10 Tips for Bringing Home Your New Cat
Congratulations! It’s time to bring your precious kitty from their old life, into their new family and home. This is a joyous time that you want to make sure neither you nor your cat will ever forget. To make sure things go smoothly and positively, you’ll need to make a few preparations and keep some cautions in mind.
Although they eventually become relatively low-maintenance little fur-babies, cats can be challenging to care for when they’re not yet comfortable with their living space. You’ve got to do everything in your power to make them comfortable and give them time to adapt on their own. Tips on how to do just that are listed below.
Have the House Prepared Before
One of the worst mistakes you can make when bringing any pet home is neglecting to prepare your home for the animal before they arrive. It is a poor choice to save the preparations for the moment you bring your cat home, as you will likely need to keep them enclosed in a crate, hold them, or otherwise stress them out when you get back to the house.
The easiest way to welcome your new cat home is to have the following elements already set up in the house:
- Bed
- Litter box
- Eating and drinking area
Of course, there is more you can add to enhance your cat’s experience in the home, and some of those items are listed in the next section. Until then, recognize that part of the preparation process is briefing all household members on the new kitty in advance. Set some ground rules and discuss the do’s and don’ts (examples below) to avoid preventable mishaps with the new family member. (Source: PetFinder)
Dos and Don’ts of Caring for Your Brand-New Cat
You and your family will need to be on the same page when it comes to welcoming your new cat home. Without everyone on the same page, you risk your cat getting overwhelmed or agitated by inconsistent experiences between household members. To avoid any unnecessary issues, have everyone agree to the guidelines below (Source: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals):
Dos | Don’ts |
|
|
*Many cat owners believe that a high-quality living is not possible without letting their furballs outside. Yet, Gold Coast officials assure cat owners that their pets will live a happy, fulfilling life indoors. Those allowed to roam freely in the outdoors typically have a mere 1/5 of the lifespan that indoor cats do (three years as opposed to 15 years).
However, if you cannot bear keeping your cat indoors permanently, the City of Gold Coast recommends cat-proof fencing. This entails the addition of inward-facing netting at the top of the yard fence, the installation of fence rollers, or a “cat-io” (an enclosed, outdoor cat play area). (Source: City of Gold Coast)
Cat-Proof Your House
Kitties are notorious for getting into things that don’t belong to them. While this may result in just a giggle for you here and there, it can mean danger for your cat’s physical wellbeing and health. You’ll need to cat-proof your house to ensure they are safe at all times. Follow the steps below to prevent your cat from getting unnecessarily hurt or sick (Source: Pet Secure):
- Scan the house for plants that are toxic to cats. A non-flowering plant to avoid is the philodendron, while dangerous flowers include daffodils, poinsettias, and more.
- Keep trash bin lids and toilet seats down – kitties are very curious and may get themselves trapped in these containers.
- Don’t depend on baby or dog gates. Cats can easily jump over these. If you don’t want your cats getting into a certain area of the house, close the doors and windows to these spaces instead.
- If you need to open the windows during the day, install screens to keep your cat indoors while enjoying the breeze.
- Put away sewing kits. The colourful threads and ribbons will undoubtedly attract your cat’s attention, so it’s best to keep these things entirely out of sight.
- Make sure fireplaces are closed and cannot be opened by your cat.
- Secure all medications and keep them locked.
Learn Gold Coast Requirements for Your New Cat
Be mindful of the local ordinances when bringing your new pet home. There will likely be specific requirements for your home or apartment complex if you’re renting. Still, Gold Coast enforces a set of rules for all cat owners in the area, no matter where they live. These city-specific guidelines and regulations are listed below (Source: City of Gold Coast):
- Cats that are 12 weeks and older must be microchipped, according to the 2008 Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act.
- You are only allowed to keep a maximum of two cats, regardless of your property size. If you wish to have more, you must apply for a permit.
- You are required to keep your cat indoors. Free-roaming cats have a higher chance of being injured by fighting, digs, snakes, and collisions. They may also be bitten by ticks. Your new pet will be much safer and happier indoors. (Source: City of Gold Coast)
Keep Up with Required Vaccinations
Regardless of your brand-new kitty’s age, you will need to keep up with a vaccination schedule to protect their health and that of other animals in the home. According to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), a kitten between the ages of 6-8 weeks old will need three vaccinations, each administered 2-4 weeks apart from each other.
The specific vaccinations you get will depend on your lifestyle and the unique health risks in or near your household. In all cases, an annual booster shot is required to keep your cat in top shape. Although many people are convinced that this is an insignificant part of caring for a cat, vaccinations are essential for a healthy life. (Source: Virbac Australia)
Please verify with the cattery or previous cat carer started your pet’s booster series before bringing it home. This will eliminate the chance of you spreading diseases to your pets at home, or exposing the new cat to pathogens that they are not equipped to deal with. The most important diseases that your cat should be vaccinated for include the following (Source: knose):
- Panleukopenia: This disease is also known by the names, “feline parvovirus” and “feline distemper.” Cats that come down with this illness are likely to experience severe vomiting, diarrhea, and nervous system complications.
- Feline herpes virus: This is a type of virus that affects the upper respiratory system. In kittens, it is highly likely to escalate to pneumonia.
- Calicivirus: This virus also affects the cat’s respiratory system, in addition to the intestinal tract, muscles, bones, and related tissues and organs in the musculoskeletal system.
Give Your Cat Space to Acclimate
It is crucial that you recognize your cat’s need to adapt to their new home. Your new kitty has been through a lot during their transition to your house, whether they were specially bred or adopted. The ride from the shop, cattery, or original home can be stressful, and they will likely need some time to calm down.
Please also consider that your cat may have previously lived in a small enclosure. This will most likely be the case for cats that were bought at pet stores or adopted from shelters. A sudden introduction to a large environment can be overwhelming, so be patient and encourage your new cat to explore.
Although you may want to hold and cuddle your kitty as much as possible, that may not be the best idea on their first few days in the home. Give them the space to approach you whenever they like, and allow the cat to be preoccupied with their favourite features of the home. In the meantime, some great enrichment features you should add to your cat’s living space include (Source: Best Friends Animal Society):
- Hiding places: As you may know, cats love to hide in things. Something as simple as a cardboard box can not only be a safe haven for your kitty when it’s stressed but a great place to disappear to during playtime. You can place these hideaways on the ground and (safely) on top of things to give your kitty as much choice as possible.
- Scratching post: You’ll often find your cat scratching the floor when they wake up from bedtime or a nap, as they’re flexing their claws while stretching. Otherwise, they may be aiming to mark their territory or file down their claws. Whatever the purpose, a scratching post helps prevent unnecessary destruction. (Source: The Humane Society of the United States)
Let New and Established Cats Get Used to Scents
What should you do if your new cat is not the only fur-baby in the house? Luckily, you have nothing to fear. It just takes a bit of extra patience and attention to ensure a smooth transition for your kitty into their new forever home.
No matter what you do or how many cats are being introduced to one another, it is best to provide the newcomer with their own space. They’ll need time and space to get used to all the scents already in the home, so it’s best to give them their own room for the first few days to weeks, depending on the individual’s needs.
Spend time in this room with them while they acclimate. This will help them get used to your smell and presence over time, which will help build their trust in you and lay the foundation of your relationship. To introduce the new cat to the other fur-babies in the house, follow the steps below (Source: Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals):
- To support the process of your new kitty getting used to all the new smells, swap bedding between all the cats in the home. Do this for about one week.
- Slowly introduce the new cat to other parts of the house.
- Identify which of your cats is the most established, or dominant, in the home. Allow this individual to explore the new cat’s room while the newbie is not around. (It’s best to put the newcomer in a cat kennel during this time.)
- At the two-week mark, your new and established cats are ready to meet one another. Instructions for the next stage of introductions are below.
Carefully Introduce Your Cats to Each Other
A crucial detail to remember when introducing your cats to each other is to let them take things at their own pace. You don’t want to force your cats to be friends straight away – but that’s wonderful if it happens naturally!
A great way to ensure that the experience is positive for all kitties involved is to offer them treats. This will help them associate the meeting with good feelings and slightly reduce any existing tension. (It is normal for pets to be over-excited when meeting other animals. If your cats are more interested in each other than the food, that is just fine!)
A few tips for their first meeting are below:
- Never leave unfamiliar cats together without supervision. This is a dangerous mistake, as you won’t be there to mitigate any impulsive aggressive behaviour.
- Consider purchasing a Feliway diffuser or spray, or a similar product. These products help combat any stress your cats may experience due to the pheromones they release when meeting each other.
- Give each cat their own litter box. These fur-babies are unlikely to use a litter box when they know it belongs to someone else, which may lead to accidents around the house. Giving each cat their own toilet area will also help them feel more secure since they’ll have a bit of privacy when they need to potty.
Provide Plenty of Play Time
As your new kitty gets comfortable in the home, they’ll likely want more interaction with you and the other animals. To make them feel even more welcome, it’s best to give them several toys to play with, either with you or on their own. Invite your cat to play with you as many times a day as you can offer. These play sessions will help grow your relationship better than anything else.
However, remember that your cat is a nocturnal animal. This means that they’ll likely be awake when you’re not, looking for things to do around the house. Giving them interactive toys is a great way to ensure they’re occupied when everyone else is snoozing. (Source: Petco)
Remember to swap out your cat’s toys often, though. Cats have fleeting attention spans, and will most likely grow tired of their new toys quite quickly. You don’t have to buy new toys all the time. Instead, keep certain toys hidden away for brief periods until you notice your kitty getting board of the accessible ones. Swap them out when your cat is ready to keep their playtime fresh and exciting. (Source: Pet Angel)
Monitor Your New Cat’s Behavior
You will need to keep an eye on your new kitty to ensure they are happy in their forever home. Of course, this doesn’t mean you need to watch them like a hawk and follow them everywhere they go. Instead, you’ll just need to keep a close eye on their mood and signs of irritation.
If your cat doesn’t adjust to the new living arrangements within a few weeks, it is best to consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviourist. It is likely that your cat is struggling with resolvable medical conditions, often expressed in the form of avoiding the use of a litter box, destructive marking, or continuous vocalizations.
Further, sudden aggression could be a sign of sickness. If your cat isn’t feeling well, it’s likely to take out the discomfort and frustration in less-than-ideal ways. Don’t assume the cat’s personality has flipped permanently. Consult with a professional, as there’s a strong chance that it’s fixable. (You should never punish aggressive behaviours. Let your cat cool down instead, as punishments will just scare them.) (Source: Fetch by WebMD)
In Conclusion
Getting a new cat is a wonderful experience that can fill your days with joy and improve your quality of life. To ensure the experience is positive for both you and your kitty, you’ll need to prepare your home and family before the cat’s arrival and introduce the newcomer to the home slowly. After that, your core responsibilities in bringing your new cat to your Gold Coast home are as follows:
- Establish ground rules for the family
- Cat-proof the house
- Learn city requirements for cat owners
- Keep up with vaccinations
- Give your cat space to acclimate
- Introduce new and established cat scents
- Slowly introduce new cats to each other
- Provide playtime and toys
- Monitor your new cat’s behaviour
With these tips, you can rest assured that your cat will be as happy as can be in their brand-new forever home.
