My family and I adopted a 2 year old cat yesterday and when we picked her out, we were told that this is her 2nd adoption (the other family decided they had to many animals). She is very very timid. She is not aggressive at all, she hasn't tried to scratch or bite us. But she is hiding under the bed and won't come out, we aren't trying to force her out, but I'm concerned b/c she hasn't used her litter box at all and she hasn't ate or drank any water. Not sure what to do.
2007-07-15 03:29:58 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
So do any of you think that it would or would not be wise to add a new cat next week. We fell in love with two cats and only brought one home, after talking it over we wonder if it would hurt or help our new cat we just got by bringing in another cat the same age as the current one. they are both females and are both spayed. The one that we did not get is very friendly but not overly aggresive. But wonder if the current cat would regress....Just curious if anyone has some sound advise for us. WE are a family of 3: My husband, our 5 year old daughter and myself.
2007-07-15 13:59:16 · update #1
Hi. Great question! I have adopted and taken in many stray cats in the past 40 years. We presently have 4 adult cats and 4 Sheltie pups.
What you new kitty (I know she is 2...but at 2 yrs old...they are still little kittens)....especially since she hasn't been able to "find her FOREVER HOME."
To answer your question:
1. What you kitty is doing is perfectly normal behavior. She is very scared and not sure what to expect from her new home. She is figuring out all the "new smells, sights, sounds, etc." She is LEARNING all she can before she makes her lst appearance.
2. You are very smart not to try and force her out. SHE WILL come out soon. Just place her food dish and her fresh water dish UNDER the bed she is hinding under and slowly but surely, move those dishes, CLOSER & CLOSER to the edge of the bed.
This will help make her a little bravier and not feel compelled to make that lst apperance before she is ready.
3. You can stay in the room she is in and talk to her softly and let her get used to your voice.
4. Turn on a soft light (like a nightlite) and it will relax her more. No bright lights...such as overhead lighting. She wants it dark because she is "hiding"....or so she thinks. LOL
Mine have ALL done this. They are so cute.
5. If you have any baby blankets or any type of extra soft material.....place it by the edge of the bed....but still under the bed and she will eventually lay down on it & get closer. You will be able to see her "eyes" first.....
6. I would put a small (very small) litter box under the bed or close by & leave the room and she will use the litter box. She just wants to feel extra safe. Especially since this is her 2nd home.
This is not anything you have done honey...she will be very loving and adorable once she gains trust in you and your family. She will also be extra grateful to you for giving her that FOREVER HOME.
7. If you have any soft music CD or a Waterfall CD....play that sofely in the room for her. It will help to relax her as well.
She will come out and just talk softly and tell her how much you love her. Great guestion and I wish you many happy years ahead with your new "fur-kid".
Many blessings, Patti
2007-07-15 04:09:29 · answer #1 · answered by Patti 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Keep a litter box in the room, and the food and water bowls at the other end of the room (never put them side by side with the litter). Let her feel like she's got a safe space there and she'll come out when she feels comfortable. She'll eat on her own and drink ok, right now she's just scared of the new place. Don't pull her out, she needs to do this at her own pace.
2007-07-15 12:56:49 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's usual for new cats to be frightened about their new home and owners. My advice would be to leave the litter box, food and water in the room with her by the bed and give her time to discover that room. She will eventually warm up to her surroundings and then once claiming your house as her home she will warm up to you. Give her time, she may just be a generally shy cat. If she continues to not eat, drink or use the litter box i suggest contacting your local vet or the place you got her from. Good Luck.
2007-07-15 03:43:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Years ago I adopted an older cat who went in hiding for two weeks! Just give your cat time and she'll eventually come out. Make sure the litter box and food is in the same room she is (you can move these once she gets more used to your home). She'll use them at night when all is quiet. Good luck!
2007-07-15 03:34:17 · answer #4 · answered by mJc 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most likely she is suffering new home jitters, your best bet would be to designate one room in the house as hers. Put her litter box in there, her food, some toys, a scratching post (if she has nails) and her water. Every morning go in there and give her some seafood flavored cat treats (put them like a foot way from where she is) then back away as far as possible to watch and see if she will eat them. If she does, make that a normal routine, but increase the distant gradually so the treats are farther from her and getting closer to you (increase by an inch or two.) Now as for during the day, basically let her be, but I would recommend going in there and listening to some music, reading a book or magazine, or anything that is quiet and you stay sitting while doing it. Eventually she will get used to human sounds and will probably start coming out when you come in there. It isn't unusual for a cat while adjusting to its new home, decides not to eat or drink for a day or two. But trust, eventually she will probably get thirsty, hungry, and will use the litter box.
Hope This Helps!!!
Good Luck With Your Kitty!!! :}
Thanks for adopting a homeless cat!!!! :) :)
By the way, don't force the relationship. Let the cat be, she probably knows where her stuff is, she just prefers her safe hidey hole under the bed. By grabbing her as soon as she just comes out you will be sending the message to the cat "if i come out, i am picked up" most likely she wont want to come out for a long while then. I would designate the room she is in right now as her room so you don't scare her by dragging her out. As soon as she does climb out from underneath there, don't just go and pick her up. Let her come to you and gently talk to her. It will probably take awhile, but when she is finally used to people let her explore the whole house.
2007-07-15 03:41:15 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Last year I moved my senior cat to my new home. He has been scared of everything and I knew it would be difficult. I bought little cat nip mats and put them in the middle of the living room. The first night he fell asleep on it. The next day he was all over the house. That was my easiest move
2007-07-15 10:39:36 · answer #6 · answered by azchtou 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give her some time, it's a new environment for her.I would place her food and litter box close to her, just until she is use to her surroundings, remember cats do things on there own time.I would buy her toys, even a cat condo to make her feel at home.
2007-07-15 03:40:08 · answer #7 · answered by CHRISTIAN G 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Oh particular! for all time lol, it makes me leap up with fright and convey regret (cats call) and then I comprehend it incredibly is in basic terms between the cats rubber balls that i'm stepping on. it is so humorous whilst that occurs! lol
2016-10-21 08:53:22 · answer #8 · answered by loy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
give it some time..cats usually dont use the litterbox when they are adjusting to a new place. its probably scared....but be sure to leave out plenty of water and food...its bound to eat when it's hungry...and getting a companion may be a good thing to try out but if you are gonna get another cat give just as much attention to the other as much as the one u already have so it wont feel left out...best of luck!
2007-07-15 03:34:09 · answer #9 · answered by Caramel 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Poor kitty. She's just scared. If you can leave a litter box and food and water near where she is. It may take a while but she'll come around.
2007-07-15 03:36:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋