Hi there, I just adopted a 7 year old cat on Saturday afternoon. She is so scared, has been hiding under the bed, couch, dresser, and in my towel cabinet. She came out last night while my husband and I were asleep and ate and I guess checked things out. She came in our room and I had the window open, it seemed like she wanted to get out. She is a declawed cat(no I didnt have her declawed, she already was when I adopted her) so she is strictly an indoor cat. When will she be comfortable in her new home? Is this normal? How long will it take her to get used to us? And to not be scared anymore? I dont have any children, so my house isnt too loud. Thanks in advance for your help.
2007-02-19 04:01:36 · 32 answers · asked by Kari R 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
Relax (your doing just fine) these things take time! I just adopted a 6 month old kitten and she is very very timid! She has been through hell! She is a barn kitten that recently received all shots, was spayed, and also mutated by the humane society (they nipped off the tips of her ears, in case she ever was to be returned to the humane society they will know she has been spayed... which I am very upset that they did this since she has been microchipped)! Anyways you don't know this cats background and have some patience (you aren't doing anything wrong)! I have been pulling her out from under the couch every couple of hours (mainly to make place her in the litter box and to try and get her to drink water) and taking her from room to room, helping her become aware of her new environment (she has always been kept in a cage)! My kitten is also living with my 5 year old cat which makes the environment more intense! She has warmed up alot since Saturday! I hold her alot (only because she likes it, not all cats do)! It will take time, your cat will eventually warm up! You dont know her complete background and any move is an extreme change for a pet! Just don't be pushy or impatient or stern towards her shyness! Laser Toys are a nice way to get them out of hiding and active! I am very sorry to hear she is declawed (understanding this was not your choice)! The good thing is that she is eating, drinking, and using the bathroom! You're doing the right thing... Some cats take awhile to warm up (especially since we are unaware of how many homes yours has occupied)! I wish you the best of luck! Love her dearly! If any major concern arrises be sure to seek a vets attention! Even though my baby has obstacles to over come I will never regret adopting her and giving her a great home (since she has only lived in a barn or a cage her whole 6 months)! Im so glad you added a new addition to your household!
2007-02-19 04:17:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
She just needs time to ajust to things. Most cats do. After a while she'll be fine, especialy since your house isn't filled wth noise from kids and there friends. My cat, Autumn, took a while to ajust, she stayed in the covered litterbox. Be calm around her, if she comes out don't rush over or get loud you'll scare her. She'll adjust on her own time. She's a older cat, when she turns eight she'll be considered a senior so she may take longer to ajust. Good luck with your new kitty, I'm sure she'll be happy and won't hide in a week more or less.
2007-02-19 04:16:21 · answer #2 · answered by Mystical Majesty 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kari, the best thing you can do for her is to get some Rescue Remedy from a health food store and treat her with that to relieve her emotional stress in adjusting to her new home and clear some of the trauma of her abandonment and loss of her former home.
You simply shake the bottle well and put three to four drops on the fur between her ears, four times a day if you can. Since you can't easily reach her to put it directly on her it will work just as well if you put three to four drops on a small cloth near her where she is hiding.
The RR will help her make a smoother adjustment to her new situation by doing some emotional healing of her current and past "issues". Use it consistently for the next week to ten days.
The flower essences are totally benign and cannot harm her in any way.
2007-02-19 04:18:54 · answer #3 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will take A WHILE but she will eventually loosen up with you and the house. If the cat is still relatively active, try playing with toys around her and try to get her to join in. If not, as I'm sure you're doing already, talk to her a lot and use her name a lot to make her feel at home. Leaving treats around the house works too. Sounds weird, but if you can touch her, try putting a bit of butter on the pads of her paws. She'll leave that smell wherever she looks around and then when she comes back and smells it, it'll smell good and familiar to her.
Good luck!
2007-02-19 04:18:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would give it some time. If she was in a foster home before I would ask the foster mom to stop by sometime maybe that will make her feel more comfortable. At some point between coming in the program getting altered and vetting done to the time you adopted her someone else had her and may be the best help.
2007-02-19 04:06:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since she is an older cat, it may take up to a month for her to feel safe and "at home". Just keep on allowing her to roam freely and explore. I wouldn't pick her up a lot or try to hold her. Just let her know that you are there when she is ready to come to you. Whenever we would get a new cat or move, I would put peanut butter on the tip of the cat's nose, (just a teensy bit). It would force them to sit still and groom themselves but it would also let them check out the surroundings as well.
2007-02-19 04:10:37 · answer #6 · answered by Twila G 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's only been a few days .. you need to give her time ... she probably wanted out to go back home (or where ever she thinks home is) ... she needs time to adjust, she'll get comfortable eventually ... if she's eating that's a good sign, she trusts you enough for food ... I would say by Saturday or Sunday you'll start seeing her more and maybe by the middle of next week she'll start coming to you, ignore her though so she knows your not expecting her to come otherwise it'll take longer.
2007-02-19 04:11:16 · answer #7 · answered by emnari 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well when you bring a new cat in your house you keep it in a room by herself wth food and water and a litter box and a bed. A cat gets scared to new surorundings. You are suppose to keep her in there until she is ready to explore the rest of the house. It would probably take 1 or 2 weeks for her to adjust, just give her time.
2007-02-19 04:08:39 · answer #8 · answered by Shy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh gosh give her at least a couple of weeks to settle in could you get comfortable in a new house in less than 24 hours? Just give her time.. tempt her with cat treats and leave her a place where she can enjoy the sunlight. Cats need their vitamin D .. inside or outdoor. Remember a cat adopts you .. you don't adopt a cat. Hope your cat people. they are very finicky who they live with that is for sure!
2007-02-19 04:05:44 · answer #9 · answered by Tapestry6 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Keep your home as quiet and calm as possible and try to ignore the cat. Let her adjust at her own pace. It is possible it will take longer for her to feel safe because she may have had some bad experiences. Given enough time, most cats will come to people who are calm and do not chase after them. Give her all the time she needs to explore, and don't let her out without claws.
2007-02-19 04:13:21 · answer #10 · answered by Aunt Carol 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋