Golden Oldie just brought home from foster carer

[notyetpastit]

DD has collected gorgeous golden oldie cat from foster carer he'd been with for 2 -3 weeks and when home he rushed under the sofa bed in living room and hasn't come out (as far as she can tell) for almost 24 hours.

She has left his food, water, bed, blanket etc in the room with him. How long can she expect him to stay under the sofa? Should she be worried? Thanks for any advice!

[StumblyMonkey]

I'm a foster carer for Cat's Protection....a lot of nervous cats may do that for the first few days.

I would just recommend putting the food, water and litter tray all in the room the cat has chosen to hide in.

Keep the cat in that one room for the first week or so and make it his little hideaway so he feels secure in there.

Trying to coax him out may make him more anxious so she should just spend some quiet time in there, reading/watching TV/whatever and wait for him to venture out on his own which he will do eventually.

He's just sussing out his new situation and is waiting to check nothing 'bad' will happen. He'll come round with lots of patience and love.

Good on her for getting a lovely golden oldie

[StumblyMonkey]

He may stay under there for a few days but will definitely come out to feed when he gets hungry enough.

Can she contact the fosterer to see if he did this when she first had him and how long it took him to come out?

[StumblyMonkey]

Sorry...me again.

If she's worried about the feeding try a little bit of tinned tuna (must be the type canned in spring water) on top of the food as the smell will be pretty irresistible to a hungry cat and put the bowl as close to where he's hiding as she can so he doesn't have to venture too far for it

[Toddlerteaplease]

One of mine hid for a week. Once I worked out where she was, and that she was safe. I left her too it. The foster cater had pre warned me that she would do it. And to make the most of the time with her sister, as when she came out she would monopolise me. She wasn't wrong!!!

[notyetpastit]

Thanks StumblyMonkey He has already come out to feed Apparently he hid in a cupboard for the best part of two weeks with his carer before venturing out properly.

[cozietoesie]

Following my mother's death, Seniorboy hid somewhere in this house for the best part of a month before deciding to rejoin the family again. He was a bonded Siamese though - they take change hard.