How to make a cat feel safe in a new home

Updated 15/11/2024

Cats are creatures of habit, and a change in their routine - like a house move or new pet parents - can be truly stress-inducing. So, explore below to find out how to make a cat feel safe in their new home, and how to make a cat comfortable with their new routine and surroundings. Scroll right to the end for tips from pet owners and sitters, based on their personal experiences with cats.

10 must-knows on how to make a cat feel safe in their new home

1. Provide a safe space
2. Install a vertical space
3. Ensure your cat has their own litter box, water, and food bowls
4. Create a routine
5. Give them breathing space
6. Avoid visitors
7. Remain calm
8. Use pheromone diffusers
9. Play and exercise
10. Prep ahead for vacation time

Provide a safe space

Rule 101 when you’re learning how to make a cat feel safe in their new home is to create a cozy safe space that’ll help them feel more at ease. This will generally look like a quiet area away from the noise and chaos of home, kitted out with a bed, blankets and maybe a few toys to create the perfect comfort zone. 

Providing a space like this helps to reduce stress and anxiety in cats, plus it’ll give your cat a sense of having their own territory - a feeling that’ll make them feel secure and settled away from loud noises.

The RSPCA recommends providing two types of safe space for your new feline friend - one on the floor which is enclosed by three sides, and another that has a good view out. So, consider somewhere in your home next to a window where your feline won’t be disturbed, and where you might be able to fit a few cat blankets and even cushions.

Install a vertical space

It’s a cat’s natural instinct to climb, so it’s important for pet parents to invest in cat trees, shelves or a perch if you’re looking for how to make a cat comfortable in their new home. 

A vertical space gives felines the chance to not only climb, exercise and explore, but it also provides a vantage point, where they feel safe in being able to view all that’s below. Cats also appreciate alone time, and a space up high allows them for a moment (or 10!) for the solitude they need.

Types of vertical space for your new cat:

The vertical space you opt for depends on your budget, how much space you’ve got in your home, and what you find aesthetically pleasing. Find a few options for your new cat’s vertical space below.

• Cats trees. These provide ample climbing opportunities and a great seating space for your feline.
• Scratching posts. Along with the chance to scratch which can reduce stress and anxiety, scratching posts sometimes also come with a perch at the top.
• Window seats. Cats love a high spot where they can look out and spot any predators - it’s a position that makes cats feel safe and secure.
• Perch. A cat perch provides the ideal resting place for felines, where they can view their new home from a vantage point.
• Shelves. Cats also love to climb on mounted, stable shelves - if you mount one near a window, it might become your feline’s favorite resting spot.

Ensure your cat has her own litter box, water and food bowls

When learning how to make a cat feel safe and welcome, there is no debating that your new kitty needs her own litter box - cats are territorial creatures. 

Cats have a natural instinct to bury their waste, so they won’t appreciate sharing litter boxes with other cats. In fact, a poorly-placed litter box can be a real stressor for our feline friends, so be sure to position it in a place where your cat can do their business in private, and that is accessible at all times. Make sure you have enough litter trays – the rule is one litter tray per cat plus one!

And as you might have guessed, the same goes for water and food bowls. Felines can be solitary creatures and tend to hunt and eat alone in the wild, so you’ll need to make sure your new cat has food and water bowls of their own that stay in the same consistent and easily accessible location in the house.

Create a routine

As you’re figuring out how to make a cat feel comfortable in their new home, one thing to know is cats love routine. Stick to a routine each day - consider fixing a schedule for feeding, grooming, litter box maintenance and playtime. Having expected events each day reduces anxiety in cats, prevents boredom and reinforces positive behaviors.

Give them breathing space

One thing to note when learning how to make a cat feel safe is to make sure you respect their boundaries, and give your cat the time alone she needs.

Welcoming a new pet is certainly exciting for new owners, but it’s important to remember that a big change like moving house (and ownership) is stressful for cats. So, follow your new cat’s lead, and play with your feline when he seems to feel like it - this will build a bond of trust.

Remain calm

If you’re wondering how to make a new cat feel at home, it’s important to remember that your feline is an intelligent, curious creature who can pick up on heightened emotional states. So where you can, stay calm around your feline so that she feels settled and secure in her new home.

Pheromone diffusers

A scientific study published by the National Library of Medicine found that certain pheromone diffusers reduced aggression in cats, and it’s widely accepted by cat owners that pheromone diffusers are beneficial for reducing anxiety in felines.

These diffusers release synthetic cat pheromones that are designed to make cats feel at ease - they bring a sense of familiarity and are invaluable if you’ve got a newly adopted cat.

Play and exercise

When getting clued-up on how to help a cat feel comfortable in their new home, you’ll need to prioritize play and exercise for your feline. Spending time with your cat through play will not only help to build a bond, it’ll also help your new cat use their natural instincts and associate their new home with positive experiences.

Cats love wand toys, hide and seek, catnip, laser toys and bubbles, so give those a go and see what mentally and physically stimulates your new feline the most.

Avoid having multiple visitors

When bringing home a rescue cat, it’s important to remember that while the experience is exciting for you, it can be frankly terrifying for your new feline. So, when learning how to make a cat feel comfortable with you, get your feline used to you and the other people you live with before inviting multiple visitors over.

Having too much change or noise all at once can be stress-inducing for cats.

So, keep things consistent in the early days, give your cat a chance to get used to you, and introduce new people slowly.

Prep ahead for vacation time

Once your cat is used to their new home - they’re showing signs of calm and ease (like a good appetite, purring, playing regularly and have overall good health), the time will eventually come for a vacation.

And as vets agree pets are happier kept in the comfort of home (which makes so much sense considering cats love routine and hate change), it’s worth considering connecting with a verified cat sitter. 

If keeping your feline happy and content at home with a verified sitter makes sense to you, click below to find out how it works.

Tips from cat owners on how to make a cat feel safe

Bringing home a shelter cat is no mean feat, so explore the advice below on making a cat feel comfortable from pet owners and sitters, based on their personal experience. For more advice, head to our community forum.

• “I find it best to let them be and they will come [...]. Trying to get a cat to come out only makes it retreat more” - @Amparo
• “Do not wait for them to remind you it’s meal time or time to fill the water bowl or scoop the pan/litter tray” - @Katie
• “The most important thing about cats is that THEY decide when they want something or allow someone to approach and pet them.” - @gchampagne

Meet our veterinary expert, Holly

This article has been checked by veterinarian Holly Anne Hills BVM BVS BVMedSci. After graduating from the University of Nottingham, Holly spent two years working as a farm animal vet. She then spent some time traveling and volunteering in India, working at neutering clinics and with injured street dogs. Holly now works in small animal practice, and balances this with writing, volunteering with the comms team at Vet Sustain, and she is also a marine mammal medic!

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