QUESTION: How should one introduce a new cat to their home?
Ah, I remember my first day with my new owners. Even in that one room to which they initially restricted me, there was so much to see. There were so many objects to sniff! There were so many places to climb! I needed to bound here and there, everywhere.
When my owners left me alone and closed the door behind them, I felt kind of weird. It was so quiet. At the shelter, I had been in a room with 20 other cats. I loved my new place. I hated my new place. I didn’t know what I think.
My owners returned with food. I gobbled it up. I had to finish before another cat tried to take it. Then I remembered there were no other cats.
I felt grateful for my new owners giving me a place of my own. I head-butted my owners and sniffed them. But I also missed having cats around to play with. It was so quiet! I could hear my own purr.
The way I felt is the same as any cat will feel in a new home. Here are some things you can do to help us adjust:
- Put us initially in a small confined area by ourselves.
- Furnish the area with necessities: food dish, water dish, and litter box.
- Initially, continue feeding us the same brand of food that we were given at the shelter/rescue we came from. Gradually, shift to a new brand of food, if desired.
- Let us approach you. We’ll be nervous for a while. Let us adjust to you at our own pace. Give us alone time. We need time to adjust to our new situation.
In my next column, I’ll tell you about my next adventure. Please keep watch for it!
Have cat questions of your own? Submit to: allisontalkspetsATgmailDOTcom
Lincoln Animal Ambassadors 