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Original poster

any cat lovers out there??

15 replies

bonniej · 29/11/2004 14:46

Wonder if anyone can help. we've just bought a new kitten home and wonder how to settle her in. she's obviously very nervous and at the moment has found a quiet corner in the kitchen. i want to pick her up and reassure her but don't want to scare her. I have put down litter tray, bed, water and food. What's the best thing to do? leave her on her own to get used to her surroundings or pick her up and keep her on my lap? I feel really sorry for her at the moment as she must be petrified. Please help

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Original poster
bonniej · 29/11/2004 14:46

also, she's a female and has no name at the moment. Any suggestions?

OP posts:
Blackduck · 29/11/2004 14:49

Let her do it at her own pace...try not to make any sudden movements around her....

lima · 29/11/2004 14:50

pick her up and rub her gently - hold her near your heart - she should find your heartbeat reassuring, as she's missing her mum and litter-mates

zephyrcat · 29/11/2004 14:51

yes you have to leave her for a few days to let her get used to her new surroundings. It wont be long before she comes looking for a cuddle!
I miss my little kittens - they're soooo cute! My two are 18 months old now and a real pain in the a**e!!!!
Are you planning to just have the one? If you decide to get another to keep her company do it sooner rather than later

CarrieG · 29/11/2004 14:53

Wear an old woolly jumper & cuddle her on your lap? lima's heartbeat suggestion is a good one...

Not to hijack your thread, but does anyone have any suggestions as to how to console a mother cat when her kittens go to new homes?

Original poster
bonniej · 29/11/2004 14:55

lima, you've made me so sad saying she's missing her mum. I feel really mean for having taken her away. She must be terrified

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CarrieG · 29/11/2004 15:04

She'll probably be fine by tomorrow bonniej!

The first time I acquired a kitten I spent the whole evening in tears thinking how scared & upset he must be - but by next morning he was bouncing about, happy as a clam!

lima · 29/11/2004 16:37

aahh bonnie - didn't mean to make you sad - think of her as a teenager off to pastures new, ready for adventure, but a little bit apprehensive. She will bond with you soon enough.

Thomcat · 29/11/2004 16:41

Victoriapeckam - you're an animal lover arn't you, can you help

ChicPea · 29/11/2004 16:44

Keep her in one room initially with door open, food, water, toys, litter tray and close other doors (if possible). Maybe a room near the kitchen (if you congregate there) or the sitting room. She will then have peace and quiet and explore that room without anybody bothering/frightening her. When she is ready, she will peep out and if she sees somebody, she may dart back in. She needs to explore slowly. If you try to get her out, she will retreat when she is scared. She needs to explore each area slowly so open one door every 12 hours (if possible).

I did this with two siamese kittens in a three bed flat but we did not have children then and had only ourselves and the kittens to think about them. Children are also terribly noisy and if they haven't been brought up with them, that will be a shock.

My kittens arrived at 12 noon on a saturday and by Monday afternoon they were chasing each other. They weren't interested in me whatsoever until Wednesday!!

HTH.

Thomcat · 29/11/2004 16:50

A hot water bottle or hottie in her bed might be nice for her.

Keep the radio on low when you're not around.

Fran1 · 29/11/2004 16:52

It really won't take long for her to settle down. She'll be timid for a while, but once she begins to explore she'll build her confidence and possibly drive you mad, if like my cat.

My cat when a kitten, would run from miles when she saw us and leap up our bodies, digging claws in all the way, until she reached our shoulders purring furiously. (she can't do that anymore as she has too much weight!)

She probably would like a cuddle from you, just go in gently and quietly.

CarrieG · 29/11/2004 17:04

If you want her to sleep in a particular box or bed, one thing she might like is if you wear an old jumper or fleece around the house this evening & cuddle her (unless she protests about being picked up) then use it as bedding for her, so it smells reassuringly of her 'new mum'?

Variant suggestion on one of MIL's brighter ideas - whenever she babysits, I wear a particular jumper during the day & give it to her to wear while babysitting - she claims it helps ds feel safe!

KangaMummy · 29/11/2004 17:11

what colour is kitten?

what about ticking clock? near the bed

Original poster
bonniej · 30/11/2004 19:08

Just been able to log on. Kitten has kept me very busy. We've settled her into the kitchen and have put a nice warm bed in there. She has two bowls of food, one dry and one moist and plenty of fresh water. She had a good night, went to the toilet in her litter tray but would only eat food if we took it to her. She is still really nervous. I've just gone into the kitchen to check her and she has vanished. I looked everywhere and have finally found her inside the tumble drier she has crawled up the hose and is right inside. I don't think she's stuck. I've disconnected the drier and her little heads poking up the door bit (I've taken the mesh out). I could probably get her if I stuck my hand inside but she will be terrified and I really don't want to hurt her. What shall I do??

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