getting a cat

ok lets say that i hve adopted a cat... once we get home, wat should i do to the cat once it's out of the carrier and all??? do i just let him run off and hide till it cools off?? but how about showing its litter box and everything. lol sorry im not adopting one right now but soon and i just want to know wat to do

I'll move this to Care and Grooming where others can give you advice

When I first brought Oliver inside (he was a stray) he did run and hide for quite awhile - moving to a new place is very stressful for them, so they will want to be somewhere quiet and dark to nap for awhile and calm down... they need to get accustomed to the sights, sounds and smells as well as the routine of their new home... once he did start coming out, I made it a point to show him where the litter and food were - it's not like he jumped right in the box and went, but he sniffed and explored and has never once pooed or peed anywhere but - I had to only show him once when I moved into my new apartment as well... I know you will want to cuddle and play with your new baby right away, but you should probably leave him confined to one room or area of the house to destress and get used to things - giving him the entire run of the house may be too stressful all at once... slowly introduce him to his entire new territory

Originally Posted by rosiemac

I'll move this to Care and Grooming where others can give you advice

Click to expand...

lol sorry if i went to the wrong place but thnx

Definitely keep a new cat confined to one room until she adjusts to her new surroundings. Let her out of the cat box in the room that you have designated for her and if you can get a hold of her show her the litter box, food and water immediately. Open the door to the carrier near the litter box so she at least sees it if she tries to make a dash for the nearest hiding spot. After you have shown her the necessities, just let her hide. Go in there often and let her hear your voice, but let her come to you on her own. Leave a radio or TV on softly so that the sounds will help comfort her. Once she has become comfortable in the room and with you, you can let her explore new areas of your house. For example, close the doors to all the other rooms and let her come out of hers and explore the hallway. Then let her go farther the next day. My cats showed me they were ready to explore the rest of the apartment when they began reaching their paws under the door. The key is to be patient and to gradually increase the cat's access to her new home so as not to overwhelm her.

oh so for first day just let them stay in one room???

yes - giving him too much to explore and roam about could be even more stressful... pick a room that you can close off and keep the littler box, food and water there (this doesnt have to be the permanent location for these things, but he'll need to have access to them)... when I brought Oliver to my new appartment, it was a different story - I'm in a studio apartment, so it's essentially one big room with a kitchen and bathroom, there was no way to confine him. Continue asking questions and searching this site, so you're well educated!

Well, when I first brought Bella home, I confined her in the living room section of my living room/kichen area. I had to stick two framed posters over the doorway, though, because there isn't a door. She was pretty ok with just that one room for the first day, but that night, I slept on the sofa, because she started crying when I left the room.

The next morning, she got the kichen and bathroom. And then, that evening, she hopped over the poster I placed across the doorway to the bedroom (the door won't stay shut). I figured that she was probably fine, and she was. I did leave the living room light on, at night, though. I don't know if it helped her find her way back to the box at night, but electricity is a flat fee included in rent, so it's not like it hurt me.

As soon as I got her home from the Humane Society, I put her in her litter box. I actually didn't have a bag of food in the house, so I gave her some water, and after about 15 minutes, I ran to the store to get some.

My stray is a different story, though. I had to keep it separated from Bella until I could take it to the vet, and then it had to stay in the bathroom because Bella didn't like it. It was stuck in the bathroom for about a week, with short visits to the kichen/living room when I could trap Bella in my bedroom and stick something heavy against the door. At some point, when I was allowing them to be together, one of them got the door to the bedroom open, so now they both have free run of the whole place. All 700'ish square feet. I'd recommend going slower if you have a bigger place.

so for first night i should put the cat in one room??? do i leave the door open or closed???

We kept one of our cats in our bedroom for a month. He hid behind the bed for all of that time so we just spent time there with him talking to him. He was very shy and nervous. I would suggest isolating him in one room until he's comfortable with you (and you will know) then open the door and let him explore on his own. It worked for us, but you may need patience. After the third week my husband wanted to take him back but we persevered and he was the sweetest, most affectionate lap cat we ever had. He loved to be carried around like a baby.

Have fun and enjoy.

ah i c. thats cool that your cat likes to b held like a baby and i hope my future cat will b the same.

Originally Posted by maane1005

ok lets say that i hve adopted a cat... once we get home, wat should i do to the cat once it's out of the carrier and all??? do i just let him run off and hide till it cools off?? but how about showing its litter box and everything. lol sorry im not adopting one right now but soon and i just want to know wat to do

Click to expand...

When you first bring your cat home you should put him in the litter box. So he knows where the bathroom is... You can keep him in that room for a few days, then let him out to check the place out

thats cool thnx. can it b in my bedroom??? well im sure it'll b hiding under the bed and all.

Originally Posted by maane1005

thats cool thnx. can it b in my bedroom??? well im sure it'll b hiding under the bed and all.

Click to expand...

Yes your bed room is fine

lol u guys respond so quickly, lol

Originally Posted by maane1005

lol u guys respond so quickly, lol

Click to expand...

I'm having fun... I like to be prompt!!!

lol i know me 2

good suggestions here.

I adopted a cat 4 mns ago.
I kept her in the bedroom - door closed the first few days (she had no desire to leave). She made her first overture on day 3 with me, so I picked her up and carried her about my small place and showed her things. She decided she liked the window perch the best and wouldnt leave! Eventually she made it all around, now she "owns" the place.

I suggest too - that when you adopt, take some days off work.
I thought it was unkind to adopt on a Saturday, then Monday go off to work. Too abrupt a change. I took a few days off + had the w/e. Each day I woulld leave for awhile, but not all day, increasing the time each day. I didnt want her to have a jolt when I left for work all day. I think it worked well for her.

ah cool cdubbie! thnx