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Entry 743Filed under Breeding

What to Do Before Bringing a New Cat Home: 7 Essential Steps

Set up a quiet home base, gather essentials, secure the trip home, and remove hazards before your new cat arrives.
3-minute read By Animalso Team
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Before your new cat arrives, prepare a quiet home base, gather the essentials, secure a carrier, and remove household hazards. On arrival, let the cat settle in one safe area and explore the rest of the home gradually. These steps work for cats and kittens; food and veterinary decisions should be tailored to the individual animal.

1. Set up a quiet home base

Choose a calm, secure room or area where your cat can rest without being overwhelmed by noise, visitors, or other pets. Set out food, water, a litter box, bedding, and a few simple enrichment items. The ASPCA recommends beginning in a dedicated quiet space and allowing gradual access to the rest of the home (ASPCA cat care guidance). Its advice for helping a cat settle into an unfamiliar home likewise recommends starting with one home base and opening other rooms gradually (ASPCA moving guidance).

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2. Get the essentials ready

Have the basics in place before pickup so you are not searching for supplies while your cat adjusts. The ASPCA checklist includes food, food and water dishes, toys, a brush and comb, a safety collar and ID tag, a scratching post or pad, a litter box and litter, a carrier, and a bed or box with a warm blanket or towel (ASPCA cat supply checklist).

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Use that list as a starting point, not a prescription. A kitten, senior cat, or cat with health needs may require different choices. Ask the current caregiver what food and supplies the cat already knows, and discuss diet with a veterinarian who can assess the cat.

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3. Prepare a secure carrier for the trip home

Arrange a carrier before pickup, and use it to transport the cat home rather than carrying the cat loose in a vehicle. International Cat Care’s 2024 kitten booklet advises travel in a carrier and describes solid plastic carriers as robust and protective (International Cat Care kitten booklet).

When choosing one, consider whether it closes securely, is sturdy enough for the journey, is easy to clean, and fits the cat comfortably. International Cat Care cautions that cardboard or temporary carriers may fail, woven carriers can be difficult to clean, and a determined cat may open some zippered fabric styles. This is general guidance, not a test or ranking of particular products.

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4. Cat-proof the home before arrival

Get down to a cat’s level and check the spaces the animal can reach, climb into, or chew. The ASPCA advises securing cords and windows and removing poisonous plants and other accessible hazards before a new pet arrives (ASPCA pet-proofing guidance). Its adoption preparation advice also calls attention to securing doors and windows and removing chewable items (ASPCA cat care guidance).

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  • Secure dangling cords and check that windows and doors cannot be pushed or slipped open.
  • Move poisonous plants, medications, cleaning products, and other hazardous items out of reach.
  • Look for narrow gaps or enclosed spaces where a cat could hide or become stuck.

5. Ask for the cat’s records and history

Before or at pickup, request whatever information is available about the cat’s health, vaccinations, microchip, diet, and prior care. Bring those records to the veterinarian when you arrange follow-up. The ASPCA recommends veterinary assessment and notes that diet and vaccine recommendations depend on the cat’s age and health (ASPCA cat care guidance). A veterinarian can use the individual cat’s history and condition to advise what is appropriate; there is no single schedule established by this preparation guidance for every cat.

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6. Plan a gentle first day

Keep the arrival area calm and let the cat come out of the carrier and explore at its own pace. Avoid forcing contact, introducing a crowd, or immediately opening the whole home. A quiet safe space gives the cat room to decompress, and gradual room access can help the unfamiliar home feel manageable (ASPCA adoption guidance; ASPCA settling-in guidance).

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7. Put everyday essentials in sensible places

Choose locations that are easy for the cat to reach and easy for you to maintain. The ASPCA advises placing the litter box somewhere quiet and accessible, scooping it daily, and providing a sturdy scratching post or pad (ASPCA cat supply checklist). Decide where food, water, bedding, toys, scratching surfaces, and the carrier will live before your cat arrives, keeping the litter area distinct from the feeding area.

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  • Kitten Starter Kit for Indoor Cats: our kitten starter kit has 10 pieces kitten needs, including a breathable mesh cat bag, a kitten litter box, a feeding bowl, a cat climbing frame, a cat teaser, a cat mat, a cat collar, a cotton rope badminton, two red springs
  • All-in-one Cat Beginner Starter Kit: our kitten starter kit for indoor kittens has everything your kitten needs; From basic comforts to engaging toys, get all your kitten essentials in one package
  • Comfortable and Practical Design: the breathable mesh cat bag, integrated feeding bowl, and spacious kitten litter box make this kit both practical and comfortable for every cat parent
  • Engaging Play and Recreation: with a feather cat teaser and toy ball, our kitten starter kit promotes exercise and play, essential for the health and growth of indoor kittens
  • Durable and Safe Materials: featuring a robust plastic cat litter box and leather collar, our kitten starter kit ensures durability and safety for your feline, making it ideal for indoor kittens; Note: not suitable for kittens or cats with strong chewing ability; It is recommended to use under the supervision of the owner; If it is broken, discard it immediately

Arrival-day checklist

  • Quiet home base with bedding, food, water, and a litter box
  • Secure carrier for the trip
  • Food and dishes, litter and box, scratching surface, and a few toys
  • Home checked for cords, open windows or doors, poisonous plants, and reachable hazards
  • Available records and a plan to arrange veterinary follow-up

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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