Quick answer: When bringing a new cat home, set up 1 quiet base camp room with food, water, a litter box, a hideout, a scratcher and a bed. Keep your cat there for the first 1 to 2 days, book a vet visit in week 1, then open the home one room at a time.
Bringing a new cat home is exciting, but for the cat it's a big change: new smells, new sounds, new people and no familiar territory. A little preparation makes the first week far smoother. This checklist covers what to buy, how to set up the home, what to do on day one, and how to handle the first week, including introducing other pets.
What should you buy before your cat arrives?
The AVMA's guide to selecting a pet cat recommends preparing places for eating, sleeping and elimination before your cat comes home, and cat-proofing by keeping toxic plants and chemicals out of reach and making sure window screens are secure.
New cat checklist
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Sturdy carrier | Safe travel home and to the vet |
| Food the cat already eats | Avoids stomach upset; switch gradually later if needed |
| Food and water bowls | Shallow, wide bowls; place water away from food |
| Litter box and unscented litter | Open, large box; match the litter type the cat is used to if possible |
| Hideout | A covered bed, box or tent gives a sense of safety |
| Scratcher | Gives an approved spot to scratch from day one |
| Bed or blanket | Ideally with a familiar scent from the shelter or breeder |
| Toys | A wand toy for play and a few small toys |
| Breakaway collar and ID tag | Recommended by the ASPCA, along with a microchip |
| Nail clippers and a brush | Start gentle grooming habits early |
For a buying shortcut, our gift guide for cat lovers covers the piece that saves the sofa.
Cat-proof your home
- Check the ASPCA plant list. Lilies in particular are dangerous to cats.
- Store cleaners, medications and essential oils out of reach.
- Secure window screens, and block gaps behind appliances and furniture.
- Tie up blind cords and put away string, hair ties, rubber bands and thread.
- Keep toilet lids, washer and dryer doors closed.
How do you set up a "base camp" room?
A spare bedroom, home office or quiet bathroom works well. The goal is a small, quiet space where your cat can learn that this part of the world is safe before taking on the rest.
- Separate the resources. The AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines recommend spacing key resources apart: food and water in one area, the litter box at a distance, a bed and hideout somewhere else.
- Offer a hiding place. A cardboard box on its side works. A soft pop-up option like the CozeCats Pop-Up Cat Play Tent gives a cozy, breathable den that you can later move to the living room so the "safe spot" travels with your cat. A washable fabric pad inside makes it a comfortable bed.
- Add height, such as a cleared shelf, a chair or a small cat tree, so your cat can watch from above.
- Add a scratcher, ideally sisal and sturdy. The ASPCA recommends a post at least three feet high.
What should you do on day one of bringing a new cat home?
- Travel in a carrier, covered with a light towel, and drive calmly.
- Go straight to the base camp room and close the door.
- Open the carrier and step back. Let your cat come out on their own. Some cats come out right away; others wait hours.
- Keep it quiet. Limit visitors, and keep children and other pets out for now.
- Sit quietly in the room and let your cat approach you. Offer a treat or a wand toy if they seem curious.
- Don't worry if they hide or don't eat much on the first day. If a cat hasn't eaten for more than a day, call your vet, because cats can get sick if they go without food.
The first week, day by day
| Days | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Base camp only. Quiet visits, gentle talk, food and litter routine. |
| 2–4 | Short play sessions with a wand toy. Begin scent swapping if you have other pets. |
| 3–7 | If your cat is eating, using the litter box and approaching you, open the door and let them explore one more room at a time. |
| Within the first week | Vet visit: health check, vaccines, parasite control, microchip check and spay/neuter plans. |
Every cat is different. Shy or adult shelter cats may need a couple of weeks in base camp; confident kittens may be ready to explore in a day or two. Let your cat set the pace.
How do you introduce a new cat to other pets?
Start with scent
Swap bedding between your new cat and resident pets, and rub a soft cloth on one cat's cheeks and leave it near the other. Feed them on opposite sides of a closed door.
Then sight
Use a baby gate or a door opened a crack during meals or play. Keep sessions short and positive.
Then supervised time together
Once both animals are relaxed, let them share a room while you supervise. Have separate food, water, litter boxes and resting spots so nobody has to compete. Hissing at first is normal. Stalking, chasing or fighting means you need to slow down.
How do you protect your furniture from day one?
Scratching is normal and healthy. The AVMA notes it conditions claws, marks territory and stretches muscles. A new cat will look for somewhere to scratch soon after arrival, so set them up for success before they pick your couch. Place scratchers near the base camp bed and, once they explore, beside the sofa. The CozeCat Side Table with Scratcher fits over the sofa arm with natural sisal on the sides, so the most tempting spot becomes the approved one, and worn sisal can be swapped out using replacement mats. If you've just bought a sofa, see what to put on your couch to stop your cat scratching.
Start with a safe den and an approved scratch spot
A cozy hideout for the first nights and a sisal scratcher at the sofa cover two of the biggest new-cat needs.
What are the most common first-week mistakes?
- Giving the cat the whole house on day one.
- Pulling the cat out of hiding to be held.
- Changing food abruptly.
- Putting the litter box next to the food bowl.
- Rushing introductions with other pets.
- Skipping the first vet visit.
What does a first-week checklist look like?
Print or save this one-page version of the plan above. Tick each line before you move on, and slow down if your cat is still hiding or not eating.
| When | Check |
|---|---|
| Before arrival | Base camp room ready: food, water, litter box, hideout, scratcher, bed; cords, toxic plants and small items removed. |
| Day 1 | Carrier into base camp, door open, you sit quietly. No visitors and no tour of the house. |
| Days 1–2 | Your cat eats, drinks and uses the litter box. Call your vet if they have not eaten for more than a day. |
| Days 2–4 | Short wand-toy play sessions and treats near the scratcher. |
| Days 3–7 | Open one more room at a time once your cat approaches you and uses the box. |
| Within week 1 | Vet visit: health check, vaccines, parasite control, microchip details. |
| When the sofa opens up | Approved scratching spot already on the sofa arm. |
That last line matters more than it looks. The first time your cat reaches the living room, the sofa arm is often the first thing they scratch. If the CozeCat Side Table with Scratcher is already there, the habit starts in the right place. It has a plywood frame, natural sisal and a top that holds up to 50 lb, in 21.5, 23.5 or 25.5 in, Walnut or Maple, for the Left arm, the Right arm or as a Pair. Singles are $169.99, $199.99 or $224.99 by height, and a Pair is $329.99 to $379.99. Orders ship next day from Dallas, shipping is free over $99, and an unused table in its original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery. Compare sizes on the side table page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take a new cat to adjust to a new home?
It varies widely. Some cats settle in a few days, while shy or older cats can take several weeks. Watch for eating, litter use and curiosity as signs of progress.
Should a new cat be kept in one room?
Yes, at first. A single quiet room helps your cat feel secure before exploring the rest of the home.
Is it normal for a new cat to hide?
Very normal. Give them a hideout and let them come out on their own. If they stop eating for more than a day, call your vet.
When should I take my new cat to the vet?
Within the first week, even if the cat seems healthy, to check vaccines, parasites, microchip details and general health.
Should I let my new cat sleep in my bed?
That's a personal choice. In the first few days, many cats feel safer sleeping in their own hideout in the base camp room.
How many litter boxes do I need?
A common guideline is one per cat plus one extra, placed in different quiet spots.
Keep reading
- The Gift for Cat Lovers That Saves Their Sofa (2026)
- What Can I Put on My Couch to Stop My Cat Scratching It?
- Cat Furniture for a Small Apartment
- Does a Couch Scratcher Teach Cats to Scratch the Couch?
- Cat Furniture & Home Guides
Sources
- AVMA: Selecting a pet cat
- ASPCA: Toxic and non-toxic plants for cats
- AAFP/ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines (PDF)
- AVMA policy: Declawing of domestic cats
- CozeCat Side Table product page (prices, sizes, shipping and returns), checked October 24, 2026
