The way you introduce your new cat to your home makes a  difference in his adjustment.

Cats are creatures of habit. When you bring your darling to your home, you are taking your cat out of a familiar environment, putting him into a vehicle, introducing him to new people and/or new pets, do not expect him to adjust immediately. This is a lot to ask, and no matter how wonderful your family and your home are, the most socialized cat is going to be stressed and even
nervous! To make the transition as smooth as possible, take things slowly and give your cat plenty of time to get used to his new home-
your new darling may even hide for a time.

Begin preparing for your new Siberian before you bring your darling home , make some plans ahead of time will make the transition to a new home much easier for you and your cat. If you have no other cats, kitten or cat proof your home. Find a veterinarian you can trust. One that knows cats and knows Siberian Cats, if possible.

Make sure you have a sturdy travel crate( not a cardboard box) for the cat to ride in. When cats are nervous, they feel more secure in an enclosed space. An unrestrained cat can be a driving hazard. Having your cat in a carrier makes cleanup easier in case the cat vomits, urinates or defecates, which some cats will do if they are nervous or car sick.

To limit changes, your new pet will need to have the same food to gradually switch if you are feeding something different than the breeder feeds. Remember if you want to change brands later,  change slowly by mixing the new brand in with the old brand.

Before you bring your new cat home, put his food, water, toys, scratching post, and litter pan in a quiet room you can close off, perhaps a spare bedroom or bathroom. If the new cat is shy, fearful, or you have other cats, the use of the product Feliway may be helpful. Feliway is a product that was designed to help reduce anxiety in cats. It contains pheromones from the cat's face. Pheromones are chemicals which are used to communicate with other
members of the same species. You may notice that a cat often rubs her face and chin on vertical surfaces. It is leaving a scent there which contains these pheromones. The pheromones from the face have a calming effect on other cats. You may wish to spray Feliway in the cat's new room, in the cat carrier before and after you pick up the
cat, and around the house, if you have other cats. Alternatively, you can purchase a plug-in form of this product to use in the home.

Cats need to become thoroughly familiar with new surroundings before they feel comfortable. An entire apartment or house can be overwhelming all at once. Many cats will hide under beds or furniture, sometimes for days. It will be much less stressful for your cat to learn about you, your family and your home a little at a time. This is even
more important if there are multiple people and/or pets in your home.

When you bring your cat home, place him in the room you have made his, keep this room closed off, and let him explore that area first. Let the cat come out of his crate on his own; do not try to coax him or tip the crate to force him out. Cats are curious and will come out to investigate. If the cat seems very
timid, you can leave the room for a while and check back later. Speak to the cat softly and gently. You can stay and read a book. When the cat is ready to come out, stay where you are and let him come to you. Talk in a soft, reassuring tone, pet him, play with him but do not try to pick him up until he feels secure. Leave the open carrier in the room, so that he has a safe retreat if he need one. Trust takes time. Give him time to learn that he can trust you.


Introduce other family members slowly-one at a time. Don't overwhelm your new cat with a family reunion. Have them come into the room one at a time to pet and play with the cat. Have younger children sit down, then show them how to gently stroke the cat's fur and offer her a few treats. Make certain that children understand that they are not to chase the cat, hurt her or bother her while she eats, sleeps or uses the litter box. If there are no other pets, you can let the cat begin to explore the rest of the house in a few days.

If you are bringing your new cat into a home with other cats, keep in mind that there are diseases and parasites that cats can transmit to each other, and some of these are fatal. Even if your kitty is perfectly healthy, cats can transmitt germs to each other. Just like day care for kids. 

When introduced to another pet, do not be surprised if there is some initial hissing. Help the cats get used to each other's scent by rubbing a towel over each of them in turn.  After a few days, take
the new cat out of its room, put the old cat in that room with the door closed, and let the new cat begin to explore the rest of the house for a few hours each evening. Be sure to give your older cat plenty of attention.

It is not unusual to hear occasional hissing, but this should decrease as the days go by.  Do not leave them alone for any length of time until you are sure they will get along well. Provide one more litter box than the number of cats in the household.

Introducing your new Siberian to a home where there is a dog is a little different. Keep them separated, with the cat in its own room, for the first few days. Then pick a time when the dog is outside or crated, and let the cat begin to explore the rest of the house. Once the cat seems comfortable in the house, you can begin introducing the dog and the cat. Keep the dog on a short leash, give the command for a sit or a down/stay and allow the cat to come into the room. If the dog is remaining quiet and the cat seems interested, let the cat come over and investigate the dog. It is helpful if you dog knows the command to leave it. The main concerns here are that the dog might get aggressive, or that the cat might claw at the dog's face. Knowing some of your new cat's previous history can help you know what to expect. Some dogs are wonderful with cats, while some can be a threat. There are some dogs who instinctively see small animals as prey.Monitor the dog and cat closely and do not leave them alone together until you are certain they will get along well.
Make sure there are safe retreats in the house where the cat can get away from the dog. A baby gate works well. Make sure litter boxes are out of the dog's reach, also, to prevent the dog from eating feces and/or litter, or keeping a frightened cat from using the litter box.


Knowing your cat's history, taking care to pick a cat likely to fit in well with your household  and taking the time to gradually introduce the new kitty, will greatly increase the chances of your new cat becoming a happy,  member of your family.

Cat trees and toys can make your new Siberian feel at home.