Rescue cat - what happens now?

[Pleasemrstweedie]

We brought him home this afternoon and he's now in hiding. We can see him, and when I was out of the room for an hour, he came out and played with one of his new toys, so I think he's just being cautious.

But how

[Pleasemrstweedie]

Posted too soon.

But how long can he stay there without needing to use his tray?

Should I feed him in that room tonight, although it's not where I would normally feed him?

Once he comes out of hiding, how long do we have to wait before we can let him out?

I've had cats for ever, but I've never rehomed an adult before.

Thanks.

[ememem84]

Ours did this. Leave some food out and some water. Make sure he has access to the tray. He'll come around

[StorminaBcup]

Ours did this too. ^^ same advice!

[Fluffycloudland77]

He needs to be in for 3-4 weeks. They pick up a lot of info from looking out of Windows.

I was astonished ours knew how to get from the front of the house to the back from very early.

Go in there and read a book or take the iPad/laptop in. That way you're there but you're not a threat.

[ememem84]

Ours also hid for about 2 months....but she was semi feral and we don't think had been in a house for a long time. She's now (almost 4 months in) fairly happy to be around us (eats from our hands, lets us pat her, purrs, meows for food, sleeps on/under the bed and chases her toys).

At present she's chasing a poor catnip mousie around the living room getting very frustrated that we have our feet in the way.

[TrustySnail]

They can hold their wee in for quite a long time if needed. I agree with the PPs' advice. Carry on with your normal routine and the cat will gradually come out and mingle when he gains confidence.

I would give it at least two weeks before you think of letting him outside - more if he is still showing a lack of confidence and/or hasn't got into a meal routine.

[Toddlerteaplease]

One of mine hid for a week. Once I realised where she was, and that she was not going to get hurt. I left her two it. The foster cared had warned me that she would do it. And also to make the most of the bonding time with her sister, as once she came out she would completely dominate me. Foster care had to put them in separate rooms so the quiet one could have some uninterrupted fuss. Took about a year before the less dominant one started holding her own with her bossy sister! So worth it though!

[Haffdonga]

Ours did this. We went out and panicked when we came back he'd completely disappeared. We were convinced he'd managed to escape through an air vent in the ceiling . We finally found him hiding behind a sofa, off the floor, clinging on to the soft bit of fabric in the middle at the back, so invisible from all angles.

He is now the calmest most chillaxed cat you could meet.

[TrustySnail]

I still remember as a first-time-owner getting my then DP to pull the washing machine out at midnight because I was convinced my brand new kitten had got stuck behind it and would die within the hour if we didn't get her out. After lots of palaver she eventually strolled out calmly from behind the sofa . She lived to be 15.

[Janey50]

Our current cat was a semi-feral when we took her in,about 6 months old,so the oldest cat so far that we have taken in,all the others were kittens aged 8 to 12 weeks. She hid under my bed for 12 hours to start with,venturing out for a couple of minutes only when she thought no one was looking. Hunger and the need to use the litter tray eventually got the better of her. She was very shy and nervous for the first week,and would still hide frequently,but gradually,after much coaxing and patience from us,she settled in beautifully. She is now a confident cat,but is still wary of people she doesn't know,which is no bad thing,I think.

[Toddlerteaplease]

The one that hid. Asleep on my knee!

[TrustySnail]

Toddlerteaplease She's beautiful! Black cats are always so very sweet. My 'one that hid' is sadly no longer with us; she was a little brown tabby.

[Allergictoironing]

Mine hid for days, one behind the sofa and one actually crept inside it (velcro'd covers). The only way I knew they were still there and alive was food vanishing and the litter tray being used overnight - and it took 2 days before they used the tray.

I second the suggestion that you spend quiet time in the same room as them; I would watch the TV and comment to them about what was on the screen so they could get used to my voice - the first time they came out & settled was to watch the TV!

[hollinhurst84]

They're all so different. I was all prepped for my rescue to be hiding away and he strolled out the carrier, looked at me like "you my human? Ok" and sat on my lap

[cozietoesie]

Has he peed yet?

[Pleasemrstweedie]

Peed, pooed, ate two meals and some Dreamiest and is currently snuggled up to me on the sofa washing the smell of the shelter off himself.

Phew! I think we're going to be OK.

[UsedToBeAPaxmanFan]

Great news! We adopted a mother and daughter a couple of months ago, they took a few weeks to get used to us but now are on our laps all the time.

[ememem84]

This is my girl. She's so close to being sat on my lap. She wants to do it. Just isn't brace enough yet.

[Toddlerteaplease]

What a beautiful girl. Love tabbies.

[Pleasemrstweedie]

Here he is. Currently sitting on the coffee table, probably planning another assault on my dinner!

[Paris1986]

When we adopted our rescue cat about 2.5 years ago the shelter said to start her off in one room and keep the door closed, letting her into more rooms gradually. Lasted about a day cos she's so curious! She stayed nervy for a while though, and is now the most relaxed and outgoing cat ever. Will be ruling the roost before you know it. He's gorgeous btw, what's he called?

[Orangebird69]

Cute!!!!! I luffs tabby and white boys 😍😍😍.

[Paris1986]

This is 'nervy' cat, called Chaos. No longer nervy at all

[ememem84]

Omg he is a cutie face.

[SparklesandBangs]

We adopted sisters they were both timid and hid behind the oversize plant pot, so we made them a den in that corner (sheet over chair with box containing blanket underneath) brave kitten was soon out exploring the house, timid kitten is fine when it is just us here, if visitors come she hides. For small children it's behind the fridge or dishwasher, for grown ups it's the top of stairs or airing cupboard. 3 months in we can have all the cuddles she wants us to have maybe one day she will get used to strangers.