Step 3: First Day at Home

So you brought your kitty home. Now what?

Just like moving houses for you, coming to a new home will be a bit of a shock to the system for your new cat. New territory, unfamiliar smells, stranger hoomans to share one’s space with – your kitty will be very shy, and will try to hide at first. Naturally outgoing and braver cats might still hide for a day or two, but the more timid kind could hide for a week or even longer! Give your kitty time and space to familiarise itself with a new home.

First, create a private space for your cat. It can be a cosy covered cat bed with all the ‘amenities’ but often even a simple cardboard box would do just fine. The main things to keep in mind is that there are two exits in this new hiding place – a second escape route will give your cat a peace of mind. Make sure that the home/box is big enough for your tabby to stand up in, turn around, and stretch out. The home/box should be placed by a wall and give a good view of the door to the room. Remember that cats are hunters and they like to be able to observe their ‘territory’, so clear away a shelf or two in the room so that the cat can use it as an observation tower.

Second, prepare a litter box. Again, as a temporary solution, this can be a simple cardboard box cut down the middle, with some sand in it. You can always get a proper litter box at a later stage. Place the litter box first in the room, but as far away from the cat bed/box as possible. Cats don’t like to smell their own elimination as in the wild they do their business as far from the ‘nesting’ place as possible in order not to attract other predators / competition to their resting place. Then move the litter box to the bathroom as soon as the kitty is used to the new place and starts exploring beyond the first room.

Third, place a water bowl and some cat food next to the box. Don’t worry if your new cat doesn’t touch it straight away, it’s not uncommon for cats not to be interested in food at first. Time and patience, my dear friend, time and patience.

The most important thing to remember is to try not to touch the cat during these first few days – let her come to you first. Introduce her to her new home one room at a time, and I promise, you will get all the love and affection before long. And the best of all, the wait will be worth it!

Day 1 Cat Preparedness Checklist

• Cat bed or a box with a warm blanket or towel
• Cat food, preferably premium-brand / good quality
• Food dish
• Water bowl
• Litter box and litter