just purchased a cat and want advice please?

Question

Hi there, I have just brought a cat home from the RSPCA yesterday shes 8 months old and is gorgeous, she sleeps all day and comes down stairs in the evening but doesnt like coming up to us or sitting on our laps, is this to do with her getting used to us and my home or is it because shes nervous, i would just like her to come and jump on my lap and have a cuddle. Shes a good girl, apart from my son scaring her earlier and she wet in the corner, i wasnt happy with him at all. Would love some advice please from anyone who can help x

Answer 1

Don't get scared of your cat because its more scared of you than you are of it. Feed it 3 times a day. For a drink give them some milk or water. As cats get older they will grow out of drinking milk. If you want to give them milk then make sure its warm, but not to hot. Play with ur cat occasionally to give it some exercises. Give it a nice place to sleep. If you want it to stay in the house with you make syoure you get a scratching pole or it will tear your house to shreds. Now you wouldn't want that would you?

Answer 2

Your cat will be hesitant for at least a week after you bring her home from the shelter. As for her being apprehensive to jump on your lap, each cat is different and have unique personalities. Some are attention hogs while others are aloof and totally independent. I too, got my cat from the Humane Society when she was 9 months old. The first day I had her, she hid in my pantry in a box most of the day. She warmed up real quick, and now she's just a big fluff ball of love. Congrats on getting a kitty, and please stay patient and show her plenty of love!!!

Answer 3

this is definitely a "getting to know you" phase. She may have been through some tough times - give her a chance to see she won't be hurt if she comes to you.

One thing a cat can not ignore is playtime. When she comes down in the evening, lie down full length on the floor - get down to her level. Drag a piece of string a couple feet long on the floor in front of you, slowly, then in fits and starts - she won't be able to resist coming closer to investigate. At first, keep the yarn as far away from you as you can reach, but as she plays, gradually draw her in closer to you. Eventually, you will be able to pay her gently while she plays.

And another hint - rub your hands in catnip. Heck, rub your kid in catnip. And then when she comes to you - and she will, treat her very gently while she checks you out.

She is also fairly young, so when she is comfortable with you and becomes playful, it's time to train her as to who is the boss in the house. When she is too playful, or hurts you / annoys you, gently pick her up under her front armpits, and let her dangle for a few minutes while you talk to her calmly.

Do that often - she will become used to being in this very submissive position. For most cats, this is a very soothing position, especially since your fingers are pressing slightly on her scruff as you hold her up. The scruff is the place on the back of the cat's neck that a mother cat can pick her kitten up by and carry her somewhere. It's a bundle of nerves there, so any pressure is like a Vulcan neck pinch!!

Also run her stomach as much as you can - as much as she will allow. I guarantee you that she will be much more cooperative at the vet. My cat, which I have had since she was 8 weeks old, is so used to me touching her all over that she is not tummy shy -- she actually purrs at the vet.

I hope all this helps!

Answer 4

It is normal! How would you feel if someone you didnt know grabbed you and put you in a whole new environment? You probably would be nervous because you dont know whats around the corner and you dont trust the person..yet. It will probably take a couple days to a week for him to get use to everything. And may even take a little bit longer for you to be able to cuddle him it did with my cat. Just be patient thats one thing you have to do with cats. And pleaze dont declaw him. This takes away their self defense! They cant scratch an animal if its trying to attack it or it can run up a tree to get away from an animal. You can buy scratchin posts and sprays to keep your cat from scratching the furniture. And i even have a cat tip website http://www.geocities.com/cpark528/Cat_tips
Please visit it! It may seem kinda dumb now but i am adding more and more tips whenever i get a chance. and if u want sign my guestbook!

Good luck and p.s. please tell your son not to scare the cat thanx

Answer 5

I got our new cat used to our house just one or two rooms at a time. At first I put him in a bathroom with his water and litter box and food and a box to sleep in with a soft blanket. After a quiet day or two I opened the bathroom door and let him into the bedroom keeping the bathroom door open so he could continue to go back there where he felt safe. I would go in all day long and pet him and tell him what a good boy I thought he was and then I opened up the bedroom door so he could have the run of the house but he still went into the bathroom for his litter box and his water. I started to put his food out in the kitchen so he could eat with us and now he thinks he owns the whole place!!

Answer 6

ALL cats are a mite timid when they are in a new place or when they are around new people. Your kitty is behaving normally. Its best to leave her in peace for the next few days (maybe a week), allowing her to do her own exploring (when the house is quiet). When she comes down in the evenings, bear in mind that she will be a bit skittish still. So, make sure that none of you make sudden, erratic movements or noises to startle her, becuase it is mportant that she realiz3es for herself that she is in a SAFE place. She has to know that before she can calm down, warm up and act like the way you want her to. She will eventually, but you need to give her a bit of time (sometimes it takes 2 wks to a month!). When you are around her, sit on the floor or lie down - teach your son also to interract with kitty that way - sitting or lying on the floor. Standing is a dominance posture to cats, so you need to make her feel NOT THREATENED. She will warm up. Don't worry.

Oh yeah - when cats are upset ot frightened, they do tend to have "accidents" like peeing n the floor. When I first got my kitten, one of my grandsons caught him and he peed and pooped all over him. Ha ha ha. Animals tend to do this as a kind of defense: they will pee or poo so that you willeither drop them or leave them alone - its like they know the offensive smell will drive you away. Tell your son this and to always make kitty come to him instead of chasing kitty... Your son can make quick pals with kitty by feeding him and just sitting down next to kitty without attempting to pet him or hold him. Just allow kitty to feel safe and unthreatened. That's the key.

Good luck!

And may I say "THANK YOU" for adopting a kitten from the RSPCA. Bless your heart.

Answer 7

I think she'll come to you on her terms. It sounds like it's only a matter of time as she needs to adjust to her new environment. It could take as long as 2 weeks.....it really depends on the cat. Good for you for being upset with your son for scaring her. Poor kitty ! She just doesn't know what to make of her new home right now. Everything will be ok though....hang in there.

Answer 8

give ur cat time to get used to ya'll and her new surroundings. if ur son is gonna b a little devil i wouldn't count on he and the cat ever being friends. she may never do what u want her to some cats aren't cuddlers and then again it could b something that happened to her before u got her. Cats r very independent creatures and will do what they want when they want and may not live up to ur expectations of what she should b. Just give her time and space and let her come to u. good luck.

Answer 9

I have two 7 month old kittens which I got when they were 3 months old. I really wish I had taken them earlier so I could shape their behaviour more.

However, they are both girls, neither will come on my lap and they hate being picked up.

So what?

They still come to me for their fuss, show me their bellies for a tickle, and are absolutely insistent that their backs are brushed. They walk over my keyboard, do naughty things and yet I love them and I know they love me.

You need to understand your cat just as much as it will surely come to understand you, and then between you - as I have - you come to an understanding!

Answer 10

It can take several days for your new cat to warm up to you and the rest of the family. Remember how people are the first day at a new school or job? It takes a while to figure things out and get a feeling for your new surroundings. She will be fine.... just be patient.