I just brought home a new kitten! He used to live on a farm. He isn't eating much, and hasn't used his litter box yet.
I have three questions: He seems VERY scared of his new surroundings. Is that normal? He also shakes a lot. Is that from being scared? I do pet him, and he relaxes and purrs, but he also seems frightened at the same time. Finally, what is the best way to train him to use a litter box?
2006-10-15 10:55:22 · 17 answers · asked by Kintaro 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Yes, its normal that's he's scared.(it'll last about 2 weeks if u help with love & understanding.)
Shaking shows that he's MORE than scared, he's petrified!
Keep talking & petting him.
Give him a safe, quiet, warm place to hide/sleep.
Keep his litter box very close.Because when he has to go - he has to go! -and he won't know where, so keep it close, place him in it (cover off), he'll step out. You'll probably have to do this a few times after a few mishaps(poo/pee) he'll have. Be patient.
Keep fesh water available at all times close by - he'll pee eventually.
Please buy this book, its amazing!
http://www.amazon.com/New-Natural-Cat-Anitra-Frazier/dp/0452265177
2006-10-15 11:20:02 · answer #1 · answered by Chloe 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is normal for a kitten or any animal to be scared when it goes somewhere way different than it is use to. Some of the shaking might be from being scared but also a lot of times kittens are used to their mom curling up with them where it is warm so it might be shaking because its cold. A good way to train them is everytime you think they might have to go put them in the litter box. If you don't know if its going to go and it starts to go try to get it to the box or when its done show it the litter box.
Good luck with your new kitten!
2006-10-15 11:41:06 · answer #2 · answered by bailey p 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The shaking and being scared is totally normal, he has a lot to get used to. As for training, you just have to be very vigilant about this. After he eats and drinks, take him to the litter and scratch around with his paws a bit. Let him sniff and hopefully he'll dig, even if he doesn't do anything. Leave it for a while and do again. You just have to keep repeating this. If he has an accident, don't punish him, but shove his nose near it, take him to the box, and do the above. It's amazing how quickly they catch on. Cats like to be clean, so they adapt easily. Good luck!
2006-10-16 01:12:04 · answer #3 · answered by Lydia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first answer is yes very normal your kitten is just new to the enviorment. The 2nd answer is that your kitten is just warming it's self and and shy and a little scared all kittens are. The third answer is to let the kitten get used to it play with it and take it to the litter box and show the kitten how to use it. If you don't get what i am saying kittens always will learn one way or another.
2006-10-15 11:02:44 · answer #4 · answered by Kyla B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its normal for him to be wary and afraid of his new surroundings. take time to introduce yourself as a friend to him, give him toys, introduce different types of food to him to see what he likes to eat. don't let him roam about everywhere yet, and if possible confine him to a room first, then slowly introduce him to other areas of the house so it will be less overwhelming.
when i first got my kitten it was very easy to train him to use a litter box. at first, i'd just put some newspapers in his room, and straightawsy he used them. when i let him out around the house, i show'd him the litter box, and he used it too. then my mother became particular and didn't want the litter box, and doing his business outside didn't become a problem.
but for you, you could try bringing your cat to the litter box. let him sniff it. everytime he does his business somewhere, put him in the litter box. he should get the message. if he has an accident elsewhere, don't punish him. he is still new and scared. try a firm 'no' and quickly take him to the litter box
2006-10-15 16:55:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably moving from a farm to a home is scary to the kitten. Most farm kittens aren't paid much attention to so they are either feral, or not quite tame. Make sure his box is clean and put the little guy in it and move his paws like he is digging so he really gets what he is supposed to do. It usually doesn't take long for them to be box trained. Have you taken him to the vet yet for a check up and vaccinations? The vet could give you helpful advice after checking him out.
2006-10-15 11:39:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He has had a traumatic experience, losing his litter mates and mom and is just scared to death. Don't overwhelm him with a lot of space for a while. Keep him in a small area with his litterbox, water and food and just let him out to explore for short periods of time. He will overcome his fears and needs to take "baby" steps to adjust to the strange new surroundings.
You can also get some Rescue Remedy from a health foods store. People use it and it is utterly benign. You just shake the bottle well and put three to four drops on his fur as often as you can for the next week or ten days. It will really help him let go of his emotional trauma and speed along his adjustment very nicely.
2006-10-15 11:10:15 · answer #7 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kittens that have lived on a farm are usually not as socialized as kittens raised in a home. You will have to take extra time and effort to make the kitten feel safe.
Also, get it to the vet ASAP. All kittens have worms and need vaccines.
Hopefully, the kitten has used a litter box. Many farm kittens have not.
2006-10-15 11:00:04 · answer #8 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He sounds like he is just scared. Give him a little time to see if he improves. After a day or so, if he he doesn't improve I would suggest you take him to the vet for a check up. To litter box train him just sit him in the box and make a digging motion with his front paws. That's usually all you need to do. Cats are pretty smart.
2006-10-15 10:58:24 · answer #9 · answered by Turtle 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well you will have to give him a little time to adjusted to his new surroundings. He needs all the love he can get. Plus if he isn't eating one way you might get him to eat is take the spoon and dipped it in the can food and let him licked it and then give him some in a dish. that is the way we got our black and white tabby to eat when she was little but now she does real well.
Yes it is normal for it to be scared of its surrounds but in time the kitten will get used to it.
Also one way you can get it to used a liter box is get som e newspaper and put some liter on it and then wash its stomach with a warm ragged and then put the kitten on the paper and it hopefully will go a friend of ours said that was the way she got her cat to learn to used the liter box. Good luck on the new kitten and hope these tips help lol suzie
2006-10-15 11:06:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes it is normal for him to be scared. it will take days to weeks for him to adjust depending upon his temperament.
i have always set the kitten in the litter box and they just go on their own. instinct.
but, it might take him a while to be able to go since he is all scared and panicked. just show him where everything is and he should be fine. i had a barn kitten once and she adjusted just fine. cats are very good at adjusting in this sort of manner.
congrats on your new kitten!!!!!!! what fun! oh & perhaps getting out some string or some toys will help him to have fun & play. farm kittens take a little time to tame from the wild.
2006-10-15 10:58:36 · answer #11 · answered by christy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋