Have you had your heart set on bringing home a feline friend? Do you think your home is ready for anew addition? Cats are a fun addition to your home, and there are plenty of felines in need of love. June is adopt a cat month, so let’s spread the news! Head over to your local animal hospital or humane society and pick up your new best friend.

You may be asking yourself, “Am I ready to bring home a cat? Is my home cat friendly?” Bringing home a new pet may seem daunting, but never fear. Here are a few pointers to guide you in the right direction.

When first bringing home a kitten/adult cat, the overall experience for them can be a little scary. Thereare new sounds, smells, and places to roam. If you have other pets, this can take some time to get used to as well. It’s best to set up a room for your new kitty to adjust before letting them romp around the rest of the house. Consider a guest room or even a bathroom set up with their food, water, and litter box. Let them roam around the enclosed space by themselves before letting them out to meet other pets or explore the rest of your home.

If there are other animals in the home, keep them in their own separate living areas. It’ll take time to adjust animals to one another so it’s best not to rush the process. A good option for them to get used to one another is letting them smell each other’s bedding, toys, etc. When you decide it’s time for them to meet, watch them closely and stay in the room. Place them in an area where there are adequate hiding spots so they feel like they have places to get away from one another. Encourage meeting one another and playing, and make sure to use positive tones of voice.

Again, the adjusting process takes time and patience, and it’s best to take things one step at a time. Your new family friend will definitely want to explore and make your home their home. All in all, have fun getting to know you cat’s personality and how they adjust to their new and loving home!