How to Bring a New Cat Home and Get it Settled in

As a cat lover and a responsible pet owner, I've brought many new cats home to my house. Before you expand your household, whether you already have a cat or not, you need to know how to bring a new cat home and get it settled in.

The whole process is going to take time and patience on your part. Along with some necessary supplies for your new cat. It might take a number of days, weeks, or even months to get your new cat settled in. So, be patient and loving with him or her, and the adjustment will go smoother.

Your new cat should have a room or a secluded area to itself at first. If you don't have a spare room you can use, simply section off part of an area in your house. Initially, the spare room or area should be away from all other pets.

In order to get a new cat home and get it settled in, place a litter box, water,
food, some cat toys, a scratching post, and a kitty bed or basket in his or her private area. (The litter box should be as far away as possible from its water and food bowls and bed or basket.) You should start out by using the same kind of cat food your new cat is used to eating. Its food will be familiar, and he or she will be more likely to eat.

The room or sectioned off area should be free of anything harmful to him or her. This includes sharp objects and toxic substances such as household cleaners,
insecticides, mouse or ant poison, drain cleaner, mothballs, et cetera.

Don't be alarmed if your new cat refuses to eat at first. He or she needs some time to calm down and get adjusted to its new environment. If, however, the cat won't eat in a day or two, you'll need to take action. Entice it with some tuna fish. If that doesn't work, you should call your veterinarian for further advice.

When you bring a new cat home and get it settled in, you may not know what amount of food you should feed your new cat. To find out, refer to the pet food label for portion recommendations.