How to Make a Cat Feel Comfortable in a New Home

Some would say a house is just not a home until a cat lives there. If you’re planning to bring a cat home for the first time — or add to your purring pack — consider these tips for creating a paw-sitively cat-friendly house.

1. Set up a kitty corner 

Moving to a new place can be stressful for a cat because he has no sense of the territory. To start the process of getting a cat used to a new home, designate one room as a special cat room: a place where he can retreat if he gets overwhelmed by his new surroundings. This room can be a laundry room, closet or bathroom, as long as it’s calm and cozy.

2. Stop and check the flowers 

Before introducing a cat to a new home, do some research on your houseplants. Some can be harmful to cats if ingested, so be sure to remove them before bringing a kitty home to stay.

3. Get your house up to scratch 

Cats need to file down their claws just like us humans with our nails. But, since they can’t schedule a mani-pedi, they may set their sights on your furniture. If you’re concerned about furniture scratching, get a scratching post (or two) so he can get the job done without killing your couch.

4. Aim high 

Cats have been hunters for generations, and part of that lineage means they feel most comfortable when they have a high-up place from which to survey the world. A cat tree is a great addition to a home because it’ll give your furry friend a place to perch and get the lay of the land.

5. Embrace the climb 

Cats are climbers, and once they get used to their new home, every high surface is fair game. If you have fragile things on top of dressers or high cabinets, you may want to move them elsewhere so a curious kitty doesn’t knock them over on a climbing expedition.

6. Screening process 

For cats, peering outside through a window can be like watching a riveting nature show on TV. Put screens on all your windows to make sure that show doesn’t get, um, 3-D.

7. Think about his nine lives 

Any time you adopt a new pet, it’s good to take his potential life span into consideration. A healthy cat can live an average of 15 years, so make sure you can commit to at least that much time.

It’s important to support every cat’s right to prospurr, and that’s precisely where 9Lives^® cat food can help. Our goal is to make sure every cat has access to the “4 Gs” of The Good Life: a good home, good health and good food at a good price. So, if you need help finding the best variety for your new feline friend, or even just want to brush up on your Eti-Cat, know that we’ve got your back — Morris included!