Adopting a pet is exciting, but when it comes to bringing home your new cat or kitten for the first the first time, there are a few things you should know. For starters, your home is a foreign place for your new cat. It’s riddled with new sights, sounds, smells and surroundings, which can easily overwhelm or even scare your new pet. However, there are a number of ways you can ease the transition. Keep reading for more information about what you can do to make bringing your cat home as stress-free as possible.
Keep things calm When bringing home your cat from the clinic or shelter for the first time, it won’t take long to notice that she’s a little bit on edge. Keep things calm and recognize the fact that it might take a little bit of time before she feels entirely comfortable in her new environment. Try to minimize the possibility of startling your new feline friend. For example, if you have young children in your home, it may be best to keep them away until your cat’s become more acclimatized to her surroundings. Give your cat time to adjust It’s best to not let your cat loose to wander your entire home immediately. Instead, keep him in an isolated space complete with a bed, litter box and a few toys. Let your cat explore inside the isolated room. After about an hour of letting you cat roam throughout the room, come back with food and spend some time with your new friend. He may need up to two weeks of isolation before he gets used to his new environment, especially if you have other pets living in your household. Slowly introduce your new cat to your old one If your old cat doesn’t seem to be antagonizing the new one (beneath the door to its isolated room, for example), it’s time to make an introduction. Try letting them meet for the first time through a screen door. This will let you gauge their initial reaction. If all goes well, within the next week you can let them meet face to face. They likely won’t take to each other at first, but as long as one isn’t trying to bully the other, you’re in good shape. Slowly but surely, your cats will get used to each other’s company. If you’re looking for a cat clinic in Toronto, visit the walk-in clinic at Bellamy-Lawrence Animal Hospital. Visit us here for more information regarding our services.