Making a safe introduction It's a good idea to prepare a single room for your cat to stay in for a couple of days (with water and food bowls, a litter tray, a comfortable bed and toys). Sit quietly with your cat and let them explore their new environment at their own pace.
Ultimately, how long you can leave your cat home alone depends on their age, health, and personality. A cat requiring medication or a new kitten adjusting to your home generally shouldn't be left to their own devices for more than a few hours.
In the first few nights, have your kitten close to you in a warm and cosy spot next to your bed. Kittens like to feel sheltered and secure so putting them above the ground, if possible, can also make them feel safer.
Once your cat shows interest in trying to leave the room, or is begging at the door to come out, they're ready to explore the rest of the house! Most cats will adjust within one to two weeks. If you have a multiple-animal household, it may take several months for everyone to fully adjust.
Keep their environment calm. Don't overwhelm them with lots of visitors or activity during the first week or two after coming home. Provide lots of mental enrichment activities. Having access to interactive toys and scratching post helps your cat release stress in a positive way (and saves your furniture!).
Let the cat decide: your new cat will let you know when he is ready to explore beyond the Bonding Room. On average, a new cat may stay in the Bonding Room for 2 - 7 days, but generally the cat will let you know when he is ready for the next step.
Some cats are ready to get to know you immediately while other kitties may take several weeks to initiate any kind of interaction. Here are some signs your cat is ready to start bonding: Kneading. Bunting (rubbing you with their forehead)
Letting your kitten roam freely around the entire house right away is a recipe for disaster. It's better to have a confined and controlled space for them to move around until they get completely settled in.
Cats are creatures of habit and don't do very well with change. Your furry friend may display signs of anxiety and depression if you bring home a new pet or baby, move to a new home, rearrange the furniture, or if you move the litter box to a new location.
Whether a kitten is in the shelter system or born into a feral colony, their experience during this stage will play a huge role in how long it takes to trust new humans or environments. Depending on their upbringing, it may take days, weeks, or months for a newly-befriended cat to trust you.
To set everyone up for success, ideally the new cat is kept in a room that the resident cat doesn't spend all that much time in. (This may not be possible in a small apartment.) For example, if your resident cat enjoys sleeping in your bedroom, ideally the new cat is kept in a room other than your bedroom.
And unlike dogs, cats actually prefer smaller spaces and tend to find hideaways and corners to retreat when they need their space. Although cats may need a little less, a cat can happily live in one room only if they have everything they need.
"Try to quickly establish a routine to not only bond with them but also to keep your cat healthy." That means a consistent daily schedule of meal time, play time, alone time (particularly, if you work outside of the home), and even time dedicated to brushing, if needed.
Rehoming is extremely stressful for all involved (cat and human) and should be taken very seriously. There are some situations where it is the kinder thing to do, even if it's difficult, but in no way am I suggesting it be the first choice in every situation.
They have relaxed body language
If your cat tends to sit like a perfect loaf, with their paws tucked under their body, their tail wrapped around them, and their eyes closed or softly open, these are all signs that they are feeling happy and comfortable in their environment.
Cats get upset by anything that changes in their environment and their routine so when packing boxes are brought into the home and furniture is moved, they become confused and stressed.
By the time they're a year old and fully grown, a healthy cat should be fine if left overnight – but as Nicky suggests, never leave them for more than 24 hours.
Spend time playing with your cat.
Sit up and cuddle her. She may even start to sit on your lap, which shows she completely trusts you. Make playtime a regular part of your daily routine. This will strengthen your cat's bond towards you and she'll expect this attention from you.
In a multi-human household, it seems that cats will choose one family member they want to spend more of their time with. According to a study done by the nutrition company, Canadae, they discovered that the person who makes the most effort is the favorite.
Your new kitty should spend at least its first day or two in its own room. This is particularly important after spay/neuter surgery; when activity and stress should be limited. A quiet bedroom or bathroom with a window is ideal.
A safe room is a separate room where she can start to explore her new home, such as an office, a spare bedroom, or even a bathroom. Some people like to use a utility room; however, we don't recommend using a utility room because noise from the washer or dryer can scare your new cat.