How long should it take a new cat to eat and use the litterbox?

Question

We got a 2nd cat this morning. He's a sweet guy, but pretty frightened.

He's set up with his bed, food, litter box, toys, etc, in our bathroom for the moment, so is relatively undisturbed by our first cat. He doesn't object to being petted; nary a hiss or anything, but he's in hiding every time we go in there.

Food and litter remain untouched.

The food is the dry stuff he's used to eating, a bit of high-quality canned, and some treats; it's not like he's been thrown entirely new stuff -- the dry is even in his old bowl.

Any thoughts?

Answer 1

depends on the cat's personality. we got one that went exploring immediately, is afraid of nothing. We got another that hid under the dresser for 3 days and didn't come out at all. finally began coming out long enough to eat and potty in the middle of the night then go back under the dresser. this went on for almost a week. She's fine now, but was a scaredy-cat at first.

Answer 2

It is very traumatic for a cat to lose his home and maybe the person who had cared for and loved him for a long time.

You have set things up just right for him and his food is the same stuff he is used to. It will not hurt him to go even 36 hours without eating and he will probably eat before then.

If you go to a health food store you can buy a bottle of Rescue Remedy for under $20. You shake the bottle well and put three to four drops on the fur between his ears three or four times a day. The flower essences cannot harm him in any way and can help him recover faster from the shock and trauma of losing his old home and any fears he has about adapting to you and your family. If you can't put the Remedy on him right away just put three or four drops on a washcloth near where he is hiding out. "Refresh" the cloth several times a day. Use it many times a day until he seems to relax a little and be more responsive to your attentions.

Answer 3

Cats may take up to 24 hours to settle in to a new home enough to start eating. Even then, their appetitie may be reduced for a few days. I wouldn't worry unless he goes entirely without food for over 36 hours.

Use of the little box should follow in the natural course.

It may take him about 10-14 days to settle in enough to be introduced to the other cat directly, but he'll know there's another cat around long before that and may hiss at the door.

Answer 4

When we got our new cat, she didn't use the litter for three days and ate very little. After that everything went fine. Your little one will be fine in a few days.

Answer 5

It will take him a while to get settled... All cats are different, have their own personality. You sound like a good parent, just give him lots of love, and he will be adjusted in no time.