New environments, though positive, are stressful for cats. Congratulations on deciding to take a cat home! Now how do you make her feel at home in her new environment? Adult cats are highly territorial by nature. Kittens are naturally less so, but would still benefit from the following steps to ease their transition into a new territory. Introducing a cat into a new home is extremely stressful for most cats. A cat’s basic reaction to stress is to run and hide. You can help ease the cat’s stress by providing a safe haven for her.Provide a safe haven for the cat.

Upon arriving home, set up a small room that will serve as the cat’s initial territory. Any small, quiet room works well, such as a bathroom, small bedroom or large walk-in closet. Keep the cat in the carrier while you are setting up the room, allowing her to adjust to the sounds and smells. Be sure to put everything the cat needs inside this room: litter box, food, water, (food and water placed far from the litter box) toys, scratching post, bed, etc. Open up the carrier, and let the cat decide whether she wants to explore or to remain inside the carrier. Many times a cat will remain inside of the carrier for hours. Cats need time and patience to adjust to their new home.

Give the cat time to adjust to her new territory. Come back to the room to visit often, but let the cat set the pace of the visits. Don’t force your attention on the cat – when she wants affection, she will ask for it. When the cat is comfortable in this room (it may take a day, a week, or more) open up the door and let her explore the rest of the house at her own pace. Cats usually begin investigating at night, making short explorations interspersed with rapid retreats to their safe haven. It is rare for a cat to explore a new territory without hesitation. She should spend her first day and possibly up to a week in her room, depending on her comfort level. Each cat adjusts to a new home at his or her own pace.

If the cat is allowed to adapt to a new environment at her own speed, everything will work out in good time. Some cats take days; others will take weeks or months. The length of time needed to establish new territory will depend on the cat’s temperament, past experiences and whether other cats are already present in the new home. If no other cats are present in the household, the adjustment period usually takes one to two weeks, but in some cases, it can take several months.

Be patient!