Bringing a new cat home is exciting for you, but for the cat it’s a sudden move into a place full of unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells. A quiet start, a predictable routine and plenty of patience will help your new companion feel safe and start exploring in its own time.
In short: set up one quiet room with everything your cat needs, let it come out of hiding on its own terms, open up the rest of the home gradually and introduce other pets slowly. Most cats settle within a few weeks, but some take longer.
Start with one quiet room
Rather than giving your cat the run of the whole house straight away, start with a calm room that has everything it needs. A spare bedroom or home office works well. Set it up before your cat arrives with:
- Food and fresh water
- A clean litter box
- Somewhere to hide, such as a covered bed or a cardboard box on its side
- A bed or soft blanket to rest on
- A scratching post or pad
- A few simple toys
Put the food and water on the opposite side of the room from the litter box. Cats don’t like eating near where they go to the toilet.
Check the room for hazards first: close off gaps behind appliances where a nervous cat could get stuck, secure windows, and remove any plants that are toxic to cats. Lilies are especially dangerous.
Let your cat set the pace
Some cats start exploring within hours. Others hide for several days. Both are normal. Don’t drag a nervous cat out of its hiding spot or force it to be held, as that tends to make fear last longer.
Instead, spend time sitting quietly in the room, reading or talking softly, and let your cat come to you. A slow blink in its direction is a friendly signal in cat language, and many cats will blink back.
Keep the first few days calm
Keep noise, visitors and handling to a minimum while your cat gets used to its new surroundings. Feeding at the same times each day and keeping a predictable household routine helps the new place start to feel familiar.
Open up the rest of the home gradually
Once your cat is eating normally, using the litter box and looking more relaxed, let it start exploring other rooms, a little at a time. Keep the door to its safe room open so it always has somewhere familiar to retreat to while its confidence grows.
If your cat will eventually go outdoors, keep it inside for at least the first few weeks so it learns that this is home before it’s given outdoor access.
Introducing your cat to other pets
Introductions to resident cats or dogs should happen slowly, over days or even weeks. Rushing a first meeting can create tension that’s hard to undo.
| Stage | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Scent first | Keep the pets apart and swap their bedding, or rub a soft cloth on each pet’s cheeks and leave it near the other, so they get used to each other’s smell. |
| 2. Meals near the door | Feed each pet on its own side of a closed door, so the other’s scent is linked with something good. |
| 3. Seeing without touching | Let them see each other through a baby gate or a door opened a crack, for short, calm sessions. |
| 4. Supervised time together | Allow short meetings in the same room while you watch closely, then gradually make them longer. |
Move at the pace of the more nervous animal, not the confident one. If you see hissing, growling or flattened ears, go back a step. Both pets should always have somewhere to retreat to. With a dog, keep it on a lead during early meetings.
It’s also a good idea to have your new cat checked by a vet before it meets your other pets, so you’re not passing on parasites or infections in either direction.
Watch eating and litter box habits
A little nervousness after a move is normal, and some cats eat less for the first day. Keep a close eye on food, water and litter box use during the first week.
Call your vet if your new cat hasn’t eaten for more than a day, seems unwell, or shows worrying changes in behavior or toilet habits. Cats that stop eating can become seriously ill, so this shouldn’t be left to wait and see.
Give them time
There’s no set timetable for settling in. Some cats feel at home within days, while others need several weeks, or longer if they’ve had a difficult past.
A safe space, gentle interaction and a steady routine will help your new cat learn that this is a good place to live.
Still gathering supplies? Our new cat essentials checklist covers what to buy, and our guide on how many litter boxes cats need explains where to put them.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take a new cat to settle in?
It varies from cat to cat. Some settle within a few days, while others need several weeks to feel fully comfortable. Shy cats and cats with a difficult history often take longer.
Is it normal for a new cat to hide?
Yes. Hiding is a normal way for a cat to cope with a new environment, and it can last for hours or several days. Give your cat a safe hiding place and let it come out on its own rather than pulling it out.
How do I introduce a new cat to my other cat?
Go slowly. Start by keeping them apart and swapping scents, then feed them on opposite sides of a closed door, then let them see each other through a gate before allowing short, supervised meetings. Move at the pace of the more nervous cat.
When should I worry about a new cat not eating?
Eating a little less on the first day is common, but contact a vet if your new cat hasn’t eaten for more than a day or seems unwell. Cats that stop eating can become seriously ill.
