How to Help your New Cat Settle In
Whether you are a foster parent or a forever home, bringing your new cat home is an exciting time! It can also be stressful - cats are creatures of habit and may struggle with change. As you and your feline friend get to know each other, there are some things you can do to make the transition easier for both of you. Learn how Sylvester.ai can help!
Create a sanctuary room
It is important to provide your cat a safe space to decompress. Find a quiet area where they can be alone. It doesn’t have to be big - you can use a bathroom, walk-in closet, or spare room. Fill it with all the things your cat needs like water, food, a litterbox, bed, scratching post and toys. Also make sure there are at least 3 places for your cat to hide. If needed, you can use your pet carrier and a couple of cardboard boxes to create them.
There are just a few things to avoid. Don’t choose the laundry room for this space as your cat can get wedged behind an appliance. They might also find it too noisy. Make sure that other pets are not allowed in this room. Finally, keep the litterbox and food as far apart as possible.
Go slow, don’t rush
One of the most important things you can do is to let your new cat interact with you on their own timeline. When you get home, start by bringing your cat into the sanctuary room and letting them step out of their carrier when they are ready. Don’t worry if your cat doesn’t want to come out and play immediately! Try to be patient. You can also help your cat warm up to you by spending some time in the sanctuary space without trying to interact with them directly. Consider reading a book or doing another quiet activity by yourself. You may want to do this at dawn or dusk, since cats are most active during low light hours. When your cat demonstrates curiosity about you, reward them with a treat or toy to help reinforce that behavior.
Monitor your cat
Monitor your cat’s behaviors during this adjustment period by learning their normal eating, drinking and literbox habits. If you are working with a foster cat, take special care to watch for signs of pain and discomfort as they are more likely to be elderly or have medical conditions. All cats often hide their pain so it can be difficult to notice, but Sylvester.ai helps caregivers detect issues early. Sylvester.ai uses advanced machine learning to analyze a photo of your cat in real time and determine if they are showing signs of discomfort. Taking photos with Sylvester.ai of your cat over time can also help you track their mood over the adjustment period.
Establish a routine
Setting up a consistent schedule will help your cat thrive. Your cat will feel more comfortable when they know what to expect. Consider times for feeding, water, litterbox cleaning, brushing and play. Don’t worry too much about getting it “just right” - if something isn’t working you can always tweak the routine.
Cat-proof your house
Cats are curious and will begin to explore as they start to feel comfortable in their new home. Make sure you’ve removed items from your home that might be harmful to them. Common household items include certain plants, string, wool, cleaning products and other chemicals, and elastic bands. Consider making a checklist and going room by room.
Welcoming a new cat into your home takes a little planning, some patience, and a lot of love. With the right tools, you can create a relationship where you both thrive.
