333 Cat Rule

333 Cat Rule

Please remember this when adjusting your kitten to your home, some can start off shy and take time to warm up. Then others will never know a shy day in their life, just like people. 
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How long does it take a new cat to adjust? We generally go by the 3-3-3 rule. Three days to relax and start to feel less stressed, three weeks to settle in and adjust to your routine, and three months to start to feel at home in their new space.

3 DAYS
Adjusting to a new home and a new family is a major life change for your kitten. It's not unusual for them to feel stressed and anxious at first. The behaviors your kitten exhibit during the first few days in their new homes do not reflect their personalities. Each day they will come out of their shell and show their sweet and playful self. Each one is unique with their own personality.
 
The first few days, I strongly recommend that you keep your new kitten's world small like an office or your bedroom, where your scent is prevalent, and you spend a lot of time. That allows for bonding time and is a great way to build trust and help them settle in faster. 

Do not introduce your kitten to any cat or dog or other animal for these few days. In the first few days home, your kitten may experience common stress related issues due to shipping/rehoming such as cold like symptoms including, but not limited to, runny nose, eye discharge, sneezing, lack of appetite, constipation, as well as stress induced diarrhea. Changing the kitten’s food can also result in diarrhea.  If you do not keep your kitten in their own area, you are increasing its stress and likelihood of stress related illness. 

Show your cat the locations of its food and water dishes, bed, toys, and litter box. Keep essential items, like food dishes, and litter boxes, in easy-to-find locations. While your cat adjusts to your new home, it may be helpful to place a litter box on every level of your home. 

If there are other pets already in your home, this is a critical time for them to start learning each other’s scents and sounds, before they meet face-to-face. Let them smell each other under the door, take one of your kitten's toys and let your other animals smell it.

It is normal for your kitten to eat, drink, or use the litter box less at this time. Be patient and keep it positive. Many kittens feel more confident after about three days. 

3 WEEKS
After the first few weeks, your kitten is getting used to your comings and goings, learning the daily routine, and starting to figure out when the next meal is coming. He may have acclimated enough to have a full run of the house. Providing him with scratching posts, litter boxes, and blankets/beds in his own room at first allows you to then place these objects in other areas of the home, giving him familiar scents and sights to help him get used to a new place.   
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3 MONTHS
At three months, your pet has begun to feel secure, confident, and happy with its new life and new home. During the past few months, you probably discovered a few adorable personality quirks that make your cat a valued family member. 

Cats thrive on daily attention from you, whether they've just joined your family or have lived in your home for several months. Set aside time every day to enjoy your furry friend's company. In addition to lavishing affection on your cat, engage its mind with toys or games, like fetch. ​