Once your cat shows interest in trying to leave the room, or is begging at the door to come out, they're ready to explore the rest of the house! 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.
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.
It takes most cats eight to 12 months to develop a friendship with a new cat. Although some cats certainly become close friends, others never do. Many cats who don't become buddies learn to avoid each other, but some cats fight when introduced and continue to do so until one of the cats must be re-homed.
Let the cat decide: your new cat will let you know when he is ready to explore beyond the Bonding Room. On average, a new cat may stay in the Bonding Room for 2 - 7 days, but generally the cat will let you know when he is ready for the next step.
Do not leave the new cat and resident cat alone together until they are fully acquainted. The introduction period is usually short with kittens. but takes longer with adult cats. Be patient and give the cats plenty of time to adjust.
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.
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.
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.
To set everyone up for success, ideally the new cat is kept in a room that the resident cat doesn't spend all that much time in. (This may not be possible in a small apartment.) For example, if your resident cat enjoys sleeping in your bedroom, ideally the new cat is kept in a room other than your bedroom.
If the kitten room happens to be your bedroom, then you just may end up with a kitten curled against you in the night. But don't feel bad about leaving them in their room to go sleep in yours. I promise, they'll be okay until morning. Just leave them with a soft bed and blanket, turn off the light, and close the door.
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.
Turning out the lights when you leave the house can be a good habit to have from an economic standpoint, but leaving your cat in complete darkness can actually be very stressful for them.
One simple way to know if your cat trusts you is if her tail stands straight up, especially when she sees you or walks toward you. Some cat experts consider it to be a “thumbs up” in cat lingo. If the tail quivers slightly, it's even more indication that the cat has positive feelings toward you.
And unlike dogs, cats actually prefer smaller spaces and tend to find hideaways and corners to retreat when they need their space. Although cats may need a little less, a cat can happily live in one room only if they have everything they need.
At the very least, you'll need a way to carry your cat home, some cat-friendly food bowls, a litter box and litter, and a long-lasting scratcher. Once your new cat is home, you can see where they like to perch and sleep, and then consider adding nice-to-haves like a cat tree or a bed.
Caution when introducing cats
Watch for signs one cat is avoiding areas. If you think she's being bullied make sure she has her own space and things like bed, litter box, food bowl. Never punish either cat if they show aggression. If you see, signs of aggression go back a few steps.
Adding an unfamiliar cat to an existing cat's home can be stressful for both animals, but there are some steps you can take to help them integrate into their new home and socialize. The key is to slowly integrate new smells, give them time alone to explore their new environment and provide them with their own space.
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.