General Acclimation

Recognizing Signs of Stress

Your new cat will likely be stressed initially. Signs of stress can include decreased appetite, decreased grooming, hiding, lack of interest in attention or affection, and sleeping in unusual locations. A stressed cat may be more quiet than usual, which can be difficult to notice. If you adopted your cat from a rescue or shelter, this is most likely your cat’s third “home” in a fairly short time period, and all that change is stressful.

Start by giving your cat space and time to recover from the stress of moving to a new environment. During the first few days (or sometimes weeks) in a new environment, a cat may hide and may not eat or need to use the litter box as often as normal. If you allow him to hide and emerge on his own when he’s ready, you’re setting the stage for a wonderful relationship with your cat. You’re showing him that he’s in control in the new environment, which boosts his confidence level and increases the bond between you and your cat. Regarding use of the litter box, cats can find the box on their own and, at first, will likely use it while you’re asleep.

When your cat is ready to interact with you, make sure that all interactions are positive. Playing with him with a wand toy and giving treats and yummy food are great ways to interact with a new cat.

Your Cat’s Environment

Many cats are fearful when introduced to their new home. Your home also has different smells and noises than the foster home where your cat lived before. Initially, confine your new cat to one room. Your bedroom or the living room often works well for this. Make sure that you provide your new cat with food, water and a litter box (see below), and that you regularly spend time in this room with her, so that she is not alone.

You’ll also want to provide her with multiple hiding places. A cardboard box with holes cut in both sides (so she can go in and out each side) and a blanket placed in the bottom makes a good hiding place. Give her both low and high hiding places. When she is in a hiding place, do not disturb her, so she can have privacy if desired.

In addition, put a scratching post or cat tree in her room. You can add her scent to the scratching post by gently stroking her cheeks with a towel and then rubbing the scratching post with the towel. This will transfer her scent onto the scratching post, which increases the likelihood that she will use it.

Let your cat adjust to the room, and to you. Do not force her to stay near you if you wish to pet her. Instead, coax her to you by playing with her using an interactive toy or staying near her food bowl while she is eating. Once she realizes that this stranger (you) provides all good things, she will start to trust you.

After a few days, or when your cat is comfortably walking around and living in this room, expand her access to the entire house. For some cats, it may take longer before they are comfortable in their room and can be given access to the whole house.

Diet

Cats eat less when they are stressed, and sometimes stop eating altogether. It is extremely important to make sure that your cat is eating regularly (and consuming adequate amounts) once you have brought him home. If possible, buy the same type of food that he ate in his foster home. If he is not eating, try mixing a little bit of a tastier food, such as canned tuna, real chicken like rotisserie or baby food, into his meal.

After two days, or once he is eating regularly, slowly change him over to the food that you would like to feed him (if different from what he got at the shelter). On the first and second days, feed him 25% of your diet and 75% of the shelter’s diet, mixed together. On the third and fourth days, give him 50% of each. On the fifth and sixth days, switch to 75% of your diet and 25% of the shelter’s diet. On the seventh day, feed him 100% of your preferred diet. Changing your cat’s diet too rapidly can cause upset to his system (decreased appetite, vomiting and/or diarrhea). If this happens, call your veterinarian.

We recommend to feed your cat canned wet food two to three times daily. Dry food can be left out all day. Read more about why wet food is superiod to dry as a primary meal here. We not recommend any type of cat dispensing toy/feeder especially when you first bring your cat home.