I've had a 2 month old kitten home for 3 days now and he just hides and won't stop crying. Is this normal?

Question

He hides under the counter, cries and cries and hardly eats a thing. He seems to enjoy me petting him, but I can only get to that point when I am able to (gently) drag him out of his hiding spot. How long should I expect this behavior for?

Annie, yes, the vet said he is about 50 days old. They told us to feed him dry food (and last night I noticed that he had eaten some of it). He is also very well litter-box trained, luckily!

Answer 1

Breaks my heart! Poor little baby was taken away too soon from his momma.
My cat did the same thing when we first brought her home. I got her on Craigslist from a girl who couldn't keep her, but she was 11 weeks old at that point. She was pretty attached to the girl we got her from.
She didn't cry when she hid, but she definitely didn't let us pet her for a good three weeks. She'd run when we'd try, and hide for hours. I was SO upset, I thought I got a lemon kitty (I'd never had one before), thought she hated me, etc. It was really hard. I called multiple vets to see what to do.
I agree with whoever said you should keep him isolated in one room until he gets used to the idea of a new home. Also that way you will know exactly where he is and can go in every day and spend time with him. Also you can do things like go in there and read or bring a laptop in there, etc. He won't feel like he's being put on the spot, that way, but can still enjoy your company.
Also there are various calming liquids and defusers you can purchase. I know PetSmart sells one (though I don't love the place and they tend to sell a lot of sub-par products) and if you call a vet and ask them about it, I'm sure they can direct you the right way. Some you put on their neck, some you put a few drops into their water bowl, etc, but the effect is that it calms them down and reduces stress by a lot.
I ADORE my girl now, and she has come out of her shell sooo much since that month of hiding. It still took her quite a bit of time to get her to the point she is now (a few months, I'd say), but we are best buds. She sleeps with me every night, follows me around my apartment, even sits on the shower ledge when i shower and waits for me!! He'll come out of his shell too, with some time, affection, and understanding :)
Good luck!

Answer 2

Okay. You're a baby cat. You're taken from your home, taken to a strange place with huge strange people, maybe the other animals you're used to are all gone and it's just you, alone. *Of course* he's crying. If he's two months old, he should only just have been taken from his mother - and if he was just taken from her, then he'll be wondering where she is. Be very quiet and gentle with him. If he'll accept it, give him lots of love - but again, slow, gentle and quiet wins the day. Keep an eye out for any signs of illness - not going to the toilet, not eating, lethargy. Based on what you've said I don't think he's ill. Keep him company, and let him get used to you. He will calm down and stop as he settles down. As for the food, kittens eat little and often - tiny tummies. Make sure he has ready access to food, or give him frequent small meals.

Answer 3

Cats are pretty neophobic, so it's not that abnormal that any cat you get will hide for the first little while that you have him. Also, cats love their mothers and they mew when they are trying to find them. He probably just misses his mother.

8 weeks is pretty young to be weaned, which is why he probably doesn't eat much. I'd be the most worried about that. Go get some KMR (cat formula) to feed him. He should be old enough to lap it up if you give it in a bowl. Also, I've always fed my kittens baby food. Just the meat kind that they make for really young babies. People will tell you that it makes your cat too fat, but my vet actually recommended this for a kitten that I got at 6 weeks old. That cat was too young to be weaned as well, but she did really well on baby food and was able to take only dry food after several weeks.

Answer 4

Are you sure he is 8 weeks old? If he hasn't really learned to eat on his own, he may be very hungry. Go to a pet supply store and get either KMR milk replacer or Second Step powder, which can be made into liquid or mush, and offer him that. Do not give him cow's milk. Little kittens can't go more than a few days without eating, and no, what he is doing is not normal behavior. He needs to eat today. Be sure he is in a small, quiet area so he isn't overwhelmed. If he is not eating well by tomorrow, take him to a vet. Good Luck!!!

Answer 5

A kitten will take to canned meat such as Max kitten a lot more readily than to any dry food. He will eat better on that and feel a lot better too.

Sounds like he is coming along well if you can hold him and pet him. You can get a bottle of Rescue Remedy from a health food store and treat him with a three or four drops on the fur between his ears three or four times a day. This is totally benign and cannot do him any harm. It will cover his fears and help him adjust more easily to his new home.

Answer 6

you brought the kitten home a month early and it still needs it's mom. Kittens should never leave their Mom before they are 12 weeks old. Try placing the kitten in the bathroom where it is hard to hide and talk to it and pet it as much as possible. He'll come out of his shell in due time. Also, get some kitten milk.

Answer 7

He is in a new place and scared. Don't be pushy, just do your normal routine and he will eventually see that he's safe and come out. Keep the food bowl accesible. He will eat when he gets gets hungry. Kittens are naturally curious and it won't take long for him to start wondering about where he is and who you are. Just don't be aggressive or he will feel threatened and keep hiding. Good luck! Hope this helps!

Answer 8

The poor little fellow is really too young to be away from his mother. He is scared to death. The best thing to do is put him in a room where you can easily get to him. For several days go in and play with him. When he gets comfortable with that location he will let you know. A whole new house is going to be over whelming to him.

As far as the food goes give him kitten chow soften with a little water. It's easier for him to eat.

Good luck with your new fur child.

Answer 9

when we first brought our cat home he did the same thing for about a week. place the food and water close to the counter where he likes to hide (he feels safer there) when you get the chances hold him, almost like you would to console a child. his suroundings are different and when he feels comfortable he'll come out and explore. Just think if you were little and moved into a new place.

Answer 10

He's a kitten, and scared of a new place. The last several times I moved, my (adult) cats his about 3 days.

Your kitten should start coming around soon. Just don't be pushy.

Good luck!