Helping a cat adapt to new home?

[babycornplease]

Hello,

I am literally out of the blue this afternoon taking on a cat. She has nowhere else to go. I have a toddler and a dog. This is a last resort before she goes to a shelter.

I've got no idea how to look after cats. Any suggestions or tips??

Thank you.

The Cats Protection website has lots of information on there.
Firstly, look at settling cat into your home (one safe room at first); also how to introduce cat and dog. Cats tend to prefer to settle in their own time. Keep cat in for a minimum of 3 weeks. Litter tray or two along with food and water; cats often prefer water to be away from food bowl.
Get any vet history if possible and microchip (if done) details transferred to you.
Register with vet, maybe a check and vaccinations/microchipping/neutering as necessary. As you have a dog you know the basics.
If you have a toddler, places for cat to hide.
Good of you to take cat on but honestly if it is too much then a reputable rescue will find the cat a good home.

Is your dog ok with cats?.

Try and find out what food and litter the former owners used, as a sudden change of food can upset stomachs. Take your lead from the cat how far to be sociable with it e.g. if she wants to hide somewhere don't drag her out, just stay nearby and talk or just read a book, to get it used to you. However if she approaches you, offer your hand as you would to a strange dog. Slow movements, and start any petting with the front end - they tend to like scritching behind the jaw!

As Vinorosso said, cat must be kept in for at least 3 weeks so it knows it's new home, otherwise she will try to find her way back to where she used to live. All the rest of that advice is excellent as well.

I forgot about the food one! Best to avoid a dodgy tummy, some cats are quite sensitive to food changes.

Thanks all for the advice. Got vet history, same vet as my dog. she's chipped etc.

Not introduced her to the dog yet. I can't see this going well! This is very sudden by the way, and I never in a million years thought I would have a cat!!!!

Ok, cats take a really long time to adapt so don’t rush it. They all love a fleece blanket so if you’ve got anything like that swap it over with the dog so they get used to each other’s scent.

YouTube has loads of videos on this, smoothie and milkshake videos are good but I always hypothesised they bonded over their ridiculous names.

FAB have resources on it too. I think cats protection did a video on how to tell if the dogs ok with cats.

icatcare.org/advice/introducing-a-cat-or-kitten-to-your-dog/

Thanks for this. Very useful. To be honest, I don't want a cat. But she's very sweet and it's last chance saloon for her, she belonged to my sister, who is a drug addict, and has basically upped and left. So she's been alone for quite a time...
She's already taken a swipe at the toddler.

Cat body language telling you to back off is quite subtle and if she’s traumatised a toddlers not ideal company.

You can leave her alone in one room and she’ll be fine.

Problem is I don't have a room to leave her in....

Is it all open plan?.

If you have a dog crate puss might feel safe in there to begin with. Put in a cardboard box that it can easily get in and out off with something nice and soft inside. You will need a litter tray in the corner as private as possible. Food and water bowls should be as far away from the litter as possible. Dont feed the cat milk.

Can't she go to the shelter where they will find a more suitable home for her? If you don't want a cat and already have the dog and a toddler it may not be the best place for her.

How are you getting on?.

Are you in the UK? Just the word shelter is not commonly used here.

If you don't want a cat then it is kindest to rehome her. I know there are some kill shelters in the USA but in the UK the cat charities look after healthy cats until they home them.

If there's somewhere high up she can escape to, that might help her settle in. some cats are ground dwellers & like somewhere like a box or under the sofa to hide. Some are "tree" dwellers and feel safer up high where they are out of reach of predators e.g. scary dogs, grabby toddlers.

If nothing else, a cardboard box not TOO far from food, water & litter tray with a towel in, where she can retreat & hide.

How’s it going?.