Keys to a Successful Transition 

Like people, cats have different personalities. Some are more introverted, others more extroverted: please be patient with them during their adjustment period. Cats can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to feel comfortable in a new home. Some cats, such as those who were previously feral, may never fully crave attention while still appreciating the safety and security in their new homes. We recommend staying at home as much as possible for the first seven days after you bring your cat home. Your cat is adjusting to a new place. Spending quality time with the cat during this period will help both of you develop your relationship, make the cat more comfortable in your home, and help you to adapt to each other. You and your cat chose each other for a reason, so please be patient. Initial setbacks do not indicate that you and your cat are not compatible. Like any relationship, there will be some give and take as you both adjust. Please be patient.  

Cat-Proof Your Home    

 Cats are mischievous sometimes, so be sure to remove anything dangerous:  poisonous plants, household cleaners, medications, and wires they can chew on. (An option is to use wire covers, which are available at Lowes, Home Depot, or Walmart.) Remove or cover all sharp edges or anything that may break and create a sharp edge.  

  

Introduce Yourself 

When you get home, have a meet-and-greet with your cat. Bring them to their room and place the carrier on the floor. Sit quietly on the floor with them: do not stand. Rather than taking them out of the carrier, open it and allow them to come out themself, so they feel more comfortable exploring their new surroundings. Avoid staring at them: cats see that as a sign of aggression. Instead, assume a relaxed posture, look at them for 2 seconds, and look away; then repeat. You can also look at them while slowly blinking and calmly talking. This way you are showing them that you are a friend, not an enemy. Slow blinks from your cat are a sign of great progress. When your cat does come out, reward them with treats if they have no dietary restrictions. It is very important to go at the cat's pace, not yours. If you notice any signs of stress - hiding, hissing, growling, puffy tail, crouching, or flattening ears, take a break and leave the room for 10 minutes or so, then repeat. You will have plenty of time to get to know each other, and you don't want to make a bad first impression.  

Adjusting to a new home: 

It is completely normal for your cat to take time to adjust to their new home; after all, they are adjusting to a new environment and schedule with different expectations and household rules. Time, patience, consistency, and, most importantly, love, go a long way helping a new cat feel safe and secure in their new home.   

Periods of transition can last days, weeks, or months - each cat is different. Be patient. They may have had a difficult life prior to coming to Max Fund. Adult cats often need more time to adjust than kittens. Spritzing their space with calming pheromones or plugging in a feline calming pheromone diffuser (found online or in pet supply stores) can encourage a sense of safety and security. You might notice some signs of stress during the adjustment period such as the following:  

• Hiding  

• Hissing, growling, or meowing loudly  

• Refusing to eat  

• Overgrooming  

• Destructive behavior such as chewing or scratching inappropriate items  

• Going to the bathroom outside the litterbox  

General Tips 

• Keep the environment consistent. Set up food, water, bedding, and litterboxes where you want them long term.  

• Stay on a regular routine. Have consistent times for feeding, playing, and sleeping.  

• Keep the home calm: don’t overwhelm them with lots of visitors at first.  

• Provide mental enrichment activities: interactive toys and scratching posts help your cat relieve stress in a positive way and save your furniture.  

  

Prepare a Cat room 

What is a Cat Room? 

A cat room is a place for your cat to feel safe, sleep, eat, and receive affection. This room must have a door to shut out others as a new cat may feel deeply insecure and can benefit from a room to themself for a period. It is imperative that you enter this room every day for at least 30 minutes. 

Prepare a Cat Room prior to bringing your cat home. 

Help your cat get used to your home. Determine a room where your cat is going to stay for the first few days. When a cat goes to a new place, they prefer small and safe places such as a small bedroom to feel secure. Remember, they are being moved from a relatively small kennel with many other cats around them to a much larger, quieter space. Bathrooms are not the first recommended option as they can be cold, echoey, and generally have few windows. Also, they have frequent interruptions from humans. Additionally, if your cat was bathed in the past, the bathtub/shower may have poor associations. However, if your home has limited space, bathrooms can be a successful transition room for very timid cats or those with litter box challenges. For cats that cannot exercise heavily due to heath or mobility issues, one-on-one time is highly recommended for activities your cat enjoys, such as playing or brushing. Training your cat—yes, it is possible—also provides mental enrichment for your cat. 

  

Let Your Cat Explore 

After some time, if your cat is exploring their room normally and seems relaxed or is pawing at the door or meowing, you can let them out of the cat room, so they can familiarize themself with the rest of the house. When doing so, remain very quiet. Your cat will want to explore, view, and sniff on their own. Don't try to pick them up and play with them. Try to be at floor level instead of standing or sitting on a chair or sofa. After they have had time to explore, and if they appear relaxed, you can try talking to them in a soft, quiet voice. It is best to let your cat explore while you are available to monitor them and then return them to the cat room overnight as you are going through the transition period: this way the cat learns that there is a safe place for them to go anytime they feel nervous. 

What your cat needs in their room: 

• Litterbox filled with 2-3”of litter. 

• Food bowl or automatic feeder 

• Water bowl filled with fresh water daily and cleaned with dish soap regularly. 

• Scratching pads and/or posts. (Cats have the instinct to scratch, so provide these with a little catnip to encourage their use over furniture.) 

• Toys. Have a variety of toys such as balls, wand toys, springs, noise makers, and/or stuffed mice, so they can exercise and perform their instinctual hunting behavior throughout the day. 

  

Three is the Magic Number 

Every cat is unique. Your cat may take a longer or shorter period to adjust than the following, but these recommendations help keep your new cat’s transition as low-stress as possible. Your home is new and exciting, with more stimulating activity, space, and freedom than a shelter can ever provide. This can be overwhelming for many cats, especially those who are sensitive to change. A cat may growl and hiss, refuse to eat, defecate outside the litterbox, or other things that indicate they are stressed. To help comfort your new cat, we recommend confining your new cat to one room. Having a single room, such as a bathroom or bedroom, can help to minimize stress for cats and help you monitor how well your new cat is eating, drinking, and using their litter box. It also allows you access to them for important bonding and socializing time. 

  

First 3 Days 

Your cat may be very nervous and hide for the first few days. Be patient and allow your cat to adjust at their own pace. If your cat is outgoing and seems well settled, open the door when you can monitor them. Stand back and let them explore at their own pace; then put them back in their room for the first few nights, so they have a safe place to go to if they get overwhelmed. 

First 3 Weeks 

After 3 weeks, your cat is probably getting used to your comings and goings, learning the daily routine, and starting to figure out when their next meal is coming. They may have acclimated enough to have full run of the house, or they may just be starting to venture out of their room. Providing them with scratching posts, litter boxes, and blankets/beds in their own room allows you to place these objects in other areas of the home when they venture out, giving them familiar scents and sights. 

First 3 Months 

Most cats know they are home. It is a process to get there, but with patience and a sense of humor, the two of you can scale the mountain together and enjoy the journey towards a great relationship. Keep in mind that settling into a new environment can be a lengthy endeavor, but it is well worth the effort for you and your new family member! Information on this page taken from Companion Animal Community Center: https://companionanimalcommunitycenter.org/3-3-3-rule-for-your-foster-adopted-cat-to-settle-in/ 

  

Your New Cat and Your Resident Can Cohabitate Successfully 

This process does take some dedication on your part. Do not expect cats to instantly become BFFs. Introduce them by one of the following methods. Everyone needs adjustment time. Let other animals get used to the new cat by allowing them to sniff or vocalize at the door of the cat's room. Do not be alarmed if at the start, the vocalization is hissing and growling. This is normal; however, for the safety of everyone, it is best to start this process in your presence and, if possible, with a barrier, such as a door, separating them. When there is no longer any hissing or growling, gradually introduce ‘soft’ barriers such as baby gates or blankets, so the animals can see and sniff each other. Offer treats to each cat and close the door of the ‘cat room,’ so each cat associates the treats with being in each other's presence. If a cat is meowing to get out of their room, it is up to you to determine if the meowing is friendly or territorial. Friendly meowing is an indicator that the cat will have an easy transition and should be easy to integrate; however, meowing can also indicate that the cat is gearing up to fight for their new territory. Every cat is different, and there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ reason for a cat to be meowing. 

Intro Method 1 

Place both cats in separate carriers side-by-side, so the cats can smell but not see each other. The first one to growl or hiss is removed -- to the ‘cat room’ if it is the new cat or a bedroom if it is the resident cat --to cool down. At this point release the other cat from the carrier and allow them to explore. Even if the cat that hisses and growls is the resident cat, they are the one that is removed from the situation. Do not play favorites. 

Intro Method 2 

Place both cats in their separate carriers and offer treats, toys, and play just outside the carrier. If one of the cats is very responsive to play, let them out and play with them in front of the other cat. Again, if there is any hissing, growling, or otherwise unpleasant behavior, the cat making noise goes into the cat room/bedroom. If both cats seem eager to play inside their respective carriers, you can get them to try to play together. Usually play keeps them adequately distracted and happy. Repeat the introduction until they are getting along outside their carriers. Watch carefully for staring from both cats as staring can be perceived as a threat to cats. Intro Method 3 Play with both cats separately until they are each very tired and ready for sleep. Place them both in carriers --or one in the carrier and one outside of it—in the same room for them to take their naps. Again, if there is hissing and growling, remove the cat who shows aggression from the situation. 

  

Potential Struggles and Solutions 

Fighting Cats 

If the cats decide to fight, follow these options in order. When the first of these options is successful -- meaning the cats have separated, and one is calm enough -- move the ‘not calm’ cat into the cat room/bedroom. If both cats are calm, leave them out together. Do not give either cat affection following a fight. 

• Clap your hands loudly to get the cats to separate. Do not yell, scream, or gasp, as it feeds the fight. 

• Distract them by throwing treats into two separate areas of the room, so each cat steps away from the other. 

• Use a towel, blanket, or pillow to place/throw a soft barrier between them. 

  

Vocalization (crying) at night or other “inconvenient’ times 

Animals can be vocal at inopportune times for us, this behavior can take some time to modify patiently and kindly. Cats can’t verbally tell you their wants and needs, and it can take some time to learn what they are saying. During the initial evenings, cats might vocalize while you are trying to sleep, and this could be due to fear of a new environment or simply because they want to be closer to you. Be patient and expect a few restless nights or interruptions. The pay-off will be worth it. Cats rarely communicate with each other by meowing. They meow to “talk” to people. Listen to what they are trying to tell you. You may grow to love your in-depth conversations. 

Urinary and Defecation Outside the Box 

If your cat pees or poops outside the box, remain calm. In rare cases, your cat could have an undiagnosed medical issue, so if it continues for long periods and after implementing some of the following modifications, please visit your vet as soon as possible. Some of this behavior is instinctual, especially if they lived as a stray for many years. These issues could occur if you have another animal in the house, or if the new cat is frightened of their new environment. Either way, this behavior can be modified. Avoid yelling or showing frustration as the cat may not know what they did wrong. Yelling could frighten the cat and encourage the behavior you are trying to discourage. Instead, calmly clean up the mess and try moving the litter box to a new spot at least 3’ away. Additionally, you may place a bowl with lime, orange, or lemon slices where the cat inappropriately evacuated as cats don't usually like citrus, and the smell should dissuade them from doing it again. Another option is to put ½ teaspoon of lemon juice into a small spray bottle, dilute it with water, and spray the area you want the cat to avoid. Some other options: add a second litter box, so the cat has an additional place to relieve themself; invest in litter attractant, or place the cat back in their room for an extended period to get them comfortable with their new situation. Buy an enzyme cleaner such as Nature’s Miracle to clean up messes and discourage further incidents in the same area. Use an attractant litter such as Dr. Elsey’s to encourage use of the litterbox. Place more litterboxes around the house. Ideally, if you have space, there should be one litterbox for every cat in the house plus one. (2 cats=3 litterboxes). Each cat should have its own place to eat, drink, hide, and use the litterbox. 

  

Reach out for help 

Know the location of the nearest Emergency Vet. VEG, or Veterinary Emergency Group is one of several 24/7 emergency organizations that are located throughout the Denver Metro Area. Many vets operate extended hours for emergencies as well. 

Establish a relationship with your vet ASAP. Contact your vet as soon as you can to set up the cat's first visit. Many vets have a waiting list but will take established clients first. Getting a yearly checkup is recommended as it helps give insight to your cat's health and presents you with the opportunity to get them up to date on yearly vaccines. 

  

Register your Cat’s Microchip ASAP 

Your pet has a microchip identification implant, which is a small device inserted just under the skin between the shoulder blades of your kitty. This is not a tracking device, but in the event your pet gets loose, any vet clinic or shelter can scan this device to reunite you and your furry friend. We recommend using Home Again which also offers a pet recovery service with a service upgrade. 

Other services include the following: AKC Reunite, AVID Identification Systems, PetLink, and 24PetWatch. MaxFund Cat Shelter is here to help. Get in touch with any concerns you have. We have experienced volunteers and staff members to help you work through any issues you and your new fur baby may be having. 

• 720 W. 10th Avenue Denver, CO 80204 

• (720) 266-6081 

• catshelter@maxfund.org 

Thank you for changing the life of a cat in need!