The most common reason for fearful behavior in cats who come from a shelter is lack of early socialization with humans. There are several steps you can take to help your cat adjust to your home and new life to make the process as stress-free as possible.
While many fearful cats become social members of the family after a slow and appropriate introduction process, others may remain very fearful and prefer to spend most of their time alone. Be prepared for either outcome and celebrate the small steps your fearful cat makes along the way. Before bringing home a cat with a history of fearful behavior, watch our video and read through the cat body language resources to help familiarize yourself with how cats communicate using their bodies.
Being able to confidently identify how your cat is feeling and what they are communicating will help you throughout this process. Transitions and big changes are hard for many cats, even ones who are not identified as fearful. Preparing your home for your new cat, regardless of their confidence level, is a very important step in a smooth transition. Set up a single room where your new cat can be isolated. A spare bedroom, office, or large bathroom will work well. Ideally this will be a quiet, low-traffic room.
This room should contain food, water, toys, a hiding spot this could be the carrier you bring your cat home in, or a cat condo with a hiding place , and two litter boxes. If the room is small and there is only room for one litterbox, just be sure to add the second when your cat has access to more parts of the home.
Have a towel ready to block the crack under the door for when the door is closed. The day you bring home your new cat is an exciting day for the whole family, but it will also be a very stressful time for your cat. It is important to set clear expectations with all family members that during the first few days, weeks, or possibly months, they should not expect pet the cat. When you arrive home with the cat still in their transport carrier, take the cat to the pre-setup room.
