to a new home much easier. It allows him time to get used to the new smells, sounds and people in the home without being overwhelmed or scared. The isolation period also give you the opportunity to keep an eye on the cat's health, monitor his eating, drinking and litter box habits to make sure everything is normal. It’s common for a cat to be frightened or shy when arriving at a new home and he may not eat or drink for a couple of days. However, if this behavior persists, the cat is at risk of becoming dehydrated (which could lead to other severe health issues) and would need medical attention from a veterinarian, so keep a close eye on his physical state.
Use the isolation time to:
• Make sure the cat is eating, drinking, and properly using the litter box.
• Look the cat over for signs of health problems. Stress can take a toll on a kitty's health so it's important to monitor his well-being to make sure he is adjusting well and there are no immediate health concerns (such as weight loss, dehydration, respiratory infection, loose stool, thin or patchy fur, etc.). Keeping the new kitty separated from other pets in the house is also important to make sure that you are not introducing possible illness to the other pets.
• Let the cat become familiar with the scents of other animals in the house and visa versa to help make introductions with other pets a little smoother.
• Let the kids come in to meet the cat one at a time.
• Give kitty plenty of time to settle in. Once he is eating and drinking, using the litter box, playing and being social, you can begin to introduce the new kitty to the rest of the house and the other pets in the home.
If you have kids:
Kids of all ages need to learn the proper respect and treatment of animals. A friendly kitty will become mean or antisocial if mistreated. Biting and scratching is a cat's primary defense and can be expected when a cat is scared, is being abused or doesn’t feel safe. Important things to teach kids when you adopt a cat are:
• A cat is a living being that has feelings and can be hurt.
• Be gentle when petting or holding the cat, speak softly, don't force the kitty to do something it doesn't want to do, and do not pull or grab any part of the cat.
• Let the cat come to the kids and don't make any sudden moves or squeal or yell in excitement.
• Never tease or annoy the cat.
• Be mindful when opening the door, and be sure to close the door carefully and tightly when going in and out of the isolation room.
• Parents should always supervise younger children around the cat.
If you have dogs:
Even if your dog is used to cats, the kitty may not be used to dogs and definitely is not used to your dog, so introducing a new kitty to your dog needs to be a slow and steady process to avoid any accidents if one or the other does not respond well. But there are things you can do to help make the introductions a little easier on both you and the pets:
• Bring the dog’s bed, blanket or toys into the isolation room so kitty can get to know its scent.
• Bring the kitty’s bed or blanket out for the dog to smell.
• Isolate your dog while the new cat explores the rest of the home. It’s best to introduce the kitty to one room at a time under your supervision.
• Introduce kitty to the dog indoors and while the dog is under control of a leash.
• Don’t tolerate any aggressive behavior from the dog.
• Don’t ever let the dog chase or corner the cat, even if she’s being playful.
• Reward the dog for good behavior with a positive comment and/or a treat.
• Keep the dog confined until the cat feels safe in the new home.
• Make sure the cat has a safe place to retreat, if necessary.
• Don’t leave them alone together until long after the transition period and once you’re certain they will get along.
• Give the dog extra attention to avoid jealousy.
If you have other cats:
There is a pecking order in a cat household, especially if there are multiple cats, so taking things slow will help both the new and resident cat(s) ease into the idea of meeting new feline friends. You don't want to force the introduction. With time, they will grow to accept one another, or even become best friends. Have patience and keep these things in mind:
• Let the new cat become acquainted and comfortable with his isolation room before introducing other kitties.
• Bring the empty cat carrier that was used to bring the new kitty home out into the living area for the other cat(s) to smell.
• Bring the resident cat’s bed or blanket into the isolation room so the new kitty can get to know her scent.
• Bring the new cat’s bed or blanket out for the resident cat(s) to smell.
• Isolate the resident cat(s) while the new cat walks around and explores the new home. It’s best to introduce the kitty to one room at a time under your supervision.
• Offer food/treats to both new and resident kitties on opposite sides of the isolation room door. This will allow them to smell each other under the door and associate the other kitty's smell with something positive.
• Under your supervision, introduce your new cat to the others one at a time in a room where the new kitty has already become comfortable.
• Let the cats become familiar with each other on their own terms. It will take time, so don’t force it. Hissing and even mild swatting is to be expected, but growling, snarling, or if kitty's ears are pinned back can be signs of aggression and the kitties may need more time before being ready for a face-to-face meeting.
• If a fight breaks out, either toss a blanket over one cat, clap or make a loud noise to distract the cats, or gently place something large between the cats to help separate them. (Do not try to handle or break up fighting cats directly. This may result in you getting scratched or bitten. Find an object like a chair or large pillow to gently wedge between them and once separated, guide one of the cats to another room until both cats have calmed down).
• Don’t leave them alone together until long after the transition period and once you’re certain they will get along.
• Do not disrupt the routine or your resident cats. Give them plenty of attention and treats for good behavior.
Additional things to know:
When you adopt a cat, it’s important to be prepared. Some additional things to consider include:
• Getting your cat micro-chipped (be sure to register the chip right away) and use an ID tag as soon as possible.
• Schedule the new cat for a visit with your veterinarian for his first check-up (and shots if necessary).
• Cats need to scratch. It's a good idea to get a scratching post or cat three and encourage this as an appropriate place for kitty to scratch.
• Do not declaw!! Keep kitty's nails trimmed or, if necessary, use nail caps on your cats claws to protect kids and furniture from scratches.
• Avoid planning any large gatherings or visits in your home until after kitty is comfortable and had acclimated to the house and your family. If you must have a houseful of guests during the adjustment period, be sure to keep the new cat isolated in a safe and quiet place to avoid overwhelming and stressing the cat. Make sure the room is secure and that there’s no chance of him escaping to the outdoors.
• Have each family member spend quality time with the kitty to create relationships and feelings of trust.
• Cat-proof your house. Remove or secure items that may be dangerous to the cat if played with or ingested.
• Cats will jump on furniture and counter tops. Be sure to move or secure items you don’t want accidentally knocked down or broken.
• Remove any toxic or hazardous plants from your home. Keep cats from using pots and planters as a litter box by placing large rocks on top of the soil.
MAKE YOUR HOME A FOREVER HOME
Adopting a cat or any new pet is a lifelong commitment. It's important make sure your new friend will enjoy becoming a new member of the family. Chances are your new cat will be a devoted and loving companion for many years to come, and he deserves the same love and devotion from his family.
*Source: http://www.sheknows.com