how can i help my new cat settle in?

Question

we picked up our new cat from the rspca 4 nights ago.

he is 7 months old and has, to my knowledge, never had a home of his home. he was in a house with 30 other cats (rspca home!) and seems to have had no socialisation whatsoever despite being with the rspca rep or some length of time.

whilst i appreciate i have to be patient i am worried about him. he has been under the kitchen table since we brought him home, although i know he has had a wander about while we're out! and whilst he will grudgingly let me tickle behind his ears he looks so nervous and claws constantly at his bedding when we go near him.

he also has only seemed to have used his litter tray on the first night and not since then. he doesn't seem to be drinking much either.

any hints, tips??????

Answer 1

I would show him love by maintaining his space, but gently patting him as often as he will allow. Keep showing him love. I had stray kittens and the first two weeks he lived under my couch. I just kept giving him lots of love and attention that he would allow, only on his terms. Cats are independent, but love attention. Also you have a boy, and boys like attention more than girls. As for the litter box, I would reintroduce the litter box to him, pick him up and put him in, use your hands to hold his paw and scratch the dirt, show him to use this and remind him where it is. This is a natural instinct for cats and he will use it. Yes, patients, but the challenge of earning his trust will be great and rewarding. Also toys on a string to play with him, this way he will play with you at a distance. This is a good trusting way to earn space and love.

Answer 2

I got a cat (Thomson) about 6 weeks ago, that had been abandoned in our street. I've never had a cat before so have only managed to pick up tips from websites and Yahoo Answers myself, but hopefully a shared experience will help you.

Thomson was friendly from the start (I suspect because he was hungry!), but he does occasionally disappear under the kitchen table, wardrobe or even behind the boiler! Unless your cat is somewhere dangerous, let him sit where he feels safe and comfortable. If the kitchen table is his place of choice, would it be practical to put his bedding under there and let it become his space?

Thomson doesn't seem to drink much either, but I've noticed that a little bit of milk mixed in with his water works wonders. Also, if I'm using condensed milk, he gets a bit of that, and goes mad for it! Don't do this too often though because some cats can't cope with the lactose.

If he approaches you, don't go straight in with the stroking. Hold your hand out so he can rub his face against it - he has scent glands near his mouth and can rub his scent in your hand, which will make him feel less nervous. He will soon start to associate you with the good things in life - food, warmth and cuddles and will realise you are there for him. Most likely the staff at the RSPCA didn't have time to give him lots of love and cuddles and he may have felt abandoned as a result. He needs to learn that you won't abandon him. Plus, the RSPCA staff will have smelled of lots of other cats, which probably drove him wild as he is a Tom, and will like to assert himself on his own territory (even if he has been neutered). After a while, his scent will be around the house and on you, so he will know that you belong to him and him alone!

The litter issue is tricky, but it may be that he thinks the tray is in an area that is too risky / open? Cats do their business to assert their territory. If a cat is the boss in that territory, they will not cover it up. If they think someone else is the dominant one, they will cover it up and hide it. Is your cat pooing out in the open or in dark corners? If it is out in the open (in the middle of a room say), then he is trying to assert himself. If it is in dark corners, would it be suitable to put the litter tray there? Plus, try different litters - Thomson will NOT poo in paper or wood based litter for some reason!

I really hope this helps. Enjoy your cat - they are fantastic pets and you will becaome the best of friends :-)

Answer 3

Get some cat toys, especially the wands with fake feathers. Sit down near the kitten, and casually pretend that you don't see him, and play a little with a toy, catching the kitty's attention. If he still won't come out and play, just be near. Getting him used to your presence will help him overcome his fear. Try softly talking and cooing at him, as it sometimes calms the cat, and then just slowly approach, first placing a hand (palm down) in front of him, and letting him sniff you. Then try petting behind the ears or along the back.

It might help to limit the space he is in. Try putting the litter box, water bowl and food bowl in the bathroom, and keeping him in the bathroom for a day or two, so that he can get used to the small space as 'safe.' After that, keep the door open, so he can explore on his own, knowing that the bathroom is a safe place to run to.

If he isn't eating, try adding wet food. I do not know of a single cat that does not love wet food. As for the water, you can't really make him drink, just try to keep the water fresh by replacing it daily.
Keep at it, it'll take a few weeks before he is comfortable.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

It's an old trick but it works.Rub some butter on the bottom of his feet, which he will probably lick off. Once a cat starts to wash, he will relax and become settled.
Have you given him a saucer of milk or just a taste of cream? I've never met a cat that didn't appreciate a little of something special. Find out what he really likes - even if it is a little salmon and spoil him.
The way to a cat's heart is often through the stomach.
It will take time to socialise him, but with lots of love I am sure he will come round eventually. You can't force him - let him do things in his own time.

Answer 5

You're doing the right things. The only way he'll become accustomed to you is with time and love. Make sure you give him love and affection in small doses - don't just spend time playing with him, that will only teach him hunting skills! Pick him up if he'll let you, stroke him and tickle him (avoid his tummy! cats don't usually like that!). Get down to his level, lie on the floor with him - you're a giant compared to him, he's probably terrified! Also, let him get to know how you smell - Give him an old unwashed tshirt with your smell on it, that'll get him used to your smell.

I don't know what you're feeding him, but can I recommend feeding him Science Plan? I've got 8 cats, and it helps with their immune systems, digestion, coats and teeth. It's not that expensive, not compared to some of the tinned stuff. And it really is so much better for him.

If he's still not drinking much, give him some milk specially formulated for cats - whiskas and felix both do it. Don't give him normal milk!!! Most cats can't tolerate it, it gives them runny tummys.

When you say he's clawing at his bedding, is he scratching the bedding or "paddling" it? That's what kittens do to their mums to release milk. If that's what he's doing, try the cat-milk suggested above.

If after a couple of days he still isn't responding, have a chat with your vet, he'll be able to put your mind at rest.

Good luck with him, i'm sure he's lovely!!!!

Answer 6

Hi, we had a rescue cat a few years back. He stayed on the landing most of the time and we had to give him a wide berth because he would hiss and claw us if we got to close. Saying that he would go into the kitchen for his food and to use litter tray. We kept him in the house for two weeks before letting him out and had not problem in getting him to come for food. Took about 6 months for him to get used to us and eventually he would let us stroke him. We just pretended he wasn't around and would stroke him while he was sleeping. Once he had our trust he was a very loving cat. It just took time so be patient. As for the drinking little I suggest you get him checked out at the vet which you probably have. Like I said, it takes patience and time so go easy on him.

Answer 7

Hiya a few tips to help your kitty settle in... You have only had him 4 days so we will start with the basics.

First thing you have to do is catch him or hold him and spread margerine or butter on his little feet... This will cause him to clean them and when he walks about it will also help to leave his scent around the house etc longer making it easier for him to identify it as his.
You say he was in a house with 30 cats... Kind of hard for him to be socialised with that many around and if he was in the RSPCA then he probably had little to no contact as it is hard for them to give more then the basics as they are over crowded and over worked bless all of them.
Another thing you can do is to get a can of tuna/salmon/anchovies and call to him feeding him small tid bits whenever you come home/near him. It will stink but it will make him come to see you as a provider which can only be a good thing... As for the litter box do you allow him outside at all? If you do he is probably taking care of his needs out there I had an indoor/outdoor cat who NEVER used his litterbox because he preferred to go outside.
Mostly he will need LOTS of love and understanding. I caught a stray female once who sort of knew me as when I lived where she was at I fed her every couple of days. She was fairly wild and it took her about a month to settle in.

Finally... Has he been to the vet yet? I know that the animals that come from the RSPCA are checked by a vet but sometimes things are missed or something develops before they are released to you and it is not realised.
We got our dog from them four years ago and he had to go in for a day to the vets cause he came with severe ear infections in both ears.
Explain that you are concerned about his toilet and drinking habits. If he is an indoor cat and not using toilet anywhere then he could have as bladder infection.

Answer 8

This is a tricky one as all cats are different! But I would suggest sitting in the room with him just sit at the table and let him wonder around without any interaction from you. the 2nd thing to do is get down to his level and hold your hand out to him to let him smell you you could also get a jumper you have worn and let him sleep on it for the night for him to get your scent. use interactive toys they love this and its great bonding time. It can take up to 5 weeks for a cat to settle in a new home so give him time he will love his new home soon. Good luck

Answer 9

Having had several strays myself, this has been my approach: Spend time lying down next to the animal (or as close as you can get without making it nervous) and let it come to you. when it does, don't move until it finds that it can trust you. Try not to touch the animal until you can get it to come to you. I've used purring and meowing, and holing my hand out and then keeping it still. You'll know that it trusts you, when it lies down next to, or on top of, you, and starts purring.

I do need to warn you though, there are some animals that unfortunately are so emotionally damaged, they may require an animal psychologist. And even then, it may never be "normal"

Answer 10

Well I have have cats to! I enjoy cats but really like dogs better! Well to me it sounds like your cat could have been once mistreated it is a sad thing that people would do that! That is probably why he is always really scared! He will probably also warm up to you after sometime! A other thing that relaxes cats is cat nip it, but there is a thing about that some cats like it or hate it! You can get it a pet store I give it for my cats. I hope you enjoy the info!