Starter Room
A limited, safe space with a door that new pets can stay in while they learn to feel comfortable and familiar in their new home.
What's the point?
A new environment is very overwhelming to a cat's senses and can cause them great stress. The goal is to limit the amount of stress experienced during their transition to your home. Stress can lead to illness and undesirable behaviors.
The contained space also gives you more opportunity to bond with them.
What should be in the starter room?
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Food & water
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At least one litterbox
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Comfy beds & blankets
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Safe toys (no feathers or strings)
Visit our "Shop & Support" page to see our suggested supplies and playpens.
If you are using a bedroom as your starter room, it is best to block off underneath your bed entirely while creating other hiding spaces such as huts or using a play pen. A cat hiding under your bed will be difficult to interact and bond with.
I don't have a room I can use / I'm working with a very nervous pet.
You can also use a crate or a pet playpen (with a top & bottom) as long as there is distance created between your new cat(s) and resident pets. The minimum recommended size is 48" wide. Example set up:
How long should my new cat(s) stay in here?
We recommend at least 2 weeks. Other pets should not have access to this room. After two weeks, short spurts of exploration can be allowed while practicing slow and proper introductions with other pets. Read our guide to pet introductions here.
This room will probably remain the cat's "safe space" for a while, so make sure they retain access to it.
How do I let them explore?
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Start gradually by closing all doors to other rooms, leaving the starter room door open, so they can only see main rooms and hallways.
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You can slowly open doors to other rooms after a few days so they can begin to explore more areas as they acclimate.
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If you have other pets, give them the opportunity to do this at first while the other pets are closed in a different room.
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When you are not home or sleeping during the night, keep the cat(s) in the starter room for their safety.
Taking the time to ease your new cat(s) into their new home will ensure that they are securely integrated into your family.
