New Cat Owners Success Guide
It is very exciting to welcome a new cat into your home. The adventure of getting to know each other begins the minute you choose each other in the shelter. There are a few things to keep in mind when introducing your new cat to his/her new life.
Although a shelter is not the ideal forever home for cats the shelter is the only home your new cat has known for quite sometime. When s/he came in to the shelter s/he had to adapt to a new routine, new sounds and smells and forever changing visitors. Although your cat was making the best of the situation and was doing well in the shelter, the transition from his/her old life to shelter life has taken time and diligence on the staff's part. It has been very important to make sure s/he is healthy and not suffering from too much stress as stress can lead to illness during this next transition.
It can be a big scary world outside the shelter and now it is your time to help assist your cat to deal with another transition (into your home). You can encourage a smooth and stress-free transition by following a few simple guidelines.
REINFORCE THE FEELING OF SAFETY
Introduce the cat to his/her new home slowly. Set up one room in your house as the cat's safe place. Choose a quiet room (such as the bathroom) away from the excitement of kids, dinner preparations and loud television sets. Place the cat's litter-box in one corner and food/water dishes in the other corner. Make a cozy bed. Ensure there are no safety issues in the room you have chosen (such as electrical cables hanging in a spare TV room, or the toilet seat left up in the washroom).
Initially put the cat carrier into the already prepared room. Leave the carrier in the room with a towel on top of it. This will allow the cat to either hide when it wants or perch on top when it wants. Open the door and let the cat come out in his/her own time. Don't reach for the cat. Let him/her come to you. Visit with the cat in this room for the first day (or longer if the cat seems to be extra nervous). If s/he doesn't eat for the first day don't worry. Be sure that fresh wet and dry food is available, along with water.
IMPORTANT NOTE: After two days if the cat is still not eating you will need to seek veterinary advice. If you are fostering the cat please contact the shelter staff for direction. If you have adopted a new cat, a voucher for a free veterinary exam was provided to you and should be utilized if your cat is not eating. It is important that cats do not go without food for 3 days as this can result in a life threatening disease.
Once your new cat seems comfortable (eating, seeking affection and exploring more) you can then open the door to the rest of the house and let him/her explore at his/her own pace. However, it is recommended that the cat stay in the "safe room" when you are not at home or when you are not interacting with him/her for at least one week. This will help the cat get to know the smells, and sounds of their new home or new animal friends but from a safe distance. Also, being close to food/water and litter will reinforce eating and elimination habits.
The Humane Society of the United States has excellent cat tips.
MULTIPLE PET INTRODUCTIONS
If you have another cat/dog in the house ask the shelter staff or your veterinarian for information about how to perform a successful introduction between your new pet and your original pet(s).
JUDGING YOUR NEW CAT'S PERSONALITY
Living in a cage or one room in the shelter is not the most ideal for your cat to develop and show his/her relaxed and natural behaviour/personality. Reinforce good behaviour and discourage bad behaviour by setting up your home for your new cat's success. Statistically your new cat will have completed the transition and will be showing true personality traits and habits after three months - so be patient! Your cat will appreciate your understanding and support!
Problem behaviours can often be attributed to the stress of the transition -
1. FURNITURE SCRATCHING: Cats scratch to sharpen their claws (done by stripping off the old shell to reveal a new one) and to mark their territory. They will do this on any material they can get traction from.
Cats are most eager to scratch after waking up. By placing a cat scratch/post/tree beside the cat's favorite sleeping place you will reduce the chance of the cat using your furniture to satisfy this need. Also showing your new cat where to scratch is helpful. Hold them near the post and scratch their claws on the surface. Putting catnip in and around the scratching post will also help to encourage your cat to use it.
Scratching is a normal behaviour for a cat and should only be discouraged because of the location chosen, not the activity itself. A spray bottle (water only) is a good way to surprise your cat when s/he is doing a negative behaviour. Try to make it so the cat does not associate the spray with you but rather with the action they are doing. One way this can be done is by hiding around a corner when you do the spraying and only spray once to interrupt the behaviour. Try to immediately redirect the negative behaviour to a positive alternative. Be sure to stay consistent with your rules and have a cat scratch/pad in every room of the house.
2. KING OF THE CASTLE: Your old home is now your new cat's castle. As with every king/queen they like to be able to know what is happening in their kingdom. Check your home to see if there are raised surfaces for the cat. If the answer is "no," make some! Cats need to be able to jump up and survey their territory. This is natural cat behaviour and part of owning a cat. Do you have valuable mementos that are easily broken? Put them away until your cat is happily moved in. Check out all the nooks and crannies. Are there places that could be dangerous for the cat to explore or hide in? If so, block them off.
3. NIPS AND NIBBLES: As your new cat has to learn about your expectations you too will have to learn about his/her expectations. Cats have preferences about their interactions, and how they are touched just as people do. As your new cat learns to trust you they will begin to welcome your affection more. Don't be surprised or put off if your new cat gives you negative feed back by a nip or scratch in the first few months. Realize that it comes from a place of personal protection or from play. Take note of what triggered the behavior and try to avoid that type of interaction or reassess a safer way to play. Play is important to cats and should be encouraged as it brings out the natural instincts of hunting and will offer an outlet to reduce stress.
Take your time getting to know your new cat and utilize resources to help ensure a successful friendship. If you have any questions seek answers through your veterinarian or Delta Community Animal Shelter staff. We are here to help!
Visit our links page for resources on general behaviours, medicine and toxic plant references.
