HOW TO HELP OUR CAT ADAPT TO A NEW HOME
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Adjusting to a new home can be a tense and difficult experience for our feline. Our patience, understanding and competence can help us make the cat feel “at home” during the delicate initial phase.
THE JOURNEY TO REACH THE NEW HOUSE
Car transport can be traumatic for cats. Your 4-legged friend must be transported inside a safe pet carrier (as well as during every move). We do not leave our cat free in the car because it can be very dangerous for both him and us. The frightened cat can create serious problems inside the car. Let's leave him alone and don't excite him. DO NOT leave the cat unattended in the car and do not stop to visit friends, shops, etc. We keep the cat in its carrier until we are safe inside our home.
THE NEW HOUSE
We take into consideration the past experiences of our 4-legged companion
-Our kitten may have recently been separated from his mother and mate.
- Our kitten or cat may have had to face the stress of a surgical operation.
- An adult cat may have been estranged from his family and forced to break a bond with people from his previous life.
-Now he has to adapt again to a completely new environment.
Once home, we give our cat time to adapt. This period can last several weeks. We provide our cat with a den - kennel - basket etc. sheltered and quiet that will be his shelter, we provide food and water and a litter that is not adjacent to the food and water bowl. Make sure that all windows and doors are kept closed and that there are no dangers. A frightened cat can easily step out of a tall open window. Let's keep him indoors for at least six months, so that he recognizes the new environments and feels at home. After this period of setting, if he lives in a place without danger (cars, wild animals, aggressive dogs with cats around, etc.), we can decide to let our friends out in the garden. It is best to be present at the beginning and leave windows and doors open so that the cat always has the way back if he feels insecure. Do not leave them alone in the garden when we are not at home and we cannot control them and at night always close them at home.
It is not uncommon for cats to exhibit behavior problems during the first few days in a new home, but these usually disappear in no time. They often hide under furniture and can stay there for hours or days. Let's sit down and talk quietly to our cat. If we have to take the cat to its hiding place, let's gently take it to its protected area where it will feel safe. Let's make sure food and water are nearby.
STEP BY STEP HOW TO INTRODUCE A NEW CAT AT HOME
The first day
We introduce the cat to its new home gradually, limiting its range of action to a room where to place kennel, litter, food and water at a safe distance.
In this first period, the cat must live isolated from other animals that may be present in our home. Let's check our children, make sure they are always gentle with the cat and that they respect its needs. Let's not smother it with attention or unnecessary requests. Let's remember to keep the doors and windows closed. The cat could jump on top of very high furniture to have a view from above and to feel safe. Don't scare him, don't scream and don't do anything that might scare him. When he's ready, he'll go down by himself. We try to spend many hours with the new cat to give him confidence.
The rest
The kennel must be warm and welcoming. It could be a box or basket lined with soft, washable fabric with a pillow.
Some cats choose their own place to sleep, sometimes unthinkable and surprising places. We let our cats sleep peacefully and we don't allow our children to disturb it. Cats need solitude and tranquility.
Introduction to other animals
The adaptability of animals to live together in the same family and in the same house depends on their personality and varies from individual to individual. A new cat will often upset the dominance balance. Balance that will have to be re-established according to the new extended family. Smart management of the "acquaintance" period is an important factor in introducing a new cat. The first or two weeks can be hectic, frustrating, and time-consuming. You have to be patient and act with caution.
New cat to the resident dog
We keep our dog in a separate area of the house from the newcomer until the cat feels safe in his new home. We can begin to introduce them later by keeping our dog under control with a leash.
We do not allow the dog to chase or cross the cat, even if for fun or out of curiosity. We check carefully and absolutely must not tolerate any aggressive behavior from our dog. The cat should have a safe retreat, both up high and in a room inaccessible to the dog.
An adult cat can strike a dog to set boundaries or out of fear. Let our animals accept each other at their own pace and never leave them alone together. We must never force the interaction. Many cats and dogs become companions and playmates while others simply tolerate each other. Let's make sure to pay close attention to our dog to avoid jealousy reactions.
New cat to resident cat:
HOW TO INTRODUCE A NEW CAT IN THE FAMILY
New cat to other resident animals
Birds, rodents, and fish should be adequately protected from harassment by the new cat. These animals are the natural prey of cats and can only be stressed by the presence of a cat. Cats and rabbits generally live harmoniously together, with the rabbit often taking on a dominant role. However, we carefully check if our cat exhibits a prey reaction and never leave them alone unsupervised even if their relationship is clearly friendly.