Bond With Your New Cat And Have A Friend For Life

Bringing a new cat into the family is a stressful time for everyone involved and requires some time of adjustment for both the family and the cat. I always think the best advice I can give a family with a new pet is to put your self into the cats’ shoes. Imagine finding yourself in a strange house, with lots of strange smells and noises and people that you have never seen before. Yikes I’m feeling quite nervous myself now.

By putting yourself into the cats position you will gain a greater understanding and empathy, which will help you to behave in a way that will make the cat feel safe and secure sooner. Plus the way you behave towards your cat during these early days will determine how the new cat sees you, friend or foe. It’s much better to try and build those bonds early on, rather than try to persuade your cat later on that you’re not so bad after all.

Arriving home for the first time

• Make sure other pets are shut away

• Prepare a quiet room for your cat before you bring them home

• Furnish the designated room with a:
  New cat bed
  Litter Tray
  Food and water bowls
  Toys

Place your new cat in the room you have provided them with and let them be alone for at least 30 minutes. Then check to see if they are ok, kneel down and offer them a treat. If they come to you great you are winning, but don’t worry if they shy away and hide from you. Don’t rush them, just leave them alone for a while longer and keep repeating your checks and offer of a treat every now and again.

It is important to leave the cat to their own devices during this time to give them the chance to explore their new environment. It can be very overwhelming if there is too much to explore all at once and can cause anxiety.

Gently does it.

Introduction to the other members of the family should be made one at a time and as calmly as possible, this includes other pets. Introducing pets to each other has it’s own technique and should only be attempted once you are confident that your new cat is happy with it’s new environment and human family. This can be easily ascertained by observing a cat’s behaviour. Sure signs of acceptance are:

• Eating
• Grooming themselves
• Using the litter tray
• Accepting of a stoke or cuddle
• Willingness to play with you or cat toys

The best way to approach your new cat is:

• Make yourself as small as possible, normally best done by kneeling or lying on the floor.
• Never drag your cat out from their hiding place, let them come to you.
• Never look directly into the cat’s eyes; this is a threatening sign to a cat.
• Offer treats and let them smell your hand before you try to stroke them.
• Transfer the cats smell to your hands etc by rubbing something your cat has used like a blanket or cushion onto you.

Handling and Holding Your Cat

• Place one hand under the cat’s chest
• Place the other hand under their bottom
• Lift quickly and confidently into a cuddle at the front of your body, with your hands still supporting their chest and bottom.

Cats should not be held under the arm with their legs dangling, this is not only uncomfortable and could cause pressure on some internal organs, but is also very unsettling for your cat and they will start to struggle to get away.

Lifetime Bond with your new cat

Once a bond with a cat is made, that bond will last a lifetime. There may be occasional hiccups and behavioural issues but generally as long as you are providing your cat with a loving, comfortable home with plenty of tickles, playtime and food and activity, their happiness and your friendship will be assured.

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