Nervous new cat

[LavenderDoll]

Picked up our new cat today
Through car protection
All our cats have been cocky and never nervous. However Ladybelle (dd named her) is a petrified ball of fur
Any ideas on how to help her settle in much appreciated

[VivienneWestwoodsKnickers]

Ah, poor wee thing! Let her hide. Don't try to drag her out of anywhere unless it's dangerous. My cat took about a week to be comfortable enough to run across the room and hidden behind all sorts of objects. Put tasty food and fresh water out where she can get to it from her hiding spots. Keep her litter tray nearby. Give it a day or two, see what she's eating and get an idea of her appetite. Start to move things further away as she comes out herself.

[Allergictoironing]

I had similar with my 2, incredibly shy & nervous - they hid inside the sofa for about 3 days only coming out at night when I'd gone to bed. Only way I could be sure they were there & alive was food eaten, water drunk & a used litter tray!

I'd leave her be, try not to be too rowdy in the room she's in but do continue normal conversations near her so she can get used to your voices. Make sure the food & litter are reasonably close to her favorite hiding place but where she does have to come out to get to them, and leave treats a little further away; these can be moved that much further every day so she gets comfortable about emerging.

I know it will be torture for your DD (and you!) but let her come to you. It took me a long time to get mine properly settled (ex-feral) but now I'm not even allowed out of bed in the morning until Boycat (the much shyer one of the 2) has had major tummy tickles.

Good luck with Ladybelle, looking forward to pics of her once she finally emerges

[LittleCandle]

Mine hid anywhere they could. Leave them be and let them settle. Try a feliway diffuser - they do help.

[Allergictoironing]

Oh yes Feliway is a good idea. She may also be OK with Zylkene sprinkled on her wet food; I used it last year to get mine used to fireworks and they loved it on their dinner, were quite disappointed when I stopped using it

[lizzieoak]

Most likely she’ll settle in soon - some just take a few days. I was just remarking to Handsome Beast this morning that two years ago he thought it was a good idea to hide in the cupboard for his first day. And now he’s excited to see me, tells me stories, brings me dead rats, and it’s all worked out for the best.

My ds was worried about the fluffy one, but I said as everyone else is - just ignore the cat. When cat decides to come out, greet her casually and ignore a bit more. Gradually she’ll come to you and you can ramp up your visible enthusiasm.

Some cats are a bit daft this way.

[FineAsWeAre]

Mine were rescued feral kittens. They were terrified when we got them and wouldn't let us near. I would just sit near them while they ate, gave them treats and gradually put them closer to me until they would let me stroke them, and encouraged them with different toys. One has really settled the other still has a very nervous temperament and hates strangers. She'll come round.

[LavenderDoll]

Thanks everyone
She has peeked out from behind the sofa ... edging ever closer to me. Poor little thing .

[LavenderDoll]

She seems to be warming to us. Kids are used to the black panther the most laid back cat ever so are struggling with Ladybelle
Think they expect her to be the same as our missing boy
She has growled a couple of times and hissed and also done a warning paw...so I'm thinking she is extremely scared and unsettled ... She can probably smell our missing cat as well
Im hoping the hissing and growling is temporary - I'm trying to leave her on her own so she can adjust

I'm worried it's to soon after losing our boy. I don't know. I'm very emotional with it all today.

I'm desperately trying not to compare them. Shit is all bloody hard at the moment.
I thought it would help the kids but I'm worried I've messed up

[Allergictoironing]

It's only been one day, poor thing WILL still be scared & unsettled for a while. Once she works out that warm soft things to lie on, good food, treats and toys are provided she should settle in. Took mine 3 days to emerge from behind the sofa at all, so you're doing well.

[lizzieoak]

It’s taken me a long time to accept our new cats as who they are versus the world’s best cat (who died of old age). You’ll always miss your panther cat but in time she’ll reveal her own good stuff. Our old cat talked a lot and was very chill. New cat 1 doesn’t talk a ton but when he does it’s always these very dramatic sad stories (which I sympathize with but secretly find funny as the cat lives the life of Reilly) & new cat 2 is very big on swivelling his head upside down (which he seems to think is highly amusing and intriguing). They’re brothers, but like chalk and cheese.

Your girl will show you her own cool stuff.

[LavenderDoll]

Having a cuddle and purring very loudly

[Allergictoironing]

Fantastic! That was quite quick - and she is beautiful .