[Aphrodite]

A little intro first...I asked a while back about getting a shelter animal, and today I adopted her! Her name is Jenna and she is a 6 year old domestic short-haired cat. I got acquainted with her today and tomorrow I will be taking her home (they need to do her dental procedures before she comes home.) I have never personally owned a cat though my family did for some time while I was a kid. I've already set up her litter box, food and water, her bed and toys and gotten a collar. She will be living with me alone in my apartment. She has been declawed, microchipped, and all of her medical procedures have been taken care of up to date. Her previous owners gave her to the shelter because she 'didn't get along with the new kitten.'Now for my question...As a first-time cat owner, how can I help her settle in, feel comfortable, and are there any things I need to know as a new cat owner? Thanks!!

[daytonafun_tim]

the FIRST thing u should do (once u get the cat @ home) is IMMEDIATELY show it the litter box. Just take the cat, and sit it in there... It will smell it acouple times and know that this is the "business" area. Then, after that, just show it love and affection. Some cats "relocate" differently than others. I found a free cat in my newspaper, and when I brought him home, he hid in our basement for like 2-3 weeks. Then, he started to come out of his shell. And it took him over a year to really start to like me....Sometimes, it depends with an older cat, and how many people you'll have around that they have to get used to. Since you live alone, and in apartment (not a big house), you should be fine.

[shellks]

I brought in an "outdoor" cat that was headed to a shelter. He's been here almost 6 years and has never wandered. Just give her the love she craves. Show her where the box is and let her roam. Let her hide under the bed. Let her decide it's HOME. She'll love you always for it!!

[Dorothy and Toto]

Get a cardboard box and cut a door in it--and put in a towel, or a baby blanket. let the cat have as many days in its box as it wants, and it will acclimate at its own pace. Speak gently to it, and move slowly around it till it relaxes. Stroke it when it comes up to you, and it will bond. Best of luck.

[melis]

Keep her confined to one room for at least the first few days, preferably a quiet one. It's less of an upheaval to become familiar with a smaller area first. Once she's comfortable and you start letting her, she'll investigate the rest of her new home at her own pace. If she's nervous around you at first, one thing that might help is putting an unwashed blanket or item of clothing in her bed. It'll carry your scent, and she'll become accustomed to it and associate it with comfort.Also, since she's declawed, make sure you keep her as an indoor cat. If she does slip out on accident she most likely still has her rear claws and would be at least partially capable of taking care of herself, but it's always safer to keep cats indoors if possible.Some cats adjust instantly to their new surroundings, but some others can take months. Be patient and accomodating, and she'll bring a lot of joy to your life. Congratulations!