Like all cats, Bombays need time to settle into a new home. If you bring home a Bombay cat or kitten, don’t expect that the first few weeks of behaviour will be the pattern for the future. For example, your cat may be unsettled, nervous or excited. This will be demonstrated in their behaviour – withdrawn, extremely lively, demanding or in some cases aggressive. We have heard of a case where a Bombay cat was adopted from a cat sanctuary only to be taken back a fortnight later, as the family felt the cat was too difficult to live with.
This was a shame, as it was probably too early to tell what the cat would eventually settle down to be, and the owners missed out on a wonderful experience. Cats take a few weeks to settle into a new environment and need careful and sensitive handling during this time. There are a number of ways you can help your act settle in, and ensure that you create a bond with him from day one.
The routine of a cat is determined by a number of factors in their biorhythm such as hunger, sleep, need for company, toileting and more sleep! In the first few days of being in a new environment, it’s impossible to define your cat’s natural rhythm as he/she will be adapting to your home and its smells, tastes and feeling. A cat has many more sensory receptors in their nose and mouth, which means that any change of environment will affect their behaviour in some way – whether that be by making them excited, nervous or withdrawn (or all three).
Generally, cats settle down within a couple of weeks, and it’s only then that you can really start to understand their natural rhythm, and how they integrate with you and your family. Cats are adaptive to their environment – they will respond by waking up when they hear you get up and start to move around. When the house is quieter, they will sleep more deeply and take the time to find a cosy spot and relax. Initially, though, your cat will be on high alert as they learn about the sensory input your home provides, and as they become confident that this new environment is a safe and happy place to live.
There are some things you can do to help your cat settle in, and make life more comfortable for your cat. Remember, if you can provide consistency, routine, and some boundaries, your cat will actually feel safer and more settled. Don’t be put off if you experience some unkindly or aggressive behaviour from your new cat. This is his/his way of protecting themself from the unknown. If you stick to the ideas listed below, in no time at all your cat will be in love with you and will be a fun and delightful pet. They can then get on with doing what they know and love best – in the case of the Bombay cat, this is exploring and being curious; sitting alongside you as you work or rest; and playing and hunting, and sleeping.
Pre-Collection
If you have purchased your Bombay cat from a breeder or from a cat sanctuary they will probably advise you to leave an item of clothing with them for a week or so before you collect your cat, so that he can acclimatise himself with your scent. If you have bought your cat from another owner, ask whether you could still do this for at least a few days before collection, as this will help your cat make the change of environment more easily, already knowing the smells to expect when they come to your house – which will be his new home.
Check the cat’s immunisation and neutering or spaying record, and when he last had a flea and tick treatment, and course of worming tablets (especially if it is an outdoor cat – which many Bombay cats are). As well as following our tips for checking the health of your Bombay cat, it’s a much better sign if the previous owner can demonstrate a record of treatment for your new cat before you buy it.
Boundaries
When you first bring your cat home, it’s best to confine him to one room of the house for the first 24-48 hours, just so that he is not overwhelmed. You may want to put the item of clothing you used to help your cat acclimatise to your scent in a cosy corner or cardboard box. Bombay cats are naturally curious and will soon settle down, enjoying your familiar smell and also the confinement of a box – which to a cat is reassuring and emits safety.
You can also place his food bowls and toileting necessities (litter tray) in the room – but keep them as far apart as possible. Bombay cats are meticulously clean animals and groom themselves thoroughly each day (unless they are ill). They do not like their litter tray near their food bowl! (Would you?)!
It’s also a good idea to have a couple of cat toys that your Bombay can play with nearby. You will also want to use these to create a bond with your cat in the early days. Your Bombay will soon start to nudge you and come towards you for a stroke or a cuddle. If you can sit still in this room and relax, he will probably climb onto your lap and be happy to receive some much needed attention.
After a couple of days, your cat will start to be much more familiar with you and with his environment, and will know this room well. You can then start to open the doors to other areas of your house, until your cat is free to roam around more and piece together the layout of his new home. At this stage, it is too early to allow your cat outside. Although Bombay cats are notoriously bright, and able to figure out complex pathways, don’t put this to the test just yet! Your cat still needs a couple of weeks until your home smells and senses are embedded in his brain, and he will not wander off and get lost when curiosity gets the upper hand!
Feeding
After your cat has started to settle in (after 48 hours) you may want to find a place in your home where you can keep your cat’s food and water more permanently. A consistent feeding place is important to a Bombay cat and is very disconcerting if the food bowls keep being moved.
A Bombay cat’s natural inclination for hunting will be stimulated if he thinks he needs to hunt for his own food because he is not sure where his food bowls can be found. His natural sense of smell will lead him to the food, but it is better to provide a consistent area so that the smell of a mouse is not more attractive than the smell of the delicious food you have provided!
Ensure that you know how much food (either wet or dry) is needed for your cat (you can find this by weighing your cat and using the guide on the side of the cat food packet to assess the amount), and provide this at a regular time each day. Your cat will then build his own routine around feeding times, and will learn when this will be and anticipate it. Regular feeding also bonds your cat to you as his basic needs are being met. Don’t be surprised if your cat wants to nudge you with his head as you put the food down – this is his way of saying ‘thank you’! It’s not him trying to push you away!
Sleeping
Bombay cats love to sleep in the strangest of places – beds, boxes, drawers, cupboards Ensure you have some areas of his first room where he can hide away, or sleep quietly in a corner or on a rug. Once your Bombay has settled into your home and knows it well, he will find his own preferential places for a snooze. Over time, these will probably change slightly. In the initial few days and weeks, expect your cat to return to his own favourite spots which he finds familiar and reassuring.
Conclusion
By providing warmth, consistency, attention and routine, you will be sending your Bombay cat all the right messages that you love him and care for him. In return, you can expect some initially lively behaviour which will soon settle down and become attentive and talkative in time.
We have had our Bombay cat for four and half years and in that time she has become an important part of our family. The first few days we had her, we were wondering what kind of cat she was, and on discovering that she was a Bombay, we spent time finding out as much about her breed as possible. We understand her much more now and can interpret all her little meows and gurgly calls. It is like her own cat speech! In the early days she occasionally scratched our legs and was a bit aggressive. We realise now that is because she was unnerved and feeling uncertain of her new surroundings. After a few weeks we saw her inherent nature and began to appreciate the lovely, gregarious and friendly cat that she really is.
We’ve learnt what a Bombay cat needs to settle into his new home and we hope that this article will help you too as you begin to settle your new Bombay cat and make him part of your family.