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Original poster

Picked up nan's cat today & he doesn't seem happy

61 replies

Pinkchampagne · 31/07/2007 14:39

The poor little thing seems scared & keeps hiding. He was a rescue cat before nan got him, so is very timid & doesn't seem to like being picked up & he is also missing my nan.

I am planning on keeping him inside for now incase he runs off, but not sure how long I should keep him in, as up until now he has spent a lot of time outside.

I am very new to this pet thing, so any advice would be appreciated!

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Original poster
Pinkchampagne · 01/08/2007 10:05

Thanks for the tips. I had no idea that cows milk was bad for cats, so best I look out for some cat milk.
He did eat his food eventually, as when I got up this morning he had an empty bowl. Will get some pilchards today.
I have some tuna, could that do the trick?

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Original poster
Pinkchampagne · 01/08/2007 10:06

He still hasn't come out of his hiding place! I have told boys to keep away & the cat will come out in his own time.

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KITTENSOCKS · 01/08/2007 12:25

Don't buy too much cat milk in case he doesn't like it. Plain water is more than adequate. Mine likes rainwater, preferably from a plant pot tray, outside! Won't drink tap water from a bowl, but will drink from the bathroom basin if we leave a little pool of it in there!
Drinking is important if you give dry food. Tuna in small amounts is O.K. but if in brine rinse the brine off first. Proprietary pet foods should be the main source of food.

Original poster
Pinkchampagne · 01/08/2007 16:00

Thanks, KS, I will swap the milk for water!

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Original poster
Pinkchampagne · 01/08/2007 16:03

He is lying asleep on my bed right now!

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prettybird · 01/08/2007 16:19

Some cats are OK with ordinary milk, but it is really important that you always have plenty of water out for a cat.

Just be patient with him. As others have said, it will be unsettling for him.

One of my Mum's cats, an oriental, always disappears when ds comes to visit - and that's despite the fact that orientals/siamese are usually good with children.

Kids move very fast and unpredictably and can unsettle cats. When your cat does make an appearance from their hiding place, teach your kids to stand still and hold their hands out for him to sniff, rather than immediately trying to stroke him (someone else has already advised this). Let him put his scent on to their hands (that's waht they are doing when they rub the side of their face against you).

It's early days now - you're doing well!

Original poster
Pinkchampagne · 01/08/2007 16:43

Thank you, PB.
I have been holding my hand out to him (could be her, not sure of it's sex yet!) & he has been rubbing his face against me. He is happy to sit on my lap (in his own time), where he sits & dribbles, but doesn't seem to like being picked up.

Boys are a little afraid of him hissing (which he does when afraid), so have been keeping a bit of a distance today.

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prettybird · 01/08/2007 16:54

Some cats are never happy being picked up. (Not something I've ever experienced myself, as we've got Siamese, who love beimg handled) my SIL has a cat who although otherwise frinedly, hates being picked up.

"Ordinary" cats (as opposed to Siamese) are friendly very much on thier own terms. They will come to you when they feel like it. The fact that he is sitting on your lap is a good sign.

You should probably also plan on taking him to a local vet just for a quick checkover and to get him on to thier books. You'll need to be sure the cat is vaccinated, especially if you are planning on letting him out eventually. The vet could also confirm if he is a he or a she!

I presume if he was a rescue cat, he will have had his first set of vaccincations. When did your gran get him?

alipiggie · 01/08/2007 17:05

We got a rescue kitten three weeks ago and she's settling in well. She loves chicken as a treat and I dilute real milk with water 70% water and no ill effects here (another treat for her). Sounds like you're doing fine with "Puss". Let him/her come to you and I'm sure that the cat will settle down eventually.

Original poster
Pinkchampagne · 01/08/2007 17:15

Yes, I think a trip to the vets will be in order as I don't think he/she has been since nan got him.
My uncle picked him up for nan around last September time, after she lost her other cat (who she was sure had been caught by youths & made into slippers!!), and had been abondoned before nan got him. He has had lots happen in his little life, which will explain why he's so timid.

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Original poster
Pinkchampagne · 01/08/2007 21:06

DS2 came up to the cat while he was on my bed, which caused the cat to hiss, which then really frightened DS.
I have tried to explain to him that the cat is a bit scared, but DS2 is now pertrified.
I do hope the little cat settles soon.

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MellowMa · 02/08/2007 07:48

Message withdrawn

MellowMa · 02/08/2007 07:48

Message withdrawn

KITTENSOCKS · 02/08/2007 08:57

I'm sorry that DS's are now wary of the cat, but you don't know what had happened to him before your nan had him, possibly he'd been tormented by children in the past?
Do you have any fishing rod cat toys? (Basically a rod with a cord to which is attached a toy, or a feather boa) These are brilliant to play with timid cats who don"t want to be touched, you drag them across the floor and the cat chases/pounces ensuring you don't get scratched, perhaps the boys would like to do this, would build up all their confidence. They could try throwing a toy mouse across the floor for puss to 'catch', you never know, he might bring it back to be thrown again!! Mine did this, used to drop it at my feet! The more good things happen to puss, the more he will relax and trust. You're all doing really well, you know!

Original poster
Pinkchampagne · 02/08/2007 11:47

The toys sound like a great idea. We don't have any cat toys yet, so best I take a trip to the pet shop today!
He/she is starting to eat a little now, and is using the litter tray, but is desperate to get outside! I am making sure the boys keep the inside door shut when they go in the garden to play.

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Original poster
Pinkchampagne · 03/08/2007 08:27

Think we're making slow progress. The cat is now eating a lot better, and seems to be hiding less! He/she is quite happy to be stroked (by me, not too comfortable around boys yet), but still hisses quite a bit, which frightens the boys. Hopefully he will start feeling more comfortable soon.

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prettybird · 03/08/2007 13:36

That sounds good.

Maybe keep the boys away from him until he is a bit more settled.

Why not get the boys to think of a name for him - or do you want o wait until you have been to the vet to confirm sex?

Original poster
Pinkchampagne · 03/08/2007 18:04

Boys keep arguing on the choice of names. DS1 wants to call it Bill, and DS2 wants to call it Underground Ernie! Think it might be an idea for me to get it's sex confirmed first!

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Original poster
Pinkchampagne · 05/08/2007 11:38

He seems a lot more settled now, and I'm wondering whether to allow him out in the back garden soon.

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peggotty · 05/08/2007 12:16

Hi pInkchampagne, you could give it a go letting him out if he seems much happier, but let him out when he's hungry, that means he's more likely to come back when you rattle his food dish! Really pleased to hear he's settling down.. Personally, I like Bill for a name

Original poster
Pinkchampagne · 05/08/2007 12:30

I guess Bill beats Underground Ernie!!

I opened the back door for him, but he doesn't seem bothered about going out atm, maybe because it's so hot. I will try again later!

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stleger · 05/08/2007 12:30

Billie for a girl? That cat seems to be taking over the household, slowly but surely....

Original poster
Pinkchampagne · 06/08/2007 00:48

My parents have a male cat called Billy, otherwise I would name it that!

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prettybird · 07/08/2007 15:23

How's the cat doing? Settling in nay better yet?

And how are you? it's been a tough time for you, what with being a long parent for the frist time for the long school hlidays, your nan dying, your mum and the house keys....

You will get through it, {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

Original poster
Pinkchampagne · 07/08/2007 18:21

He is settling down quite a bit, PB, although he still growls at the boys, which they don't like!
I guess it will get easier with time..at least that's what I keep telling myself!

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