Preparations Before Bringing a Cat Home

1 Overview

On the way home he was good, peering from the carrier with huge eyes—instantly adorable.

Key points

I didn’t let him out at once; cats need time to adjust. I put the open carrier in a room, left, and closed the door—he’d relax and come out on his own.

Needing to step out, I left clean food, water, litter, and bed, uneasy but back soon.

A mistake: I picked food randomly by reviews, cheap (two big bags for ~40 yuan); luckily Maomao never ate it—scary to think back.

Before he finished the breeder’s food, I asked about it and got scolded; one line stuck: ‘money saved on food you’ll pay at the vet.’ Beyond imports, some domestic brands are reputable—I’ll write about food later; new owners, don’t let bad food harm your cat.

Home, he meowed, climbed me, and purred—I panicked at the rumble, googled, and relaxed. Funny now that I didn’t know something so basic.

He ate when I returned but didn’t use the litter until next day; after a move cats may wait a day or two—no worry.

Very clingy—Maomao loved perching on shoulders from day one; the breeder confirmed it’s his habit. He’d climb back up relentlessly; I worried at first, then let him.

He liked the neck/shoulder—maybe winter cold, the neck being warm and exposed; cats fear cold. Just my guess; the cat’s mind is unknowable.

A young cat in a new place needs security most; let it feel safe to build trust. So at first, do whatever makes the cat comfortable, within reason.