When you’re a new cat owner, you want only the best for your child’s fur. How can you make your home as welcoming as possible when everything is new to you and your cat? What can you do to help your cat feel safe, healthy and happy? Every first-time cat owner’s checklist should include cat scratchers, extra litter boxes, and plenty of playtime. Here are 10 great tips all new cat owners should know.

1. Help your cat feel safe and secure

Your cat will be a little shy at first, so try to make your home as welcoming as possible. It’s perfectly normal for your cat to get nervous and hide from you. Cats generally don’t like change, and you may need time to get used to all the new smells and sounds in your home.

You can help by giving your cat her own room or place where she can retreat and feel safe. Put a comfortable bed there so you can snuggle up. Some cats may prefer an enclosed bed in which they can hide when they are tired. Also put two toys of catnip and a soft blanket inside.

Set up a Comfort Zone diffuser throughout the house, ideally, plug one into an outlet in each room where your cat will spend the most time. These diffusers release a drug- and odor-free vapor that mimics the pheromones released by cats to signal that the area is safe and secure. It’s kind of like sending a signal in your cat’s language to help improve her mental health. When your cat feels safe, she is less likely to experience stress such as scratching and spraying. For households with more than one cat, try the Comfort Zone Multi-Cat Diffuser. You can also choose the Comfort Zone calming collar, which has a BreakAway safety feature.

2. Visit the vet

Find a great vet for your cat, schedule an appointment to check up on her, and make sure her vaccinations are up to date. Consider getting an electronic chip for him, too. Keep the microchip number and photo of your new cat on your phone in case it escapes. You’ll be glad you did.

3. Introduce your cat to other pets slowly

When bringing a new cat home, introduce it slowly to your other pets, such as your dog. Keep your new cat in a separate room and feed your pets on either side of the closed door. Put each pet’s blanket in the other pet’s room and switch rooms occasionally so they get used to each other’s scents. Eventually, you go out to feed them on either side of the closed gate and then try to make supervised visits. Watch their body language every step of the way so you can separate them if necessary.

4. Try different types of trash and bins

It’s usually a good idea to have one litter box for each cat, as well as an extra one. ¹   Kittens can get a bit territorial around litter boxes, so make sure your new cat has enough space.

You may also want to try different styles of litter and bins. Some cats prefer a softer litter, while long-haired cats prefer crystal litter that does not stick to their fur. Cats may like covered boxes, uncovered boxes, boxes with low edges, or other types. Keep litter boxes away from heavy traffic or loud noises. Remember to clean your cat’s litter every day and deep clean once a week.

If your new cat doesn’t bury her poop, try these steps to help encourage this behavior.

5. Use high quality food and keep your cat away from anything dangerous

Cats are fed high quality foods. AvoDerm wet and dry cat food is a great place to start. You’ll find plenty of flavors to choose from.

Make sure to avoid human foods that are toxic to cats, and keep only houseplants that are safe for your cat. Cats are really good at getting into everything, so lock up on anything that might harm your baby’s fur, like cleaning products.

6. Get creative with bowls of food and water

If you have dogs, you should know that they sometimes like to eat cat food. Consider using a window-mounted food bowl for your cat. You can keep it high, where the dog can not reach it.

Cats tend to drink less water than they actually need. Set up water containers in different places in your home and consider using filtered containers. You may also want to try a water fountain bowl because some cats prefer to drink running water. It’s more oxygen so it tastes better for them and they can hear it running letting them know it’s fresher. ²

7. Create an attractive indoor environment

Although cats tend to be safer when they are indoors, they can also get bored. Create an attractive indoor environment for your new cat. Set up flats and cat trees so your cat can climb. Open the awnings and set up the windows to give your cat a little “cat TV” to watch outside. Place the bird feeder outside the window for added fun. Get plenty of toys (some with catnip) for your cat to play with, including interactive toys when you’re not around.

8. Prepare Cat Scratchers

Cats need to scratch to remove the dead outer layers of their claws, to stretch their bodies, and to help mark their territory. ³   Rubbing can also be a way to show happiness or relieve stress. If you don’t offer a scratcher, your cat will resort to your carpet or furniture.

It is better to provide a lot of cat scratching than not enough. Place the scratchers in different rooms where your cat likes to spend time. Consider trying both vertical and horizontal scratchers, because some cats will only use one type.

9. Have a little fun outdoors

Even if you are not comfortable letting your cat roam outside, you can still enjoy safe outdoor adventures together. Set up an enclosed outdoor space for your cat to play in, such as a katio or a cat tent hanging on the ground. You can also put your cat on a safety harness and take him outside for a short walk in the backyard using a leash.

Your cat will need to get used to the inner harness first. The tummy will “crawl” on the floor a bit before they get comfortable with the belt, and some may not move at all for a few minutes while they get used to feeling it. But most people will learn to love it over time, especially after they realize that wearing a belt means that they will go out.

10. Play with your cat

Spend plenty of time playing with your new cat. This keeps her brain engaged and helps her develop good socializing skills. Have her chase a feather stick around the house, or hold a treat in your hand and encourage your cat to chase you up and down the hall. Clicker training is another great way to build your relationship with your cat and keep her mind in a state of challenge. ⁴

Welcoming a new fur baby into your life is one of the greatest joys of owning a pet. Just follow these 10 tips to create the perfect environment for a happy and healthy cat home.