How to help your cat quickly adapt to its new owner

When a cat appears in the house, changes will occur not only in the life of the owner and his family, but also in the life of the pet itself.

Whether you take a small kitten or an adult, it doesn’t matter at all. When moving, the animal will experience stress. And the owner’s task is to help the cat adapt to new conditions as quickly and easily as possible, minimizing this stress.

Preparations should begin long before the cat arrives in the house. There is a whole list of what you will need for faster adaptation.

First steps in a new home

If you find a pet you like in Murkosh (or want to adopt a cat somewhere else), you should know how cats react to a change of environment and new people in their lives. For a cat, a new owner and a new home are always stressful. Especially for some shelter cats. After all, many of them have already been betrayed by their owners once, so it is more difficult for them to trust a new person.

So what does it take to make your pet’s first steps in a new home joyful and not scary? Firstly, you should prepare for the cat’s arrival by purchasing in advance all the things he needs: bowls, food, a tray with filler, a bed, a scratching post. If you know your cat has a medical condition, consult with a shelter specialist (if adopting a cat from a shelter) and/or a veterinarian in advance and prepare medications.

Read more: Adaptation of a cat in a new home

Secondly, it will be better to limit the cat’s movement space to one room in the first days after moving. When the animal gets used to it, you can move on to getting to know the entire territory of the apartment. If there are other animals in the house, it is better to quarantine for two weeks. During this time, the cat will get used to foreign odors and will experience less fear when meeting new neighbors.

But the most important thing is, of course, the cat’s contact with the person. It all depends on you. Any pet, even the most fearful and offended by life, is still drawn to a person. If you are information savvy and patient, after some time the cat will give you tons of purring love.

Preparing the house for the cat's arrival

Calm environment

Cats are territorial animals, and new habitats make them anxious. Such a large unknown territory, and who knows what enemies and monsters may be hiding there!

Therefore, do a good deed: prepare a small room for the cat for the first time. This could be a bathroom or a separate small room or even a cat cage. Of course, in the immediate vicinity of the cat there should be bowls with food, water, a tray with filling, maybe a cozy bed...

But it’s better for people and other animals not to bother the cat too much during the first days in a new home - let it get used to it.

Cats love to sit in secluded places, and it is advisable to provide one for your new pet. If you brought it in a carrier, it will work perfectly for this purpose.

You can provide the cat with a box (what cat doesn’t like to sit in a box?!) or buy a special cat house.

The shelter should be located so that the animal can observe what is happening in the room.

Add litter and place the litter box in a safe place where your cat can use it without being disturbed.

An extremely important piece of cat furniture is the scratching post. Cats just need to sharpen their claws, and you probably don't want him sharpening them on the sofa.

There are different options for scratching posts: wall-mounted, floor-mounted, and in the form of posts. They can be upholstered with carpet, sesal or made of cardboard. It is better if the cat has more than one scratching post. To attract your animal to the scratching post, you can sprinkle catnip on it.

Look around your apartment with a cat's eye. Does it have the opportunity to run, jump and have fun? Once your new cat gets comfortable, you'll probably find him on shelves, cabinets, or tables. Therefore, it is better to move objects that he can throw off or break into inaccessible places.

Check if there are any places in your apartment where the animal can get in but not be able to get out (for example, open vents or plumbing holes), and close them. Calling the Ministry of Emergency Situations and breaking down walls to get a kitten is not the most pleasant task.

If you have the opportunity, purchase a cat complex.

Assess the safety of your apartment for a cat. Are there screens installed on the windows to prevent the animal from falling out of the window? Are there hidden wires that an animal could chew on? Have the chemicals, plastic bags, Christmas tree rain and tinsel that animals love to eat been removed?

If you have other animals, take time to introduce your new pet to them. Do not introduce them by pushing them nose to nose, and do not immediately introduce a new animal into the apartment, bypassing the adaptation stage. This can cause aggression among regular residents and frighten newcomers. It is often difficult to overcome the consequences of the first conflict. Animals need to be introduced gradually and carefully.

Contact with the owner

When taking an animal from a shelter or from its previous owners, be sure to find out about its habits and character, because cats, like people, have their own characteristics. To help the cat get used to its new owner, take with you his old toys or things that the pet is already accustomed to and knows their smell.

In the first days in a new place, the cat may behave suspiciously and distrustfully. Most likely, he will hide under the bed or in some corner of the room, and may release his claws or hiss. In this case, you should not put pressure on the animal or use force. Let him get used to it.

It is not recommended to leave the cat alone at home in the first days - it may become even more confused and cause trouble.

However, there are pets that make contact quite quickly. If this happens, pay more attention to the cat. You can start using toys, try combing her. Find out exactly how she likes to interact with you: sit on your lap, receive strokes, play, etc.

Animal psychologists recommend talking to cats. Japanese researcher Atsuko Seito, who studies the behavior of domestic cats, claims that they distinguish between voices. Thus, over a period of time, the cat will associate the voice of the new owner with warmth and care.

Moving

It is very important to provide a comfortable transportation for your cat to its new home. After all, it is this process that often causes the most stress for a pet.

Carrying an animal in your bosom or in your arms is a bad idea. Many factors can frighten an animal:

Street,
unfamiliar smells and noises,
the smell of a new person,
dislike of being held, etc.

and the first reaction to fear and stress is to run away in an attempt to hide. It is unlikely that a person will have enough dexterity and strength to hold a cat that wants to escape. Therefore, it is best to transfer your pet in a special cat carrier.

How to gain a cat's trust

If a cat has not trusted its new owner for quite a long time, there are several ways to establish contact with the pet:

1) Don't insist on communication. Cats are quite capricious animals and do not tolerate unnecessary encroachment on their personal space. Try holding out your hand to your pet first, let him gradually get used to your smell and become interested in you.

2) Use your gaze to reassure the cat that you are not a threat to her. Lie down next to your pet when he is in a relaxed state. Look at the cat and when she looks at you

answer, slowly close your eyes and open them again, doing this several times. Wait for the cat to do the same.

3) Pay attention to the animal's body language. If the cat is actively wagging its tail, something is wrong, try stroking it differently. If a cat wrinkles something with its paws, for example your clothes, it means that it is happy and affectionate. As a sign of affection, cats may lick or bite their owner's hand.

Read more about this: Why does a cat lick a person?

4) Many cats like to have their fur brushed. They perceive it as affection, making them feel safe and comfortable.

5) If you are not confident in your abilities or the case with a “non-contact” cat is particularly advanced, you can resort to the services of an animal psychologist. A competent specialist will give individual advice for adapting a cat with character to a new owner.

Read about an animal psychologist: Who is an animal psychologist and why is he needed?

How to wean a cat from the old house

If the animal returns to its previous place of residence, then it is necessary to talk with its residents. Ask them to scare the cat away, keep her out of the house, and even spray her with water. If he is driven away and watered several times, it will become clear to him that he is no longer welcome here.

At first, the pet will be sad, but he will have to go through this to achieve what he wants. When moving, the cat does not need to be allowed to see and remember the road. It’s good if the animal travels in a box in the trunk of a car. In the new home, you need to organize a comfortable place where the cat will want to come and relax. Here it is better to put her favorite toys or things that she liked to lie on.

Kitten in a new home

What is the difference between the adaptation of a cat and a kitten? How to help a kitten make friends with its new owner? Murkoshi employees also hear such questions very often.

As a rule, kittens have a much easier time adapting to a new place than an adult cat. The kitten should be given more attention, bought toys and not left alone for a long time.

However, even at an early age, some already experience difficult circumstances that affect the psyche. For example, a kitten could get hit by a car or lose its mother's care early. In this case, contact between the new owner and the kitten will not occur immediately. Pay attention to where the kitten hides when scared, and try to keep access to this place open so that he can safely hide in case of danger.

You need to talk to your baby calmly, without raising your voice, even when you accustom him to the tray and scratching post. You need to get used to using your hands gradually. It is better to start stroking the kitten after feeding, when he is relaxed and ready for contact.

In the first days of adaptation, the kitten may be frightened by music and loud sounds; all family members should be warned about this.

Perhaps the kitten will anxiously stagger and walk around the apartment - he is looking for his mother and mother's milk. Don't shout or disturb him, he should get used to it on his own. It’s also not worth picking up if the little cat doesn’t trust you yet and is stressed. Be patient, and you will still hear a gentle and grateful purr from him!

How to adapt a kitten

On the one hand, it is easier to accustom a kitten to a new place of residence than an adult animal, but, on the other hand, it is also more troublesome. First of all, you need to prepare yourself and your family members for the arrival of your baby. It is difficult to answer how long it usually takes a kitten to get used to a new home; the period varies in each specific case, but this process can be accelerated.

Necessary purchases

How to toilet train a kitten: options for making it go to the litter box

Before you bring a little purring bundle into your home, you need to stock up on everything he needs for life, food and play:

bowls for water and food (preferably heavy ceramic ones so that they cannot be turned over);
tray, filler and scoop;
toys;
a bed or house (kittens love to hide);
scratching post;
feed;
nail clipper;
brush for combing wool.

Security measures

The house must be completely safe for the kitten. What needs to be done before the baby arrives:

Get rid of poisonous plants (the kitten can chew them and get poisoned).
Hide all electrical cords.
Place threads, needles, household chemicals, and plastic bags out of reach.
If possible, install door limiters (due to a draft, the door may suddenly slam shut and hit the kitten).

Important! It is necessary to explain to household members that they must always watch their step, do not leave windows open, and close cabinet doors.

What to remember when going for a kitten

It is better if you pick up your pet with a special carrier and put soft bedding in it. It is not safe to carry a kitten in your arms; it can escape, especially if the journey is long. At home, you should place the carrier on the floor, open the door and wait until the baby comes out on his own.

Do not forcefully shake a kitten out of its carrier.

You should definitely ask the breeder what the baby ate. You can ask to put a little litter into the bag, which the cat family has already used. At home, you need to add this litter to the tray, this will make it easier to teach the kitten to go to the toilet, because the smell is a guide for cats.

Items to improve your relationship with your pet

In order for a cat or kitten to get used to its new owner, you will need to purchase a number of auxiliary things. These could be the pet's old things that he is already accustomed to: a bowl, toys, bedding. This way the mustache will feel safe. When your cat finally explores his new home, you can purchase new things for him. The best ways to help you get closer are:

1) Bed or house. Cats love to have their own things - this will make your pet feel important.

2) New toys that the cat will associate with you. But it’s worth knowing that cats are quite picky in this regard: a cat can appreciate some gifts, but not others. First, try making a candy wrapper on a thread and start playing with your pet.

More about toys: Toys for cats: what are they?

3) A scratching post will allow your pet to relieve stress, and will also relieve you of tattered sofas and armchairs.

4) Comb-brush. As we wrote above, many cats really enjoy brushing with a soft brush. During the process, you can gently stroke her head, also establishing a tactile connection.

All of these items can help in bonding with the new owner, but remember that the main thing is how you communicate and behave with the animal. Rest assured, cats are good at feeling emotions, including apprehension and fear!

Things you can prepare before moving

If you adopt an animal from a nursery, be sure to ask the breeder about the brand of food so that you can feed the cat the usual food for the first time.

In addition to the brand of food, find out the meal times and portion sizes.

Tray and filler

In addition to the brand of food, it is important to find out the type of filler. This is important because the pet is accustomed to a certain type and may not accept a new one due to a different consistency or smell.

Even with new litter, the cat may not go into the litter box. The reason may be either in the tray itself (wrong depth, shape, location) or in the stress of moving. Be patient and understanding.

Lezhankadomik

For the first time, the cat must have a corner where she can retire and feel safe.

To make her as comfortable as possible, ask her previous place of residence for a handkerchief or cloth, rug/bedding. Placing him in a house or bed in a new place will help your pet reduce stress and feel comfortable.

scratching post

You won't need it if you're taking a kitten. But for adults it is mandatory if you don’t want problems with wallpaper and furniture.

Toys

It’s good when they are different and in large quantities.

In a special store or from a breeder, ask what safe and educational toys you can buy for your breed.

What a cat might not like

First of all, this is a rude attitude and raising the voice, not to mention the method of education with slippers and similar things. In the first days, you should not engage in strict training at all; let the animal feel safe. So, if the cat “made a puddle” upon arrival at its new home, do not scold it; over time, it will get used to the new tray.

Read more: How to train an adult cat to use a litter box?

The cat will also not like excessive attention in the first days. Be patient, because cats are very curious creatures. Within a few days, the mustache will show its interest. If this does not happen, consult a specialist.

You cannot stroke a cat’s belly and tail (unless she herself lies on her back and exposes her tummy - this is an indicator of deep trust) - such actions only irritate the pet and do not bring him joy at all. You should also not iron against the grain.

There is no need to immediately change the animal's diet. Cats have a sensitive digestive system, and stress can already have an adverse effect on their well-being.

Meeting other animals immediately upon arrival will definitely not please either you or your pets. Hissing, aggression and even fighting are possible - if, of course, they are allowed to contact without the supervision of the owner.

Read more about how to introduce pets: How to make friends between cats and cats?; How to make friends between a cat and a dog?

Interaction with other animals

Another problem in adapting an animal to a new place can be the presence of other pets. If they previously lived together, then no special problems should arise on this basis. But if cats see each other for the first time, then conflicts cannot be avoided.

Quite often there is a situation when a young couple decides to live together, but each of the young people already has a cat. Abandoning your pet due to new circumstances is unacceptable, so it is necessary to take into account the psychology of cat behavior and try to establish contact between them. Adapting an older cat to life in another apartment, and even in the vicinity of another feline, is not an easy task.

What is important here is how the new owners behave. It is unacceptable to endlessly scold a cat who so zealously defends its boundaries. This will still not lead to an improvement in the situation. The best way is to delimit the territory.

Let each pet have its own space. This applies to resting places (baskets, houses), bowls, and toilets. While the old owner is getting used to the new neighbor, you can even feed them in turns to avoid unnecessary hassles. If possible, make sure their paths do not cross. Place the bowls in different corners of the kitchen, move the trays as far apart as possible.

Not all animals hold the defense for long. There are often cases when, after just a couple of days, new neighbors begin to behave like bosom friends. They play together, have fun and eat from the same bowl. This is an ideal situation.

Much depends on the age and temperament of both pets. In any case, even if you didn’t manage to quickly reconcile two cats, don’t stop trying.

Become a happy owner

Now that you have information about a cat’s adaptation to a new person in its life, you can safely choose your little bundle of joy at the Murkosha shelter. By the way, purebred cats do not always behave more affectionately than animals from shelters. This is just a myth; the risk of difficulties in adapting to a new home always exists.

The advantage of shelters is that you can talk to the cat in advance, come several times, and look at its behavior. It happens that the cat himself chooses the owner! He will reach out to you with his paw and win your heart forever.

Don’t be afraid of difficulties, and if you get a so-called “characteristic” cat, with the right approach to communication and care, it will definitely become your friend. But if such a cat once again experiences the betrayal of its owners and ends up in a shelter or on the street, trust can be lost for a very long time. Therefore, you need to love and care for your cat, regardless of its character!

What not to do?

For a kitten, adaptation to a new home or owner is much easier than for an adult pet, whose adaptation sometimes lasts more than one week. This is a very difficult period for a cat, which in stressful situations reacts even to minor details. Common mistakes that prevent your pet from being accustomed to new conditions are:

The adaptation period for an animal is difficult and it is important to support it with affection and patience.

Getting rid of old things when moving to another house. An unfamiliar environment and foreign smells make the cat confused. Until the animal gets used to these conditions, it is not recommended to change the bedding, tray and bowls to new ones.
Ignoring. An adult cat or kitten feels uncomfortable in a new home and experiences severe stress. Therefore, some behave inappropriately, constantly meow, refuse to eat, and relieve themselves past the tray. During this period, the owner must constantly be nearby, support the animal, and in no case ignore it.
Punishment for wrong behavior. Because of stress, even a person will behave unusually, let alone animals whose lives and safety are in the wrong hands. If the cat is worried and gets lost in a new place, the owner needs to be patient and remind the cat where the toilet and scratching post is located. Under no circumstances should you punish your pet, hit or shout at it, otherwise the situation will worsen many times over.
The presence of strangers in the house. The company of strangers, even for a sociable pet, is undesirable, as it causes unnecessary stress and nervous tension. Therefore, in the first 2-3 weeks it is important to provide the animal with a calm environment until it gets used to it and begins to feel calm.

Quarantine

Of course, the reaction of an old-timer to a young guest in the form of hissing, growling, snorting and fur standing on end is quite natural. Therefore, usually, when bringing a kitten into the house, he is not introduced to the cat right away. And they do it gradually. At first, the pets are placed separately. Some animal psychologists recommend placing the cat and kitten in different but adjacent rooms, and covering the doorway with mesh. This way the pets will feel each other, but will not touch each other. If desired, they can always communicate. Bowls should be placed on both sides of the net, in which there should always be water and food - the cats will be kinder and more accommodating.

In order for animals to quickly get used to new smells, it is recommended to change places, but still keep them isolated. After about a week, when the pets get used to it and are no longer afraid, they can be released. But they should still be under the supervision of the owner. Any undesirable behavior towards a neighbor - a blow with a paw, hissing - should be stopped. However, repeated isolation is only required if the animals begin to fight (not to be confused with play). In case of an aggressive reaction, the animals are again divided for the same period. Then the introduction is repeated.

Causes

Let's look at the main reasons why a cat gets dirty in the wrong place.

Stress, moving

It is generally accepted that cats get used not to the owner, but to the house. This is a controversial judgment, but the territory for a cat plays an important role. Moving is stressful for an animal. In addition, the territory is not marked. The further scenario of the behavior of a pet who wants to “stake out living space” is understandable.

Attempt to establish leadership

Communication between cats is based on smell. “Compositions” in the wrong place are nothing more than territorial markers. This problem is especially relevant for cats picked up on the street, where territorial demarcation is a matter of survival.

Feces in the wrong places is a sign that the cat has not settled into the house and is not confident in itself. The situation becomes more complicated if several animals live in a small apartment. The “struggle for a place in the sun” happens in such a radical way. An ancient instinct kicks in: you need to take the space before someone else does.

Disease

It is necessary to exclude the disease of the animal. Excretion in the middle of the room, on the bed or even on the table is an animal’s desperate cry for help.

Trying to get rid of physical discomfort, the pet changes the place of the “toilet” and wants to attract the attention of the owners to itself. If a demonstrably clean cat begins to shit, the first thing to do is show him to a veterinarian

As the animal recovers, the problem will disappear on its own.

Tray

If the cat does not like the litter, he stubbornly ignores the tray. So try changing the filler. When choosing granules for your cat's litter box, consider the breed of your pet. Long-haired cats are not suitable for compressed sawdust pellets. Filler particles stick to the paws, and the animal experiences discomfort. The best option for them is a tray with a grid.

Does the animal continue to behave mischievously after changing the litter? Perhaps the cat has simply outgrown the litter box or has stopped liking it (this happens too). A sign of this is that the cat does not completely abandon the “toilet”, but does not leave secluded corners. You may have to buy another tray. Cleanliness in cats is instinctive. Some individuals will never do their business in the “toilet” if the filler is not absolutely clean.

Hence - another rule. Don't be lazy to change the filler as often as possible. It is useful not only to change the filler, but also to wash the tray with each replacement.

The cat marks in the house

How to stop a kitten from peeing on the bed

Action plan for weaning a cat from climbing into a flower pot

Another problem is that I don’t like the placement of the tray. Many cats are naturally shy. If the place where the “pot” is located does not seem too secluded to the pet, he begins to look for it at his own discretion. A closed toilet-house is suitable for shy cats. The animal feels safe.

"Mutiny on a Ship"

Often surprises in the most unexpected places are a manifestation of protest. Your pet needs not only a balanced diet. Strokes and kind words are no less important. The proverb about a kind word that is pleasant even to a cat was not invented by chance. Think about it: are you pushing your pet away by being busy or just in a bad mood? Punishing your cat will not solve the problem, but will only make it worse.

Sometimes “hooliganism” is a protest against the appearance of another animal in the house

The cat is jealous, trying to distract attention from the new pet

Just reflexes

It is difficult to understand the real sensations of a cat. Oddly enough, certain objects in the house remind her of a tray (in shape or feel). This explains the animal's attempt to relieve itself in a flowerpot. The only way to prevent this is to exclude your pet from contact with a tempting object. If we are talking about a flower pot, cover the free areas of the soil with foil.

Age

This is one of the most common reasons why an animal shits anywhere. The kitten has not yet acquired the necessary skills. The old cat becomes forgetful. While a baby can be trained to use a litter tray, an older animal often defecates spontaneously. The problem can be solved by monitoring the animal or using special diapers.

Dangers at every turn

A kitten is the same child, small and unintelligent.
Every day he explores new territory, not even suspecting how many dangers may await him. What should the owner do to protect the baby? Remove all flower pots

It doesn’t matter whether they are on the windowsill or somewhere else. The kitten may not knock them over, but it can taste the leaves “to the teeth.” And some houseplants can be poisonous

And some indoor plants can be poisonous.

Raise and secure the curtains. Curtains and especially heavy drapes are a favorite pastime for cats, regardless of age. They love to climb on them. In the best case, the cats will simply tear off the curtain, in the worst case, they will fall down along with the curtain rod. In the worst case scenario, your claw will get stuck in the curtain fabric and your finger will be broken or dislocated.

Close windows and vents. It's good if the apartment is on the first floor. Even after chasing a flying bird, butterfly or fly, the baby will simply jump onto the lawn under the window. The main thing is that he does not hide in fear in the basement, where it will be difficult to find him. It's another matter when the apartment is on the top floors of a high-rise building. A special peak of “catfall” occurs in the warm season, when windows and balconies are open. Therefore, it is worth taking care of a special durable mesh in advance.

Remove all litter from the cat's sight. No matter how well-fed the pet is, animal instincts always kick in. And everything that smells good should be eaten or at least tasted. The result is overturned trash cans, dirt and intestinal obstructions. Even a small piece of plastic from fish or meat can cause trouble. And then you can’t do without the help of a specialist.

Hide the wires. Kittens love to chew on them, which is fraught with tragedy.

However, even the most caring owners cannot always foresee everything. Therefore, if there is the slightest problem with the kitten’s health, they should consult a veterinarian for advice.

How to reconcile two pets: first steps

For a cat, the appearance of a second pet in the house is stressful, and making them friends is realistic only when the animals have enough time to get to know each other. And in order to help the pet quickly adapt to this situation and get used to the idea that the little kitten is now a full member of the family, the owner must provide the most comfortable conditions for both pets to live together.

You shouldn’t force things and pit your pet against a new resident as soon as he appears in the house. First you need to check what your cat's reaction to the kitten will be and if she does not show aggression, you can give them the opportunity to get to know each other better;
You should not leave animals in the same room unattended, hoping in this way to bring them closer and make friends, since the behavior of an adult pet is difficult to predict. He can take advantage of the owner's absence and attack the kitten, causing him serious harm;
It is unlikely that you will be able to make friends with pets if your baby steals food from the cat’s plate. Therefore, in the first days it is better to feed the kitten separately and not allow it to the bowl of an adult pet;
Cats are very jealous of their litter box and may refuse to go into it if the kitten leaves traces of its presence there. Therefore, a small pet should have its own tray to correct its natural needs;
To prevent the baby from taking over the cat’s favorite house or its bedding, he should be given a separate place to rest;
You can make friends between a cat and a new kitten by playing together. When playing with your baby, include an adult pet in the game, this will bring them closer and give them the opportunity to get to know each other better;
You should not allow the baby to do things that are forbidden to the first pet, for example, sleep on the table or eat from the owner’s plate, because this will cause an additional portion of jealousy on the part of the old-timer;
If a cat asks to be held and requires attention and affection, do not refuse it, because she wants to make sure once again that her owner still loves and appreciates her.

shutterstock

Dangers at every turn

A kitten is the same child, small and unintelligent. Every day he explores new territory, not even suspecting how many dangers may await him. What should the owner do to protect the baby?

Remove all flower pots

It doesn’t matter whether they are on the windowsill or somewhere else. The kitten may not knock them over, but he can try the leaves “to the teeth”

And some indoor plants can be poisonous.

Hide the wires. Kittens love to chew on them, which is fraught with tragedy.

However, even the most caring owners cannot always foresee everything. Therefore, if there is the slightest problem with the kitten’s health, they should consult a veterinarian for advice.

Features of training pedigree cats

Purebred cats are taken from friends, pet stores, nurseries and shelters. They teach rules of behavior consistently and patiently.

First, the cat is given a nickname, short and sonorous. They repeat it often and kindly. When he responds and approaches, he is rewarded with a treat. They constantly talk to the ward. Cats understand not words, but intonation. They react sensitively to the mood of the owner and understand the mood by tone.

At the same time, they are taught to behave correctly. One command is a ban, then, when the cat understands and begins to comply, another useful habit. The kitten is given an understanding of what it should not do: bite its owner, scratch furniture. Forbidden "Ugh!" and “You can’t!”, accompanied by the clapping of palms, the pupils understand quickly.

Important! The animal is rewarded for following commands, and punished for misdeeds. But immediately, and not in a few hours, the cat will not understand and will harbor a grudge

Beatings are unacceptable.

Pets are taught not to climb on the table. They are taught to eat in one place and from the same utensils, to go to the toilet using a tray or toilet. Poking a kitten's nose into its puddle is inhumane and pointless. It is better to patiently lead him to the right place, stay with him, and encourage him after the right actions.

Toys for pets are important in the process of getting used to a new place

Dangers at every turn

A kitten is the same child, small and unintelligent. Every day he explores new territory, not even suspecting how many dangers may await him. What should the owner do to protect the baby?

Remove all flower pots

It doesn’t matter whether they are on the windowsill or somewhere else. The kitten may not knock them over, but he can try the leaves “to the teeth”

And some indoor plants can be poisonous.

Hide the wires. Kittens love to chew on them, which is fraught with tragedy.

However, even the most caring owners cannot always foresee everything. Therefore, if there is the slightest problem with the kitten’s health, they should consult a veterinarian for advice.

What to do with a selected street kitten

First of all, a new pet needs mandatory quarantine for 2-3 weeks, which involves placement in:

dark, warm and draft-free room;
a place fenced off from other pets;
conditions of the presence of individual household items (tray, bowls for food and water, bed).

How many days does it take to adapt? After bringing the cat, give him the opportunity to leave the carrier at home on his own. He will calmly explore new smells and assess the possible danger. After all, he lived in the yard.

Remember to thoroughly wash your hands and change clothes after handling your found pet. Acquaintance with existing pets is possible only after the end of quarantine.

When feeding an outdoor cat it is important:

Monitor the amount you eat. A street animal does not feel full, so an excessive amount of food will overload the gastrointestinal tract, causing its upset.
Do not force feed. Refusal to eat is caused by stress. Soon the animal will show interest in the food offered. If you lack appetite for a long time, consult your doctor. In some cases, the pet has to be fed crushed food from a syringe.
Use premium and super-premium food appropriate for the age of the pet. At first, use baby food in small doses and gradually increase the amount to the standard indicated on the package.
Do not use fatty foods when feeding natural food. The diet should consist of lean fish and meat, as well as low-fat dairy products.
Provide constant access to fresh water. The found animal does not have to be fed in the first hours after capture, but it must be given water.

Cats that have lived outside for a long time and suddenly find themselves in an apartment experience a lot of stress.

When animals show aggression, you should never physically punish them, but, of course, you need to scold them. Slapping the tail or flicking the nose is strictly prohibited. But experts recommend distracting the cat and scaring it with a sharp clap or water.

When the owner notices that the cats, instead of fear and aggression, begin to show interest in each other, showing a friendly attitude, they need a few more days - optimally 10-14 - to keep them in isolation and then release them.

Under no circumstances should you allow your baby to bother your cat. Otherwise she will get irritated.

Why cats don't want to be held

Inexperienced owners believe that if they have established contact with the cat who lives at home, then everything will go like clockwork with the homeless one. But they are wrong.

Every cat, even once domestic, treats humans with caution. When meeting, he usually hides in a far corner and does not let you approach him. There is no need to try to fish him out of a secluded place, since it takes time for him to get used to the surrounding smells in a new home.

It is definitely impossible to answer the question why cats don’t want to sit in your arms. There are several reasons for this, and they can be combined.

Character

The reluctance to communicate closely with humans may be inherent in the character of the animal. Some individuals behave independently. Those with the harshest dispositions avoid contact with humans altogether.

Fearfulness and withdrawal are two other character traits that can cause reluctance to sit on your hands.

Breed

But the peculiarity of the British and lop-eared breeds is that they refuse to sit on their hands. Therefore, if you find such a cat on the street (this also happens), there is no need to persist. It is enough to establish a trusting relationship.

Other

The cat refuses the hands of the owner in the following cases:

kittens are very active, and their attention is easily distracted by more interesting things;
the owner smells of citrus fruits, alcohol, seasonings, hygiene and cosmetic products, and washing powder;
grievances experienced in the past - beatings, bullying;
fear of loss of balance and heights;
non-recognition of other family members other than the one who tamed him;
fear of sharp sounds, screaming;
if children who do not know how to handle an animal pick it up, they squeeze it and offend it;
sudden movements and pinching are made.

The likelihood that a cat will be picked up increases in a calm atmosphere. When teaching a dog to hold hands, the environment in the house should be as calm as possible. A scandal, the sound of a TV on, loud shouts will cause fear and disrupt plans to pacify.

The kitten is positioned with its tail facing itself. Then they take it by the skin on the back of the neck, near the base of the neck and ears. The grip force should be moderate, not very strong. The animal is lifted and placed on the lap. If he allows, then you can stroke him, while talking affectionately and calmly.

You can tame a cat using the combing procedure. This is also a hygiene measure that keeps the coat and skin in good condition.

It happens that a cat is afraid of heights. Then, picking him up, place one palm under the armpits and hold the hind limbs with the other. Thanks to such support, the cat will not feel weightless, and the fear will pass.

First acquaintance with new housing

Kittens are usually brought in special pet carriers, boxes, and sometimes just in their bosom. This does not change the essence of the matter. As soon as the owner crosses the threshold of his home, the first rule comes into force - do not force the kitten out of its secluded place. You can put your baby in a box or a special house designed just for him, where he will feel safe.

The second rule is that the kitten should start getting acquainted with its new place of residence in one room: bedroom, living room, kitchen. The carrier or house just needs to be placed on the floor. Once the baby calms down and makes sure that he is not in danger, natural cat curiosity will take over and he will risk going outside. If he does not see anything, in his opinion, suspicious and frightening, then he will boldly go explore the new territory.

At the same time, owners and their children should try not to make sudden movements or scream with delight, so as not to scare the brave baby. Otherwise, it will quickly hide in a corner or under furniture.

But even if this happens, you cannot force the kitten out, this will only worsen the situation. The time will come, the pet will calm down and crawl out on its own.

How to make the adaptation period easier for your baby

Patience and affection are the basic principles that must be adhered to when communicating with your pet, even if the cat’s meowing makes you nervous. During the first few days, the baby will instinctively look for and call his mother. To help him calm down faster, you should ask the previous owner for a rag or blanket with the smell of the mother cat and put it in the kitten’s house. It’s even better if you wrap a warm heating pad in it. This will help relieve the baby's longing for his mother.

You should not pick up the kitten often until it gets used to it. However, playing with him during the adaptation period is simply necessary. This will distract him from pranks and direct his energy in the right direction. Moreover, games will contribute to the development of hunting skills, dexterity, flexibility - all those qualities that a cat would instill in him.

Stages of training

To a new home

In order not to cause hostility towards the new place, you should not bring your pet to a house with unfinished repairs.
Moving a cat to a home with which it is still unfamiliar is, in terms of emotions and sensations, akin to an animal finding itself in a foreign environment, where there are dangers and surprises at every step. Veterinarians do not advise transporting a pet to a room with unfinished repairs or debris, because cats are clean creatures and if they see that their new place of residence is in disarray, this will immediately cause a negative response from them. As a result, an unfamiliar room provokes hostility, which is then more difficult to overcome.

In order for an adult cat to adapt as smoothly as possible when moving, experts advise taking old dishes, a house, and a tray with you to the new home. Familiar things and smells calm the animal and make it possible to more gently cope with stress. As soon as the cat begins to feel comfortable, the items can be safely replaced with new ones.

It is much more difficult for an outdoor cat to get used to it. Animals that are not used to living with their families take a long time to adapt. Some cats never manage to get used to this life, they often run away and return to their previous lifestyle.

To the new owner

Adaptation of a kitten in a new home and in someone else’s family also does not always go smoothly. In the first weeks, the baby will miss his mother a lot, because of this it may seem that the kitten is not very inclined to communicate and get to know the owner and other household members. However, it is important for a person to remember that a small pet is afraid of everything new, he misses his mother’s affection and finds it difficult to calm down. Therefore, during this period you need to treat the kitten with attention, show affection, care, and play more often. Over time, the kitten gets used to the new environment, communicates more willingly with people, and forgets about its previous environment.

An adult street cat has difficulty adapting to life in the house, so it often hides in a quiet place.

But training a wild street cat to live in comfortable conditions with a new owner is more problematic. It is more difficult for such animals to take root because they have already formed habits and views on life. In the first days, the pet should be given the opportunity to look around, sniff, and explore objects of interest. If an animal is scared, it will most likely hide in a secluded place. The owner should not disturb the cat; it is better to leave it alone, placing a tray and bowls of food nearby.

Cats that previously lived outside will not immediately be able to understand what the tray is for. If your pet relieves itself in the wrong place, you need to soak a piece of paper or cloth in urine and place it in the tray. Using this method, it will be possible to attract a one-year-old cat to the toilet, then the animal will figure out what’s what on its own. To adapt a cat to a new home and owner faster, in addition to providing comfortable conditions, it is important to communicate with the pet in a friendly and respectful manner. If the animal understands that it will not be offended or hurt, it will be more willing to make contact.

How to toilet train

If you need to toilet train your furry friend, you need to introduce them first. You can lure him to the tray with cotton wool dipped in his urine. If he relieves himself in a forbidden place, you should point out the mistake, lightly scold him and point to the tray. You can even hiss like a mother cat.

The animal will get used to the new toilet faster if you use a litter familiar to it. Your pet is guaranteed to be recognized by his family if you put in some of the old litter that stores the animal’s urine.

It often happens that a kitten cannot find its way to the toilet. You can help him by buying a special spray. It will attract attention.