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Complete Cat Adoption Guide

Adopting an Adult Cat

Adult cats are the best-kept secret of adoption. While everyone coos over kittens, adult cats wait patiently in shelters — their personalities already developed, their kitten chaos behind them, ready to be your calm, affectionate companion. What you see is truly what you get, and what you get is often a grateful cat who just wants a warm lap and a quiet home.

📅
1-7 yrs
Adult cat age range
🏠
2+ weeks
Adjustment period
✅
90%+
Already litter trained
💵
50%
Lower adoption fee than kittens

💡Expert Tips

The 2-2-2 Rule

2 days to decompress, 2 weeks to start settling in, 2 months to feel at home. Cats adjust slower than dogs — patience is essential.

Safe Room First

Start with one room (bathroom or spare bedroom). This gives them a territory to claim before exploring the whole house.

Let Them Come to You

Sit on the floor reading or scrolling your phone. Let the cat investigate you on their terms. Forced interaction creates fear.

Maintain Consistency

Same food, same litter (at least initially), same feeding times. Minimize changes while they're adjusting.

✅Pre-Adoption Checklist

Ask about the cat's personality and history
Spend time with the cat before adopting
Set up a quiet safe room
Buy litter box, food, scratching post
Schedule a vet checkup
Allow 2+ weeks for adjustment
Introduce to other pets slowly
Give them hiding spots (boxes, cat trees)

📅What to Expect: Timeline

Days 1-2

Safe room only. Food, water, litter box, hiding spots. Don't force interaction — just exist peacefully nearby.

Week 1-2

Slowly introduce to rest of house. Begin interactive play. First vet visit.

Week 3-4

True personality emerges. Begin to understand their preferences, routines, likes and dislikes.

Month 2+

Full integration. Cat feels at home and secure in their territory.

⚠️Important Considerations

  • •Personality is already known
  • •Often calmer than kittens
  • •May take longer to warm up to you
  • •Lower adoption fees than kittens
  • •Litter box trained already

Frequently Asked Questions

My new cat is hiding and won't come out. Is something wrong?▼
This is completely normal! Hiding is stress-coping behavior. Provide hiding spots (boxes, cat trees) and don't force them out. Leave food and water nearby. Most cats start emerging within a few days to a week.
Will an adult cat bond with me?▼
Absolutely! Cats bond through daily care, play, and simply coexisting peacefully. Some adult cats bond intensely — perhaps appreciating their second chance. The bond may take longer to form than with a kitten, but it will form.
The shelter cat was friendly but my new cat hides. Why?▼
Shelter cats often seem friendly because they've learned it gets them attention and treats. Coming home is a massive change — they've lost everything familiar. The real personality emerges in 2-4 weeks.
How do I introduce my new cat to my existing cat?▼
Very slowly! Keep them in separate rooms for at least a week. Feed on opposite sides of a closed door. Swap scents via blankets. Gradual visual introduction through a baby gate. Full introduction only when both are calm. Rush this and you'll create lasting tension.

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