How to accustom a cat to a house

Although bringing a new cat into your house can be an exciting experience, it can also present some difficulties. Due to their natural independence, cats may need some time to get used to their new environment. Facilitating your cat’s sense of security and comfort in its new surroundings is essential for a seamless transition.

Since each cat is unique, some may require more time to adjust than others. It’s crucial to have understanding and patience. You and your cat will experience less stress and find the process easier if you create a peaceful and welcoming environment for them.

You can help your cat feel at home and create a bond that will last for years to come by providing it with time, space, and lots of positive reinforcement. Making your cat feel secure and cherished in its new home is crucial.

Step	Description
Choose a quiet space	Start by placing your cat in a calm, quiet room where they can feel safe and explore at their own pace.
Introduce slowly	Allow your cat to explore the new house gradually, one room at a time, so they don"t feel overwhelmed.
Use familiar items	Bring in items like your cat"s bed, toys, and litter box to make the new environment feel familiar and comforting.
Provide treats	Encourage positive behavior with treats and praise as your cat adjusts to the new space.
Stick to routine	Maintain feeding and playtime schedules to give your cat a sense of normalcy in the new home.

How to choose a house for a cat

• Size of the house. It should correspond to the size of your cat. If you are choosing housing for a kitten, take "for growth". By the breed of the animal, you can roughly estimate what size it will reach in adulthood (cats of some breeds grow quite large). The house should not be too cramped and not too big. The cat should feel cozy and safe in it. Calculate that the house needs space for soft bedding and favorite cat toys.
• Location of the house. There are houses for cats located at a certain height from the floor. This is the best option. Cats are predators, they prefer a habitat "at a height" for a good view of the area.

A residence situated at an elevation

• Material from which the house is made. Avoid electrified synthetic materials if possible. Of course, choosing a cat house made of natural wool will be difficult, so focus on the "touch". The fabric (fur) should be pleasant and resemble a cat"s skin. This is especially important for a kitten – it associates the material of the house with the side of the mother cat. Having found its home cozy, it will more easily survive weaning from the mother"s breast.
• Design. If the cat is an outdoor cat, a house on an elevation with imitation tree trunks (posts wrapped with rope) and steps will suit it. A domestic cat will also be interested in a complex design.
• Stability. A shaky house will not interest any cat, it will not give it the necessary sense of security and comfort.
• Presence of an emergency exit. The cat will be much more comfortable if the house has two exits.

A cat shelter with two entrances

After the cat house has been selected, the next step is to place it correctly. Let’s look at a few characteristics that influence an animal’s suitability for a new home.

How to choose a place for a house

• absence of drafts;
• location near heating devices;
• location of the house near a computer, TV and other objects that emit radiation.

Table 1 lists the breed of cat and the cat house’s preferred location.

British and Scottish

Refrain from placing the house where the cat was used to sleeping during the initial training phase. Rejection may result from this rather than acceptance. Start the process of actively acclimating the animal to the house by placing it close to the bedding.

Take note! Being close to heating sources causes molting and general hair loss. Building a house next to a long-haired cat battery is strictly prohibited.

How can hairballs in the stomach during molting be prevented in cats?

How to train a cat to a house

There isn’t a magic trick that can quickly acclimate a cat to a house. It takes time, gentleness, persistence, purpose, and pet care on the part of the owner. After all, the animal’s comfort is the primary consideration when buying a home, not beauty. Follow this principle, and things will fall into place.

To make the cat feel at ease, first organize the interior of the house. Pet stores sell special mattresses. They are typically filled with synthetic padding or foam rubber. These are not the best materials; especially right after purchase, they have an artificial fiber odor. A cat that detects such a smell may become frightened and develop the fixed attitude that "it’s bad in the house." To ensure that your training is successful, you must make a strong, first impression.

The cat house’s soft mattress

A rug or mattress can be made by you. This could be a fragment of an old blanket, made of wool or down, or an old pillow. The mattress can be stuffed with felt. The important thing is that the filling is natural; there are plenty of options. Your pet won’t experience any negative emotions from natural scents. If the house’s size permits, you can install a feeding bowl and fill it with treats for the cat. Try to restrict your intake to foods like flavored vitamin bars or dry food.

Crucial! To prevent the pet from soileding the house, give the main feedings in the kitchen or another area that has been set aside for that purpose. It will be challenging to clean.

How to interest a cat

You should not force the cat to sleep in it as soon as you bring the house. This will cause resistance. In the first days, it is advisable to place the house near the cat"s traditional resting place so that it takes a closer look at it and sniffs it. The habituation will last 2-3 days. Then proceed to the most interesting part – introduce the pet to the home. To interest the cat, put all sorts of goodies in a bowl placed inside the house. Let the pet come in and take them from there. This way he will get used to the environment inside the house, leave his smell there. Perhaps the cat will even lie down to rest on a comfortable mattress inside the house after eating. This is the first stage of acquaintance.

The cat is inside the house relaxing.

Then, relocate all of the cat’s "personal" belongings inside the house. Maybe your pet likes to chase around a toy mouse or an old hat-shaped pompom around the house. The cat instantly recognizes the area where these items are as its personal space. However, wait and don’t rush to put them there on the first day.

It’s time to get the cat used to spending the night in the house once it has actively started to visit and arrange for brief rests there.

Video – How to accustom a cat to a house

How to accustom a cat to sleep in a house

Make happy connections. A place to sleep at night is thought to offer extra security and safety. Come up to the pet as soon as it has become comfortable in the house and give it a pat or scratch behind the ear. He has to realize that doing this makes the owner happy and elicits their approval. If your cat sleeps deeply, consider putting it in the house at night so that it wakes up there. After doing this for a few days, the animal will eventually form a habit and feel compelled to go to sleep in its new house.

The cat naps inside its home.

Features of accustoming a kitten to a house

Since the kitten does not yet have any habits, acclimating it to a new location won’t be too difficult. It is advisable to get the house ready before the small pet gets here. Put the baby in its home as soon as it is delivered, and feed it delectably there. The kitten will want to sleep in the house because its mind will be fixated on the pleasure it experienced.

If issues emerge, employ a straightforward technique fit for an adult cat. Move the sleeping infant right away to the cat’s house mattress. It will become accustomed to it and cease to resist in a few days.

Introducing a kitten to its new home

Why a cat does not like a house

• show excessive persistence and violence (forcing the cat to be in the house against his will);
• scolded the pet near the house or after events to accustom it to a new place.

These experiences leave a lasting impression on the cat’s understanding of reality. It will wish to avoid the new residence. After "scandals," no amount of persuasion will be helpful. Remain in control of yourself.

Extreme measure

Special aerosols are available at pet stores to help pets get used to the litter box and toilet. Catnip is the name of one of them. Cats are drawn to the scent of mint; it’s in their nature. It is not a good idea to use the product to make them stay in the new house, but it is an option if all other measures fail.

"Catnip" intended for felines

Regular valerian tincture functions similarly to "Catnip." Pour a few drops into the house’s corner. The cat’s keen sense of smell will be drawn to the scent trail, which will be there for a very long time.

It takes time and patience to help your cat feel at ease in a new home, but the effort is worthwhile. Because cats can be creatures of habit, it’s best to introduce them to new environments gradually and gently.

You can create a safe environment that aids in your cat’s quicker adjustment by making a comfortable space, offering familiar objects, and allowing them to explore at their own pace. As they get used to their new surroundings, make sure to shower them with love and comfort.

Keep in mind that each cat is unique, and some may require more time than others to adjust completely. The secret is to be patient and consistent, allowing your cat the space and time they require to feel completely at home.

It takes time to get a cat used to a new home, but with the right strategy, it can go more smoothly. Initially, create a peaceful, secure area where the feline can investigate at its own leisure. To establish trust, gradually expose the cat to new spaces and allow it to adjust on its own terms. Provide comfort and treats as needed. Maintaining regular feeding and playing schedules will also make your cat feel comfortable and at ease in their new surroundings.

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