Helping your cat adopt his house

It's up to him

It’s your cat who will decide when he’s ready to make your AnimHouse his home. Never force him to stay inside or trap him in it, as this could leave a bad memory, scare him, and he may never want to return.

Be patient

Be very patient! It may take several weeks or even months before your cat truly decides to enter, eat, and sleep in the house. They will only go inside if they feel comfortable and unafraid. 

 Every cat is different, and yours may adopt its new home much faster. 

Attract them with food

Gradually move their food closer to the house, starting from the entrance and eventually inside with the door open. Take your time and repeat the process for several days without forcing them. Only when they start eating regularly and naturally inside should you begin to close the door and teach them how to use the cat flap.

on't leave wet food inside the house for several days, as it will spoil, just like in your home.

Kibble can stay for a few days, but you should regularly check its freshness as well.

If you activate the heating and ventilation, the humidity in the house will remain at a normal level, which will help keep the kibble fresh for longer. You can check the humidity level yourself through the app.

Reassure, praise, reward

Reassure your cat if they seem fearful, praise them for every small achievement, and reward them with a treat.

Place a cushion or blanket that fits your cat's size. Since the house is heated, there is no need for a thick blanket or a closed basket—opt for a soft cushion or blanket where they will feel comfortable.

Smells

It’s all about scents. Your cat will need to spread its scent inside the house to show other cats that this is part of their territory. If another cat enters the house and you notice that your cat no longer wants to go inside, it may be necessary to clean the house.

Place your cat’s favorite blanket inside the bedroom area so they can find their familiar scent.

Temperature

If your cat isn't sensitive to cold or has thick fur, they might prefer to sleep outside in the summer, on your terrace chair or under the garden hedge. 

Don't worry, when the weather turns rainy or the temperature drops to around 5-6 degrees, they will be happy to find a warm, dry shelter.

Observe where your cat likes to sleep inside your home. Do they stay close to the radiator or prefer cooler spots? Adjust the temperature in the AnimHouse accordingly, so they are neither too hot nor too cold..

Location

Our houses are designed to stay outside. You can place them in your yard or garden. If possible, avoid placing them in direct sunlight to prevent the temperature from getting too high in summer. The house can withstand rain or snow without issue.

For your cat's comfort, avoid placing the house in noisy areas or drafty spots, and they will appreciate it.

Inspection

Regularly inspect the condition of the house. An active cat will enter and leave multiple times a day, possibly bringing in leaves, twigs, small slugs, dirt, etc...

It's a good idea to regularly check the house and clean it if necessary. 

The door and ventilation are equipped with screens, and the house is slightly elevated to prevent insects from entering. However, it’s still possible for one to slip inside when you open the roof or if it comes in with your cat, so it's a good idea to check from time to time.

Cleaning

The exterior can be cleaned with water, a hose, or a sponge. The interior should be cleaned with a damp cloth. Avoid spilling water on the electronic components, of course.

Wi-Fi

Your house will connect to Wi-Fi. Place it near a good signal for strong reception. If needed, install a Wi-Fi repeater near the house if the signal is too weak. In case of Wi-Fi loss, the house will continue to operate independently, but you won't be able to monitor the status on your smartphone. Once Wi-Fi is restored, the house will automatically reconnect.

Electrical connection

Your house needs to be connected to a 220V power supply for its operation and heating. In case of a power outage, your house will temporarily be non-functional (no heating, ventilation, or remote connection). However, your cat will still be able to exit the house without any problem, no matter what happens. When the power returns, your house will automatically become functional again.

Application

Remote management is done via an app that you can install on your smartphone.

It will give you access to various configurations and settings of the house, such as temperature control, ventilation settings, secure door configuration, presence detection, camera view, and food and water level detection. The app can be installed on multiple smartphones if you wish.