Moving into a busy Indian flat is sensory overload. Stop the 'welcome parties' and do this instead.
Your home sounds like a concert to a new pet. Pressure cookers, horns, and doorbells keep their stress hormones at peak levels. They need a reset.
Pick one low-traffic room, like a study or guest room. This isn't a cage; it's a buffer where they don't have to patrol the whole flat.
Vitrified tiles and marble are slippery and cause panic. Lay down a stable cotton dhurrie so your pet feels grounded and secure underfoot.
In India, our ceiling fans are the perfect white noise. Keep it at speed 3 to mask street honking without creating scary 'wind' sensations.
Incense or strong floor cleaners are like shouting at their nose. Keep the air neutral for the first week so they can find their own scent.
Place one of your unwashed cotton shirts in their bed. It lets them learn your 'smell profile' safely without the pressure of direct touch.
Sit in the room and read a book. Don't stare or call them. Let them realize you're a safe, non-threatening presence in their new territory.
Expect 3 days of overwhelm, 3 weeks of settling, and 3 months to build trust. A stressed brain cannot learn, so delay the training.
Sudden running is often a stress release, not just play. If they're panting or refusing paneer treats, they need more quiet time.
Heavy blackout curtains (like those from FabIndia) kill external street noise and dim the light, encouraging deep, restorative sleep.
Heavy blackout curtains kill external street noise and dim the light, encouraging deep, restorative sleep to lower their cortisol.
This isn't just a room; it's clinical recovery. By controlling the environment, you're giving their nervous system the space to choose trust over fear.