Settling your cat into your home with the 3-3-3 rule
Every cat is unique and will adjust differently.
When adopting a cat, the first 30 days are very important for setting up your new family member for success. These first weeks should be used to establish a strong bond between you and your cat and create healthy routines.
Three Days: When you adopt a new cat, you can expect that he will need time to adjust and acclimate to his new surroundings. Allow the cat to approach you on his own terms when you first bring her home. This will help your cat feel a sense of control. These first few days require an immense amount of patience on your part. Your cat may be very nervous and hide for the first couple of days. Be patient, and allow your cat to adjust at his own pace.
Have his space set up before hand to help your new cat settle in, have the cat’s space set up before you bring her home. Be sure to have the litter boxes and food and water bowls set up before bringing the cat home, and start with small spaces for the cat at first. If your cat is outgoing and seems well settled, remember that keeping him confined for a few days will help him learn his surroundings and get used to his litter box and scratching post, making him more likely to use them!
- Feeling overwhelmed
- May feel scared and unsure of what’s going on
- May not feel comfortable to be ‘normal’
- May not want to eat or drink.
- Shuts down and/or hides
- Test the boundaries
Three Weeks: After 3 weeks, your cat is probably getting used to your comings and goings, learning the daily routine, and starting to figure out when the next meal is coming. He may have acclimated enough to have full run of the house, or he may just be starting to venture out of his room. Providing him with scratching posts, litter boxes, and blankets/beds in his own room at first allows you to then place these objects in other areas of the home, giving him familiar scents and sights to help him get used to a new place.
As with adopting any animal companions, an important step in the process is to establish a relationship with a veterinarian who you trust. You should have a relationship with a veterinarian with whom they feel comfortable and who takes the time to answer their questions regarding cat care and health.
- Starts to settle in
- Feels more comfortable
- Figures out environment
- Gets into a routine
- Begins to shows his true self
- Behavior issues may occur
Three Months: At 3 months, most cats know they are “home.” It’s a process to get there, but with patience, you’ve worked together now and can enjoy the journey toward a great relationship. Keep in mind that settling into a new environment can be a lengthy endeavor, but well worth the effort for you and your new family member!
Start small with training, and use it as a time to bond with your new friend. A first training goal can be to teach the cat to look at you in response to his name. Repeat this several times a day, always delivering something your cat likes when you call her name. As with all other routines, take training at the pace your cat is comfortable with and encourage the good behaviors through positive reinforcement.
- Finally feels comfortable in his home
- Begins to build trust and form a bond
- Gains a complete sense of security with his family
- Well established routine
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