INTRODUCING YOUR NEW CAT

Congratulations on your new family member! Your new cat is unfamiliar with your scent and the scents in your new home so he or she may be a bit frightened until he or she becomes more accustomed to their new home.


Some cats have been known to hide for up to a week. To avoid this and to make the transition easier and less stressful, try isolating the cat in a small spare bedroom or bathroom. Place a litterbox and food and water in the room, along with a piece of your clothing on top of the bedding you are using for the cat. The clothing should be something that you wear often, like a favorite sweatshirt (not freshly laundered). This will help the cat get used to your scent and his new home. You may only have to isolate the cat for an hour or for a few days up to a week. It all depends on the individual cat's temperament.


If you live in a multiple cat household, be sure to isolate the cat until he or she has been seen by a veterinarian. After the cat has been given a clean bill of health, it is still wise to separate the new cat from the others to give them time to get used to each other. You may consider isolating the new cat for a week or so in a spare room (bedroom or bathroom). Remember, the new cat, as well as the other cats, is sure to be stressed. The amount of stress depends on the individual personalities of the cat(s) involved.


Periodically, move your new member family into a different room for a short period of time. Then allow your other cats to go into the cat's room to get used to his smells. Also try taking a towel and rubbing one of the other cats with it, then rubbing the newcomer with the towel. This way, the cats will have the same scent. This also works when taking one of your cats to the vet. After the isolation period, you may have some hissing and spitting but don't be alarmed; the cats will adjust to each other.