You Adopted a Cat. Now What?

Helping Your New Cat Adjust Comfortably to Their Forever Home.

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Getting Ready

Adopting a cat is an exciting moment—but for your new companion, it can also be overwhelming. This guide will walk you through preparing your home, supporting your cat’s transition, recognizing stress, and knowing when to reach out for help.

In This Guide You’ll Learn:

  1. How to prepare your home for a smooth transition

  2. What to expect in the first days and weeks

  3. Signs of stress and how to reduce them

  4. How to set up a safe room for your cat

  5. Feeding, litter box, and enrichment basics

Introduction: Why this Matters

Every cat comes from a different environment—some from shelters, some from foster homes, some from busy households, and some from quiet spaces. Understanding where your cat came from helps you anticipate how they may react to the big changes ahead.

Sudden shifts in routine, location, and environment can be very stressful for cats. Your goal is to introduce new experiences gradually, helping them feel safe, supported, and confident as they settle into your home.

When you adopt from The Rescue Crew, your cat may be entering their fourth “home” in a short period of time: the street → shelter → foster home → your home

Even though your home is safe and loving, it is still a major transition—and this guide will help you make it a successful one.

Before bringing your cat home, make sure you have these supplies and preparations in place:

  • Food and water bowls

  • The same food they were previously eating

  • Collar with ID tag

  • Litter box and litter

  • Scratching post or cat tree

  • Cat bed, toys, and brush

Tip from The Rescue Crew

If possible, start with the same food, litter type, and daily routine your cat is familiar with. You can transition later, but keeping things stable now reduces stress.

Step-by-Step Guide

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Step 1 — Set Up a Safe Room

Create a quiet room—like a bedroom or office—where your new cat can decompress during the first several days.

Include:

  • A litter box placed away from food

  • A comfortable bed

  • Safe hiding places (boxes, carriers, tunnels)

  • A scratching post or vertical space

  • Food and water

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Step 2 — Let Your Cat Set the Pace

Your cat may hide, act quiet, or avoid touch at first. That’s okay.

Do:

  • Sit quietly near them

  • Talk softly

  • Offer treats or toys without forcing interaction

  • Stay close while they eat to build positive associations

Avoid:

  • Pulling them out of hiding

  • Forcing cuddles or holding

  • Introducing the whole house too soon

When they begin exploring the room confidently, they’re ready for the next step.

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Step 3 — Gradually Expand Their Space

Once your cat is comfortable:

  • Open up additional rooms slowly

  • Keep doors open so they can retreat to their safe room

  • Supervise early explorations

Every cat has their own timeline—some take hours, others take weeks.

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Step 4 — Monitor Eating, Drinking and Litter Habits

Stress can reduce appetite and alter bathroom habits. Keep a close watch.

Your cat should:

  • Eat at least something within the first 24 hours

  • Drink water regularly

  • Use their litter box without distress

If they’re not eating, try:

  • Warming canned food

  • Mixing a little canned food with dry food

  • Offering plain meat baby food (no onion/garlic)

If they still won’t eat after 24 hours, reach out to us.

Tip from The Rescue Crew

If possible, start with the same food, litter type, and daily routine your cat is familiar with. You can transition later, but keeping things stable now reduces stress.

Recognizing Stress in Your Cat

It’s normal for your cat to experience stress as they adjust. Watch for:

Common signs of stress:

  • Decreased appetite

  • Reduced grooming

  • Hiding

  • Sleeping in unusual places

  • Less interest in affection

  • Increased quietness

  • Fearful or aggressive behavior

Stress should gradually improve as your cat settles. If it worsens or doesn’t change, we’re here to help.

Additional Resources

You may find these helpful:

  1. Introducing Cats: Creating a Feline Friendship

  2. How to Introduce a Dog to a Cat

  3. Litter Box Basics (future resource)

Download This Guide as a PDF

Troubleshooting & Common Issues

  • No—hiding is a natural coping behavior. Give them time, and avoid disturbing their hiding places.

  • Totally normal. Play is often suppressed when cats are stressed. Keep offering toys and try again later.

  • Monitor closely. If they are eating small amounts consistently and improving daily, that’s okay. If appetite drops further, contact your vet.

  • New sounds and spaces can make nights feel overwhelming. Add a soft light, leave a piece of your clothing nearby, or play quiet calming music.