Just adopted today. Ways to make nervous new kitty feel at ease and at home?

I just adopted the sweetest cat.  We are so happy to have her in her forever home.  I want her to feel comfortable, safe and welcome.  She has met Tech Cat 1.  He is quite friendly and enjoys company. He went up to her and bumped his nose against hers and walked away like the good natured champ that he is.  I don't know what it is like for a cat to be transported to their new home, but I know they don't like car rides.  She is resting from her day underneath the table where she is happy.  She knows where the litter box is.  At dinner time, I tried to show her her food and let her smell it but she does not seem ready to eat yet.  There is a bowl of food and water close to the table that she is cautiously sitting under. 

I want to make sure that she eats and I'm hoping that she will venture out to have a bite.  It assume it's probably been 12 hours since her last meal.   I was going to feed her under the table, but thought that maybe it would start a habit of meals and life under the table. LOL!  She was up for adoption for a few months and perhaps she is used to being in a small area.

Beyond that, she is a beautiful healthy cat and I just want to make sure that she is happy and comfortable in her new forever home.

Hi - she is gorgeous!!!  Welcome home, sweet girl, and congrats to you on bringing her home!

Do you have a room or bathroom you could keep her in for a day or two?  She might like some time alone to hide and get used to the sounds your house & family make.  While she is in the "safe room" you could also bring in a blanket or bed that smells like your other cats for her to get used to their scent.  Then after a few days, you could introduce the cats and start incorporating her into meal times and play times.  I'm sure they will be friends soon!

I know you want to make sure she eats - it sounds like your other cats potentially have access to her bowl right now and that could make her feel threatened, so I'd put her food & water somewhere your other cats can't get to it.  Then after you go to bed she will come out and eat when all is quiet & still.  Same for her litter box.  Even though it sounds like you have really mellow cats, she doesn't know them and will want some space for her own until she feels comfortable.  That's why I suggest the room.

Others will be along with more suggestions.  Congrats again on your new furbaby!

Just wanted to add - to get her used to you, you could try sitting or laying on the floor in the room where she's hiding, and just talk to her or read out loud.  She will get used to the sound of your voice and since you are low to the floor and closer to her level, she will feel less threatened and will come up and sniff you and figure out you are her new loving family!

Congrats on your new addition, she is beautiful!!! I would suggest isolating her to a room or large dog crate where she can be by herself for a little while in order to adjust to the new sounds and smells of your home, as well as meet your cat in a space where she feels safe and comfortable. I usually do this for anywhere from 24-72 hours up to 7 days based upon how the new addition is acting. I slowly introduce my group one at a time and make sure the new addition is in a place were he/she feels comfortable with meeting my group. There are people on here who will know more than I do about this and I'm sure they will be along to help you out shortly.

parsleysage said:

Hi - she is gorgeous!!!  Welcome home, sweet girl, and congrats to you on bringing her home!

Do you have a room or bathroom you could keep her in for a day or two?  She might like some time alone to hide and get used to the sounds your house & family make.  While she is in the "safe room" you could also bring in a blanket or bed that smells like your other cats for her to get used to their scent.  Then after a few days, you could introduce the cats and start incorporating her into meal times and play times.  I'm sure they will be friends soon!

I know you want to make sure she eats - it sounds like your other cats potentially have access to her bowl right now and that could make her feel threatened, so I'd put her food & water somewhere your other cats can't get to it.  Then after you go to bed she will come out and eat when all is quiet & still.  Same for her litter box.  Even though it sounds like you have really mellow cats, she doesn't know them and will want some space for her own until she feels comfortable.  That's why I suggest the room.

Others will be along with more suggestions.  Congrats again on your new furbaby!

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There's a room where she can relax.  I will let her be there tonight for starters with her food and water, blankets & toys. 

Yes, Tech Cat 1 is quite a mellow fellow.   He did nibble her food a little bit, so she probably is nervous. 

Thanks.

Brandi said:

Congrats on your new addition, she is beautiful!!! I would suggest isolating her to a room or large dog crate where she can be by herself for a little while in order to adjust to the new sounds and smells of your home, as well as meet your cat in a space where she feels safe and comfortable. I usually do this for anywhere from 24-72 hours up to 7 days based upon how the new addition is acting. I slowly introduce my group one at a time and make sure the new addition is in a place were he/she feels comfortable with meeting my group. There are people on here who will know more than I do about this and I'm sure they will be along to help you out shortly.

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Thank you too.  Yes I will give her some space of her own to eat and get comfortable.

No advice but she is beautiful!

What a beautiful girl.  I would suggest using alcohol free Rescue Remedy for tonight and tomorrow if she's acting stressed.

She's gorgeous, congratulations! I agree with the other posters about giving her some space of her own for a while. Introducing cats can be tricky business, you don't want her to be threatened by Tech Cat 1 straight off the bat, it's best to get her acclimated to her new home first. As long as she doesn't have any health issues, she will eat. But I would definitely advise you to have her food in a space that is hers alone for now, where Tech Cat 1 is not allowed.

She probably is venturing out to have a bite when it's quiet and dark in the house.  The older the kitty, the harder it is for them to adjust right away.  It could be a couple of days or a couple of weeks before she feels comfortable.  The best thing is to not push her and let her come to you at her own pace and free will.  To kind of hurry it along, you might try sitting down on the floor (with treats and a toy) and just talking nice and soft to her.  If she comes closer, great.  If she come to you, even better.  Give her treats and play with her one on one.  It is best not to have your other kitty in the room.  Friendly as he is... She may feel threatened and that it is for him, not her.  Just don't rush her.  And don't be discouraged if it takes her longer.  Think about how you would feel in her position.... Be patient and in no time she will be your new best friend!

She is beautiful !!  She sounds like she is reacting normally to me.  Usually I've set up a safe room for any new cat in my household.  Gets them used to the noise around here with all the cats and dogs running around. Her entire world was rocked when you brought her home.  She will adjust in good time.  Glad Tech Cat is such a mellow fellow.  It will allow the new kitty to adjust much faster.

blueorchid said:

No advice but she is beautiful!

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Thank you blueorchid.  She is almost 3. 

P3 and The King said:

She probably is venturing out to have a bite when it's quiet and dark in the house.  The older the kitty, the harder it is for them to adjust right away.  It could be a couple of days or a couple of weeks before she feels comfortable.  The best thing is to not push her and let her come to you at her own pace and free will.  To kind of hurry it along, you might try sitting down on the floor (with treats and a toy) and just talking nice and soft to her.  If she comes closer, great.  If she come to you, even better.  Give her treats and play with her one on one.  It is best not to have your other kitty in the room.  Friendly as he is... She may feel threatened and that it is for him, not her.  Just don't rush her.  And don't be discouraged if it takes her longer.  Think about how you would feel in her position.... Be patient and in no time she will be your new best friend!

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P3 and The King she is coming along as you say.  She heard the food this morning and started to meow so that’s good sign.  She seems happy.  She even chased the laser toy and is starting to cautiously venture out of the room to explore further.  I am just so happy that she ate.  All my life I’ve had cat’s and there is always something to learn.  I was so used to cats who would just eat, eat, eat as soon as adopted.  She waited until the middle of the night and now, in the morning is enjoying the window.

WendyB said:

What a beautiful girl.  I would suggest using alcohol free Rescue Remedy for tonight and tomorrow if she's acting stressed.

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Thank you too, Wendy.  She seems to have started exploring and marking now.  Her food is gone so I’m sure we both feel much better now.

Mystik Spiral said:

She's gorgeous, congratulations! I agree with the other posters about giving her some space of her own for a while. Introducing cats can be tricky business, you don't want her to be threatened by Tech Cat 1 straight off the bat, it's best to get her acclimated to her new home first. As long as she doesn't have any health issues, she will eat. But I would definitely advise you to have her food in a space that is hers alone for now, where Tech Cat 1 is not allowed.

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Mysitik Spiral the private food spot worked.  I am so happy.  Thank you.

NutroMike said:

She is beautiful !!  She sounds like she is reacting normally to me.  Usually I've set up a safe room for any new cat in my household.  Gets them used to the noise around here with all the cats and dogs running around. Her entire world was rocked when you brought her home.  She will adjust in good time.  Glad Tech Cat is such a mellow fellow.  It will allow the new kitty to adjust much faster.

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Nutro Mike you are right.  She is reacting normally and she seems as happy as can be.  Tech Cat is such a mellow fellow, friendly with all.  He has got the greatest easy going personality.  I am sure that her world was rocked when she was suddenly transported to her new home, so we want to make her transition a positive, peaceful and happy one. She is going to work out great! J

Thank you everyone for your caring advice.  I was so happy to see her starting to venture out now.  Tech Cat just curiously watches as he goes about his business.   He is an alpha cat who always needs to assert his authority with males.  Deep down, he wants to be the best of friends with cats where as soon as the order is established he adores cats and will be seen snuggling together with them.  He lost his brother 2 months ago and the two were deeply bonded, so although he always does great with what life throws him, he has had to grieve.  We have both grieved together.  He has done well and kept his great spirits and will enjoy having company.



I am so very happy that his spirits are up.   She is a little shy which seems to make him comfortable.  I was petting her last night and he showed up to see what was going on.  Normally he would have come up with a suspicious look on his face like “Oh, what?  What’s this and why are they getting the attention?  Well fine!  But I am still the boss and I’ll let you all know!”   With her it was different.  I heard soft, gently purring and then saw Tech Cat emerge to see the new addition.  He just layed down and happily watched.  I am so happy, there’s always so much to learn.  Thank you.

She came from a place where the cat’s were fed all dry food, which is what she is used to.  It is Iams which is very healthy food. Now Tech cat likes it too.  What is everyone’s preference?  Dry or wet?  They both seem to really love the Iams dry food.  I have always been a wet food house, but now they both are crazy about the Iams dry food.  I was tending toward the wet food, but now I am not sure.