What should I do if my cat is scared when he gets home?
Cats that are just brought home are often frightened by the unfamiliar environment, and may even show behaviors such as hiding and refusing to eat. How to help cats quickly adapt to their new home has become a difficult problem for many novice cat owners. The following are the solutions to "cats are scared when they first arrive home" that have been hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days. They are combined with structured data and practical suggestions to help you deal with them easily.
1. Common signs of cats being afraid

| behavior | Description |
|---|---|
| hide | Get under the bed, under the sofa, etc. |
| Refusal to eat | Not eating or drinking for more than 24 hours |
| shivering | Body curled up, trembling slightly |
| Aggression | Defensive behaviors such as breathing and extending claws |
2. 6 steps to help cats adapt
1.Prepare a safe space: Arrange a quiet small room in advance and place a cat litter box, food bowl and nest.
2.Limit the scope of activities: Don’t let your cat explore the entire home in the early stages to avoid over-stimulation.
3.Use pheromones: There are soothing pheromone products for cats on the market, which can effectively relieve anxiety.
| product type | Effect duration | average price |
|---|---|---|
| spray | 4-5 hours | 80-120 yuan |
| diffuser | 30 days | 200-300 yuan |
4.keep quiet: Avoid sudden noises and control the TV volume below 40 decibels.
5.progressive exposure: Gradually increase interactions according to the following schedule:
| days | Interactive suggestions |
|---|---|
| 1-3 days | Appear only when feeding, keep a distance of 2 meters |
| 4-7 days | You can sit and talk softly |
| 7 days later | Try interacting with toys |
6.dietary induction: Use palatable food to build trust. Recommend the following food types:
| food type | Recommended brands | Food attractant effect |
|---|---|---|
| cat strips | No. 1 of a certain brand | ★★★★★ |
| Freeze-dried | A certain brand No. 2 | ★★★★☆ |
| Staple food jar | A certain brand No. 3 | ★★★☆☆ |
3. Precautions
• Do not force a cat out of hiding
• Avoid direct gaze (cat may feel threatened)
• Households with multiple cats need to be quarantined for at least 1 week
• If you still don’t eat after 72 hours, seek medical attention.
4. Answers to frequently asked questions during the adaptation period
| question | solution |
|---|---|
| What should I do if I keep calling? | Wrap the cat's bed in a blanket to increase security |
| What to do if you don’t eat cat food? | Try heating food to add flavor |
| Afraid of other pets? | Do a scent exchange first (exchange supplies) |
5. Expert advice
Animal behaviorists point out that most cats require an adaptation period of 7-14 days, during which the owner's patience is crucial. Data shows that in families that take the right approach, cats can adapt 40% faster.
Remember that every cat is a unique individual, some outgoing cats may adapt in 3 days, while sensitive cats may take 1 month. The important thing is to give them enough respect and space to get to know their new home at their own pace.
Through the above methods, I believe your new partner will soon be able to put down his guard and start enjoying a wonderful life with you. If you encounter special circumstances, it is recommended to consult a professional pet doctor or behavioral trainer in time.
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