Congratulations, you’re about to be owned by a cat.
Whether you’re welcoming an energetic eight-week-old kitten or an older cat with years of experience, preparing your home before they arrive will help make the first week much easier.
From setting up a safe space to organising health checks and enrichment, here is a checklist of the essentials every new cat owner should have.
Set up a safe space before your cat arrives
Cats are territorial animals and prefer having a secure base when entering a new environment.
Litter boxes
Start with two litter boxes for one new cat, placing them in separate quiet, low-traffic areas.
The recommendation is one litter box per cat, plus one extra.
Most cats prefer uncovered litter trays with unscented, fine-grain clumping litter.
Food and water bowls
Place food and water bowls separately, as cats naturally prefer their water away from their food.
Wide, shallow ceramic or stainless-steel bowls work well.
A water fountain is also worth considering, as many cats drink more when the water is moving.
Keep them on familiar food
Ask the shelter what food your cat is currently eating.
If you want to change their diet, introduce the new food gradually over seven to 10 days. A sudden change can lead to vomiting or diarrhoea.
Leave the carrier out
A hard-sided carrier provides the safest option for travel and vet visits.
Leave the carrier open in your home with a soft blanket inside so your cat begins to see it as a safe place rather than something to fear.
Provide hiding places
Many cats hide when they first arrive home.
A cardboard box with a hole, a covered bed or a quiet space behind furniture gives them somewhere to feel secure while they adjust.
Hiding is a normal behaviour and helps cats regulate their stress.
Offer scratching options
Cats need appropriate places to scratch.
Provide both a sturdy vertical scratching post wrapped in sisal rope and a flat cardboard scratcher.
Position one near your cat’s sleeping area, as many cats enjoy stretching and scratching after waking up.
Prioritise health during the first 72 hours
Arrange a veterinary appointment within 48 to 72 hours of bringing your cat home, even if the shelter has confirmed they are healthy.
Take along any paperwork provided by the shelter.
Your vet should check:
- Microchip details and registration.
- Vaccination, deworming and flea treatment schedules.
- Sterilisation status and, if necessary, plan the procedure.
It is also a good time to compare pet insurance options before any pre-existing conditions are recorded.
Make your home cat-safe
Before your cat starts exploring, inspect your home from their perspective.
Remove or safely store:
- Lilies.
- String, tinsel and rubber bands.
- Human medication.
- Onions and garlic.
- Essential oil diffusers containing tea tree or eucalyptus.
- Loose thread from sewing kits.
Help your cat settle in
Cats build trust gradually, and enrichment helps them adjust to their new surroundings.
Interactive toys
Choose an interactive wand toy with feathers rather than relying only on toy mice.
These toys encourage natural hunting behaviour while preventing your cat from treating your hands as toys.
Puzzle feeders and lick mats
Puzzle feeders provide mental stimulation and slow down fast eaters.
Lick mats are useful for cats that need help relaxing during mealtimes.
Keep an enzyme cleaner handy
Accidents sometimes happen during the adjustment period.
Use an enzyme cleaner rather than bleach or ammonia to remove urine stains and odours properly. This helps prevent cats from returning to the same spot.
A little preparation goes a long way
Preparing your home before your cat arrives gives them a safe place to settle, explore and build confidence at their own pace.
With the right setup, a little patience and plenty of understanding, those first few days become less stressful for both you and your newest family member.
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