Yes. A bright, playful kitten can still carry fleas, roundworms, ringworm spores, or an upper respiratory virus without immediate symptoms. A 10- to 14-day quarantine protects resident pets—especially seniors, unvaccinated animals, and those on immune-suppressing medication—by creating a window for a veterinary exam, fecal testing, and the start of parasite prevention before close contact begins.
Cat Care FAQ
Practical answers to frequently asked cat care questions.
Most animal shelters reference the "3-3-3 rule" as a reliable decompression timeline: three days to overcome the initial shock, three weeks to learn your household routines, and three months to build true trust and feel fully settled. However, every feline's timeline is unique based on their background. Confident adult cats may claim the living room within days, while shy rescues or feral-leaning felines might take several months to comfortably reveal their true personalities.
Nighttime vocalization is a frequent adjustment behavior caused by disorientation, stress, and natural feline crepuscular instincts (being most active at dawn and dusk). A recently rehomed cat may pace the hallways crying as they map out unfamiliar territory or search for previous bonded mates. To help them sleep, establish a predictable evening routine, engage in vigorous interactive play with a wand toy right before bed, and provide a late-night meal to trigger their natural hunt-eat-sleep cycle.
A cat missing a single litter box trip due to travel stress is common, but straining to urinate, crying in the box, or producing zero urine is a strict medical emergency. This is particularly critical for male cats, who are highly susceptible to life-threatening urethral blockages. If your new pet has not urinated in 24 hours, repeatedly visits the litter box without output, or excessively licks their genital area, take them to a veterinary clinic immediately.
You should call a vet if an adult cat refuses all food for 24 hours. While a temporary drop in appetite is a common response to moving stress, felines that stop eating entirely are at high risk for hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), which can be fatal. For kittens, senior cats, or overweight pets, the timeline is even shorter. To encourage eating, try offering the exact brand of food they had at the shelter, warm up strong-smelling wet food, or leave meals in a quiet, secluded room.
It is entirely normal for a new cat to hide for the first few days while they decompress in an unfamiliar environment. Many felines will stay under furniture or in a closet during daylight, only emerging at night when the house is quiet to eat, drink, or use the litter box. Instead of pulling them out—which can break trust—sit nearby, speak softly, and let them approach you. However, if they remain completely hidden without eating or eliminating for a full 24 hours, you should consult a veterinarian.
If the cat stops eating for a full day, avoids water, shows signs of physical illness like vomiting or lethargy, hides without any recovery behavior (like eating or grooming), or develops sudden aggression or elimination changes, a veterinary check is necessary. Stress and medical issues can look similar, and cats often hide discomfort, so professional evaluation is the safest step.
Use a slow-introduction protocol starting with full separation in a private room. Gradually exchange scents by swapping bedding, then allow visual access through a cracked door or barrier. Follow with short, supervised meetings, rewarding calm behavior. Only expand freedom when both cats appear relaxed and are not guarding resources. This prevents hostile patterns from becoming habitual and lowers overall stress.
Red flags include refusing food for more than 24 hours, not using the litter box or missing it repeatedly, panting or trembling, continuous hiding without eating or grooming, excessive meowing or escape attempts, sudden aggression, and overgrooming. If any of these persist, it may indicate the cat is struggling more than a typical shy cat and needs environmental changes or veterinary evaluation.
During the first 72 hours, cats often rely on adrenaline to cope with a new environment, which can mask underlying stress. They may appear calm or curious. Around Day 4, as that initial hormonal surge fades, the true stress response becomes more visible, leading to behaviors like increased hiding, appetite loss, or avoidance. This is called the “stress plateau,” and it signals that the cat is no longer running on emergency reserves.