Not sure whether my new rescue cat is happy here

[justfoundout2014]

She has been here just over two weeks. The rescue centre described her as independent and said she would decide when she wanted some attention, and that was what attracted me to her as I am now a f/t working single parent, so I thought 'independent' sounded good.

She spends the majority of her time in the attic room (proper room, with real stairs) so we don't really see a lot of her in the day. She comes down to eat or use the litter tray (hasn't been out yet) , and has sat on my lap about 8 times for about 10-15 mins a go. She takes fright easily at the dc (she had had one owner before, with no dc, but the rescue centre were happy to recommend her), but at other times she is happy to let dd stroke her.

She does seem to like sleeping in my room at night, which is nice, but I am worried that she may not be happy here, and may not return when I let her out next week - she is very keen to get out.

Does this sound normal or worrying? The door to the attic doesn't shut properly and I will be getting this fixed soon, not because of this issue, or would I be better to just let her use it if that is what she likes?

It all sounds perfectly normal to me. She will become more confident around you in time.

Does she like to play? Playing with her will help.

I think that sounds quite normal for a cat, they do tend to disappear in the day for a sleep. Not all cats are lap cats, my parents have had their cat for 15 years and she still doesn't sleep on their knee, it is just not her thing.

I think it all sounds fine :) If you are worried you can keep her in for longer. We kept our rescue cat in for 8 weeks and I was so worried when she went out but she just knew where to come home to!

that's why they said she was independent rather than friendly.

Its pretty normal for a female

My cat is like that.
She doesn't sit on laps or even on the same chair as us. She used to sleep on out bed but seems to have gone off that.
I've got no idea if she's happy, but I guess she must be as she hasn't run off.

It might just take her a while. We've had our rescue boy for 18 months. He spent the first few days sat in the cat litter - as presumably it as the only thing that smelt familiar! This week he has, for the very first time, sat on the sofa near me. Not right next to me, but on the same sofa. It's progress!

Sounds normal to me too. None of mine sleep on your lap, 2/3 choose sometimes to sit next to you, and the same 2 sometimes sleep with us. But they are all very happy, come running to the car when we get home (they like to lurk out the front of our house which faces onto hedges and a green space, but have constant cat flap access)

It sounds to me as if she likes you just fine. She's sat on your lap every other day and she sleeps with you at night? That's OK. In fact more than OK after only two weeks.

And I'd just let her use the attic room at will if that's what she likes - it's likely her 'quiet and safe place'.

All sounds good.

Sounds fine to me.

If children are around then cats definitely need a bolt hole to get away from them. They like the quiet life. Our cat previously lived with a toddler and a kitten and has a tendency to bite people. He is getting better but I think he was a bit battered where he was before!

I bought my cat from a rescue centre when she was 12 months. We've had her 18 months now. She has sat on my lap 3 times now, so I think you're doing really well.

She sounds as though she is settling in well. It must be a big upheaval for her.

Sounds fairly normal really. If they sleep with you they like you.

Thank you all - very reassuring.

I ought to add that I am very happy with her! She is very beautiful and has character - she was sitting near when I told dd off for something and she reached out and batted my pointy, cross finger and gave it a deliberate but restrained bite. Dd was delighted .

I grew up with 3 cats and have rescued one other as an adult. He was very different - very bolshy and immediately buddied up with the dog we had at the time, so I just wanted some reassurance. Glad to hear it sounds normal.