New Shelter Cat!

Hi all,

Bringing home our new 4-year-old shelter cat, Ox, tomorrow afternoon. Will post a pic when he's settled!

I'm a little anxious and am hoping for any tips/tricks to help get him acclimated, as well as affirming stories of bringing home a new, adult cat (I've read enough about all the the things that could go wrong -- at this point want to hear about all the things that go right!).

He'll be the only cat in the home, purchased the same food the shelter is giving him (and will transition to some wet food and a more nutritionally balanced dry food), have a bunch of toys, and have a scratching post with a bed at the top by the window. Bought a few disposable paper letterboxes to help him get used to where his box is, then will transition him over to a Modkat box.

I was told he was surrendered when his family had a new baby -- but that's all I know about behavior at this point (except that he was friendly at the shelter and not just let me pick him up but gave me a "hug" when I did).

Looking forward to any advice! Thank you!

Hello and welcome to TCS. Congrats on the adoption of your new cat. Looking forward to seeing a pic of him once he's home.

My Ruby girl was 2 or 3 when I adopted her, and she came out of her carrier within seconds and acted like she'd always lived here.

For more "first day" stories, here's a recent thread where members posted What Was Your Cat's Behavior Like In The First Day?.

Also, here's a couple TCS articles that might be helpful:
Bringing Home A New Cat - The Complete Guide
How To Help A New Cat Adjust To Your Home

Thanks so much for the quick reply and the links! *pours glass of wine, digs in*

oxthecat, on behalf of The Catsite community, a warm


So glad that you’ve joined this site and you are in the right place for all things cat and this site is loaded with tons of rich resources and you’ll find friendly and helpful cats around and many of our cats are very knowledgeable in cat related stuffs.

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Thank you for adopting Ox and for giving him a fur-ever warm and loving home Yes, please post photos when he’s home.

Feel free to ask questions if you have any and start a new thread of your own and post them under the appropriate forum headings and do check out the many informative articles we have here in Articles | The Cat Site

Enjoy your stay and see ya around

Welcome to TCS! We’re glad to have you here! I look forward to seeing pictures of Ox!

Another warm welcome to TCS! Glad you joined the forum and we'll be waiting for not only pics but news about Ox's introduction to his new home. You have done a fabulous job of preparing for his arrival and will make a great cat parent. When you're ready you can post a pic or two of Ox here: Fur Pictures and Videos Only! Lots of luck to your new boy and you.

and welcome! How's the new kitty? Any pics yet?

Hi and welcome to the site

Pour a glass of that for me, and BRING ON THE PICTURES! Welcome to BOTH of you!

Welcome, and congratulations! I don't have a lot of specific guidance for you, since I've never adopted an adult cat, but it sounds like your new cat is pretty brave and social, which should help.

Welcome! Look forward to seeing pictures of Ox

Positive story of bringing home an adult cat -
I just brought home a 4 year old fluffy Tuxedo kitty I adopted off Craigslist - the family had him since a kitten, he was indoor/outdoor, and the next door neighbor supposedly purchased a new Mercedes and did not appreciate Dozer laying on the car and complained. He is the only cat at the farm (75 acres), though has been indoor-only since we got him. I think he does yearn for the outdoors some, eventually may let him explore some of the farm too. It took him a day or so to get acclimated, stayed under the bed a lot, but now can be found checking out the parakeets, baby cottontail we're bottle feeding, and sitting on top of the guinea pig enclosure lol. He can also be found on my fiance's head some nights.

I've brought other adult cats home before - Hoshi was 2 when I brought him home, and Neko was 1.5 years old. All adapted really well to it - those two even with other cats in the house.

Good luck and enjoy the site

Hi all! I haven't forgotten about everyone here (and still read ALL THE TIME for cat advice)!

1. I've attached a picture of Ox - he's doing *just fine*. ; )

2. I'm happy to say I can be one of the affirming stories about bringing a shelter cat home! To keep things on the shorter side:

Ox had a 2 hour car ride home which he was decidedly not thrilled about, but he survived (though he was panting with anxiety which was alarming). When we let him out of his carrier he looked around quickly and then ducked under our sofa for about 3 hours (I'm of the belief he needed to recover from the stress of the car ride). We sat on the floor near him, drank wine, played a card game, and he finally peeked his head out. Everything after that was nearly perfect - like he'd been ours forever. It took him two days to the use the litter box (no idea how he "held it" for that long), and he's still eating Purina (can't get him interested in higher quality dry food), but we're also giving him wet food in the mornings and evenings (split up a 3oz container).

He sleeps in our bed at night (though has a hard time staying still for long), plays with his toys, is only scratching his post after a couple of redirects from the couch), and follows us from room to room.

He has a "tune up" at the vet on Tuesday where I'd like them to check for ear mites (he's scratching and shaking his head a bunch) AND look at his teeth, because his breath is ungodly. Anything else I should ask them to take a look at as a neutered, 4ish year old shelter kitty?

Thanks all!

So happy Ox is settling well into his new home, with his new "parents". He's a very handsome boy. And looks pretty relaxed.

About the vet visit, did the shelter give you his chart from when he was with them?

And about possibly changing up his food, here's an article on Transitioning Your Cat From Kibble To A New Type Of Food (canned, Raw, Or Homemade) that might be helpful.

He looks so much like our four-year-old disappeared cat, Mr. Monk. Even the behavior! (I'm hoping you did not get him at a northern California shelter... We are still looking for Monk, the cat in my Avatar)

Assuming Ox is not the same cat, you are in for many happy years if he is anything like the cat we lost. His adjustment to the new home is super fast form what you wrote. I saw you other thread about his health, and you sound like the best parents and he will give you much joy (after his health straightens out)

Your new kitty is adorable! So happy to see he has adjusted well. We are bringing home our first shelter cat today and I am excited and nervous. I hope she does just as well!

I am so thrilled you wrote in about Ox! It sounds like you are off to a great start. I have adopted many rescues and they needed a little adjustment time but it sounds like Ox is adjusting quickly. Great job! Since I spend a lot of time helping kitties that are without homes, I really appreciate that you adopted a kitty in need. Thank you! Keep updating. I love happy stories.

Welcome to TCS!

I look forward to see a picture of Ox and read more about him!