Relocating & Training a New Cat

I am inheriting a 3-year old male cat that lived in my recently deceased brother-in-law's office/warehouse in Missouri since he was a kitten. He is neutered & is in excellent health. He was well cared for at the warehouse (food, water, litter box, toys), but did not enjoy a great amount of socialization.

Because the office/warehouse is being sold, I made the decision to keep the cat and relocate it to my home in California.

My wife & I have never owned a cat, but are animal lovers and provided an excellent home to our dog for 19 years until he passed. I know we can provide an equally loving & safe environment for our new pet, but we are concerned/clueless about how the cat will react to his new environment. Our questions are:

1) What is the best way to introduce him to our home and yard? Since he was inside most of his life, is it even wise to let him outside?

2) Is there a proven method to "socialize" a cat that has really never been shown a lot of love and attention?

3) Are there specific sanitation tips (ie - where to place a litter box & show him) that work best?

I apologize for the length of this post & all the questions, but we truly want to do what is best for this cat and welcome him into a loving home.

Thanks in advance for all of your feedback!

Welcome to TCS!

To briefly answer your questions:

1. Changes in a cat's routine are pretty stressful so when he comes to your home, place him in a quiet room with toys, litterbox, food and water. He will look for a secluded spot like under a sofa/bed and probably hide there for a few days. Whenever you come to the room, talk gently and softly to him and be patient if he does not respond. Depending on his personality, he will venture out when he feels safe or his curiosity overcomes his fear.
Since you said he is indoor, he will be happy staying inside.
2. Your cat is not a feral, wild kitty so I think he is quite "socialized". He may not be a lap cat but he is already used to people.
3. By instinct, he will go to the litterbox as long as it is accessible 24/7.

You'll have a few extra problems that will take time.

First I do NOT recommend letting him go outside, especially on his own. If you feel he must have outside time, then build/buy a cat enclosure for his protection.

I'd keep him in one room for awhile with his litter pan, food and water and let him adjust to the house slowly. It will take time and patience to get him socialized. He may not be a very social cat for a long time, but do everything slower and take longer to make adjustments.

Sorry for your loss. How sweet are you for taking this kitty, bless you for coming here for answering and taking him.

Originally Posted by OCCat

1) What is the best way to introduce him to our home and yard? Since he was inside most of his life, is it even wise to let him outside?!

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Keep him inside. Outside can be very dangerous for him. Cars, other cats hurting him, dogs hurting him, kids/neighbors sometimes are mean to roaming cats, cats can get into chemicals or rat killer, and there is a lot of dieases they can pick up from going outside. Inside is safer.

Originally Posted by OCCat

2) Is there a proven method to "socialize" a cat that has really never been shown a lot of love and attention?

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He will probably come around with time and lots of love and good food Just don't push him, give him time.

Originally Posted by OCCat

3) Are there specific sanitation tips (ie - where to place a litter box & show him) that work best?

!

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IMO I think yes. I would figure out what litterbox he is used to using and buy two of them. Keep them really clean, clean out daily, cats can be picky about a dirty bathroom. Find out what litter he used if you can too. I put baking soda in the cat litter, my cat accepts this and I find it cuts down on the smell.

Buy a good cat tree, you can find one on Ebay. What are you going to feed him? Does he like toys?
How exciting to have a new pet coming!

You can try a leash to to introduce him to your home and yard daily so that the cat be familiar with that this make the cat to be socialize with you and the house and for litter try these steps
step 1- when you see your cat/kitten about to poop pick it up gently and carry to the litter box

step 2- give lots of attention once done the toilet and a treat

step 3-repeat very time until it learns doing the toilet in the box is a good thing

if it dose it anyway ells lightly tap the cat/kitten on the nose and say no

Resources :-
Cat Litter Box Training Video
Toilet Training For Cat
Cat Training Secret