How to prepare your home for a new cat
-
- Dr. Katherine Miller , Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
- Comment on this video
-
- My Howdini
-
Suggest a video
My favorites
My previously viewed videos
My profile
- About this video
-
Dr. Katherine Miller
Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
It's true that cats are pretty self-sufficient, but they do need some basic accessories to feel right at home. Dr. Katherine Miller of the ASPCA explains what you need to do to prepare your home for a new cat.
-
Instructions
How to prepare your home for a new cat
Bringing home a new cat? Here are some simple steps to prepare your home for its new feline family member.- Have all your supplies ready before you bring the cat home: food, litter, litter box, etc.
- Introduce your cat into your home slowly. Start with a contained, isolated area that includes the litter box.
- After a few weeks, when your cat has become comfortable, you can allow the cat more freedom.
- To move the litter box to another location, take it slow, moving it a few inches each day and eventually choosing a location against a wall with some privacy.
- If your older cat isn’t using its box, consider trying a different litter. Cats seem to prefer finer grain litter.
- Give your new cat a scratching post in a prominent location. Sprinkle it with catnip to encourage use. All cats scratch as a way of leaving their scent.
- Protect furniture by placing foil or wire racks on top of the surfaces you do not want cats to climb on.
- It is a misperception that cats cannot be trained. Reward your cat’s good behavior and it will be repeated.
- Try to meet your cat’s exercise and entertainment needs indoors—unsupervised play outdoors can be dangerous for a cat.
Print Instructions
Return to top of page
