Most cats will adjust within one to two weeks. If you have a multiple-animal household, it may take several months for everyone to fully adjust.
Step 1: Get your cat into a room that does not have hiding places. Get it all ready with a bed, food, water, litter box, and toys, and close them in the room as soon as they arrive home. Step 2: Simply sit in the same room with them several times a day. Let them come to you when they are ready.
It is best to keep your cat indoors for a minimum of two weeks. You can encourage positive associations with your new home by feeding your cat more often with small meals and incorporating more treats and play into your cat's day. When you do let your cat outside, make it short at first, and keep an eye on them.
Again, some hissing when they see each other is normal so don't be alarmed. Some light swatting is also common. Separate them if the hissing doesn't die down after 1 or 2 minutes or if there is any sign of threat (swatting with force, chasing, screaming, ears flattened, etc.). Try again when the cats seem to be calm.
Some cats are quite sensitive, and they can experience mild depression over what seem to us like small things, such as moving their litter box or outfitting them with a new collar. Other examples of major changes that can trigger depression in cats are: Moving to a new home or apartment.
Rehoming is extremely stressful for all involved (cat and human) and should be taken very seriously. There are some situations where it is the kinder thing to do, even if it's difficult, but in no way am I suggesting it be the first choice in every situation.
Should I keep my cat in at night? Cats Protection recommends that you keep your cat in at night to keep them safe. Increased risks during night time include: Road traffic injuries and fatalities.
Your new cat will need to be in their safe room for at least three days, but some may need longer. Once you feel your cat is comfortable and confident in their room, it's time to open the door and let them explore the rest of the home. We suggest doing this one room at a time.
Introducing too quickly with little preparation will often lead to cats feeling threatened and scared, which increases the chance of aggressive behaviour being shown. Once cats feel this way about each other, it can be extremely difficult to change their minds.
THE FIRST NIGHT AT HOME
Set up one small room in your home with a litter tray, food, water and a cat bed. Take your cat into the room and place them in the litter tray so they know where it is. Close the door but stay in the room. Spend some time in the room with them to observe how they are acting.
The new cat should stay in its own room for at least a few days. This room will then smell like the newcomer, and the resident cats will be more likely to treat the room as the newcomer's territory. The new kitty will, thus, have a refuge when you finally open the door.
Cats typically hide in a new environment, to assess whether the new place is safe or not. Kittens usually adapt in just a few hours, but there are those that may take days, weeks and sometimes longer. Don't be dismayed or give up; they'll soon trust you.
When you take on a cat or kitten it may be quiet and wary for the first few days or even the first few weeks until it gets used to you and its new environment. However, some cats remain very fearful despite a gentle welcome and time to settle in.
When resident cat approaches the blanket, observe closely the body language. Normal language would be sniffing, pawing, and even growling. Warning signs would be flattened ears, twitching tail and hissing, if you see any of these warning signs, you may be in for a bit of a battle when the two first initially meet.
Some cats may take a week; others may take months, depending on the individual personalities. Bring your fearful cat home to a secluded room set up specifically for the cat. This “home base” provides a quiet place to adjust to new surroundings.
In the first few nights, have your kitten close to you in a warm and cosy spot next to your bed. Kittens like to feel sheltered and secure so putting them above the ground, if possible, can also make them feel safer.
If your new kitty is hiding it's important to understand this is normal. Just be patient and give them time to adjust to their surroundings. If your new kitty wants to hide, let them hide. Don't force them to come out.
Can you leave your cat alone overnight? Yes, if your cat is provided with enrichment activities, fresh food and water, and a clean litter box, an overnight trip is perfectly fine. However, if you have a young kitten or a cat that needs medication while you're away, it is better to hire a pet sitter or board your cat.
Even the bravest of cats will experience stress after moving to a new home. However, you may need professional help if your cat is still tightly stressed after a few weeks. Ask your veterinarian for behavior advice or seek out a feline behaviorist.
Cats are very territorial and may be reluctant to accept a new environment as their home. If a previous home is nearby, cats may wander back and try to take up residence with the new people! If the move is further away, they may attempt to return home and get lost along the way.
A cat's long term memory can last for months to several years so your cat certainly won't forget you if you have to go away for a short period of time.
A cat can remember a person for as long as ten years, depending on the emotional attachment the person grew with the cat. Relying on the bond, this time frame can vary. If you are their owner, the timeline can go a long way. Again, if it is just a street cat you fed for a day, their time can become much shorter.