Newbie cat owner seeks advice

[valrhona]

Hello one and all
I need advice on 2 sets of issues, if anyone has the time to read/reply. Would be very grateful.
My family and I took in 2 rescue cats from a shelter last Friday. So, we have a lovely tortie aged less than 2yo called Margot. We also have a small black undernourished (poor mouse) long-haired black cat aged around 7 months, she's called Coley. She will be so lovely when she gets some condition. Coley seemed confident and friendly at the shelter, Margot was very, very quiet and shy, but not adverse to being handled.
Over the course of the week, (we had kept them together, separate beds in a small room) Margot has come on in leaps and bounds and acts like she knows us for ever. Poor Coley has retreated behind the refrigerator, seems very nervous and will permit limited handling, which is fine for now. We separated them for a time, to let Coley gain some confidence as it seemed Margot was alpha cat and bossing Coley around to the point Coley wouldn't come out of her bed unless there was somebody present to buffer against Margot. Margot has since chilled out a lot, and I don't think would be mean to Coley, we just have to win her around, or just give her time.
Has anyone any tips for helping with Coley to be more relaxed and to integrate with us and with the other cat?
Also, I am hoping the cats will learn that getting on worksurfaces/counters/tables is not ok. Is this possible, or would I just be wasting my time and they'll do what they want to anyway? Advice welcome! I have provided high space (and more on the way), just hoping to keep the counters cat-free....
Sorry this is so long. Look forward to getting to know you all here on the Litter Tray :)

[NaturalBaby]

Feliway. We got a rescue kitten at approx 6weeks (now 9yrs) and he's a very nervous creature who jumps at his own shadow. Feliway has helped him loads, especially when we had to move house. He came with an older cat who bossed him about. It didn't cause a huge problem, that was just the way they were together.

My cats aren't allowed on the work tops and they know it - I just shoo them off every time they think about it or jump up.
I was also told they need separate litter trays.

[valrhona]

Thanks NaturalBaby. What is Feliway?? Is it a tablet or ?

Do your cats get up on the counters when you are not there do you think, or are they not allowed access when you are out? I want to give our cats access to all areas except bedrooms (says she hopefully)

[Fluffycloudland77]

Feliway is a plug in atomiser that releases relaxin pheromones.

I've never been able to train my cats not to get up on the work tops. If I leave him in while I go out he opens up my wardrobe, the airing cupboard etc and generally mooches about.

It's only been a week, try and relax.

[NaturalBaby]

I've got the plug in feliway, you can get a spray but the plugin was more effective.
I think my cats might go on the worktops when I'm not there. One of them likes to lick the breakfast bowls while I'm on the school run. They have free run of the whole house.

[msrisotto]

Re the kitchen counters, you can buy a motion activated deterrent (ssscat) that emits a short burst of air which scares them off. I wouldn't want to make nervous cat any more nervous at this stage though so maybe keep that idea for later, when they feel more confident at their new home.

[MrsRonBurgundy]

My cat knows she's not meant to be on counters and as soon as she sees me watching her (she's completely deaf so can't hear me coming) she scarpers. I know she does it when I'm at work though so just have to accept that giving my counters a spray and wipe before cooking is a requirement - she obviously has got the message that it's not allowed but does it anyway. To be honest, half the reason I love cats is that they're so badass so I reckon it's a small issue.
She was a rescue cat and took her a long time to get relaxed in our home. I tended to leave her to her own devices for the first few weeks, not always looking where she'd hidden herself away and letting her venture out gradually. She didn't like being stroked and seemed to flinch when we touched her. My nan gave me an old school tip which really worked. But butter on your fingertips and let puss cat lick it off. I used to do this a couple of times a week and she eventually would bound over as soon as she saw it and it seemed to build up her trust in me?? Sounds odd but worked for me. Some people may think that sounds grim though with the cat licking

[valrhona]

Hi everyone, thanks for the tips. I think separating the cats has worked out for now, they meet in the evening and I suppose will negotiate their politics between themselves. Scaredy-cat Coley came to join dh, Margot and I on the sofa last night but sat as far away from us as possible. That was a big step forward for her. She's a funny little thing.
I suppose what will be will be re the counters etc. Am really enjoying having the cats in my life, they are lovely. Here's Margot.