I just got a cat (he is 3 years old) I brought him home and put him in my room and he ran under my bed and wouldn't come out. We finally took out my bed frame and just left the boxspring and mattress so there was nothing to hide under. He went behind my entertainment center and my boyfriend set up a little hut that he hides under now, but he is more out in the open than under the bed. He has a litter box, food water and toys in there. Last night he finally used the litter box and when my roommate went to check on him because we heard banging upstairs he said he must've been walking around because he was out in the open lying on my bed. My roommate went up later and said the little hut was flipped over and the cat put the towel I layed for him into the water bowl and when my roommate tried to put the box back the cat hissed at him. This morning when I checked on him, the towel was back in the water bowl. I don't know what to do, he isn't eating and I am worried.
2006-10-04 03:36:58 · 21 answers · asked by zeppmoondreamer 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Just act nonchalant & ignore the furry beast. Talk to the furball in a low friendly voice. Cat's, unlike dogs, have the attitude that they own you.
Try not to approach; rather wait for him to explore & come to you!
You never know how he was treated by the last owner (example, did owner's last child tease cat, etc.) Some cat's are more high strung & need extra time. It's not unusual for a cat that needs extra adjusting time to warm up
into a very affectionate pet. Some hints:
Towel in water-if this bothers you, put the towel away. Can be a good sign that cat is playing.
You can always bring it out later...or put a heavy object on one corner.
Bed frame-cats love to be covered up, waiting to pounce and/or just doze off feeling protected. Cat's sleep most of the time.
Cat hissing-nope, the furball is not ready to accept (own) you guys yet! Think like a cat:
"hey those giants want to hurt me, I'd better hiss."
Not eating food-usual for the first day. I'd get worried if the cat doesn't eat by the 2nd day.
However if there is noise in a new home, then try to make it more quiet till cat opens up.
Fresh air-sounds like cat is in one room. If anyone smokes, it can affect kitty if not enough circulation.
catnip-blackmail the little sob...! Beware, he might get a glazed look & spout off Timothy Leary sounds.
Hey you sound like a great caring owner. If cat does not respond more and/or eat, check out Yahoo cat Groups or google cat + not eating.
You can also call vets from yellow pages & ask
staff.
My cat was adopted when he was 2 1/2 years.
Dang, he was kinda standoffish & didn't rub his face against me or sit in my lap. I figured he had a bad experience and/or wasn't affectionate. When my elderly Uncle visited, the cat jumped into his lap!
Traitor...anyway within days, my cat got affectionate. He kept getting more affectionate as the months went on. Now I can't get the purrball away from me! Follows me into every room. He even lays on top of my foot when I type on the computer!@? I keep telling him to get a job.
He keeps reminding me he has one; taking care of me. The nerve...thinks he owns me. Give em an inch, they take over the whole place!
Btw, good luck to you. Sounds like a case of the nerves. Keep a low voice, don't move too fast & the cat should tribble up to ya. Remember, you have just become his mom!
2006-10-04 04:28:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I've moved twice with my 9-year-old male cat. Each time, it took him about a week, maybe two, to come out from under a cabinet (he's smart and opens cabinet doors). He is not a ferril (wild) cat, but was just extremely uncomfortable with a new environment. He went days without eating, drinking, or using the box.
Give your new cat time to adjust. Try not changing his environment at all. Once he has a place set up, don't change things around. Maybe get him a cat house -- the thing that he could climb, sharpen his claws on, and hide inside. They sell them in all the pet stores. He'll come out and eat when his tummy tells him he should. Try to give him some space and allow him to let you know when he's ready to interact.
Good luck!
2006-10-04 03:44:58 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I first adopted my 4yr old cat a couple of months ago, we first put her in the basement and let her waunder around. After about 10 - 30 min she used the litterbox, so we let her explore upstairs now that she knew where her box was. She found our bed and spent a lot of time under it at first until she got comfortable in our home. Now that she is used to everything she only goes under there once in a while. Just be patient. You could try adding a bit of water to a teaspoon of canned food, heat it for a few seconds in the microwave, to see if she likes that, and leave some hard food for her.
2006-10-04 05:03:47 · answer #3 · answered by hello 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Move the litter pan and the food and water closer to their hiding spot. Give them time they will come out on their own terms when they are ready. Make sure that you are trying to feed them the same food your sister was. Too many people around may be scaring them also. Everything smells different, they miss their mommy, Do you have anything that has your sister's scent on it? If you do you could put it some where right outside their hiding place and they would probably come out and lay on it.
2016-03-17 07:50:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you adopted this cat from a humane society or shelter call them immediately and tell them the cat is not eating. If they don't have suggestions or any help to give you you must take him to the vet for a consultation.
The best thing to do is to get a bottle of Rescue Remedy from a health foods store. You treat the cat by putting three to four drops of remedy on the fur between his ears. Treat him as many times a day as you can for the next week to ten days. The Bach essences are for emotional healing and energetic in their effect and cannot harm him in any way.
He is going through some emotional difficulties in adjusting to his losing his former home, being in a shelter and having to adjust to a new home. This will really give his psyche a needed boost and help him come round rapidly.
2006-10-04 04:00:34 · answer #5 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
My new cat won't come out of hiding and won't eat?
I just got a cat (he is 3 years old) I brought him home and put him in my room and he ran under my bed and wouldn't come out. We finally took out my bed frame and just left the boxspring and mattress so there was nothing to hide under. He went behind my entertainment center and my boyfriend...
2015-08-12 05:53:40 · answer #6 · answered by Clarisa 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every cat will hide for a while in a new, unfamiliar place. Cats need to be absolutely certain that their new environment is safe. You cannot rush this. But its good that the cat has begun to use his litter box. Just leave food and fresh water out for him - away from his litter box of course. And it would be better for the cat's nerves if he interacts with only one human (you) right now. When he gets used to you and his new environemnt, then introduce the others to him.
2006-10-04 04:16:48 · answer #7 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
New Cat Hiding
2016-10-07 07:12:49 · answer #8 · answered by gerrior 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our new cat did the same. It took him about a week before he would come out, eat, etc. Just leave him alone. He's trying to adjust to his new environment. It's totally natural for cats to act this way. Talk to the cat, a little more each day. Try to be friendly without going too close.
2006-10-04 03:41:31 · answer #9 · answered by Dawn 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
try something else to feed him maybe whiskas with gravy food it comes in pouches he just needs to become more familiar with the surroundings and he will be fine especially if you caught him laying on the bed thats a sign he is coming around but if you give him something different even maybe a can of tuna (dont do this too often) he is probably hungry by now
2006-10-04 03:50:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋