Getting a new addition to your family can be a bit exhausting —especially if you want everyone (your other pets...& you) to get along! So we found here a few suggestions via Oprah from Adopt-a-Pet.com on how to help an adopted cat or kitten begin to feel comfy in your home.
Congratulations! On being a new proud owner of a kitten/cat or just about to become one! Need advice on how to best ease your new feline friend into its new home? There's lots you can do in the first 24 hours to help your new housemate get comfortable.
Coming Home: The Starter Room
To make your new cat's transition to your household as comfortable as possible, select a quiet, closed-in area such as your bedroom or a small room away from the main foot traffic, and set it up with a litter box, bed, food and water. It's completely normal for a cat to be scared (especially after a car trip or if it's coming from a shelter) and take days or weeks to adjust to its new environment.Cat Tips: To make them more comfy, we suggest you give a bit of wetfood (just few tbsp) as a welcome home gesture. that way they know you are trying to soothe them with yummy food!
If you're adopting an adult cat, be sure that this "starter room" has very secure screens and keep the windows securely closed. We've heard more than one story about a new kitty that, although it is actually quite happy in its new home, has decided to check the out-of-doors, pulls off a screen (how, we don't know, but it's true) and takes off. The escapee is then disoriented and can very likely become lost and injured.
If possible, make the starter room the permanent location of the litter box. If you plan on having the permanent location of the litter box be elsewhere, you'll need two litter boxes. Once kitty has adjusted and seems relaxed and happy in its starter room, you can open the door and let it explore the rest of your home. (Before you open the door, if you have other pets, see Meeting the Household below.) Keep the first litter box in the same location and put a new litter box in the new location. Once the cat is using the new litter box, you can slowly, a foot or two a day, move the first litter box closer and closer to the new one, and then when they are next to each other, remove one box.
Going Outside
We prefer that domestic cats be kept as indoor-only pets but understand that some homes (and some cats) prefer to take the risk of the dangers outside and let their cats roam freely. Please consider the advantages of keeping your new cat indoors always—outdoor cats are exposed to disease, cat fights, being killed by dogs and other wild animals and being hit by cars.Whatever you do, don't let your new kitty go outside when you first bring it home! Even if your new kitty cries at the door or window, please keep it inside. Despite stories about cats finding their way home, in reality your new cat is very likely to become lost. Also, young kittens should be kept indoors at least until they are fully grown (around 12 months).
How to introduce your cat to family members
Meeting the Household
For those house with other pets/cats/dogs, let your new cat get to know and trust household members before it must adjust to the entire home—one thing at a time! Sometimes even the most friendly cats need a few days to feel safe in new environments.If you have other pets, don't introduce the new pet immediately. here are some quick tips:
- Keep your new pet totally separated at first, in its own room.
- For multicat households, when your new cat/kitten is from a shelter, rescue or kennel, this separation period should be 14 days to prevent the spread of contagious diseases during their incubation period.
- Before making any pet introductions, let the new pet get to know and trust you, and let your other pets discover they are still loved. Although they smell a new furry one in the house, they are not going to lose their home and family.
Tempting though it may be, it can be a big mistake to rush this process. The slow approach is well worth the extra time, and you ensure your pets are all happy and comfortable in your home.
And congratulations on adopting a new cat or kitten!
Source: http://www.oprah.com/relationships/Tips-for-Bringing-Home-Your-New-Cat-or-Kitten/2#ixzz2cOY75OMM
No comments:
Post a Comment