How to prepare for your new cat:

5 things you must do

Congratulations on adopting your new cat! To help you get ready for their arrival, we’ve put together this ‘to do’ list and our vet Harriet has made a video full of great advice.

Following this list and Harriet's advice will help you meet your legal duties, too. Under the UK’s Animal Welfare Act, you’re legally obliged to give your cat:

A suitable place to live
A healthy diet and access to clean water
The ability to behave normally
Appropriate company
Protection from pain, injury, suffering and disease.

1. Create safe spaces

To feel safe and secure, cats need their own bed, hiding places and somewhere high up to view their surroundings.

Buy a comfortable and warm cat bed like an igloo or hammock, and put it somewhere quiet. You might want to buy more than one bed and have them in different rooms.

You can make beds and hiding places, too. Get an appropriate-sized cardboard box, turn it on its side and put a snuggly blanket inside. Again, place this in a quiet spot.

Putting cosy blankets on top of wardrobes, shelves and windowsills is a great way of giving your cat somewhere high up to hide.

2. Set up a litter tray or outside toilet

Cats like to go to the toilet where they feel safe, and in a place that allows them to bury their waste afterwards.

If your cat already uses a litter tray or you don’t have a garden, you’ll need to set up a litter tray before they arrive.

If your cat prefers to toilet outside and you’ve got a garden, or you want to train them to toilet outside, pick an area that’s close to the house yet private. Once they have settled into your home following a period of staying indoors (usually 2-3 weeks), you can encourage them to toilet there.

For more information on setting up litter trays and toilet training cats, visit:

Cats Protection

RSPCA

PDSA

3. Stock up on the right food

Cats must have healthy, balanced diets and access to fresh water at all times. At first, it’s best to continue with the food the cat has been used to. Ask the person you’re adopting from what the cat eats, then buy plenty of it.

Even if you want to change their diet, this should be done gradually and under the guidance of your vet.

Lots of cats like to eat a special type of grass called Cocksfoot because it helps them clear furballs. Have some in the house to stop them chewing other houseplants!

4. Get a scratch post

Scratching is a big part of being a cat. Encourage them to carry out this natural behaviour by investing in a proper scratch post. This will discourage them from stretching and scratching on your furniture, too.

Put the post near their bed so they can stretch and scratch when they wake up – something that most cats tend to do.

5. Plan for holidays

Even though cats are relatively independent pets, they can’t be left alone for long periods of time. When you go away, you’ll need to find a cat-sitter or put them in a cattery. Research your options early so you don’t end up in a difficult situation.

6. Register with a vet

You have an ongoing duty to care for your cat’s health, so register your cat with a vet immediately. Watch Harriet's video to find out about why this is so important.

As Harriet explains, you should get as much information as possible about your cats health from their previous owner. Ask for: details of their old vet, vaccination records, information about any health conditions and medications, and whether or not they've been microchipped.

More information about cat welfare may be found in the Cat Welfare Code of Practice

7. Settling in your new cat

Adopting a new cat or kitten through PetRehomer is an exciting experience, although there can often be a lot to think about too. When you first take them home, you’ll need to help them gently settle into their new life with you. A change of home environment is often stressful for a cat and it can take a good few weeks for them (and you) to feel relaxed.

The first few hours after welcoming your cat home can affect how they’ll adapt to their new life. Remember not to rush them – prepare to be patient and don’t pressure your cat into doing things they may not yet be ready for.

Setting up your cat's new space

Before you even think about letting your new pet out of its cat carrier, you’ll need to set up a safe space with everything they need. A quiet room away from busy areas of the house is ideal – it’ll give them a chance to relax before exploring everywhere. The room should include:

an area for food and a separate one for water
at least one litter tray placed as far away as possible from their food and water in a private location
a place to hide – perhaps a cardboard box or a snuggly bed somewhere cosy
access to a high spot. Cat perches are great for cats that like to climb but a cardboard box on a sturdy shelf is just as good
a suitable place to sleep
a scratching post
a few cat toys to allow them to play

Helping your cat to explore their new home

Once you have a quiet room set up in your home, it’s time to welcome your cat to their new environment. On arriving home, please leave your cat to explore their new room for an hour or so before introducing yourself and your family. Some cats might need longer so be prepared to go at your pet’s pace.

If they choose to hide, sit quietly in the same room and talk to them softly. Avoid forcing them to come out. You’ll need to give them plenty of time to adjust, especially if they are particularly shy.

If you are worried that your cat still hasn’t come out of hiding, don't react too quickly. As long as they are eating and drinking and using their litter tray, there is no need to worry. If your cat is too shy to eat, you may want to move their food bowl closer to their hiding place and leave the room.

Introducing your cat to your family

Once your cat seems confident with you, it’s time to introduce other family members. Remember to do this gradually, with each family member greeting the cat one by one. It can be overwhelming for your new cat to meet everyone at the same time.

If you have children, they are likely to be excited about the new arrival but it is important to keep them calm. Let the cat come to them and when they do, show the children how to gently stroke and interact with them.

While cats and children generally get along, even the friendliest cat will defend themselves if they are pushed or pulled too much. Avoid picking your cat up in the early stages too. Wait until they are settled and know that you are not a threat.

To introduce your cat to an existing cat in your home:

stroke each cat with a clean cloth and dab it around your home, leaving the cloth in the cat’s environment to sniff when the cat is ready to investigate
swap the scents until your cats no longer react to the scent
if possible, place a glass or mesh door between the cats when they meet – this will allow them to approach or hide as they choose

It can take anything from a day to many weeks for cats to tolerate each other so don’t give up.

To introduce your cat to your dog (or other pet):

swap scents by stroking each pet with a separate, clean cloth
repeat the process until your pets show no reaction to the smell
keep your dog on the lead and keep them calm before meeting your new cat
never restrain your cat or force them to approach the dog
Check out this helpful guide and video from Cats Protection