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YAY! Time for a SLEEPOVER! Helping your new cat transition to their new home.

Thank you for undertaking the journey to adopt a cat!

We know how nerve-wracking it can be to take home a cat you don’t know well yet and hope that they will integrate smoothly into your household routine.

We work hard to find homes that are a good match for the cats under our care, but there are also a few things you can do during the sleepover period to help make it a success!

Here's what's included:

Have questions?

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Bringing Home a New Cat

Whether your new cat is coming from the shelter or another home where they lived as a foster, the first twenty-four hours in your home are special and critical. Before you bring a new cat into your life, it helps to understand a little bit about how cats relate to their world.

Remember to let the cat set the pace. Be patient. It may take a few weeks for a cat to comprehend that this place is home.

For cats, 'territory' is of paramount importance.

Cats view their territory the way most of us view our clothes—without them, we feel naked and vulnerable. (Ever have those dreams where you show up to the party in your birthday suit? YIKES!) It's common for cats—regardless of whether they come from a shelter or another home—to hide in a new territory. Very sensitive or under-socialized cats often hide for a week or more! You know that this cat is now a member of the family, but they might take a little time to figure it out.

Give them THEIR space and they'll love you forever.

You can help make the transition to a new home smoother and easier by providing some privacy for your new cat. If possible, start by preparing your home before you bring in the cat.

If circumstances require that you bring in the cat before your home is ready, keep him in his carrier until you have his room set up. He will be fine in there for a while longer.

  1. Choose a room for the litter box (a bathroom works well). Set up the litter box with one to two inches of litter, and place it in a corner, if possible.
  2. Now create a safe haven for the cat to hide (at the shelter, we call this a "hidey hole"). You can buy a covered cat bed, but a cardboard box turned upside down with two "doors" cut in it will work nicely. Why two "doors?" Many cats seem to feel more secure if they have a second "escape" route. Get a box big enough for the cat to stand up, turn around, stretch out and lie down in, but keep it cozy! Place the box next to the wall or in a corner where the cat can see the door to the room. You don't want the cat to feel trapped.
  3. Place some kind of scratching post/toy next to it.
  4. Opposite the litter box, place a bowl of fresh water.
  5. Clear off a shelf or something for the cat to perch on to view this new world from above (if in a bathroom, the counter will do just fine).

After the room is set up, place the carrier next to the "hidey hole." Close the door to the room before opening the carrier. Do not pull the cat out! Allow them to come out on their own and begin to explore their new space.

Now, leave the room.

Yes, leave.☺️ Remember, you are giving them time to acclimate. Go and prepare a small amount of premium quality cat food. Go back into the room and quietly place it next to the water bowl.

Cat-proof the rest of your home.

  • Are there raised surfaces for the cat? If the answer is "no," make some! Cats need to be able to jump up and survey their territory.
  • Do you have valuable mementos that are easily broken? Put them away until your cat is happily moved in.
  • Are there places that could be dangerous for the cat to explore or hide in? If so, block them off. Check out all the nooks and crannies.
  • Put a scratching post/pad in every room that your cat will have access to encourage them to scratch on these things (instead of, say, your plush sofa).

After a bit of time, you can go into the room and hang out.

Do not reach for the cat! Let the cat come to you. If they don't approach, come back in fifteen minutes.

Do not be surprised if they don't eat at first. It is common for cats to show no interest in eating, often for several days, when they're in new surroundings. Clean up any leftovers as needed and come back in a couple of hours with a fresh meal of the same high-quality food.

If the cat is openly soliciting affection, eating and not hiding, you can open the door and give him one more room. Do this slowly until you have introduced the cat to all the rooms in his new home.

Adapted from a piece written by Elizabeth Teal, Former ASPCA Animal Behavior Counselor

Cat behavior resources

THE MOST IMPORTANT STUFF

Tips for the First 30 Days of Cat Adoption — You can avoid pitfalls with your new cat and help them adapt more easily by following these guidelines.

Feline Enrichment — Enrichment can encourage a more normal range of behaviors and serve to constructively occupy time and aid in reducing “boredom.” (A bored cat is a mischievous cat!)

Crate Training Your Cat — Whether you’ve got a new kitten, or you’re trying to acclimate an older cat, crate training has so many benefits.

Houston Training Resources — A list of trainers in the Houston area who can help you with your pets.

FURTHER READING

Cat Training Videos — Learn the basics of Cat Training with our Behavior & Training Manager, Mélissa Taylor.

Why Cats Need Claws — Claws are involved in almost everything a cat does during their waking hours.

Cats and Kids — Cats and kids can, and do, live happily together! Let us dispel some myths and create a harmonious household for everyone—tail or no tail.

Cat wellness resources

THE MOST IMPORTANT STUFF

Proper Nutrition — Guidelines to ensure your pet gets the nutrition they deserve.

Hazards in the Home — Make your home a safer place for your pets by keeping them away from hazardous household items, plants, foods, objects, and trouble areas.

Declawing — What does it mean when a cat is declawed? Read more to learn about how it's done, and why it shouldn't be.

Why Cats Need Claws — Claws are involved in almost everything a cat does during their waking hours.

Houston Area Low-Cost Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinics — Low-cost clinics book up so call well ahead of time to schedule your appointment!

Houston Recommended Veterinarians — A list of veterinarians that we recommend in the greater Houston area.

Houston Emergency Vet Clinics — Find the closest 24-hour veterinarian to you and keep their info posted on your fridge. Be sure to call ahead to be sure that the clinic is accepting patients!

FURTHER READING

FeLV (Feline Leukemia) — FeLV is a virus that weakens the immune system, is not contagious to humans or other species, and can spread to non-infected cats through saliva.

FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) — FIV is a lentivirus, meaning that it progresses very slowly, gradually affecting a cat’s immune system. It’s a cat-only disease that cannot be spread to humans or other species.

FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease) — FLUTD describes a collection of conditions that affect the bladder/urethra. It can have many possible causes, but cats generally exhibit similar, recognizable signs.

FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) — FIP is a very rare virus. It is, however, an extreme illness that doesn’t respond to any treatment.

Allergies to Cats — We’re clearing up myths, offering practical tips, and giving those who are allergic to cats a pragmatic approach to being able to keep their cat.

Friends For Life Mini-Clinic and Pet Food Bank — We offer at-cost/free vaccinations and preventatives right out of the shelter!

Cats Manipulate Their Owners with a Cry Embedded in a Purr — Ed Yong describes how our furry overloads have trained us to respond to them. Many cat owners have experienced this, but now it’s backed by science!

Common challenges

(and resources to help!)

Top 9 Cat Behavior Challenges — A list of the top 9 most commonly reported behavioral problems in cats (and resources to help you deal with them).

Introducing Cats to Each Other — A single hostile encounter between two unfamiliar cats can set the tone for their relationship for a long time to come. Learn how to introduce them so they'll become fast friends (or, at least, be able to cohabitate happily)!

Introducing New Cats to the Family Dog — How to help transition a new cat friend into your household to create furever friends with your household dog.

Inappropriate Scratching in Cats — Inappropriate scratching is ultimately determined by the house the cat lives in, but is generally directed at furniture, screens, carpets and rugs and other items that the cats finds attractive.

Inappropriate Elimination in Cats — House soiling is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners.

Friends For Life has a lifetime commitment to the animals that go through our program - if you EVER have behavior questions or challenges, we're here to help (for free!).

KITTEN Resources

Feline Enrichment — Enrichment can encourage a more normal range of behaviors and serve to constructively occupy the animal’s time and aid in reducing “boredom.”

Houston resources

Houston Training Resources — A list of trainers in the Houston area who can help you with your pets.

Houston Boarding and Pet Sitting — Looking for a boarding facility or pet sitter for your furbaby? Check out who we recommend.

Houston Grooming Facilities — We’ve got your grooming needs in Houston covered with this list.

Houston Recommended Veterinarians — A list of veterinarians that we recommend in the greater Houston area.

Houston Emergency Vet Clinics — Find the closest 24-hour veterinarian to you and keep their info posted on your fridge. Be sure to call ahead to be sure that the clinic is accepting patients!

Friends For Life Mini-Clinic and Pet Food Bank — We offer at-cost/free vaccinations and preventatives right out of the shelter!

Have questions or need help?

Where's always here to answer questions and we LOVE getting photos of the animals we've cared for in their forever homes!

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