Any cat people out there?

Question

Well I admit I am not an animal person. I'm scared of most of them, and I'm just plain old not a fan of them. But I wish I were.

In my first marriage though, we had a LOT of cats. And I liked them a lot, but once I moved on...I never wanted to have cats again...but my kids love animals especially my 7 year old son, and I thought a cat would be better than a dog.

Well today, my husband and I adopted a beautiful long hair tabby cat, and she really is a sweetie. She's two years old, already spayed, has all her shots, and you can pretty much pick her up and she'll stay on your lap while you pet her. The only thing that I am nervous about is, she hasn't eaten or drinken anything all day...(we've had her about 6 hours)...and when I put her in her litter box, she just laid in it for about 1/2 hour.
She's isolating herself too...and obviously it's her first day, and she's scared and nervous...and she may just be lazy and a loner...but when will she eat?

She's always eaten kind of cheap food, according to the agency we adopted her from, but we bought Iams...and a small bag of her typical kind, to wean her from it...but she just won't either kind. She's so cute though. She hides behind the couch...but if you move the couch and pick her up she doesn't run, and she'll let you hold her and purrs and everything. She's a doll. I love her...But, should I just make sure the food is availiable, and know that she'll eat when she's hungry? When do I worry? And will she eventually know that the litter box is not her bed?

I know this is not the right forum...but how would I add a picture link for my pretty new kitty?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37499373@N00/
Here are some pictures~It's day two...and she stayed in the same spot all night...I"m not worried yet, but I did put her in her own room with all her supplies....

Answer 1

Aww don't be worried - she's probably just a bit unsure of where she's at right now. I would just try to talk quietly and make things as calm and comfortable for her. Give her some space. She knows where the litter is, she knows where the food is. Did you find out which food she had at the shelter? It's definitely recommended to at least start off with the food the shelter was accustomed to. Let her stroll around and check everything out. Everything the friendliest, cuddliest cats will be a bit standoffish when they first get to a new location.

She sounds gorgeous - can you add a pic link? Oh and good for you for adopting an adult cat - they're wonderful!

PS: to show us her pic just upload it somewhere online and then provide the link up top there.

Answer 2

Sounds like you found a great cat! First the litter box is something that is a normal smell. It is use to that and not your house. It should stop using it to lay in after it takes a poo a few times so wait to clean it for a while. I would get a box, tip it sideways and put a towel or small blanket in it. This is something else it may be familar with. The food is a good brand I use it too. But there are different types like fish ect. I would not get the diet one or the hair ball one since that seems to make them act different. ( sleepy and lazy) I stick with the original one. after two days if the cat will not eat it get a few different types of cat food that you think are good and a can of iam's cat food. You dont want it to get use to wet cat food but just to get it started eating. No milk please! Some cat toys and even a stuffy in the box are all things to make it feel comfy. It may take up to a few days for it to eat but its ok. Just clean the water dish everyday and it should start to take a few bites here and there and get some water little by little. If it will not eat or drink for 4 days take to vet! Hope this helps and good luck with the cat!

Answer 3

She really does need to eat something pretty soon. If you can check out a pet store tomorrow pick up some cans of Natural Balance, Wellness or CA Natural. Cats really like canned food and it may perk up her appetite. The Natural Balance and Wellness is mostly meat and won't upset her system. Both lines also have 3 0z. cans. Try her on chicken or turkey first. If she doesn't go for it the Wellness has a turkey and salmon and she may go for the fish flavor. The CA Natural has a salmon and sweet potato that my cats really love. Make a few phone calls before you go shopping and find a store that carries those brands. Grocery store canned foods are full of a lot of additive junk and can upset her digestion so stay away from them.

It sounds like you have a very nice kitty and you have opened your heart to her. I am sure she will steal it in the end.

Answer 4

It will take a new cat a while to adjust to a new house full of new spells and things to explore. You did the right thing by showing her where the food, water and litter are kept. She will remember that in the future when she is ready to use them.

Also, since you are trying to change her food, you were right to try to wean her off of it. If after a full day she is still not eating, go back to just her old food until she settles in completely, and then wean her. Also, I suggest using Purina One Salmon dry food. It is complete nutrition and great for cats. Wet food, table scraps and milk are not good for cats. Their systems cannot break them down as good and it gives them stomach upsets and diarrhea.

I am sure your kitty will be fine. Just give her plenty of space and leave the food out for her at all times so she can eat when she is most comfortable.

Answer 5

She's just a little frightened because sdhe's in a new place. Six hours isn't too long for a cat to go without eating and drinking.

It would be best to put her in a small room such as a bathroom or laundry room, along with her food and water dishes and a litter box as far from them as possible. A cat bed such as a cardboard box on its side, with towels inside, will help her feel more secure.

She'll be out socializing and owning the house in a few days.

Answer 6

Good for you adopting. That is totally normal. I have had cats all my life and their all different, one cat I got was sooo shy and would hide under my recliner and I used to have to pick her up and take her to her food then sit there and pet her while she ate. I did that for a couple of weeks then she was ok, also you could move her food to a more secluded area w/o a lot going on so maybe she can feel safer and come out to eat. Give her a week or so then slowley move it back to where you want it. Dont worry she wont starve herself when shes hungry she'll eat. Good Luck

Answer 7

This is very normal. If she doesn' t eat by day 3 then I would call your vet and ask for some advice. Make sure her food dishes are not near her litter box. Cat's do not like eating close to their litter box. Iams is an excellent food. I would keep your house quiet and calm - she should adapt soon. Good Luck.

Answer 8

When she's ready. Just make sure her food is fresh....don't leave out canned food until it dries... and give her some space. She won;t go in her box until she needs to, but showing it to her a few times will allow her to find it when she needs it, which probably won;t be until she's had some food or water. It's normal for her to isolate herself, she sounds like she's very nice and should be a great pet. It may take her a day or a week to get more used to your home, a day to get hungry.

Answer 9

The cat is just nervous, let her settle down and she will eat when she feels comfortable. I took my kitty on a road trip once and he didn't eat the whole day which was a 14 hour trip. He was fine and ate once we settled down to where we were going.

Answer 10

When I got my first cat I just left a bowl of dry food out all the time and he ate whenever he was hungry. He wouldn't drink out a bowl but only a running faucet. He drinks out of a tall cup now. I guess he just didn't like bending down to drink.