Begin with a smaller world
Choose one quiet room with a hiding place, a comfortable bed, a scratching surface, food, water and a litter box placed away from the bowls. Let the cat leave the carrier in its own time. Keep the room available as a retreat after the rest of the home opens up.
Build a predictable rhythm
Offer the familiar food initially and keep feeding and cleaning times consistent. Sit nearby without demanding contact. Play at a comfortable distance and reward voluntary approaches. A cat that stays hidden may still be learning the sounds and smells of its new environment.
Introduce the household gradually
Allow exploration one area at a time. Ask visitors and children to avoid chasing, lifting or cornering the cat. Other pets need a staged introduction, beginning with separation and scent exchange. A first meeting is not a test that must be completed on the first day.
Keep a short arrival record
Write down eating, drinking, litter use and behavior. Arrange veterinary care and identification updates. Contact a veterinarian promptly if the cat is not eating or appears unwell; do not assume every change is simply stress.
A useful next step
Choose one manageable improvement and make a note of what changes. Use the practical tools to organize the details, and return to the discussion to share what you learned.