New Kitten in hiding!

[eachpeachbarebum]

Hi. I don't know why I'm posting really because I know I need to wait for him to come out in his own time but I'm finding it tough and hate the thought of going to bed with him hiding and scared.
We picked up our new kitten tonight.he is confined to the kitchen with food, bed, litter tray and a couple of toys.
It's been 5 hrs since we got him.he stayed in his carrier under the kitchen table and let me stroke him a little bit. Then my husband went to check on him, he hissed (kitten not husband!) And is now somewhere under our run of kitchen cupboards having got through loose kickback. We didn't see him do this it's just a process of elimination that there is nowhere else he can be.
I know I should have foreseen this, I hold my hands up so please don't flame me.
I don't want to take other kickbacks off to find him and cause him further stress. I'm trying to tell myself that it's fine that he can hide and feel secure until ready to come out but the waiting is hard.
I also just read a forum talking about a bonding room that should not be a room people are in and out of. I thought it best to start him where all his things are going to be and to be around people. I've read another recent thread about kitten settling but would appreciate some advice/ reassurance.

Morning.what a difference a day makes! Will do proper update soon after I've taken dc to school . won't be an easy task no peach kitten is avidly watching them roll a ball to each other.

When not no sorry I should really preview.

Excellent news - it sounds as if he finally realizes he's home and is starting to relax into life.

I fostered cats for 10 years.

Almost all of them went in to hiding for a day or two before coming out for food.

Stick with it.

And I have yet to find a cat that turns its nose up at ham.

I did melt a bit when you posted that you let your dinner burn so as not to upset him

I admit that I was thinking the Peaches will be getting salad tonight, prepared in the morning and left accessible on the side
So funny the lengths we go to.

I agree on the chicken and also ham and cheese too, but I worry about the salt content of ham and cheese, so it's a teeny and very rare treat.

Just one word of caution peach while we're all oohing and aaahing and melting, don't forget that peachkitten will need some ground rules if you don't want him to completely rule the roost i.e. no leaping onto worktops or furniture or stealing food - whatever you want the houserules to be, start as you mean to go on rather than finding something cute and then trying to stop it later.

Sorry rl getting in way.have got some work to do for meeting this afternoon but promise to update tonight...

Well sorry it's taken me ages but I've finally sat down. Dc difficult to get to bed as they don't want to miss anything.
This morning I warned the dc that although peach kitten had been out with me he would probably be hiding again as three of us with all the normal morning activity would be a bit much. Cue dd opening door to Ok strutting round kitchen and quickly checking out the rest of downstairs including jumping on the dvd player and the window sill.the dc rolled a ball to each other and Ok was there sniffing around and pushing at it once or twice. I was really careful not to walk towards him because he was hanging around and meowing very loudly (sounds like a seagull!). When I went upstairs to brush my teeth and found him waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs I realised he was actually seeking me out.i wonder if the call was an "I want my mummy" one. I took the chance to stroke him and he didn't object. Then ds couldn't resist and was really gently and then dd.it was lovely they could do thus before school.
This morning a friend called round.i wasn't sure how he'd be but Ok was rolling on his back, rubbing round our feet and even nuzzled my neck a bit. He is adorable.
Roll forward to me working on computer this afternoon, he was back under the cupboard, came out briefly and had been under there since school home time, brief prowl round and then back. I think he is going back to sleep there and maybe all his bravery was used up this morning.
I want him to know that I have the feline equivalent of a five star hilton hotel in the form of fluffy hooded bed but guess the privacy and security isn't as good as his chosen sleeping quarters!
I know it will still take time but it's so nice to start to see his character.
Sassy I'll try the ham tip if needed thank you but he has turned his nose up at some food and I fear he is expecting tuna starters at every meal. I am also cautious about his diet (thanks to Enrique and others for the pointers) especially as there is no sign of litter use yet?!
Enrique, no salads but fish and chips. Thought pk could have a morsel to tempt him if necessary. Sadly for him it wasn't.
Your caution is timely too. I've seen him weighing up height, jump ability of kitchen surfaces. That's a definite no no for us punnet of peaches. He has also padded upstairs a couple of times so all peaches are under instruction to shut bedroom doors. As for sofas though I'm not sure. Does that mean no lap cuddles. Can you train that they can sit on a peach but not the sofa?!
To the poster who was up at 4 am with teething kitten, oh no I didn't come across that in my research. How long do you have to endure that?
All signs are that he's going to be feisty but cozies yes I'll remember it's still scary for him and he must feel lonely without mum and siblings but we are doing our best to comfort him.
Not inflicted camera yet but I've not forgotten.
Thanks for sharing and supporting. I can't bore everyone like this in real life.
I'm off to try and coax him out again.

Oh let him on the sofa. It's part of owning a cat that they have their own spot on the sofa.

At first we weren't going to allow our cat upstairs, or on the bed but they have a way of persuading you to do what they want you to.

I let ours on the work top. Or, to be more accurate no amount of yelling makes him get down and I gave up.

I haven't been refreshing the page all day, oh no, not me

I am totally melting at the descriptions of peachkitten ?

It's totally up to you OP what your cat boundaries are and what you're comfortable with. My DD has hers on and in her bed, I don't let them on our furniture.

I thought of something else that might help, although it's sounding like it's probably unnecessary but considering bonfire night's coming up and might be an issue depending on where you live. Take a look at
Feliway Products

Sounds like you're doing really well

fluffycloud that's the excuse answer I was hoping for about the sofas, bit about beds and surfaces but we'll see what happens.
Enrique that's a really good point about bonfire night and it goes on for ages round us too. Will look at your link but am wondering about keeping him til after, though I have a feeling pk will have other plans. He's already been gazing longingly out of the window.
I love being owned by a cat. can't wait for tomorrow. Him and me at home with nothing to do but make friends

I know Cozie has a way of shouting at her cats that gets them off surfaces but ours just looks at me like he's really pleased to see me.

If dh shouts at him he cowers, dh immediately feels awful and consoles the cat that he would never hurt him.

So basically he gets away with murder.

How's peachkitten's day been today?

How on earth would you stop a kitten going on the sofa? my kitten is laid out alongside me now - surely thats the point of them?

Peach your posts have bought back lots of memories of when we brought back boy kitten who promptly disappeared and after lots of hysterical searching we found him hiding behind the fridge freezer.

He eventually came out one evening, I was in bed reading and suddenly was aware of this little face looking up at me he still occasionally hides now, 4 yrs on, but only if something truly terrifying happens like we cut the lawn

My other girl kitten however walked in and from day 1 assumed she owned the place tbf she wasn't far wrong

On the matter of the litter tray the fact he hasn't used it yet would concern me slightly. He may need some gentle encouragement, after he has eaten I would place him in the litter tray. Also look for ques he maybe needing the toilet, sniffing or scratching about, general restlessness - pick up and try in litter tray, he will eventually get the idea!

Hi everyone.he's had a good day today thanks . getting to know the dc, playing and getting more affectionate and less jumpy as we move about.
He's taken to sitting on a dining chair hidden by the tablecloth which I'm pleased about as he's obviously finding little places to sit and relax.
Girlie, peach kitten is actually most cautious of the living room and I'm trying to tempt him to sit on the sofa with me.
However I am a bit concerned about the litter and food situation. There was a real smell this morning I tracked it to a fairly inaccessible corner under the units.seems to be only wee.havent found anything else yet! I've cleaned it as well as possible and then blocked off that corner and his bolthole. He's quite distressed and cross about it but I think it had to be done.
The litter is the same as the one he's used too but I've taken the cover off and kept putting him on it but no joy yet.i am now wondering if he doesn't like it for some reason; too much litter, newspaper lining sticking up... who knows but I wish he'd use it and am a bit concerned where he'll go next!
He's being quite fussy with his food. I haven't seen him eat dried food. He dies eat some wet but I keep having to throw stuff out. Saying that he has devoured a morsel of ham to try and settle him in t he living room but he's not getting any more after what you said Enrique.
Maybe I need to adopt cozie's tone to cracking the litter tray issue.must say I'm a bit thrown by it . didn't think it would be a problem.
Hope everyone has had a good day. Anyone staying up for the results? Peach kitten is into manic mode so no bed for me just yet.

No, I still keep losing my posts. Boring myself with retyping
I've just seen he's done a wee in his litter tray.yippee! Maybe being on this thread channels all your expertise and he conforms!
So do I leave it as a reminder where to go or empty that bit? I've complicated it as I've put the litter near to chosen wee corner, not where I ultimately want it to be. Is it a reasonable plan to get him using it regularly and then move it gradually, put lid back on and show him it's new place?
Can't believe I'm exercising myself over this...

I almost forgot the most important bit.

Oh my. I'll tell you now that kitten is one Huge Character
and lovely with it.
We'll all know who's going to rule the roost in your house He's adorable.

The way feeding and toileting works best here is to put only little amounts of food down at a time and let them clear the dish rather than wander off leaving some because that inevitably gets wasted, particularly if wet food - I use dry only as little treats because I'm very concerned about urinary tract issues caused or aggravated by dry food.

The litter tray I put where it's most convenient for me and older cats tend to just find it and babies get lifted into it a few times.

You asked about teething Peach, it goes on until they're about 8 months. It's not usually an issue though. For some reason, it's affected my kitten more than most.

Ah! No I have a piccie I am over my strop. Isn't he lovely! That is going to be one stunning cat when he grows up.

Both my kittens had initial litter tray issues. With clever cat (who lived behind the fridge), I just put the litter tray next to her last spot, and then she used it. After that, I moved it several metres away each day to my preferred spot, and no problems since.

With Mr. Thicko (who had no fear about the whole home from the minute he arrived in it), it was a lot more challenging. Let's see how yours goes before we get to 'extreme' litter training. Mr Thicko still has his moments if I get things wrong!

You can remove the 'solid' lump of wee, because the scent is enough to remind them.

But do keep the tray away from 'busy areas' (corners/by walls are best) so that they get a sense of 'privacy'.

Little update: Enrique, I've been putting out less food as you suggested. It is working better but I think his appetite and enthusiasm for food is better now he's settled.i keep saying food and tapping the plate with a fork at mealtime ( thinking ahead to standing at backdoor trying to call him back after first venture outside! ). He is rubbing my legs and has worked out which cupboard his food is kept in!
He is using the litter tray too. Whoknew at your descriptions. I'm going to try and move the try as you suggest. The lids back on and he pops through the door.
As for settling in generally, he's got his paws well under the table now.dp came back late from work the other night to find me and peach kitten asleep on the sofa. Dc

Love playing with him.they can't wait to spend the weekend at home with him and will have to be prised away to go to parties!
Only thing he doesn't think much of is his bed but he lives the den I made out of a chair, coffee table and duvet on the suggestion of a pp.
Yes, we've rearranged around him, changed alarm system so he can go anywhere downstairs when we're out. I can see the way this is all going.
Enrique, not sure how you can tell from one photo but yes, I fear he is a big character. Each day I see more evidence of his personality. I think he is quickly taking control of the peach household
Thank you to you all for the advice and funny stories of your own owners. This is now my favourite place to hang out (not much point in lurking round good housekeeping/ cleaning anymore. See I can't even remember what it's called )
Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Hmm, just realised I don't do little updates. Chatterbox in rl, obviously on here too

He looks slightly oriental you know with that long nose.

You are totally owned now. He'll be on one of the beds before you know it. The more you love them the less dirty the idea seems.

I find that the cat decides where they want to sleep and you should relocate the bed accordingly

I love the updates I don't have any little ones at the moment so am living vicariously.

Rubbing you and having the food cupboard pecked, really good signs. I love it when they start rubbing your legs and things around, they're claiming their territory.

As to where the bed goes, I find they dictate.
We have some who totally reject the beds put for them and go and find their own plac. We have some who prefer to sleep higher up and some who'll reject a bed for ages and then suddenly take to it.
The boot room has been renamed the bunk room

Have you decided yet about getting him chipped and neutered?

Fluffy he is half siamese and it does show in face, lanky legs and personality I think!

Mrs risotto I can believe that. I can see him settling in the dining room. It seems to be his favourite place to sleep/chill out forage for scraps. Enrique I suspect he likes to be high up.i am considering a radiator bed but keep having to tell myself not to spend everything on him! I'd love a boot/bunk room!

I honestly feel like he's always been here.dc are cuddling up to him and he is very tolerant so far.he follows me everywhere and is curled up on me right now.
I went out briefly this morning and tried out the new "pet proof" alarm.fast forward 30 minutes and I get a call from a neighbour.siren in the background said it all.his daredevil habit of leaping through the landing bannister rail onto a stair half way down triggered the sensor. I am just apprehensive; if he is doing stuff like this within a week what is he going to be like in a month?!

As for the bedrooms Fluffy,ahem, he has had a grand tour. Dc swear they didn't open a door I decided he could stay for bedtime stories and he caught and ate a massive spider (they seem huge this year). It actually went crunch (grimace emotion). Soon I'm sure it will be mice etc.

I am planning a trip to the vets next week . definitely getting him microchip per and will also get him neutered when he is ready. He was sitting by the back door this morning.though he's obviously not seen it open he has a sense of a world outside and I feel we must let him out as soon as it's safe but obviously I'm dreading it!

Enrique do I sense a temptation to get a kitten or do you just want to get your fix here?! I'd love to hear about grown up sensible and dignified cats!how many do you have?