You picked up your cat yesterday. Now she's under the bed and you're Googling whether that's normal. It is — but there's a lot more to get right before the end of week one. The first seven days set the tone for months of trust, behavior, and health. Get the litter box placement wrong and she'll stop using it. Skip the early vet window and you miss problems that are cheap to treat now and expensive later. This guide goes through everything step by step so your first week isn't a guessing game.
Setting Up Before Your Cat Arrives
Most first-timers make the same mistake: they do nothing until the cat is already home, then scramble to find a litter box while a stressed animal runs circles around the apartment. Set everything up at least 24 hours before pickup.
You need five things ready: a litter box, litter, food and water bowls, a carrier-safe resting space, and somewhere to hide. Cats are den animals. A cardboard box with a blanket inside is enough — you don't need to spend $80 on a cat cave yet. Place the litter box in a quiet, low-traffic corner. Avoid putting it anywhere near the food bowls; cats find that as unpleasant as you'd find eating next to a toilet.
For litter, unscented clumping clay is the safest starting point. Cats can be finicky about texture and scent, and strongly scented varieties often deter them from using the box at all. Once you know your cat uses it reliably, you can experiment with alternatives like paper pellets or walnut-based litter. Vet tip: If your cat came from a shelter or rescue, ask exactly what litter they used. Match it for the first two weeks, then transition gradually if you want to switch.
Feeding: What to Give and How Often
The food question trips up almost every new owner. You'll want to buy whatever looks wholesome or is on sale. Resist that. The first rule is simple: match the life stage. Kittens need kitten-formula food; adult cats need adult food. The caloric density and protein ratios differ, and feeding the wrong stage causes nutritional gaps over time.
Three brands veterinarians consistently recommend: Royal Canin has breed-specific formulas for Maine Coon, Siamese, and Ragdoll cats and handles digestive sensitivity well. Hill's Science Diet is widely stocked in vet clinics and has a strong long-term track record. Purina Pro Plan is one of the few brands that meets AAFCO standards through actual feeding trials rather than formula calculation alone.
Wet food matters more than most people realize. Cats evolved getting most of their moisture from prey and have a low thirst drive — dry food alone doesn't compensate. Aim for at least one wet meal per day. Feed adults twice daily on a schedule, not free-choice. Free-feeding leads to obesity, one of the most preventable cat health problems. Most adult cats need 200–280 calories per day depending on size; check the feeding guide on the bag and don't eyeball portions.
The Litter Box Rules Nobody Tells You
The "one box per cat, plus one extra" rule exists because cats are territorial about elimination. Even with one cat, two boxes in separate locations prevent stress. In a multi-story home, one box per floor is the baseline.
Scoop every single day. A dirty box is the number one reason cats start going elsewhere, and once that habit forms it is genuinely hard to undo. Fully empty and wash the box with unscented soap once a week — avoid bleach or strong-smelling cleaners, as residual scent puts cats off. Covered boxes control odor for humans but some cats hate them, especially once the interior gets smelly between scoops. Start with an open box and switch only if your cat seems comfortable.
Warning: If your cat strains in the litter box, cries while urinating, or goes more than 24 hours without a visit, this is a medical emergency — especially in male cats. Urinary blockages can be fatal within 48 hours. Call your vet immediately, don't wait.
The Week-One Vet Visit
If your cat is newly adopted, a vet visit within the first seven days is strongly recommended — ideally within 72 hours. Many shelters and breeders require it by contract. The vet will check for parasites (ear mites, fleas, intestinal worms), assess weight and teeth, and verify the vaccination record. Bring any paperwork from the shelter or breeder. If your cat isn't already microchipped, it's an inexpensive add-on at the same appointment.
Even if the cat looks healthy, go anyway. Upper respiratory infections, ringworm, and intestinal parasites are common in shelter cats and often invisible to untrained eyes. Catching them in week one means a short cheap treatment rather than a prolonged expensive one. Ask about spay/neuter timing if it hasn't been done — for cats under six months they'll schedule it forward; for adults it's often the same week.
Vet tip: Bring a small sample of the cat's current food and a photo of the litter you're using. Your vet can flag concerns about either before habits are locked in.
Behavior in Week One: What's Normal and What Isn't
Hiding is normal. Most cats spend the first 24–72 hours in one spot — under a bed, in a closet, behind the sofa. Don't drag them out. Don't hover. Place food, water, and a litter box near their hiding spot and let them come to you. Hissing at you, at other pets, or at nothing in particular is also normal. Your cat is overwhelmed by new scents, sounds, and people. Keep introductions to other pets completely separate for the first week minimum.
What isn't normal and warrants a vet call: not eating for more than 48 hours, frequent sneezing or discharge from eyes or nose, diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours, or labored open-mouth breathing. If you have other cats at home, don't rush introductions. The standard protocol is scent-swapping — swap bedding between the new and existing cats for several days before any visual contact. Rushing this step is one of the top reasons cat households develop long-term aggression. If tensions escalate after introductions, our guide on how to handle a difficult cat covers de-escalation techniques that actually work.
For cats showing anxiety beyond typical hiding — excessive vocalization, self-grooming to the point of hair loss, or total food refusal — Feliway Classic Diffuser (available at Chewy and Petco) is a vet-recommended pheromone plug-in that reduces stress in new environments. Plug it in near the cat's safe space a day before she arrives. Once your cat has settled in, the full cat care library at Pretty Happy Pets has breed-specific advice, enrichment ideas, and long-term health guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a cat to adjust to a new home?
Most cats settle within one to four weeks. Shy or previously feral cats can take two to three months. Don't measure progress by affection — a cat that comes out of hiding to eat and use the litter box is making progress even if she's not sitting in your lap yet.
What should I not do in the first week with a new cat?
Don't force physical contact, don't introduce other pets immediately, don't move the litter box once it's placed, and don't vary the diet heavily — stick to one food for the first two weeks. Never use flea treatments labeled for dogs on a cat. Products containing permethrin are toxic to cats and can be fatal within hours of exposure.
When should a new cat see a vet?
Within the first 72 hours if possible, no later than seven days. Many rescue contracts require it. Early assessment catches parasites, infections, and weight issues that are far easier to treat in week one than months later.
Is it normal for a new cat to not eat for a day?
Yes, up to 24–36 hours is common from stress. Beyond 48 hours, call your vet. Cats that go without food for 72+ hours can develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), which is serious and expensive to treat. Offer strong-smelling wet food — tuna-based varieties often work when a cat is off food from stress.
Final Thoughts
The first week is mostly about keeping things calm, clean, and predictable. Your cat doesn't need activities or socializing yet — she needs a reliable litter box, food she recognizes, and a quiet corner to decompress in. Get those three things right and everything else follows from there.
