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The first week: start with one safe room

Prepare a quiet, secure room with food, fresh water, a litter tray away from both, a bed, hiding places and a suitable scratching surface. Check windows, cords, plants and small objects for hazards. Bring the closed carrier into the room before opening it, and let the cat come out voluntarily. Do not pull the cat out of a hiding place.

Visit calmly without crowding the cat. Offer opportunities for comfortable play and contact, with space to withdraw. Expand access gradually when the cat is comfortable, keeping a route back to the room and securing external doors and windows. If there are resident pets, keep them separated during exploration and follow a separate introduction plan. A calendar date alone does not show readiness.

A new home can be stressful, but stress does not rule out illness. Contact a veterinarian promptly if your cat eats less or stops eating, vomits repeatedly, has diarrhea, seems unwell, or changes litter habits. Trouble breathing or repeated straining with little or no urine needs immediate veterinary help. Do not wait for a checklist day or a settling-in deadline.