Taking on a rescue cat is a wonderful thing to do. Providing a forever home is hugely rewarding for both the cat and the owner. Rescue cats can have very different needs to kittens, though, so being prepared to take some time to settle them into their new home is essential. 

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Preparing for the arrival

Your rescue cat is nearly ready to bring home, the excitement is mounting… but are you ready? Have you everything you need, and is your home prepared? Making sure you are cat-ready is essential for a stress-free start for both you and your new pet. 

A safe home

If you’ve never owned a cat before, or it has been a while since you have, it will be useful to check around your home that no potential hazards are around. Cats are very curious, after all, and temptation is best avoided! Here are some common dangers.

  • Small holes and chimneys can be irresistible to cats, especially a new and nervous rescue. 
  • Wires – some cats seem attracted to chewing wiring, which is of course exceedingly unwise. Secure cables and preferably cover them.
  • Hot hobs and kitchen appliances – cats often like to be up high. But meandering around the kitchen surfaces can be more than they bargained for. 
  • Indoor plants and flowers – lilies are especially poisonous to cats, but various foliage can be problematic if nibbled on. Check for common plants to avoid with cats here.
  • Bleach, cleaning fluids, laundry liquid etc – if these are kept somewhere accessible by an inquisitive paw, spillages can be ingested, especially if any gets onto the cat’s fur and is then groomed off. 
  • Balconies, high windows – especially in high flats, access to these areas can be dangerous even for nimble-footed felines.
  • Needles, thread and wool – cats see these as a wonderful plaything, but they can be dangerous if eaten, so are best kept out of reach. 

Basic requirements

It can be overwhelming to try and think about everything you might need when taking on a new cat. Do they really need all the things you see in pet shops, or is the minimalist approach better? There are a few key essentials that your new feline friend will need.

  • Food and water – cats prefer to drink away from where they eat, and do both away from where they toilet, so some thought might be needed as to how to provide these necessities.
  • Litter tray – even if you plan for your rescue to be an outdoors adventurer, a litter tray will be needed to start off with. Cats have quite strong preferences about what kind of litter they like and where to toilet, so it is recommended to have more than one tray. There are some interesting tips about litter trays here. 
  • Somewhere safe to sleep and hide – cats love to be up high, and nervous cats especially like the security of being able to get away from anything worrying. Buying a cosy bed is brilliant, but your cat may not necessarily use it if it’s not in the right place! Making some attractive, high, private places that can be used as a bed or as a retreat will be appreciated. 

A little extra

There are a couple of things to own that are really useful to add on to the basics, especially for rescue cats who may need some extra reassurance. 

  • Toys – cats love to play, and it gives them an excellent way to let off steam both physically and mentally. Play can be a great way to bond with a new cat. 
  • Scratch posts – cats use scratching both to sharpen claws and to mark their territory. Having a scratching post can save your furniture, but also help your new arrival settle into their new home. 

The arrival, and settling in

The proud moment when you bring your new rescue cat home and triumphantly release the carrier door can often seem anti-climactic when your new kitty refuses to come out of their carrier, or scarpers straight under the nearest piece of furniture and doesn’t come out for days.

Cats are territorial, so coming into a new home can be disconcerting for them. Making sure they have their own space, with all their basic needs provided for will help them adjust quickly. This is especially important if you already have cats in the house. Some peace and quiet and a regular routine will also help them to settle into their new normal. 

Cats use pheromones secreted from glands on their face to signal familiarity and safety to themselves. Using synthetic versions of these pheromones can help calm your cat in a new environment and make them feel more comfortable. Read more about Feliway here. 

Managing multiple cats

If you already have a cat (or more!), bringing a new rescue home can be more challenging. Cats are generally quite solitary, but can happily coexist with others, especially if some work is put into the introductions. Start by settling your new cat into its own space, with all their basic needs fulfilled. When they have had some time to adjust to their new home, there are four steps to introducing them to the rest of the household.

  1. Scent swap – move an item such as a blanket between the cats’ areas, so that they all become used to the scent of the others.
  2. Allow them to investigate each other’s territories – this can feel a bit like musical cats, but if it can be managed to let each cat have a scout around each other’s area whilst they aren’t in, it is a good middle step before contact.
  3. Visual contact – let them see each other before allowing physical contact. This stage may need to be repeated a few times.
  4. Physical contact – this stage will hopefully be smooth once all three previous stages have been completed in a slow and relaxed time frame. 

Giving a cat from a rescue a loving forever home is a beautiful gift to give a cat. Any pet is a big commitment to take on, and rescue cats may have had difficult times in their previous lives which can make their settling in period more challenging. Good preparation is key to a smooth transition from rescue shelter to forever home. Enjoy!

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