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Cat groomer’s expert advice on which brushes are the best
by Darina Schweizer
Adopting a cat, part 3: those turbulent first 24 hours
19/2/2025
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Pictures: Darina Schweizer
The decision has been made: my husband and I have chosen two shelter cats. Here’s all the excitement from their arrival and first night with us.
«It’s obvious, isn’t it: Haru and Olly» – «One of them will definitely be Lorenzo.» My husband and I have rarely disagreed as much as we did after our visit to the animal shelter. He fancied a stocky, red tomcat plus his partner, while I had fallen for a petite couple.
I don’t want to say I prevailed. But after extensive debate, we finally ended up with my choice, given their trusting and harmonious nature: Haru and Olly. Or as we name them, Jasper and Joy.
A tactical retreat
Less than a week later, the time comes: the JJs arrive. The first nosey that pokes out of the transport box is orange. It’s Joy, the (usually) reserved female. She begins to meticulously walk and sniff around our living room. Then it’s off under the sofa. Jasper, the (usually) trusting male, follows her.
I’m used to cats doing this: in new environments, they retreat to a safe place from where they can observe various goings-on. In doing so, they keep seeing our eyes poking under the sofa – a sign they can trust us.
From a cat’s point of view, however, only the food bowls we put out are truly familiar. According to guides (page in German), cat parents should bring food to new animals near their hiding place. Just like the litter box. This way, the sofa becomes a fortress. But are we really seen as enemies?
It sure feels so at first. Although Jasper and Joy were incredibly cuddly at the shelter, they shy away at every little noise and refuse to be stroked within our four walls. We’d almost be let down if we didn’t observe slow change…
This territory is expanding faster than the Mongol Empire. Little by little, we adapt entirely to feline wishes. We drape blankets on the armchair and sofa, place cardboard boxes in front of them and stow fragile decorative figurines in the cupboard. We leave our tree of fairy lights sparkling for the time being.
Jasper seems to like it. He immediately jumps onto the TV furniture and starts playing with the moving branches. Leave or remove? Scold or ignore? We’re in a tough spot, but for the time being we let him go everywhere – apart from the dining table and stove. They’re the only restricted zones.
A conquest of foreign territories
No matter how high up, occupied or narrow a piece of furniture is: Jasper will conquer it. Joy is the cautious one in tow. The dynamic between the two quickly becomes clear: wherever he goes, she’s three steps behind him. If he’s out of sight, she calls for him. And if she does dare go somewhere on her own, she purrs to encourage herself. That’s probably what affirmations for cats sound like.
It’s where we open the first can of wet food. Jasper pounces on it as if he were on the verge of starvation. Joy barely moves – and is pushed aside after 15 seconds when Jasper moves from his empty food bowl to hers, which is still half full. Food over love, it seems.
I can already sense that this could become a problem. As could Joy’s joy of digging. The cat litter is spread all over the floor after she goes to the toilet. Let’s just hope they stay quiet at night.
One thing in advance: the coming nights are much quieter. The first meow doesn’t sound until 9 a.m. – maybe because we don’t feed them straight after getting up on principle, or maybe simply because we’re lucky. But honestly, what cat household doesn’t need a bit of that? As they say, «All you need is love… and a cat.»
*Going forward, I’ll be reporting on everything new cat parents need to know. Which toys, scratching posts, food and litter trays are any good, which cat nets make balconies safe, how to stop cats from devouring their meals and much more. Follow me to not miss a thing! And if you’ve also lived a first night with cats, why not tell us about it in a comment?
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI love anything with four legs or roots - especially my shelter cats Jasper and Joy and my collection of succulents. My favourite things to do are stalking around with police dogs and cat coiffeurs on reportages or letting sensitive stories flourish in garden brockis and Japanese gardens.
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