New Adult Cat

Confine indoors for 2-3 weeks until settled or your new “teenage” or adult cat may escape and run away.
Confine in an ESCAPE –PROOF “Safe Room” on arrival home until your new cat is relaxed, friendly, is eating & using the litter tray.
Over the next 2-3 weeks return your new cat to the Safe Room whenever you cannot supervise its activities.
If you intend your new cat to live indoors only, follow the same procedure noted above, but escape-proof the entire house, or eventually most cats will find a way out.
If your new cat is to be allowed outside, begin during the day, under supervision.
Ensure that your cat always has a safe route back inside.

A litter box and litter (commercial litter, wood shavings, sand, earth) will be needed for the settling in period.
Do not place the litter box too close to the feeding area.
Litter boxes should be cleaned at least twice a day. If dirty, your cat will not use it.
If your cat has a “toilet accident”, do not scold it. Do not use ammonia-based disinfectants or bleach to clean up messes.
If your cat is to live indoors only, a large litter box is recommended. If you have several indoor cats, it is advisable to have one litter box per cat or ideally; one box per cat and one extra.

Moving to a new home is unsettling. Your new cat will need time to adjust to the change.
Provide a quiet, secluded area and do not disturb your cat when it is asleep.

Attention and play will help your new cat to settle in.
Provide toys (table tennis balls, toy mice, paper bags etc.). Discourage “hand play” (use a cat “wand” instead).
To avoid your cat scratching your furniture, provide a scratch mat or post.

Cats do not usually need to be bathed.
Longhaired cats should be groomed regularly.
Check daily for problems like runny eyes or nose, diarrhea or vomiting.
Nails can be clipped (best done by a vet) but de-clawing is considered inhumane.

T&TSPCA “teenage” cats (older than 16 weeks but younger than 1 year) are given 2 vaccinations (4 weeks apart), then given a yearly booster. Cats 1 year and older are given 1 vaccination, then a yearly booster.
If your new cat seems unwell (not eating, listless, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.), contact a vet ASAP.
Treat for fleas monthly with approved pet products or consult your vet..
Worm for tape worms every three months, best done by a vet.

Delay face-to-face introduction to household CATS for a week.
Supervise the first meeting and time together until you are confident that there will be no show of aggression.
Avoid exposure to household DOGS until your new cat seems well settled or for at least one week if the cat settles sooner.
Ensure that the dogs are restrained (eg: on a lead) at the first meeting and are reprimanded if they show any undesirable behavior.
Supervise all interactions between the cat and dog/s until you are confident that the dog/s will not be aggressive or chase the cat.
Ensure that your cat always has an escape route away from your dog/s and a safe area where the dog/s cannot reach it.
If you decide that the cat is in danger and the situation cannot be resolved, please return the cat to the T&TSPCA.

Children must be taught how to handle and interact with your new kitten/cat (do not disturb while sleeping/eating, be gentle, no grabbing, pulling etc.).
Initial interaction time must be limited and supervised.
If startled, hurt or over stimulated through play or affection, cats may scratch or bite, potentially harming children.

Contact the T&TSPCA for advice if there are any problems with your new cat (not settling well, litter box concerns, issues with household cats or dogs etc.). However, if your cat seems unwell, consult a vet.
If you cannot keep your new cat, please return it to the T&TSPCA.
If you find an alternative home for your new cat within the first year after adoption, notify the T&TSPCA for approval (see terms of the Adoption agreement).

Pet Care