New cats to our home, general advice on settling in?

[Lotzy]

Ours were kittens when we got them, but we confined them to one room for about 24 hours with regular visits.  We also used cat litter and food they were used to, firstly to help settle them in but to limit any problems with using the litter tray and food. As mentioned a Feliway diffuser can us useful for stressful situations.  Your vet may be able to supply it or you can buy it cheaper online.  Some cats will look for love and attention immediately, others may be a little more restrained, so let them set the pace.

By the way, the second night we allowed them to come into the living room with us and gave them their own space to investigate.

[Fire Fox]

Confining a nervous new arrival to one room complete with food, toys and litter tray is really effective. It's also helpful to have at least two litter trays in different areas so there is always a private place to 'go', the cats can have one tray each or pee in one and poop in the other. Two trays also means you can easily confine your cats to one room if, say, you have workmen in and want to prevent escapes or injuries. Feliway is apparently excellent for calming feline nerves and making a scary new house feel like home.

[Tiggy's Mum]

:1ST PLACE: on your new arrivals 

They're bound to be nervous, from their point of view they've been plucked away from what is safe and familiar for them and are now in a strange house with strange new people... little do they know you are their new Mum & Dad! 

What room are they in? If it's the living room they might well wait until you have gone to bed before venturing out for food and litter tray. I bet thi stime next week they'll be two completely different cats 

Would be nice to see a few pics when they've settled in 

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

Congratulations on your new arrivals ... the following information may be of help http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,22273.0.html

This link gives tips on how to bond with your new furries:  http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,4793.0.html

There are other useful guides in this section that you may want to read over time:  http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/board,43.0.html

[Cherrybinky]

Hi all.
We adopted 2 cats today that were local and in need of a new home as their owner was moving away. Theyre both 3 and are brother and sister. Theyve been living in one room in a house. I picked them up at lunch time and we totally realise they need time to settle in. Casper is behind the sofa and wont come out and Shelly is on the landing and wont budge. She cant be picked up but Casper can. We've decided to let them come out in their own time which Im guessing will be for food or the litter tray. Its their litter tray and Casper has already sniffed it but were concerned they wont come to it if they need to go. Any help appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Rachel & Pete