New Cat, No Stress: The Ultimate Guide to Home Introductions (Starring Arthur!)
New Cat, No Stress: The Ultimate Guide to Home Introductions (Starring Arthur!)
When my sister Elie and her partner Jack bought their house, something still felt missing. For Elie, a lifelong cat lover, a home just isn’t a home without a whiskered companion.
Determined to adopt, she searched for an older rescue cat—someone often overlooked. That’s when she met Arthur. He’s a three-year-old black and white sweetheart who spent over 200 days at Cats Protection. With a few allergies and a quiet nature, he was waiting for just the right match. Spoiler alert: he found it.
Bringing a new cat home can feel like a big deal—but it doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little prep and a lot of love, your new cat can settle in smoothly. Inspired by Arthur’s journey, here are some simple yet effective tips to help your own feline friend settle into their new home with ease.
Before Your New Friend Arrives: Setting the Stage
Create a Cat-Only Zone
Why it’s Purr-fect? Cats are territorial creatures, and new spaces can be overwhelming. A dedicated safe room helps your new feline friend feel secure while they adjust (Arthur made himself at home in the spare room!!).
What to include:
A litter box, food, water, and a cosy bed.
Toys and a scratching post for entertainment.
A hidey-hole or a cardboard box to retreat to.
Pro Tip: Feline pheromone diffusers are great for stressed out kitties.
Slow and Steady Wins the Space
Let Curiosity Lead the Way: Your cat will decide when it is time to explore. The key is patience - and supervision.
How to help:
Hang out in their room with them, so that they get used to your voice and your vibe.
After a couple of days, crack the door open and let them peek out.
Watch body language: tail up = brave explorer, flattened ears = may not right now.
Peaceful Pet Introductions
Make New Friends, Not Foes: If there are other pets in the home, slow introductions can prevent a whole lot of drama.
Smooth Moves:
Swap scents with blankets, beds or toys.
Let them check each other out from a safe distance. (Try using a baby gate to keep things drama-free at first. Mealtime magic? Feed them on opposite sides of the gate—starting far apart and inching closer over the week to build good vibes).
Make the sessions short and filled with treats!!
Treat Yo’ Cat
Make Every Moment a Good One: Reinforce new experiences with tasty treats, praise, and play. Try:
Treats after playing time or peaceful exploring of another room.
Rewards for calm encounters with other pets.
Wand toys and puzzle feeders to boost confidence and prevent boredom.
Let Your Cat Call the Shots
Every cat’s timeline is different - and that's ok!
Look for Paws-itive signs:
Regular eating and litter box use.
Wandering around with curiosity.
Leaning into other house members or playing with toys.
Still shy after a couple of weeks? Don’t panic - just check in with your vet to make sure they’re not feeling under the weather and give them time.
Little Bumps (Totally Normal)
No appetite at first? Warmed wet food often works,
Only appears at night? They’re just getting comfy.
Litter box nerves? Quiet space, clean box, problem solved.
Winning Arthur’s Heart
Give him space and let him come to us.
Slow blinks = cat trust currency
Talk softly (or in full-on cat voice—Arthur approves)
Daily play and respected his boundaries (catnip filled toys, definitely helped!)
Every cat adjusts in their own way. Arthur just needed time, patience, and a lot of love.
By following these cat adoption tips, you can make your new feline friend’s transition as smooth and stress-free as possible. Have you recently adopted a cat? Share your experience in the comments!
Sophie
My Three Cats
