If your new cat isn't eating after arriving home, it's crucial to give them time to adjust and avoid forcing them. When they hide in corners, don't pull them out; this can cause stress. Simply provide food, and they'll eat once they feel comfortable. It's important to be patient and understanding during this transition period.
Cats need time to acclimate to a new environment. The unfamiliar surroundings and scents can be frightening. The journey to their new home, which may have been long and bumpy, can also be stressful. If the cat is under four months old, being separated from its mother and littermates can intensify fear, leading to food refusal. If this happens, avoid startling them. Allow them to hide and adjust gradually; forcing them out can negatively affect their future personality. Be patient and comforting. In just a day or two, they will usually accept their new surroundings and begin eating.
When a cat arrives at a new home, the change in environment can make it difficult to find its litter box. It will hold back, searching, until it can't any longer, resulting in urinating somewhere random. Once this has happened, it can lead to confusion and incorrect urination habits that are very hard to correct later. This is why it's essential to take proactive steps to prevent this issue.
To prepare ahead, when you receive the cat, ask the original owner for some of its used litter from its previous litter box. Place this in the new litter box. The cat will recognize the scent and understand it as a designated bathroom area. You may need to confine the cat with the litter box for a short time to establish the new bathroom area, before letting it roam freely. This method helps establish the correct spot for your new feline friend.