You've adopted a cat - here's what to expect post-adoption

Congratulations on adopting a furry family member. Whether your pet has come from a shelter environment, a foster home or straight from their previous home, it will take time for them to decompress, settle into their new environment and bond with their new family.

With this handy guide, a little patience and a lot of love, you and your new friend will be enjoying life together in no time!

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.

Download or view the infographic here or keep scrolling to read the article.

Welcome - you’re safe here!

Welcome to this new journey! Bringing home a new furry friend can be both exciting and overwhelming for you and your new cat.

The feline experience


Moving to a new environment is especially challenging for cats, as they are naturally very aware of their vulnerability to larger predators. 

While young kittens typically adapt to their new homes relatively quickly, adolescents and adults may feel scared and unsure or so worried they even shut down.

Common signs of a fearful cat are hiding, inconsistent eating or drinking, and they may even have toileting accidents in the house. 

In some cases, if your new cat feels unsafe and you take things too fast, they might even display signs of aggression due to fear.

The human experience

As a new cat guardian, you may feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. It's normal to question whether you made the right decision or are providing the best care for your new feline friend, especially if you haven’t seen them out in the open since they came home. 

Just remember, while you know that your home is safe and you are very much looking forward to having a new furry best friend, your new cat needs to learn this for themselves, as they don’t speak ‘human’! 

To help your cat decompress and feel safer more quickly, dedicate a separate space to them, like a spare room that has all the essentials they need. This space should be theirs to call home and explore at their own pace, so keep other pets out of there and ensure plenty of enrichment is available. If you’re a first-time cat guardian, you can read about how to set up for success here. Remember that two litter trays and good spacing of resources are essential for a cat-friendly environment. 

Above all, remember that patience is the key to your cat’s heart. As much as you want to reassure your new feline friend that they are safe, taking a hands-off approach and letting them tell you when they are ready to interact is what they need. 

We promise you that the wait will be worth it! 
 

Connecting phase

As your cat starts to feel more comfortable, they will start to explore the environment and slowly interact more with you. 

The feline experience


As your cat feels more comfortable, they'll begin exploring their environment. For very scared cats, their first trips out to investigate their new home are often alone, at night when the house is quiet, and they feel safe to come out. 

They may mark their territory with their scent and become more or less vocal (just like us, some cats ‘talk’ when scared, and some are more chatty when they are feeling good!). 

When your cat first starts to interact with you, they may feel the need to be in control of the interaction and might only be able to tolerate short bouts of physical touch before they need a break. Fifteen seconds is a long time for a nervous kitty, so keep it super short and stop often to gauge their comfort level. 

If you take ‘love-in’ sessions at their pace, your kitty will soon realise that you're their new human and begin to trust that they are safe with you.

As they let their guard down, they may start to greet you when you visit. Look for those slow-blinking "sleepy" eyes, a sign that they feel safe and secure in their surroundings. 

Another great sign that your cat is happy and content is an improvement in their willingness to eat, toilet and groom themselves. Happy cats dedicate time every day to licking their coats and keeping themselves neat and well-groomed. 

The human experience

Hopefully, you'll feel relieved and excited as you notice your cat relaxing into their new home, and the bonds of friendship will start to form. You'll feel a stronger connection with your new feline companion. It's a wonderful feeling!

It’s common to want to push for more interaction at this stage, and it’s normal to feel a little impatient about wanting the first real ‘snuggle session’ with your new feline friend. Resist the temptation, though - your kitty friend is relying on you to respect their need for slow, steady progress. 

Once your cat comes out during mealtime and actively seeks you out to engage with you, you can try giving them a few long strokes while they eat. Some cats enjoy company while they eat, which will speed up your bonding process. Remember that all cats are individuals, though, so if your kitty has a different love language, then take the time to learn how they like to interact.

Other great activities to try with your cat during these early stages of your relationship are toy play and training using food rewards.

If you have other pets, introduce them slowly during this stage to ensure a harmonious coexistence. Read the PetRescue guide to cat-cat introductions here.

Bonding phase

Congratulations, you and your cat have entered the bonding phase! You’ll enjoy each other’s company and create lasting memories together.

The feline experience

As your cat moves from short, well-controlled interactions to wanting to relax and share space with you for longer periods, it’s time to expand their access to your home and enjoy their company!

Initially, when you open the door and give your cat freedom to move out into your home, they may hesitate to expand their horizons - cats love predictability, and this new space might contain surprises.

However, it won’t take long for them to find a great sleeping spot in the sun close by while you’re working at your desk or relaxing on the couch. This is an excellent sign that your cat feels comfortable and secure and trusts you. 

You’ll see signs of their love and affection, such as head-butts, bunting, kneading, purring or snuggling with you.

Now that their days have a predictable routine and they know they’re safe and loved in their home, your cat will enjoy some extra enrichment. 

Here are five easy ways to ensure you have a happy and healthy cat.

The human experience

This is when your happiness and overall well-being will soar! The bond between you and your cat will deepen, bringing more joy and fulfilment to your life. You'll truly feel the love and trust that has blossomed between you both.

To nurture the bond, continue spending quality time with your cat and do your best to learn how to speak cat so you can have more nuanced conversations. 

This is also a great time to start brushing your cat, helping to strengthen your connection - cooperative care training is a fabulous way to build your bond with your cat.

Learn to understand their unique personality and needs, always respecting their personal space. If your cat enjoys playtime, make it a daily ritual!

Don’t forget to schedule regular vet checkups and pay attention to your cat’s well-being and health. Cats are incredibly subtle in how they communicate that they are stressed or not feeling well, so become a keen observer of your feline friend. 

Download the infographic here.

First-time cat guardian? Check out this handy guide.

Explore the PetRescue library for more!

Banner image: Cedric, looking for love via 2nc Chance Cat Rescue.