Cat Adoption Care Guide

Cats do not come with instructions, but if they did, the first line would read: “Give me time and space, and I will decide if you are worthy.”
They can be independent, intelligent, and sensitive and once they trust you, they are fiercely loyal in their own way.

1. Decompression & Territory

Cats experience the world through scent and space. When you bring them home, they have lost both. Their smells, their safe corners, their routine.

Start small.

Set up one quiet room with their litter tray, food, water, and hiding places.
Let them come out when they choose, never drag or chase them out.
Keep the environment calm and consistent. Loud TVs or curious visitors can wait.

Once they start rubbing on furniture or you, that is them saying, “Okay, this is mine now.” That is progress.

2. Routine & Security

Cats are creatures of habit, sudden changes stress them out.
Keep feeding, cleaning, and interaction times consistent, and avoid rearranging furniture during their settling period. Predictability = calm cat.

3. Interaction & Body Language

You cannot train affection out of a cat, but you can earn it.

Let them make the first move.
Watch for slow blinks, that is the feline equivalent of a smile.
If the tail twitches sharply or ears flatten, stop. They have had enough.
Respect their no, and they will trust you more quickly.

Cats remember who listens to them.

4. Enrichment & Play

Bored cats find their own entertainment, usually in ways you will not like.

Provide:

Vertical spaces (cat trees, window perches)
Scratching posts in key locations (by doors, sleeping spots, etc.)
Daily play sessions with wand toys or balls
Hiding treats to stimulate their hunting instincts

Play is not optional, it keeps them fit, confident, and mentally healthy.

5. Costs & Essentials

Owning a cat is not cheap. Budget for:

Quality food (especially wet food for hydration)
Litter and regular tray cleaning
Annual vaccinations, boosters, flea/worming
Vet visits and emergency funds or insurance
Grooming tools for longhairs, nail clipping, and carrier training

And yes, insurance matters. One swallowed string or urinary blockage can cost hundreds overnight.

6. Multi-Cat Households

Cats do not automatically like each other. Introductions should take days to weeks, not hours.

Start with separate rooms and scent swapping (swap blankets or bedding).
Gradually allow visual contact through a door or gate.
Feed on opposite sides of a door so they associate each other with good things.
Never force it. Sometimes co-existence is enough, not every cat wants a friend.