Congratulations! You decided to take the leap and become a cat owner. There are a multitude of places where you could have acquired your new furry housemate. Whether you’ve done your homework and studied different breeds, adopted from a rescue group, or picked up a new kitty from a friend… you may or may not know what to expect once you bring your pet home.
The number one guideline to follow is… Patience. Lots!
Unfortunately, there’s a good chance your new pet won’t like what you’d most like to give it. That would be… a lot of attention, pampering and groping. I’m sorry to break the news.
You have to put on the cat’s boots for a while to understand why he seems to want to do nothing but hide behind the sofa. Or why he runs away from you every time you get close and only seems to sniff around when he thinks no one is looking.
Regardless of where your cat came from, you have now put him in a completely foreign environment, and unless you live in a closet; one that looks really huge for the little thing. For a cat, this is strange territory, and being the cautious creatures that they are, they are not about to explore and roam freely in unfamiliar territory. As far as they know, there are vicious predators lurking around corners.
The second important guideline to remember is that the cat is in charge. Let the cat set the pace to settle in and get comfortable. The first day of ‘home’ should be confined to a room containing the cat’s bed (or an open cage with blankets inside), a litter box, and a food/water dish. If you just open the house to her, it will be very overwhelming and your kitty will most likely find a place and hide to feel safe.
Let your new cat out of his carrier on his own without grabbing or pulling. It is extremely important that you do not make your new pet afraid of you and when it comes to cats, they prefer to get close. Leave him alone for a while so he can feel comfortable enough to explore his only room for a few hours. So you can just sit there with him, talk quietly, and again, not force any interaction.
If you follow the cat’s lead, it won’t be long before you can gradually expand his territory and he’ll adjust well because he’s learned that he can trust you and your actions.
Very often it can take months for a cat to fully acclimate to a new home. Although some cats are much more social by nature and more inclined to ‘love’ humans, even those cats will be careful when exploring (and establishing) the territory that will be theirs.
Make sure your home is “cat-proofed” so fragile items are protected from your cat’s mischief and climbing. Also, make sure there are at least a couple of good, clear spots for you to observe your “territory”. A shelf or windowsill are often preferred spots or you can get a cat tree that doubles as a scratching post/bed/perch.
As long as you are patient, gentle, and allow your kitty to come to you, she will develop deep trust and become a confident and comfortable pet in your home for many years.