Exploring the home

A common mistake that people make is the time it takes for a cat to settle in to a home, weather it is a new kitten or an older cat. Some are confident within a week or so and others take several weeks to become more comfortable with their new surroundings. Respecting this is more likely at raising a well adjusted pet that will put it's mind at ease.

Day by day
Once your cat has settled well into it's surroundings, start to leave different doors open and let it explore your home further afield if it feels the need to do so. Never force him out or never prevent him from running back if he's spooked. If he's bold, especially if yours is a generally quiet household, he may choose to tackle a new room each day until he is  well acquainted with the whole house. If he is a timid cat, he make take several weeks to build up the confidence to come out of his refuge.

Carefully introduce new faces to your family's pet, at first it is advisable to fuss a cat as little as possible to ensure his main carer looks after to keep him at ease. Then slowly introduce everyone in the household, supervising children as it won't take much of playfulness by either the cat or child before someone gets hurt, even if neither intended on it.

Appliances
Be especially sensitive when introducing your new pet to the noises and distractions of household appliances. Smoke and burglar alarms, vacuum cleaners, blenders and other high output noises can distract and scare your cat. You can help protect him by creating a refuge as far away as possible from these noises until he gets used to the new home. Never force the cat to be in the same room as the noises as the cat will have trouble building up trust with you. Make sure he has a way to get to the safe refuge if the noise it too much to bare.

Scent reassurance
You can use commercial pheromone products to create a reassuring environment just ahead of his explorations to reduce the impact of the new adventure. Create observation posts where ever he is easily accessed, elevated areas and dark hiding places for him to sit quietly and observe before he goes any further, cardboard boxes are a great and cheap option for cats.