Your New Cat

 

Congratulations on your new family member! You have helped save a life and in return you get a wonderful furrever-friend!

Here are some tips to ensure a great start to your cat’s new life.

Be Prepared:

Make sure you have purchased all of the essentials.

  • Food and water bowls
  • Food (if you can, stick to the same brand or similar as to what your cat has already been eating)
  • Litter and a litter tray
  • Cat bed
  • Collar and ID tag
  • Scratching post and other toys (be sure to monitor kittens with elastic toys as this can be a hazard)

Don’t forget important upcoming dates like vaccinations, sterilisation and micro-chipping. Sterilisation, micro-chipping and registering your cat with the City of Greater Geraldton are now legal requirements for all cats over the age of 6 months. 

Biscuit

WEEK ONE AND TWO:

Cats do not enjoy travelling, so be mindful that your cat will be unhappy on her trip to her new home and either loan or purchase a cat carrier for the trip. Once home, restrict your cat to just one quiet room and ensure it’s well stocked with the essentials listed above. It is essential to keep your new cat separated from your existing pets for two weeks. Best if in a separate room or cage, to keep them safe, stop them from running away and give them the chance to settle and feel secure in their new surroundings.

  • Your pets will be able to get used to new kitty’s smell in the house, and vice versa.
  • Spend as much time with kitty as you can to develop trust.
  • Feed pets on either side of the closed door so they associate the smell of the new cat with a positive experience.
  • Please be patient and do not attempt to introduce other animals any earlier.

WEEK THREE:

The introduction can begin in week three – fully supervised.

  • Day 15 – For two days, while you are present to supervise, prop the door partially open and allow kitty to see the other pets in safety. Ensure the door cannot be pushed open.
  • Day 17 – for the next two days – lock away your other pets for an hour at a time and let kitty find their way around your house in safety.
  • Day 19 – Under your supervision bring in one pet at a time to meet kitty for short periods of time. You will need to do this for a few days.
  • Day 22 – When all appear to be tolerating each other they can stay in the same room but when you go out, you should continue to separate the adopted cat for a few more days allowing them to interact when you are there.
  • Continue to provide separate litter trays (plus one extra) until all cats are socializing.

 

Kitten-Cuddles

 

Some Tips:

Try using Feliway, Australian Bush Flower Essences Calm & Clear, Emergency Essence spray or similar products to reduce the stress of the introduction. One trick used is to lightly sprinkle baby powder on all cats being introduced to mask the smell for a short time. It is very difficult to undo issues created by a bad introduction.

SLOWLY SLOWLY is the key to a successful introduction.