Rescue Cat First Week: A Day-by-Day Guide to Settling In
The day you bring a rescue cat home is exciting for you, and overwhelming for the cat. It has left a shelter, a foster home or the street, been placed in a carrier and driven to a strange house full of unfamiliar smells. How you handle the first week sets the tone. This guide gives a calm, day-by-day plan.
Before the cat arrives
Prepare a small room, such as a spare bedroom or bathroom. Include:
- A litter box, away from food. See where to put the litter box.
- Food and water bowls.
- A hiding place, such as a box or a covered bed. See how to choose a cat bed.
- A scratching post. See how to choose a scratching post.
- Toys and a perch.
- A carrier left open.
Make the room safe. See cat proofing your home. Check for gaps behind furniture where a cat could become stuck. Tell the family the plan, and keep other pets out.
Day one
Carry the carrier into the room, close the door, and open the carrier. Sit quietly, and let the cat come out when ready. Do not pull the cat out. Leave food and water, and then give it space. Check back quietly every few hours. Do not worry if the cat does not eat or use the litter box right away. Keep the room dim and quiet.
Days two and three
Visit the room several times a day. Sit on the floor and read aloud, or sit on your phone, so that the cat gets used to your presence. Offer treats from your hand or on a spoon. Try gentle play with a wand toy, keeping it low to the ground. See how to play with a kitten. Learn the cat's body language. See cat tail language and cat ear positions. Watch appetite, litter use and stool.
Days four to seven
As the cat gains confidence, you may notice it eating in front of you, rubbing against furniture or approaching you. Continue to keep routines, such as feeding at set times. Introduce more play, and offer a gentle touch if the cat seems willing, starting with the cheeks and chin. Never force petting. See how to pick up and hold a cat.
Take the cat to the vet in the first week, for a checkup, vaccinations, parasite control and a microchip scan. See kitten first vet visit for kittens, and cat wellness exam: what to expect for adults.
Hiding
Hiding is normal. Do not drag a cat out. Provide a box with a blanket, and let the cat decide. If hiding persists beyond several days with no eating, or if the cat seems ill, call the vet. See why do cats hide.
Eating and litter box
Cats often refuse food on the first day. Offer strong-smelling wet food. If the cat does not eat for more than twenty-four hours, call a vet, since cats can develop liver problems when they stop eating. See hepatic lipidosis in cats. Keep the litter box clean, and use the litter that the shelter used. See how to choose cat litter. If accidents happen, stay calm. See why is my cat peeing outside the litter box.
Expanding the territory
When the cat is eating, using the litter box and exploring the room, open the door and let it explore, one room at a time. Keep the safe room available as a base. Let the cat set the pace, and do not carry it around. Supervise first outings.
Introducing other pets
Do not rush. Swap scents with blankets, use a baby gate, and feed on either side of a door. See how to introduce a new cat to your cat and how to introduce a kitten to a dog.
Health watch
Rescue cats may carry upper respiratory infections, worms or fleas. See upper respiratory infections in cats, worms in cats and fleas on cats. Keep a new cat apart from resident cats until it has been checked.
Names and routines
Choose a name and use it gently. A cat may not respond at first. Keep meals and play on schedule.
Helping a very shy cat
Some rescue cats may stay hidden for days or even weeks. Sit near the hiding place, and read quietly. Leave worn clothing near the cat for comfort. Use a low, soft voice, and slow blinks. Offer food in small bowls near the hiding place and slowly move it away. Do not take a cat out of a hiding place unless there is a medical emergency. A feral or very frightened cat may need an expert's advice, and many shelters offer support for adopters.
When to see a vet
See a vet within a week, and sooner for illness. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a rescue cat take to adjust?
Many settle in days to a few weeks, and some shy cats need months.
Why is my new cat hiding?
Hiding is a normal coping behavior in a strange place, so provide a hiding spot and give time.
When should I let my cat explore the house?
Once it eats, uses the litter box and shows relaxed behavior in the safe room.
Should I bathe a rescue cat?
Not at first, unless the vet advises it, since bathing adds stress.
Sources and further reading
We link to recognised organizations so you can check the basics for yourself. We have no commercial relationship with any site listed here.
- ASPCA cat careEveryday care, behavior and safety basics for cats.
- American Veterinary Medical Association: pet owner resourcesPolicy-level guidance from the national veterinary association.
- Fear Free PetsLow-stress handling and care for dogs and cats.
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