I have adopted a 9 year old gorgeous cat , she has been with current owners since she was kitten- she has adapted reasonably well, but has not eaten much since she arrived. She has used her 'toilet' though, so I am assuming she has eaten something.. She does not let me anywhere near her, just bares her teeth and turns her head away. My house is not big, but she has already managed to find several hiding places. Most of the time when I am around she sits at the corner, head turned away, when I approach and talk to her she usually looks at me, but it is obvious she does not want me to get any closer.
What would you suggest I do with her food? Could I try fresh fish, would she eat it? What about cream/milk? Her favorite meals are tuna and chicken, I have tried them, but I don't think she touched them. She also gets dry food and fresh water.
Would you leave her alone, just talk to her, but not try to get too close to her and her teeth..?
2007-01-21 02:27:04 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Thanks to all of you who have shared your experiences. The cat's owner moved to another country, she could not leave this one in quarantine so the cat was mine. We will get to know each other- thank you for your advice, you've given me (and the cat) the courage to carry on :)
2007-01-21 04:02:51 · update #1
She is just waiting you out til her former owner's come back. Would feed her exactly what they did, use the same litter, and just give her some space. Talk soothingly anywhere around the cat. She hisses you say NO! and walk away. You are now top cat and she has to adjust to that. Hopefully the former owner left you some of her toys or a blanket, litter box, bed for her with their scent. If not create one with some catnip placed in the bed and litter box. Cats like it high so put the bed in a taller location where she feels that is her space. They should have slowly adjusted her by visiting and handing her to you back & forth. Hope it works out. Give it time and keep moving the food bowl to be where she is til she settles. Ours owns the laundry room. We can do whatever we want in there but we can't move her stuff around significantly without her getting discombobulated. Confining to one area til acclimated is a good idea.
2007-01-21 02:57:48 · answer #1 · answered by Quest 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You have lots of good suggestions here so I won't repeat any but I would like to impress on you not to give her milk or cream. It is an old wives tales about cats and milk. Most are lactose intolerant. If possible find out what her other owners fed her and continue with that brand and above all, make sure she has dry food and a bowl of fresh water down for her at all times. She'll come around sooner or later but right now she is mourning the loss of her owners and not liking that they left her. I agree with letting her have a room to herself if you have one but leave the door open so when she gets the urge she will finally venture out to take a look around. She may do that a few times when you aren't home but eventually she'll adapt. Good luck.
2007-01-21 10:01:42 · answer #2 · answered by HeatherFeather 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's best to leave her to her own time-line of accepting you and don't force the issue. You can talk gently to her and hold out your hand from a short distance, but don't force her to stay close to her, and don't confine her to a room as someone suggested. She just needs time to adjust, and she might be grieving for her other owner, I'm not sure why someone would give away a cat they had for so long, but it's very hard on the cat. I wouldn't use fresh fish or milk/cream, as those aren't good for cats. But you can buy some cat treats at the store. Hide them around the house, so she can "find" them. This will keep her busy for a bit and might encourage her to explore her new home. Most of all have patience, and please plan on keeping this cat for the remainder of her life. She needs a stable, loving home. Good Luck.
2007-01-21 03:45:29 · answer #3 · answered by nimo22 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cats have a HOLIER THAN THOU attitude. They are the masters of the house. Just let her get used to you more. Don't push the issue. All that you will do is keep her from wanting to be around you. She will come around. As for fresh food, NEVER give an animal fresh food like chicken or tuna or anything. If it is human food, do not give it to an animal. The reason being is your sure don't want the cat to try and get your food when you are not right there. I don't give my cats any human food and I can walk away, go into the kitchen and get ketchup or go to the bathroom, and when I get back, I know that my food will remain untouched.
2007-01-21 03:06:38 · answer #4 · answered by protruckdriver71 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no tuna, milk as both are very bad for cats! Tuna causes vitamin deficiencies in cats and milk causes diarrhea. Chicken (no salt or any flavorings) is fine if boiled. But she is still adjusting to her new home and it will take time. Be patient and let her come around in her own time. ONLY feed her cat food and water--nothing more because you don't want to turn her into a picky eater which is what happens when you give a cat too many choices of foods and treats to eat.
2007-01-21 02:31:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could try tuna water rather than tuna: My kitties turn their noses up at the meat, but most that I've had love the water.
If it's only been a day or so since you brought her home, don't worry just yet: Cats don't like change, and I've had them hide for up to 3 days after moving.
Give her time. She'll warm up eventually. Just make sure food and water stay available to her.
Good luck!
2007-01-21 02:51:44 · answer #6 · answered by Tigger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best thing you can do for her is to confine her to one room of your house with her litter box and food. Cats are very nervous about new surroundings and she will not feel comfortable until she has explored and can remember every bit of your house. If you confine her to one room then she will 'learn' that room more quickly and start to feel comfortable there. After that you can let her roam about some and she will have her 'safe' room to return to if she gets freaked out. Don't try to force her to be with you. Just make sure she has what she needs. Eventually she will adjust to your surrounding and to you. I wouldn't feed her human food. If you don't know, ask the previous owners what they fed her and use the same food, at least until she adjusts to her new home.
2007-01-21 02:52:54 · answer #7 · answered by jonahbeast 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I adopted a six year old Persian 10 years ago. It took 4 days before he would eat. It was a week before he would sleep anywhere but the bathroom sink. A month before he allowed anyone to touch him and a year before he let anyone but that one person to pat him. Three years before he would play with anyone or anything. Give yours time. She's had her home and her family taken from her and cats take longer than dogs to respond to new people. Don't be surprised if she hides whenever you have company or a knock on the door.
2007-01-21 03:34:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations on your new adoption. Cats take a long time to adjust to change. First thing, don't approach her. Feed her, talk to her, let her stay in her space and get use to you. After a few days, sit down after you feed her. Talk to her. Your goal is to get her used to living with you, a non-threatening source of food and care. You might try a feather toy, just drag it around and see if she responds, and possibly plays with it. Let her take the lead, if she seems scared by it, stop.
Be patient, she will eventually come to you.
Good luck.
2007-01-21 02:45:40 · answer #9 · answered by jeaner 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oh definite! for all time lol, it makes me bounce up with fright and make an apology (cats call) and then I understand that's in basic terms between the cats rubber balls that i'm stepping on. it is so humorous while that happens! lol
2016-10-31 22:02:08 · answer #10 · answered by hinch 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋