Dogs are generally willing to beg for love and attention, but feline friends have a tendency to make you earn their affection instead. The American Pet Products Association estimates that 38 million households in the U.S. have cats, which means you’re not alone if you find yourself putting in extra hours to please Fluffy. When bringing your cat home, the first few days and weeks are important to help her adjust. These new kitten tips should help you and Fluffy start a great relationship off on the right paw.
Give her space.
Cats tend to be introverted and enjoy spending time alone in their own quiet, private space. This space can be as small as a cat crate or a homemade cat house (a large cardboard box with a door cut in the side). People with extra space at home may even devote an entire room to the cat at first to give her plenty of quiet and time to adjust. Any space should at least be big enough for the cat to stand up and turn around in.
View your house from a cat’s perspective.
Go through your home at the eye-level of a cat and consider its potential for exploring and climbing. Cats are going to climb like little acrobats once they are settled, so check for delicate items that the kitty might reach and knock over. Check for holes or gaps in walls or ductwork that the cat could sneak into and get stuck.
Encourage scratching on posts—not the couch.
Cats love to claw and scratch fabric and carpet, so offer kitty a designated scratch post to call her own. Sprinkling catnip or dangling a toy on top will encourage her to scratch there. Adding sticky tape to the corners of upholstered furniture will discourage kitty from clawing there.
Let her come to you.
Don’t storm the cat the moment she arrives. Give her plenty of distance and safe space so she can adjust. Try sitting on the floor and letting her come to you, but never force her to cuddle. As you play with her and she gets to know you better, Fluffy will gradually feel more at home and choose to interact with you more on her own.
Be mindful of her eating schedule.
Try to stick to the same feeding schedule your new cat has been used to. If she doesn’t each much, don’t worry—this could be caused by nerves and being in a new place. If Fluffy consistently doesn’t eat for a few days, call your local animal hospital to make an appointment with a vet to ensure nothing else is wrong.
