Cat Owner's Manual › Chapter 2: Bringing Your Cat Home › Initial Introduction to Cats or Kittens ›

Initial Introduction for Adult Cats

Introducing an adult cat into a new environment can be difficult for the feline, so try to make the transition as smooth as possible. If feasible, bring along some of its familiar bedding and perhaps even the litter box it is accustomed to using. Also, find out what type of cat food it eats and continue, at least for a while, to use that brand.

Upon arrival at home, give the cat a chance to drink and show it the new location of its food and water dishes and litter box (even though it will probably not use either at this time). If the cat seems particularly skittish, isolate it in one room of the house, with its food, water, and litter box, until it calms down. Then, open the door and allow it to explore the rest of the house or apartment. Do not be surprised if the cat finds a hiding place and "disappears" for a few hours, or even a day. Once it gets its bearings, it will rejoin the household.

During this initial introduction, interface with children, other pets, and strangers should be minimized. Expect some stress-triggered behavior regression, including hiding, destructiveness, and, perhaps, "missing" the litter box. In most cases these behaviors (if they manifest at all) will rapidly cease as the cat gains confidence in its new surroundings.

expert tipEXPERT TIP: The holiday season is a poor time to adopt a feline. Ideally a new cat or kitten should be introduced into a calm environment and receive plenty of personal attention from its new owner. This is often impossible with decorations to put up, parties to hold, out-of-town trips to make, and guests to entertain.

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Chapter 2: Bringing Your Cat Home

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Quirk BooksThe Cat Owner's Manual is a basic guide to cat care.
The book was written by a celebrated veterinarian and an acclaimed author. It provides cat owners with well-researched and helpful information presented in a lighthearted manner. The creators chose to write the book in a style similar to what you'd find in "operating instructions" for a car or computer. Of course they--and we--respect the fact that our beloved pets are not products or machines!