Well we just got a new cat last week. Her foster mom told me to keep her in one room for a week to get her used to the new house scent. Well its been a week, so this morning we let her out. Now all she does is run around like crazy, and if you approach her she runs away! She used to be so affectionate and loving, but now it seems like she can't do anything but run around! Is this normal? What should I do?
2006-09-30 10:51:15 · 20 answers · asked by Kiera S 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
She's not mental, she's overwhelmed. Imagine how you'd feel if a couple of giants placed you in one room....a single room, and that's all you knew for a whole week (to a cat, especially a kitten, a week is a very long time).....and then they suddenly let you out into this big, unknown space! You'd be flipping out, too, lol.
I'd say only let her out of her room sparingly. Walk around with her in your arms so she feels secure in the rest of the house before being left on the floor under all the "giant" things. Once she's been able to "explore" the house with your help, she may calm down a bit.
Other than that, give it time. She will calm down, but only a little since she's still a kitten. Make sure you've kitten-proofed your home (they get into EVERYTHING), and just let her grow. With age, she'll slow down a bit.
Don't listen to everyone saying you're mean or wrong for putting her in one room for a week....especially if you have other pets. This is actually considered one of the best ways to introduce a cat into your home. Dogs, too (crate training is supposed to start from the moment you bring a dog into your home).
Don't walk at her for a while....she's already overwhelmed by all the new big stuff and space, you coming at her will probably just stress her more. Sit on the floor a good distance from her, talk soothingly, and offer treats from your hand. Just be patient and she'll be fine:)
2006-09-30 13:33:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's true that she needs to get settled in. Try to calm her by offering her food, and then when she eats it slowly approache her. It may not have been the best idea to keep her shut in one room for a week. All the new things she's experiencing now are probably a little overwhelming.
All cats can be quite hyperactive at times, especially if they are young and unused to their surroundings and company
2006-09-30 17:53:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think thats normal she will probably soon get used to it all and be more calm.... imagine how scared you would be if you were traped in a tiny room for a week then you came out and everything was new and it was a huge house to get used 2?? and as far as you approacing her well that should go away 2 after she get used to you, your family, and your house! Hope this helps bye!
2006-09-30 17:55:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think a week in solitary confinement was a bit much but you haven't scarred her for likfe. A day or two should have been fine with visits from "Mommy". She will settle down but go get her some catnip, she'll love you forever. If she is real young or real old she may not take to it, but all of my cats just love it!
Good luck
2006-09-30 18:43:05 · answer #4 · answered by mickeyg1958 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never heard of shutting a cat in one room when you bring her home. That's barbaric. She needs to get used to the family she will be living with right away. Now, all she can think about is maybe she will be doing something wrong and will have to be shut up again. Whoever gave you that advice knows nothing about animals. All you can do now is love the cat and treat her like part of the family, and never take advice from that "foster" person again.
2006-09-30 18:04:54 · answer #5 · answered by phy333 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Cats go mental when they are moved. My cat, that I had from a tiny kitten, hissed and cowered from me when we moved, 2 different times. Just leave her alone, and don't approach her until she settles down. Just talk nice to her with your hands hidden, and don't move towards her until she moves towards you. She will get used to the new place and act like her old self eventually.
And shutting her in a room was perfectly OK, the whole house is much too overwhelming, with too many doors to watch. Cats are strange animals, with a lot of the wild beast still in them.
2006-09-30 18:00:26 · answer #6 · answered by chante 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Indoor cats will run through the whole house, this is normal. They are just penting the build up energy from not being able to run free. Sounds like your kitty is happy to be out of that one room!! Give her time, she will calm down.
2006-09-30 17:55:00 · answer #7 · answered by One Sly Look 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
very normal for a new situation. My cat didn't want to walk into our new house about 3 years ago. Try to make it comforting for them. Add treats around the house to calm his 'exploring' down. Try to spend a lot of time with them. As new as it to you, they don't understand where the other house is. Its like you trying to understand Russian.
2006-09-30 18:34:54 · answer #8 · answered by psucaspurr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats what my cat did she is probaly bored and wants you to play with her or maybe your rushing the house thing
and how would you know that she used to be affectionate and loving if you've just had this cat for a week give it time
2006-09-30 17:59:40 · answer #9 · answered by Zoey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just let her go...she has been cooped up in 1 room for a whole week and now she is free to roam the house and its a whole new house that she has never been in she is just excited and im sure she has alot of pent up energy dont worry just let her be and by tomorrow she will be back to how she was
2006-09-30 17:53:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋