The ultimate guide for first-time cat guardians

You’ve taken the leap and welcomed a feline friend into your home. Whether it was planned or caught you by surprise, you opened your heart to a bundle of fur and saved a life. Congratulations, proud Cat Guardian!

You might have spent a lot of time fussing over the purrfect set-up for your new feline friend. Whether you’re a first-time cat guardian or welcoming a second feline family member and want a quick refresher, we've put together some tips to help the transition purr along smoothly.

Rue found love thanks to Shelley's Place Animal Rescue

Preparing your home to welcome your new cat

Remember, your home is a brand new environment for your cat, so the following basic set-up will be the same whether they’re a kitten, adolescent, adult or senior. 

• A safe place: Most cats find a new home overwhelming, so providing them with a safe haven to hide is essential. This can be their travel carrier, covered cat bed, a high perch, or wardrobe. It’s also a good idea to block off places a cat can get under, like a bed, washing machine, or couch.

• A place to eat: Set up a designated feeding area close to their safe hiding spot. This will help them feel more comfortable as they adjust to their new surroundings.

• A place to drink: Most cats prefer their water source to be separated from their food, as they instinctively like to keep their water clean.

• A place to toilet: Provide easy access to two litter trays, yes, two! A general rule of thumb is to have one extra litterbox - so, two for one cat, three for two cats, and so on. This will encourage appropriate toileting behaviour in their new home. 

This feline-friendly safe space is sometimes called a basecamp and should be located in a quiet, low-traffic area of your home, like a bedroom, bathroom, or laundry. Ensure it’s an area where other pets can’t disturb your new cat as they settle in.

Find out more about the importance of basecamp here. And for more tips on the essentials for bringing a cat home, check out this video by Jackson Galaxy!

Pete, adopted thanks to Baw Baw Shire Council

Getting to know your cat

You probably already know that cats meow, but did you know that adult cats only meow at humans and not other cats? Kittens meow at their mothers to communicate, but this stops by the time they’re adults. If you want to learn more about why cats meow and what it means, check out this article. 

Cat communication goes beyond meowing, though. Cats use their whole bodies, from their eyes, ears, and facial expressions to their body posture and tail movements. They really are masters of body language!

Visit the PetRescue library for more helpful information on understanding what your cat is trying to tell you.
 

Tommy & Bertie - found love thanks to Strong Hearts Farm Sanctuary

Meeting your cat's basic needs

Cats thrive on safety, activity and some novelty in their lives. The above basecamp set-up provides the safety your cat craves. Now, let’s talk about how to fulfil your new cats other needs and opportunities for you two to create a bond.

• Provide engaging toys and puzzles that you can rotate to keep your cat mentally stimulated and support their natural hunting instincts.

• Appropriate scratching surfaces are essential to help your cat stretch, fulfil their marking needs, and keep their claws at a healthy length (and keep your furniture from being destroyed!). Place scratching posts as high as possible so your furry pal can scratch at full stretch, or a scratching panel can be attached to a wall if you’re tight on space. Bonus if they can be near a window; our cats love to sit and watch what’s going on in the neighbourhood.

• Dedicate time every day to play sessions using your cat’s favourite toys. Not only will this provide exercise and enrichment, but it will also strengthen the bond between you and your new furry friend.

Find more cat enrichment ideas here.

Once their basic needs are covered, you can customise their environment with additional comforts that they respond to best. Consider heated beds, grooming tools, new climbing surfaces, and more based on your cat's preferences.

Golden Oreo - adopted thanks to Found Hearts Limited

What to expect

Your home is ready, and your new furry family member is exploring their basecamp, so what happens next? How will you know that they’re settling in? 

Every cat is unique, just like humans. The time it takes for them to settle into their new homes can vary. Here are some things to look for to see if you’re on the right track:

• They’ll start to explore their new environment more.

• They’ll become more interested in things around them. They may even engage in play with you or alone with their toys.

• You’ll see more grooming behaviours. Healthy, happy cats like to keep themselves well-groomed and neat. 

• They’ll be willing to expose themselves out in the open. You may see them flopping over and sprawling out on the floor more. This indicates that they’re becoming more comfortable with their surroundings.

• They’ll start to rub on things to deposit their scent and make the space smell more familiar and like them.

Settling into a new home is not always linear for new pets. Like Gizmo (whose reaction to moving homes was to increase the grumpiness!), they may struggle at first and show changes in behaviours like reduced appetite, toileting accidents, vocalising, hiding, restlessly pacing, or boundary testing as fear sets in. Your cat may feel scared, overwhelmed, and unsure in unfamiliar surroundings. But remain patient and gently introduce basics, allowing them to move at their own pace. Over time, your cat will start coming out of their shell to explore, bond with you, and feel at ease in their new abode. 

Mike, looking for love - Little Volunteers & Friends Animal Rescue

Next, creating a cat-isfying home

Like any proud cat guardian, once your new feline friend has settled in, you’ll probably want to create a kitty kingdom! Check out these tips about cat-proofing your home to create a safe haven.

If you have the room, consider building a catio, an outdoor haven where your cat can enjoy fresh air and sunshine while staying protected. It’s a purrfect solution for providing outdoor enrichment! 

Congratulations on becoming a cat guardian! May your journey be filled with the sweetest purrs and head bumps, hilarious zoomies and a lap warmer who refuses to move, even if it’s 40 degrees outside.

Just like humans, every cat is unique and will adjust differently to their new home. Settling into a new home is not linear, and it’s completely normal to see variations in how your new furry friend is behaving day to day. Read more about what to expect post-adoption here.

Further reading

Cats 101

How to introduce a new cat to other pets

Why your cat isn't using their litterbox

Essentials for bringing a rescue cat home

Incredible cat facts

10 things that will surprise you about adopting a puddy

Banner image: Penny, looking for love - Little Volunteers & Friends Animal Rescue