Adaptation of a cat to the house: for the first time in a new place. Moving a cat to a new apartment How to accustom a cat to a new place

An adult cat in a new home - how to help with adaptation?

There are situations in life when it is difficult to pass by an animal and not give it help. Unfortunately, moving to new home This applies not only to small kittens, but also to adult animals. It often happens that owners, for some reason, can no longer keep a cat, especially for older people whose age-related health problems do not allow them to pay proper attention to their pet.

Sometimes the animal is taken in by relatives, and sometimes by caring strangers. But an adult cat is an animal with an established character, with its own habits, which do not always easily and painlessly endure moving and getting used to a new home. Moreover, cats generally tend to become attached to their place of residence. There are many cases where a cat stubbornly did not want to leave the house. Some cats run away from home if they are planning to move. And a new place of residence is always very stressful for them. An adult animal that finds itself in such a situation must be helped to adapt to its new home.

There are several important rules, following which will help an adult cat adapt to a new home. First, you will have to be patient in order to calmly endure all the whims of the new tenant. Cats generally tend to keep their distance, and even with strangers and at all. It is not for nothing that there is a humorous saying that the cat is the only animal that has domesticated itself. Therefore, if an adult cat comes to you for the first time, you should not overdo it with communication, and even more so - forcibly pick it up and squeeze it. If the cat doesn't mind, you can pet it a little.

It is necessary for the animal to calmly explore the territory that is new to it and look into all corners without fear. A new settler can hide in a secluded place and sit there for a long time. In this case, there is no need to pull him out of the shelter. Let the animal calm down and get used to new smells and sounds.

Of course, it all depends on the character of the cat. If a cat has an affectionate, purring disposition, then it will be easier for him to get used to a new habitat and a new owner. And if the cat is wild and has lived its entire life on the street, then it will be much more difficult for him to adapt.

The main thing is to immediately provide the cat with a tray and bowls of food, and show him where they are. If the cat is trained to the litter box, then he will immediately understand what is what and there will be no problems. Don’t forget about the scratching post if you don’t want upholstered furniture turned into rags.

It is more difficult if there are other animals in the new home. The cat will have to get used to not only the new place, but also the new neighbors. Therefore, at first, if possible, it is better to place an adult cat in a separate room, where it will be free from the annoying curiosity of other pets. It is better for both the tray and bowls of food to be in the same room where the new resident’s adaptation is taking place. Although, of course, not everyone will agree to the presence of a cat litter box in the room (especially if it is the master bedroom).

But, as mentioned earlier, you need to be prepared for anything. Cats in a new place may at first go not to the litter box, but generally wherever they want, show aggression, tear up wallpaper and generally do worse things, just to show everyone how unhappy they are with what is happening and to draw attention to their misfortune.

Only sincere love for animals can help here. As practice shows, over time, even the most capricious cat and the most stubborn cat, if they are treated with affection and patiently taught to behave well, change for the better and fit perfectly into their new home.

And an adult animal can become attached to its new owners as sincerely as little kitten. Sometimes such “residents” turn out to be much more affectionate and obedient than the original feline inhabitants of the house. Sometimes fears when an adult cat moves to a new home turn out to be completely unfounded, and after a few days the animal feels and behaves as if it had lived here its entire adult life.

Cats are somewhat reminiscent of conservatives who oppose any reforms.

Even replacing a shabby lounger with a brand new cozy house is perceived with caution. What can we say about changing housing: stress in a cat after moving is almost inevitable. Even calm, balanced pets accustomed to travel and exhibitions experience this.

But it is especially difficult for pets who have never left the apartment. For them there is no world outside the window; they are extremely attached to the place. In essence, moving with a cat is expelling a pet from its territory; the pet instinctively reacts to what is happening this way. And for a predator, expulsion from hunting grounds often ends in death. It is not difficult to guess how cats cope with moving in this case, because an adequate animal always puts the instinct of self-preservation at the forefront.

On the day of moving, the cat should feel protected, be in shelter, in a reliable “catch”. To do this, you need to accustom your pet to a carrier in advance - a good one, made of metal, plastic or wood. The carrier is placed on the sofa or other place that the cat has chosen to rest, and a mattress is laid inside. Moving a cat to a new apartment will be smoother if the pet has time to get used to the “house”: the walls and mattress will be saturated with the smell of the cat. Prepare a blanket in advance that will need to be used to cover the box on the appointed day - the less the cat sees, the less fear it has.

To be on the safe side, you should consult your veterinarian about the advisability of using sedatives. A mild sedative will help reduce stress in cats during the move and after, if the pet is unable to settle into its new home in a couple of days. It is unwise to use human remedies, valerian, valocordin and other publicly available drugs - the reaction of the cat’s body can be unpredictable, even to the point of aggression or poisoning.

Feeding is stopped about six hours in advance - this will help to avoid troubles on the road and upon arrival (vomiting, diarrhea). But you still need to bring napkins and disposable diapers, just in case.

Stray cats who choose their own place to live will never change their habitat without a good reason. Their ancestors and descendants live in the same area. This same trait is also characteristic of domestic cats. By their nature, domestic cats do not at all like changes in their place of residence, changes in circumstances, and sometimes even a small change in the environment of a familiar apartment can make them angry. Therefore, moving for a cat can be a real challenge.

So, what can cause stress in a cat when moving:

• The process of collecting things (when the usual order in the apartment is disrupted).
• Actually the move itself (carrying, shaking, frightening unknown).
• Moving into a new home (unusual layout, smells, sometimes new occupants of the apartment).

There are several ways to help your cat cope with moving as painlessly as possible.

When moving, you should not pack things and take out furniture in front of your pet. It is much better for the cat to move to a new apartment first, and then it’s time to pack things. It’s not for nothing that they say that the cat should be the first to enter a new apartment. If you still can’t do this, then the boxes should be brought home in advance so that the cat can examine them and make sure they are safe.

The move itself (transportation) will frighten the cat the less, the more familiar it finds itself in an environment. When carrying is a familiar attribute, and the cat has traveled a lot before this trip (to the country, to an exhibition, to the veterinarian), then significant stress can be avoided. If the cat leaves the house for the first time, then it should be prepared for transportation in advance. The carrier must be installed in an open apartment. Place a soft bed in it. The cat has not yet been born who will not happily move into this hole and will not recognize it as her home. This is exactly what we need. Create a familiar and cozy little world that will protect your cat when moving.

Please note: you do not need to carry the cat in your arms, in a shopping bag or basket. During transportation, panic attacks are possible; at this moment, the cat can escape, cause injury to others, or simply get lost.

The next stage is adaptation to the new place of residence. It is important that objects that are well known to the cat move with them: a house, a scratching post, a tray (ideally with the usual, or better yet a little dirty filler), bowls. Even if you eventually want to replace all these items in your new apartment, when your cat moves, they should go there with her. This will give her a feeling of stability, confidence, and security.

Don't force your emotions on your cat. If she wants to hide or explore the apartment, do not prevent her from doing so. You can try to switch her attention to something familiar and pleasant. Play with her favorite toy, give her something tasty. This often helps a lot. Unfortunately, you need to be prepared for the fact that the cat may go to the toilet in the wrong place or try to tear off the furniture or wallpaper. Alas, this is a cat's way of marking his new territory. And punishing her for such an offense is extremely undesirable.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that the more a cat is attached to its owner, the more often it has been outside its home, the more socialized it is, the easier it will tolerate the move.

Do you want positive and joyful emotions every day? Get yourself a furry miracle - a kitten. However, the owner must understand that he is responsible for the four-legged family member, because he will have to get used to the new home and make friends. How does a kitten adapt to its new home? What do you need to know? What measures should be taken to make the baby feel at ease? How long does the whole process take as the kitten gradually gets used to its new home? You will find answers to these and other questions below.

Preparing for the arrival of a baby in the house

To ensure that the kitten’s first day in the new home goes without a hitch, the whole family needs to be prepared. How to do this? Here are some tips.

It took our Fluffy a long time to get used to it. I got used to it right away. I showed him where his toilet was: I put the cat in the tray and buried the sand a little with his paw. He looked at me and walked out of there. He understood everything perfectly. The only thing that didn't make us happy was the meowing of our pet. All night he meows and meows, as if calling for his mother. I took him to my bed. He settled down at my head and after that he always slept in this place. If someone thinks that this is too much, then they can come up with their own methods to calm the kitten in a new home. Even now I say that Fluffy is my cat love for life.

• From personal experience They can say that when we adopted a fairly mature kitten (about 4-5 months), for the first two days I was next to my “son”. I so wanted a cat in our family, and this joyful event happened. In advance, we purchased a bowl with two compartments for food and water, a tray, filler, a scoop for cleaning the “toilet,” and several toys (a mouse, a fishing rod). That's basically all our purchases. We didn’t buy food or a scratching post (that was our mistake).
• If there are children in the new home (and most often this happens), then you need to explain to them the simplest rules of play and behavior with a kitten. You can also have a conversation with adults, especially if someone is against a furry, mustachioed, striped neighbor.
• So that the kitten does not get used to it for a long time, and the owner does not count how many days have passed since the move, you can buy several fun toys for cat fun.
• It is advisable to talk with all family members so that they do not disturb the baby, because how the kitten’s first days in the new home go depends on whether he will be able to adapt. Moving in itself is a serious psychological trauma. And if people leave him alone or, conversely, do not know how to stop being affectionate, then the adaptation will be delayed.
• In order for adaptation to be successful on the first day, you need to think about the baby’s safety: remove wires from the floor, hide away chemical and detergents, souvenirs and trinkets raised to heights.
• How many days will adaptation take? It all depends on the character of the kitten. In some families, the pet meows for a week and does not understand where it is or what they are doing with it. In others, everything is accurate, but vice versa. 5 minutes after the excursion, the baby begins to run around the entire apartment and play with family members.

How to behave when a kitten first comes into the house?

Usually a kitten gets used to its new home and family fairly quickly. At the same time, he meows (but not always!) when he wants to attract the attention of his new owners.

• If there are children in the new home (and most often this happens), then you need to look at the relationship between the kitten and the younger members of the family. There is no need to allow children to treat the new arrival as a toy: pulling the tail, hugging him tightly, squeezing him endlessly is not allowed.
• To avoid any unpleasant surprises later, you should show the furry baby where his “dining room,” “restroom,” and “manicure salon” are located. This means that the kitten will become familiar with the environment in the new home and will go to the toilet where it is supposed to; He will eat and sharpen his claws where needed. This way you can accustom the “recruit” to order from the first days.
• If already on the first day the adaptation goes so well that the “recruit” looses his belt without the supervision of the mother cat, then the owner needs to show his authority. The mother cat does this in the following way: she lifts the kitten slightly above the floor, biting the withers. In this place there is a bundle of nerves, when pinched, the kitten cannot move. Hanging in this state, the baby becomes literally “silky” and obedient. A person should take such actions. Observation from personal experience. Interestingly, in this hanging position the kitten looks like Christmas tree toy. It spins and spins like a ball, and doesn’t even wiggle its paws. Hanging in the air, the furry baby doesn’t even meow, so as not to anger his mother.

• If the move occurs at a time when there are other animals in the apartment, you need to carefully ensure that they get to know each other. Most often, old-timers accept a “newcomer” into their company without any problems. And they subsequently become best friends.
• The furry baby gets used to it better and it doesn’t take long when at least one of the family members is next to him for several days.
• It is important to teach yourself and the whole family that a kitten is not a toy. If he has done some mischief, there is no need to throw him out into the street. If immediately after the appearance of a cat in the apartment, the desire to raise the animal has disappeared, you need to transfer it to good hands or return it to the breeder. What is the pet’s fault if the owners did not prepare morally, psychologically and, possibly, financially for the appearance of a furry neighbor?

• It is advisable to think about relocating your pet in advance. It is better if this event takes place before the weekend, when the whole family can help the baby adapt.
• A cute kitten in a new home is a joyful event. Therefore, the baby needs to be surrounded with attention and care. You need to talk in advance with the breeder or former owner about what the pet ate and what hours it was fed.
• It is advisable to purchase the same filler as at your previous place of residence. In short, in the new home many things (in terms of habits) should be similar to the previous home: the same food, filler, toys (if possible).
• It is necessary to teach your pet on the first day that eating from the table is a bad habit, and so is begging.
• For adaptation to go well, you need to purchase a scratching post. Of course, it may be expensive, but this product will save furniture and other objects from the attacks of long and sharp claws.
• Nails need to be trimmed weekly. In order for adaptation to this unpleasant procedure to be successful, you need to pet the kitten; a new house has its own rules and must be followed, and how many days the whole process will take depends on the relationship between the owner and the youngest family member.
• Adaptation includes not only the process of getting used to a new place, but also to a name. In order for your pet to respond to its name, you need to call it by name every time when food is poured into a plate.
• The process of getting used to it will take a very long time if you physically punish your baby from the first days. In order to accustom your pet to order and point out when he is wrong, it is enough to spray him with a spray bottle, lightly flick him on the ears, or roll up a newspaper (or thin magazine).

It is important to know not only how many hours or weeks a kitten gets used to its family, people, and new home; It is important to give care and attention, and then the baby will feel at ease.

Situations in which not only people, but also animals have to get used to a new place of residence are different. “Cat people” have to deal with them more than once, and therefore the question of how to adapt a cat to a new home is always relevant.

So, you bought, or your friends gave it to you, a little fluffy dog. Don't worry, training and taming a baby is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. The main thing is to pay him more attention, generously showing care and affection. It is recommended to talk to your pet, stroking its fur, and then feed it. Good attitude and kind words will help you establish trusting contact with him. Remember that the kitten will love you only after you love him.

The error would be for a long time leave your pet alone in the house. Most likely, he will hide in corners and avoid you most of the time.

Owners spend quite a lot of time training their kitten to use the litter box. Introduce your baby to the new toilet, and if he relieves himself in the wrong place, sternly but kindly, scold him and point to the litter box again. A naughty fluffy can be “directed” to the toilet by placing a piece of paper or cotton wool moistened with his urine: he will come to the smell.

Another sensitive point: getting used to a new sleeping place. If you do not want the kitten to spend all the time in your bed, you must immediately offer him a secluded, warm and soft corner where he can relax comfortably, if necessary, luring him with special mint from the zoological store.

Be patient and love, and the kitten will very soon get used to its new home.

How to accustom a cat to a new home

Changing a place of residence causes stress not only for owners, but also for pets. In such cases, breeders begin to take an active interest in how to adapt a cat to a new home, and what needs to be done to successfully complete the matter.

Moving to a new home

It is advisable not to transport an adult pet to a house where cosmetic repairs have not yet been completed, or things have not been sorted out and tidied up. Cats do not like disorder, and “chaos” in the house can aggravate the situation when the animal gets used to new conditions.

If you have a very sensitive animal, it will be better to at least partially keep the original interior to help him get used to an unfamiliar home. The fact is that cats remember smells well, and keeping old things will help them quickly adapt to a new environment. Gradually everything can be replaced.

Take care in advance of the sleeping place, the “dining room” and the tray for the cat. It is best to bring everything you need from your previous apartment, and after adaptation, purchase new accessories. The animal will be grateful to you.

Moving to a new owner

It will be more difficult to adapt the cat to a new home with a new owner. Especially if the cat is outdoor. And it won’t be easy to wean her away from her previous home. In this case, it will take more time, patience and work to accustom an adult pet to a new environment.

The cat, as you know, gets used to the house, so you need to try to create conditions for it similar to those in which it lived previously. To achieve this, you must first ask the previous owner about the details of the pet’s life and preferences in food and other areas of activity, and try to adhere to them.

Create a secluded corner for the animal, but at first do not leave it alone for a long time. Pet your cat if she reaches out to you and allows herself to be petted. Otherwise, do not impose your affection, the time will come and, sensing your disposition, she herself will show interest and love in you.

When accustoming your pet to a new toilet, use the litter that is familiar to him. If possible, bring some old litter soaked in animal urine and place it in the litter box. As in the case of a kitten, an adult cat will find a “latrine” place by smell.

Set up a place your cat likes, where she spends most of her time, as a sleeping area. Remember that it should be warm and comfortable.

It is also better to feed your pet with food that is familiar to him.