Bringing home a new cat: a step-by-step guide to the first week
The moment you walk through the door, your cat is pressed into the very back of the carrier, staring at you with huge eyes. You want to pet it right away, show it around the house, show it its toys. It wants just one thing: to be sure it's safe. The best thing you can do in the first days is give it the time and space to build that trust at its own pace.
- For the first days, start your cat off in a single, quiet room; food, water, a litter box, a bed, a scratching post and a hiding place should all be there.
- Don't force your cat out of the carrier; open the door and let it come out on its own.
- Keep the first 24 hours calm: no crowds of guests, and contact with children short and supervised.
- For the first 1–2 weeks, use the same food and the same litter; if you want to make changes, make them gradually.
- Some adult cats can take weeks to settle into their new home. That's normal.
Before your cat arrives: prepare a "base room"
International Cat Care recommends that a newly arrived cat spend its first days in a single quiet room. This is especially important for kittens; and if there's another cat in the home, it's essential for an adult cat too. This room will be the first safe zone in your cat's new world.
When you prepare the room, start by removing the hazards:
- Floor-length curtains, exposed cables and breakable items
- Plants that are toxic to cats (we've covered which ones are dangerous in this article)
- Cleaning products and medicines; keep cupboard doors closed and windows shut
Then put these in the room:
- Litter box: In a quiet corner of the room, away from the food bowl.
- Food bowl: On the opposite side of the room from the litter box.
- Water bowl: A few steps away from the food; cats usually drink after eating. But not next to the litter box.
- Bed: In a quiet spot; a soft, washable bed.
- Scratching post: Tall enough for your cat to stretch out to its full length.
- Hiding place: A cardboard box turned on its side, with a thick fleece blanket inside. You can also leave the carrier open in the room.
If possible, bring a blanket that carries your cat's scent from its previous home. International Cat Care suggests bringing a kitten home with some familiar bedding; a familiar smell comforts a cat in an unfamiliar place.
Day one: don't rush
Take your cat in its carrier to the room you've prepared, open the carrier door and leave it be. Never force it out. Some cats come straight out and start exploring, others don't leave the carrier for hours; both are normal.
Keep the first 24 hours as calm as possible. Don't try to introduce the whole family and your guests all at once. Once your cat has found its food, water and litter box, it also helps to leave the room for a while and give it some time alone.
If your cat is hiding, don't try to talk it into coming out. Sit quietly in the room, preferably on the floor, at its level. If it comes closer, hold out your hand for it to sniff; let it decide how contact happens.
Don't wake a sleeping kitten to pet it or play. Kittens sleep a lot, and that rest is necessary for their growth.
The first week: don't break its habits
Keep the food and litter the same
International Cat Care recommends using the food your cat ate and the type of litter it used in its previous home for the first 1–2 weeks. If you want to change the food, don't do it all at once; do it over 7–14 days, gradually mixing more of the new food into the old.
For kittens, check that the food label says "complete"; a "complementary" food isn't enough on its own. Talk to your vet about how much to feed and how many meals.
According to International Cat Care, cow's milk can cause diarrhea in cats. If you want to give milk, choose milk made for cats. Fresh, clean water should always be within reach.
Give shy cats time
Anxious adult cats may only use their food and litter box at night in the first days. Keep putting out fresh food every day and checking the litter box. If this goes on for a long time, International Cat Care recommends talking to your vet. Some cats can take several weeks to feel safe in their new home.
Meeting the household and other animals
- Children: In the first days, keep contact short and supervised. Constantly picking up a new cat makes it harder for it to build trust.
- Another cat or dog in the home: This introduction should be made slowly and carefully. Letting them get to know each other's scent first (for example, by swapping their beds), then short, controlled meetings, is the safest way. If you're struggling, get help from a behavior specialist or your vet.
When can your cat go outside?
If you plan to let your cat outdoors, there's no need to rush. International Cat Care recommends that adopted adult cats stay indoors for at least two to three weeks to get to know their new home. For kittens, the usual advice is to wait until the vaccination course is complete and the kitten has fully settled in; your vet will set the timing.
First-week to-do list
- Book a get-to-know-you appointment with your vet. Listen to their advice on a general checkup and a vaccination and parasite plan.
- Check the microchip and PETVET registration. In Turkey, the law requires owned cats and dogs to be registered through digital identification (PETVET is Turkey's national pet registration system). Details: PETVET registration and microchips.
- Write down your cat's details somewhere. Date of birth, breed, previous vaccinations, microchip number, your vet's phone number.
- Open up the home step by step. As your cat relaxes in its room, leave the door open; let it explore the rest of the home at its own pace.
- Set aside short play sessions every day. Play is one of the easiest ways to build trust. Ideas: a play guide for indoor cats.
Frequently asked questions
My cat hasn't come out from under the bed for two days. Is that normal?
It's very common for cats arriving in a new home to hide. If it's eating, drinking and using the litter box (even if only at night), give it time. If it isn't eating at all, isn't using the litter box at all, or this goes on for a long time, talk to your vet.
When can I play with my kitten?
Once it has relaxed in its room and comes up to you. Start with short, calm games; don't wake a sleeping kitten to play.
Can I introduce my new cat to my other cat right away?
No. International Cat Care stresses that this introduction should be made slowly and carefully. For the first days, keep the new cat in its own room and let them get to know each other's scent first.
Keep track of your pet's care in TüylümLog vet visits, vaccine and medication dates, and we'll remind you when it's time. Share it all with your family in Home.
Sources
- International Cat Care · Helping your new cat or kitten settle in
- International Cat Care · Choosing a litter tray for your cat
- International Cat Care · Making your home cat friendly
- International Cat Care · Introducing cats
- Resmî Gazete · Law No. 7527 (7527 sayılı Kanun), August 2, 2024
By Tüylüm · Published and last checked: October 24, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Write to [email protected] and we'll fix it right away. Photos are from Wikimedia Commons, used under the license shown below each photo.
