Even if you’re excited to bring home your newly adopted cat, you might wonder if your apartment is fully ready for your new friend. The good news is that you can take several steps to make sure your apartment is prepared and safe for your cat. Below, find out how to best help your new cat adjust to your apartment.
1. Choose a safe starter room
New spaces can overwhelm cats. That’s why your newly adopted cat will need a safe starter room where your kitty can stay for about one to two weeks. When choosing a room, make sure it has some extra space and corners for your cat’s necessities.
2. Cat-proof the room
Make sure to cat-proof your cat’s starter room before you bring your new cat home. To do so, remove choking hazards and objects that your cat might swallow. Items such as cleaning solutions, medication, tissues, paper towels, pencils, and paper clips can pose choking risks. You can tape exposed wires to their baseboards and put caps on outlets. Additionally, it’s best to remove any household plants that are toxic to pets.
3. Equip the room with the necessities
Place your cat’s food and water on one side of the room and an unenclosed litter box on the other side. If your cat is shy, your cat might not eat much during the first 24 to 48 hours. Your newly adopted cat might even experience temporary diarrhea from the stress of moving into a new space.
4. Clean the litter box regularly
Like people, cats don’t like to live in stinky areas. That’s why it’s important to commit to cleaning your cat’s litter box at least once or twice daily. Perhaps you might have to clean it three times a day. Your newly adopted cat might use the litter box more frequently out of stress.
5. Get a scratch post and some toys
Your new kitty will feel more comfortable in your apartment when there are toys and a scratch post nearby. Cardboard boxes, toy balls with bells, and feathers are all simple toys that your cat can enjoy. A scratching post is good to have for your cat to scratch on so your furniture doesn’t get all kinds of unexpected and undesirable scratch marks.
6. Be patient
While you are helping your cat adjust to your apartment, be patient when interacting with your new friend. Sit on the floor and let your cat come to you on her own time. If your cat doesn’t approach you, it’s best to leave your cat alone and try again later. It’s important for cats to feel comfortable when they first move in, and it’s good to be patient with them – they might need some time.
7. Gradually introduce your cat to other rooms
At first, your new cat will most likely feel comfortable in the starter room you prepared. When you and your cat develop a trusting relationship after a week or two, your new friend might be more ready to gradually explore the rest of your apartment.
8. Use a baby gate for safety
You might need to install a baby gate in your apartment to provide some safety for your cat. You can put a baby gate across a doorway and leave a few inches underneath the gate if you are worried about making your cat feel trapped. If your cat is exploring the house and gets frightened, leaving a few inches underneath the baby gate will allow them to dash under the gate to feel safe in their starter room.
Have you used any of these tips to help your new cat adjust to your apartment? Sound off in the comments!
