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The litter tray

Adopted cat not setting

10 replies

Babytalkobsession · 01/09/2018 21:55

Hi Cat Lovers,

We adopted a 12 week old kitten this week from the Cars Protection League. He came home with us on Tuesday.

How timid is normal? He hid for the first day, and only ate when I placed his bowl in his hiding spot.

He's been exploring the house in the evening since then, but only when the kids are asleep. He seems to be getting bolder (sniffed my toe and played with a toy I dangled for him) but he hides all day! Doesn't eat all day (but fine at night) and only uses his tray at night.

He poo'd on the stairs earlier because I think he was scared to come down to his tray with the kids running around and didn't know what to do. I really feel for him.

Should we leave his tray and food upstairs where he likes to hide? Or should we keep it in the same spot downstairs in the hope he comes out? We haven't seen him this evening yet which is a shame. Poor little guy.

Any tips on helping him feel more comfortable?

Thank you

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Babytalkobsession · 01/09/2018 21:57

Pic, just because Smile

Adopted cat not setting
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LapdanceShoeshine · 01/09/2018 21:58

I would shut him in for a few days where he feels safe, with food, water, litter tray & some toys.

Then let him out for short supervised explorations, gradually getting longer, until he seems confident Smile

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LapdanceShoeshine · 01/09/2018 21:58

He’s gorgeous ❤️

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HardAsSnails · 01/09/2018 21:59

I've always kept new cats in one quiet room with all their stuff and we just pop in to visit regularly. They tend to make it known when ready to explore further. LastCat took over a week, current cat 2 days! The kitten is probably just overwhelmed with all the space and people.

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NoSquirrels · 01/09/2018 21:59

Totally normal! Leave him a tray and food upstairs, and let him come to you. Fuss him when he emerges at night but don’t let the DC go looking for him - tell them they need to be patient (easier said than done, I know).

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LapdanceShoeshine · 01/09/2018 22:01

Actually spend some quiet time in his safe space with him while he gets to know you Smile

I did that twice with kittens & they really bond when you’re their safe person!

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TroubledLichen · 01/09/2018 22:02

Totally normal, I adopted cats who were very similar in the beginning and really took their time to warm up but are now super cuddly affectionate boys. Yes definitely give him a quiet space, like an upstairs bedroom with his litter tray and water, just don’t put them next to each other. I might put some dry food with the water so he’s got something during the day but would only give wet doenstairs to try encourage him. Put it out after the kids have gone to bed for now. He’ll come round in time.

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Earslaps · 01/09/2018 22:07

We kept ours in one room for a couple of weeks. They were in the study and I work from home so I was in there a lot just working. DC were in each day for a quick stroke and play, then they had their evening stories in there each night.

It meant the kittens got a bit of peace and got used to the noises of the house. They did escape out of that room a couple of times for an explore too.

After we let them out around the house at first we would shut them in there overnight or when we went out for the day (to stop them escaping from the house mainly!!).

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Babytalkobsession · 02/09/2018 09:11

Thanks all. He eventually came down last night and sat in the corner of the front room with us. Won't come near for affection yet but happy chasing a fly around which was lovely!

Going to keep his tray and food upstairs for a few weeks as you all suggest and give it more time.

We've adopted before, a long time ago but she was a much older, more troubled cat. It took weeks. We didn't know what to expect with a kitten!

Can't wait to get to know him properly Smile

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EyeRolls · 02/09/2018 09:48

Could you borrow a large dog crate from someone? We put in a 2-storey cosy / hidey bed, litter tray, scratching board and water and left the kitten in there to just observe everyone, letting him out for longer periods of time as his confidence built.

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