The first 7 days with a new cat: arrival, isolation and the first night
In the first week, set up a safe room with full resources, avoid crowding on night one, monitor eating and toileting for 48 hours, expand access from day three and complete a vet check within 3–7 days.
Step-by-step checklist
- 01 Secure windows and store cables and medicines
- 02 Set up litter box, food, water and a hiding box in the safe room
- 03 No forced handling or crowding on the first night
- 04 Log eating, drinking, urination and defecation
- 05 Expand access gradually from day three
- 06 Book the first vet check within 3–7 days
Overview
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Before arrival, prepare a safe room: secure windows and the balcony, remove cables, medicines and small swallowable objects, and set up a litter box, food, water, a hiding box and a scratcher. The room need not be large, but the cat must be able to hide, eat and toilet.
Do not crowd the cat on the first night. Place the carrier in the safe room, open the door and let the cat decide when to come out. Do not pull it out, surround it with people or introduce other pets immediately.
Spend the first 48 hours observing: eating, drinking, urination, defecation, and whether the cat hides or calls persistently. Speak softly and sit nearby, but do not chase, grab or force interaction.
From day three, if the cat is willing to explore, open the safe room door and let it expand at its own pace. Keep other pets in separate areas, swap scent through a door first, then arrange short visual contact.
Book a veterinary check within three to seven days and bring vaccination and parasite records. Avoid bathing, sudden diet changes and crowded places in the first week to reduce unnecessary stress.
Owner questions
What if the cat hides under the bed and will not come out?
Keep food, water and litter available in the safe room and reduce noise and crowding. Most cats explore at night; do not drag them out.
Can the new cat meet the resident cat on the first night?
Not advisable. Isolate first, swap scent, then arrange short visual contact to avoid a first-night conflict.
When can the new cat be bathed?
Not in the first week. Wait until the cat is settled and eating and toileting normally, then bathe only if needed.