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Bringing a cat home

Everything you need to know about getting your cat settled into their new home.

Bringing a cat home

Everything you need to know about getting your cat settled into their new home.

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Before you bring your cat home 

Once you’ve made the decision to welcome a cat into your home, there are a few things you’ll need to do to prepare. Take a look at our guide to find out what essential items your cat will need and how to get your home ready.  

Preparing for a cat

Travelling home with your cat

Most cats aren’t keen on travelling, so the journey to their new home will probably be quite stressful for them. It’s important to make sure you have an appropriate cat carrier to bring them home in. To help your cat stay calm during the journey, put a blanket that smells familiar to them inside their carrier and cover the carrier with another light blanket. Spraying the inside of the carrier with a pheromone spray will help create a feeling of familiarity and security. Use the spray at least 15 minutes before your cat uses the carrier.  

Once you’ve collected your cat, travel straight home to keep the journey as short as possible. If possible, try to arrange to collect your cat when the roads and/or public transport won’t be busy.  

Travelling with your cat
brown tabby cat going into a cat carrier

When your cat first arrives home

When you arrive home, take the cat carrier straight to the safe space you have set up for your cat. Place the carrier on the floor, open the carrier and keep your distance, allowing your cat to come out in their own time. Avoid crowding around the carrier or trying to lift them out. 

If your cat doesn’t come out of the carrier, try leaving the room for an hour or two to give them some more space. 

Once your cat is out of the carrier, get down to their level, put out your hand and call their name softly. Let them come to you. How to pet a cat.

Some cats may need longer than others to settle in. Remember not to rush them. Prepare to be patient and don’t pressure your cat into doing things they may not be ready for. Over-handling your cat early on could cause ongoing problems.  

What to expect on the first night with your new cat

If your cat chooses to hide 

  • Just sit quietly in the same room, occasionally talk to them gently in low tones 
  • Don’t force them to come out. If they don’t come out of their hiding place after a few minutes, leave the room 
  • Give them plenty of time to adjust and continue to visit them so they can get used to your presence 
  • If your cat is very timid, they may not want to come out to eat while you‘re in the room. Leave them alone to eat their food 
  • If they’re eating and using the litter tray, there should be no cause for alarm 
  • Some cats will settle instantly, but some may need a few hours or days. Avoid disturbing your cat if they are hiding. Sit in the room, away from where they’re hiding and throw some treats near them or try to tempt them out with a cat toy 
  • Playing with your cat can help you to bond with them. They usually find interactive play less intimidating than being touched. It also helps reduce stress, provides mental stimulation and gives them an outlet for their pent-up energy. It may be easier to encourage play at dawn and dusk when cats are naturally more active 
  • Many cats don’t like being picked up, so in the early stages, wait until they’ve settled in and they know you’re not a threat. How to pick up a cat 
Cats hiding
brown tabby kitten

Bringing a new kitten home 

With a kitten, the process is slightly different as it’s best not to leave them alone until they have settled. Provide them with a warm, secure bed at ground level. A cardboard box will do. Once they’ve had a look around, show them where their litter tray, bowls and bed are by gently tapping these items.  

Kittens should have been gradually separated from their mum before being rehomed. But they may still feel a little unsettled being away from their mum and siblings. 

Bringing a new kitten home

Signs your cat is settling in well

As your cat settles in, you might see signs that they’re becoming happy and comfortable in their new environment. Signs they are settling in might include: 

  • exploring their surroundings 
  • no longer hiding away 
  • seeming more confident 
  • seeking you out for attention and company 
  • eating well 
  • playing 
  • brushing up against you and items in the home to leave their scent on them 
  • regularly grooming themselves 

Take a look at our guide on your cat’s body language so you can recognise the signs they’re happy.

Your cat's body language

Signs your cat is struggling to settle

It takes time for cats to settle in a new environment, so it’s not unusual for cats to seem a little fearful and potentially stressed at first. It’s important to take all the appropriate steps to lessen stress where possible. If your cat is struggling to settle, you might notice them: 

  • hiding 
  • avoiding you 
  • not eating or only eating overnight 
  • only toileting overnight, retaining pee or poo 
  • under or overgrooming 
  • not displaying natural cat behaviours such as exploring, scent marking with cheeks or playing 
  • scratching 
  • spraying 

Over time these behaviours should improve. Some cats will settle in quite quickly after appearing fearful at first, while other cats may take longer, but you should still expect to see small steps forward. If your new cat is stressed for a prolonged period of time, without showing any signs of improvement, contact your vet for advice. 

Signs of cat stress

Helping your cat to explore their new home

Once your cat is comfortable in their space, and if you have no other pets in the house, you can gradually let them explore more rooms. It may help to gently wipe your cat’s cheeks with a soft cloth to pick up their facial pheromones. Rub this around points in the house at cat height to make the house smell more familiar. Let your cat come out of their room of their own accord and keep the door open so they can dash back if they want to. Remember to shut all external doors and windows so they can’t escape outside. 

tabby-and-white cat hiding behind a door frame with a yellow curtain in the background

Introducing your cat to your family

Once your cat seems confident with you, it’s time to introduce other family members. Remember to do this gradually, with each family member greeting the cat one by one. It can be overwhelming for your new cat to meet everyone at the same time. 

If you have children, they’re likely to be excited about the new arrival, but it’s important to keep them calm. Let the cat come to them, and when they do, show the children how to gently stroke and interact with them. 

While cats and children generally get along, even the friendliest cat will defend themselves if they’re pushed or pulled too much.  

Kittens are particularly delicate and, just like babies, they need lots of sleep. Make sure your kitten is handled carefully and gets plenty of time to rest. Provide a room or area in the house that is out of bounds to children where your kitten can be undisturbed. 

Cats and babies
Cats and children
Meeting other people

Introducing your cat to other pets

Do you have other pets in your home, like dogs or other cats? Taking your time to introduce your cat to other pets can improve their chances of getting on well. 

Gradual introductions are the best way to help your pets to get along, especially if you already have a cat in the house. Cats usually prefer to be the only cat in the home. But if there’s no competition for food or sleeping places, cats can learn to tolerate each other and can sometimes become good friends.

Introducing cats to other cats
Dogs and other pets

Going outside

Once your cat has been introduced to your family and pets and seems settled and relaxed in your home, then you can let them explore outdoors. We usually advise waiting between three and four weeks. This will give them enough time to spread their scent around the home and view it as their territory, so they will be more likely to find their way home once outside. 

Most importantly, make sure your cat or kitten has been neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before letting them outside. 

When your cat is ready for the outside world: 

  • practice calling their name or creating signals such as whistles within the house and reward them with a small treat when they come to you. This way, your cat will learn to associate those sounds with returning to you when they are close 
  • if they’re showing signs of wanting to go out, such as leading you to the door, try letting them out before a meal so they’ll be more likely to return for food when being called 
  • you can step outside first and let them join you. Keep the door open so they can go back inside if they feel fearful. Kittens should always be supervised when outdoors 

If you choose to keep your cat indoors, take a look at our guide for keeping indoor cats happy, healthy and safe.  

Garden and outdoors

Need more help and advice? 

We have lots of vet-approved guides on many cat care topics. From what to feed your cat to how to keep them safe outdoors, explore our help and advice. 

Help and advice

Free guide

Download our free guide packed full of all the information you need about bringing a new cat home.

Bringing your cat home guide
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