Top Tips for Introducing a Cat to a New Home
Moving to a new home can be scary, whether you’re human or feline. Fortunately for your cat, their moving day should be relatively easy — at least once their new environment is prepared.
If you’ve just adopted a new cat or kitten, or are moving your family pet into a new home, we’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks from Canidae’s Cat Lovers Club to help you make the switch from ”scaredy-cat” to “happy kitty.”
Moving Cats to the New Home: Take It Slow
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your new cat will need time to get used to her new family and territory. Start with a “safe room” that is equipped with food, water and her litter box, and then gradually let her explore new spaces, one room at a time. Your new cat will want to explore every nook and cranny of her new territory, so cat proofing is a great idea. Make sure you put away breakables and hide anything your cat might see as edible!
Already have a family dog? While a lot of cats and dogs can live in harmony, there are some dogs who simply cannot live safely with cats. Before introducing your pets to each other, do some research on how to safely integrate and remember, take it slow!
Litter Box and Litter
Cat owners know how fussy felines can be about where they relieve themselves. To keep your home clean and smelling fresh, it’s a good idea to select your litter box carefully: The design, size, shape, and features can make or break a cat's bathroom habits. Get the right litter box and your cat will happily do its business there, rather than on the floor.
So, what are the best cat litter boxes? Wirecutter has a great round-up here.
When it comes to selecting your litter, there are many different features and factors to consider, from flushable to non-flushable, clumping, odor-eliminating or fragranced, and more. Check out this great article on picking the right litter for your pet.
Cat Toys and Accessories
Want to know a great way to create a bond with your new cat? Give it some toys!
Cat trees and scratching posts help to reduce stress for indoor cats. Cats naturally enjoy hiding, climbing, and sitting on cat trees and surveying the world, but when they’re stuck indoors they can’t follow their instincts like this. Cat trees allow cats to run, climb and jump, give them a place to perch, and provide them with cozy cubby holes where they can hide.
Another cat accessory you can purchase to make your cat or kitten comfortable is a pheromone spray. These help to mimic natural pheromones that calm cats down, make them feel safe and reduce stress-related behaviors.
Water
Hydration is key, make sure your new feline friend has enough water! According to Pet MD, your cat needs a daily amount of about 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of their body weight. So, if your cat weighs in at 10 pounds, he should be drinking between 7 to 9 ounces of water a day. If you often feed your cat wet food, you may notice they don’t drink quite as much water.
Ever wondered why your cat seems to prefer running water? It’s simply a natural instinct. While you can’t always be there to turn on a tap, you can do your cat a solid by investing in a cat water fountain!
Food
If showing signs of stress, your cat may not eat much during the first day or two, and may even experience temporary diarrhea. Make sure their normal food is easily accessible in a quiet location. If your cat seems reluctant to eat, try a few extra-tasty cat treats that include tuna or salmon. Pay close attention to whether or not they are eating. You can also encourage them to explore their new environment by hiding small amounts of dry food around the house.
Your Cat Will Feel Right at Home with Canidae's Indoor Cats Formula with Real Whitefish
CANIDAE® Goodness Indoor Cats Formula with Real Whitefish has been developed with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and is packed with fish for optimal protein nutrition to support healthy weight, as well as natural fiber from garbanzo beans and flaxseed to keep your cat feeling full and content.
If you are considering feeding your cat Canidae, check our transition guide and always check with your vet if you have any questions about how to switch to Canidae’s delicious recipes today.