i got a new kitten this morning he has been hiding behind the couch all day ive picked him up once but he just went back should i keep trying to pick him up or is it best to leave him and wait for him to come to me?
2007-02-27 15:47:05 · 14 answers · asked by Kenny K 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
He is just afraid. When I took home my kittens they hid for over 24 hours. Just give him some time and he will come out eventually. Just make sure that he is eating and drinking water. Try not to pick him up too much, it may just scare him more (I know its hard not to!).
2007-02-27 15:51:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello Kenny
Your kitten is frightened and overwhelmed. Everything familiar is gone. A strange person has brought it to a strange place. It thinks it might be safe back here behind the couch where it is dark. The best thing to do is sit where kitty can see you, even if that means moving the couch a bit but as little as possible (and be sure kitty is not where it will get hurt when you do that) and talk softly and gently. Offer a little food, some kitten milk* in or at the edge of the hiding place but do not try to force it to eat at least not yet. Be sure you know about how much food and liquid you put there so you can make a good estimate whether the kitty does eat or drink. Pick kitty up once or twice more perhaps wrapping it in a towel with it's head free to help it feel secure and prevent it fron scratching you from fear.
If you can find a large box make a bed in the box with a towel or an old tshirt that has a bit of your scent on it. Kitties get acquainted with their people by smell as well as by sight and sound. Put a little food or kitten milk in the box and at the far side of the box put a shoe box top or something about that size with a bit of kitty litter. You need to be able to know if your new baby is eating, drinking, and poyttying and confining it in a large box or in a bathroom is a good way to be able to do this. If you keep kitty in the bathroom KEEP THE TOILET LID DOWN kitties can jump into things they can't jump out of.
If kitty has not eaten by tomorrow noon or so it's time to take more action. Pick kitty up gently or reach into it's box or hideout and put a dab of canned cat food or of the juice from canned cat food or moistened dry food on one of it's paws. Most cats will instinctively lick off anything sticky on their paws. If that does not work wait a few minuits then smear a bit of canned food or juice from cannned food on it's nose and mouth and watch to see if it does lick and swallow that. Or dip it's nose gently in kitten milk for a second or two to see if it will then drink. Do NOT keep kitty's nose under the milk for more than a second. It needs to eat not drown. If this kitty is not eating and drinking by mid to late afternoon tomorrow you have an emergency because little kittens can get dehydrated quickly and will often not recover without help. This means a trip to the vet if at all possible or at the very least getting an eyedropper and feeding it that way. Because it is easy to get liquid in a kitty's windpipe rather than it's tummy a vet trip is much safer. If you do try the eye dropper put the liquid in at the side of it's mouth a few drops at a time. Do not squirt it hard down kitty's throat.
Hopefully it will not get anywhere near that drastic and a few more hours of being ariound you and getting used to you and being held a little more will make kitty feel safe enough to accept your love and food and you will become great friends.
* Kitten milk is a formula replacement that has much the same nutrients as mama cat's milk and will not give loose bowels as regular milk may. It is available at some grocery stores, pet shops, places like Walmart, feed stores, etc. Some grocery stores have a product called Cat-Sip which is not quite as good nutritionally as kitten milk but will be digestible and not goive kitten loose stools or upset tummy.
2007-02-28 00:30:51 · answer #2 · answered by A F 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give him a little space and a little time. He is in a new place and is probably frightened. Forcing yourself on him will only frighten him more. A better idea is to sit on the floor by the couch and talk softly and kindly to him. Tell him you are happy he is here and that you want him very much. He won't understand the words but he will understand the tone. Do this every hour or so for about ten or fifteen minutes. Offer him food and water occasionally as well. Between times just leave him alone. Before long (maybe tonight or tomorrow morning) his need for companionship will overcome his shyness and fear. Most of all be patient, calm and peaceful.
Best of luck with your new baby. I hope this is the beginning of a long, long loving relationship.
EDIT: I just read A F's answer. She knows her stuff! (or him as the case may be.) It was a very knowledgeable answer and I hope you follow all the suggestions given. Once again good luck with your baby. Oh Yeah! What is baby's name?
2007-02-28 01:00:38 · answer #3 · answered by fishergirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take him out and try soothing him and playing with him a little. Make sure that you don't move fast around him and keep things quiet. Don't let him hide too long, I did that with a kitten and he ended up not being calm around anyone in the house except a big old male cat that I had. He was always shy around us and would hide anytime anyone came into the house.
Most cats will come around in a few days, but if you have a cat that is a bit shy, he could become reclusive. Make him interact with you.
2007-02-27 23:56:47 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
New house, new person and smells. All new kittens are skittish at first. He needs a place he can feel safe and evidently behind the couch is it. If you have a string or "teaser" try playing for awhile. He just has to adjust to his new surroundings and new owner is all. Give him a little time to explore his new home. He'll be out pouncing and playing in no time.
Have you shown him his food and water bowls and litter box?
2007-02-27 23:54:12 · answer #5 · answered by mojo52 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kittens, when theyre new to an environment.. can be pretty skiddish. Give him time.. and put his food and water across the room, but in plain sight. Maybe you could make a food trail? I did that with my kittens, and it worked. Give him a few days (shouldnt take long). You'll probably wake up in the morning and he'll be out and about :)
2007-02-28 00:05:27 · answer #6 · answered by Becca319 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He needs to get adjusted. It is perfectly normal that new cats are going to be more skiddish (and even sometimes cry non-stop) and even more so if you have other animals in the house. It took my cats a few days to adjust when we moved from one house to another. He will come out when he is more comfortable... but certainly don't wait a couple of days to do so! If he starts to peek out you could lure him with a treat and then give him loves. The more reassurance that things will be okay the better!
2007-02-28 00:25:20 · answer #7 · answered by Amber M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave the kitty in a closed room for a week. Spend as much time in the room as you can and talk to the kitty. Eventually he will come out by himself. He is just scared right now and is not used to the new environment. Cats are very territorial and he needs to get familiar with his surroundings first. It takes at least a week til he starts bonding with you.
2007-02-27 23:53:04 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave him alone. He will come out of hiding when he feels comfortable. Cornering him and picking him up when hes scared can cause him to go into shock or be even more scared of you. Just give him time...it will take a couple days
2007-02-27 23:54:29 · answer #9 · answered by Mother Of Malakai 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He just got pulled away from his mother and his brothers and sisters and he's in a new place with giant human beings that he doesn't know. Let him calm down for a day or two and he'll be back to being a normal kitten.
2007-02-27 23:52:37 · answer #10 · answered by Moral Orel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋