Bringing home a new cat is an exciting and enjoyable time for your family. You have a new loving presence in the house and a new companion to go through your days together. Whether you are a first-time cat-owner, though, or if you have owned cats before, it is important to remember that the first few days of bringing your new pet home can be a bit of an adjustment period for everyone.
Your cat is going to need its own space to adjust as well as the right amount of attention from you to feel welcome and at home. This can be a difficult balance to strike, particularly if you have adopted a cat who has come from an overwhelming and overstimulating environment like a shelter.
With that in mind, there are a few things that you should look to do within the first week of bringing your cat home that will help them to adjust to their new surroundings and help you to get things off to the best start possible with your new furry friend.
1. Take Them to the Vet
Within the first week of having your new cat at home, it is important that you take them to see the vet for a thorough checkup and evaluation. You might be reluctant to place your new cat in the car again after bringing them home, as many cats aren’t a fan of being in a moving vehicle. However, your vet is going to need to see your new cat for a few key reasons.
Firstly, young cats, in particular, might be in need of certain vaccinations or boosters. This isn’t something that you want to wait on. Most importantly, though, emergencies can happen at any time. You will need to have your cat registered at a vet as soon as possible in case an emergency should come up within the first few days of them being home.
You can easily find a quality veterinarian like easyvet in your local area.
2. Give Them Space
Adjusting to a new home can be difficult for animals. Cats tend to be more on the sensitive side when it comes to their surroundings, so it is crucial that you give them the space they need to adjust and find their comfort zone.
You should try not to overwhelm your new cat with too much stimulation and playing within the first week. It is also a good idea to try to keep any other pets that you have in the house at a safe distance as well.
3. Find a Feeding Schedule
The feeding requirements of a cat can vary from pet to pet. Even if you had a cat in the past, that doesn’t mean that your new pet will stick to the same schedule. Take your time in the first week to learn your new pet’s habits and requirements so that you can ensure that they are getting the nutrition they need every day.
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