The first days of a cat in a new home: tips and tricks

After a couple of days in the house, your cat will most likely begin to get used to the new environment. This is the right time to take care of the ongoing care of your pet and make sure you are ready for a long and happy life together. Here are a few simple steps you should take to start your first month so that your cat’s transition is successful.

The right bed for sleeping. Cats can sleep up to 18 hours a day, so you need to create the right sleeping conditions for them.

• Make sure the bedding is soft and easy to wash, place it in a basket (or small box), a nook or some suitable sunny spot in the house.
• Don’t let your pet sleep with you. A kitten from childhood must learn this rule. Remember that cats tend to be nocturnal and this can interfere with your sleep. If the cat wakes you up at night with its games, take it and carefully place it on the floor. Don’t encourage her pranks or it will inspire her to wake you up again and again.

Toys. Good toys for cats are available in large quantities in specialized pet stores. Please consult your veterinarian for the correct toys.

Safety on the go. Cat carriers are the safest and most comfortable way to transport your pets. Before you hit the road, take some time to introduce your pet to the carrier by putting toys in it or turning it into a comfortable place to sleep at home.

Mandatory identification. The cat’s collar must have a name tag and reference information (rabies vaccinations, license, etc.). The collar should not sit too tight, but not too loose, so as not to slip off the head of the animal. The distance between the neck and the collar is two fingers.

Cat tray. If you have only one cat, you need to purchase a tray for her, or several if you live in a private house – one for each floor. In houses where several cats live, there should be one more trays than animals. The length of the tray should be 1,5 times the length of the cat, and the tray itself should always remain where it was placed for the first time. Remember that not all cats may like the materials that make up the tray or litter.

• Make sure the litter box is in a quiet area that is easily accessible to the cat, away from the noise and traffic in the house – where other pets and people are not likely to interfere with the cat’s business.
• Trays are important to place in different parts of the house, and not in the same room.
• Fill the cat’s litter tray with a layer of about 3,5 cm of special litter. Most cats like clay and lumpy litter, but some prefer litters made from other materials. If your kitten doesn’t like clay or lumpy litter, look elsewhere until you find one that suits him.
• Stir the litter daily and change the litter box as it becomes soiled, as the cat will prefer to use a clean litter box. Consider feeding your pet food that reduces the smell of feces. Always wash the tray with mild detergent before refilling it.
• Do not touch or distract your cat while she is using the litter box.
• Contact your veterinarian if your cat walks past the litter box, sits in the litter box for too long, or makes noise while using it, as a medical problem could be the cause.

These few simple tips will help your cat to quickly adapt to a new place.