New kitten crying and hiding

Rachcakes · 2016-09-09T05:21:05+00:00

We brought our new kitten home last night, Ozzy. He's a lovely British Shorthair, nine weeks. I've been up all night with him because he keeps hiding in places I can't reach him and crying. I understand it's a big change for him to be away from his mum and I want to help him as much as I can. He enjoys strokes and cuddles (or at least he stood crying) but do I try to catch him when he's taken himself off to a hideaway spot to cry? When I go near him he bolts. I know he will settle eventually but I can't bear to think of him in distress. What should I do?

Original poster

Rachcakes · 09/09/2016 06:22

He stops crying, when I stroke him. Sorry. Tiredy brain.

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Original poster

Rachcakes · 09/09/2016 06:24

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FuzzyWizard · 09/09/2016 07:38

I'm sure someone else more knowledgeable will be along with proper advice but I wouldn't personally try to catch or handle a cat that is hiding. Hiding is pretty normal cat behaviour, especially in a new, unfamiliar place. I'd just chat softly to him from a distance and see if that helps. If that doesn't stop the crying you may just have to endure it for a bit until he's settled. He's likely crying for mum and should settle down in a week or two.

ClarkL · 09/09/2016 07:41

Rach, I bought our new kitten home on Monday and had exactly the same type of behaviour.
We're on day 5 now and he has totally transformed, I've a post: New kitten hates me :( and I've had loads of great advice.

The best thing we did was give him a tiny room, a teddy and I'd just sit and talk to him, not handle or try and touch him. Just being there and talking to myself for an hour at a time.

By day 3 I managed to stroke his head, at which point he realised he liked it and I wasnt trying to kill him!! By the afternoon of day 3 he was moving about 2 foot to chase a ball or ribbon.
Day 5 and the little spider monkey is climbing the sofas and jumping in between. He's still only happy in his little room, hallway and lounge, and takes himself to his box in his room when it all gets too much.
Be patient, I promise the tiny playful kitten is hiding in there
Oh and ours had a fluffly throw and teddy, he liked that and still licks and snuggles into it

ClarkL · 09/09/2016 07:41

Rach, I bought our new kitten home on Monday and had exactly the same type of behaviour.
We're on day 5 now and he has totally transformed, I've a post: New kitten hates me :( and I've had loads of great advice.

The best thing we did was give him a tiny room, a teddy and I'd just sit and talk to him, not handle or try and touch him. Just being there and talking to myself for an hour at a time.

By day 3 I managed to stroke his head, at which point he realised he liked it and I wasnt trying to kill him!! By the afternoon of day 3 he was moving about 2 foot to chase a ball or ribbon.
Day 5 and the little spider monkey is climbing the sofas and jumping in between. He's still only happy in his little room, hallway and lounge, and takes himself to his box in his room when it all gets too much.
Be patient, I promise the tiny playful kitten is hiding in there
Oh and ours had a fluffly throw and teddy, he liked that and still licks and snuggles into it

Original poster

Rachcakes · 09/09/2016 08:30

That's reassuring Clark. It's about 20 years since I last brought a kitten home so I'm a bit out of practice.
He did sit on the back of the sofa and watched telly with DH and I for an hour last night, so I'm confident he'll find his feet/paws soon. I just hate to think he's frightened or sad, but I guess that's inevitable.

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Toddlerteaplease · 09/09/2016 08:37

Leave him to it, he'll come out when he's ready. Don't extract him unless he is genuinely stuck One of my girls hid for a week under the kitchen cupboard and only came out to eat and use the tray. Fortunately I had been pre warned by the foster carer she would do it.

ClarkL · 09/09/2016 09:02

sorry for the double post!
I haven't had a kitten before this week, usually rescues/returned/unwanted/unwashed etc! Just this once though my husband came home with a kitten and I was terrified, it was possibly on a par with bringing my newborn son home and wondering what the hell I do next. However it seems the same rules apply, plenty of space, a safe zone and simply being there. You'll do fine

MrPoppersPenguins · 09/09/2016 09:12

We got 2 sibling kittens a while ago. One was brave and outgoing and the other hid under the bookcase! Things that might help.... A box/cardboard box with blanket for them to hide/retreat, maybe even on a surface/on top of a bookcase ?cats feel safe and like to be high up. I wore a fleecy dressing gown which another of our kittens loved to cuddle up to. Confine them to one small room as previous poster suggested.

MrsSellors · 09/09/2016 09:24

I would stop trying to reach him, just have some treats with you so if he does come over you can give him a fuss and treat. If he's frightened and you keep grabbing him he will hide more. Its only been a few hours

MrsSellors · 09/09/2016 09:25

I would stop trying to reach him, just have some treats with you so if he does come over you can give him a fuss and treat. If he's frightened and you keep grabbing him he will hide more. Its only been a few hours

Original poster

Rachcakes · 09/09/2016 09:52

Good advice here. Thanks.
He's asleep under the sideboard now! Hasn't eaten, drunk or used his litter tray yet, although he jumped in and back out of his tray last night, so he knows it's there.
I picked up a feliway plug in from the vets on the school run so hopefully that will help.
Little guy ❤ ❤❤
I know he'll come round. It is like the first night with a newborn. Luckily I'm working from home today, so I'm here for when he feels a bit braver.

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Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 09/09/2016 19:56

Aww bless him. The poor little guy.How's he doing.

RedforDanger · 09/09/2016 20:00

You should only allow him access to one room to start with, a whole house is too overwhelming. Just make sure he has a bed/food/litter tray and yes let him come to you. You could try feeding him by hand to gain his trust.
I think we need a pic when he comes out of hiding though .

Original poster

Rachcakes · 10/09/2016 12:02

He's really perked up! DS (14) was off school yesterday with a broken arm, feeling quite glum. I nipped out to Tesco and came home to find them playing together. I suspect he coaxed him out with a catnip toy.
Once I gave him Dreamies (Ozzy, not DS) he seemed to gain confidence.
He still hasn't touched his wet food but he's had dry food, kitten milk, water and used his litter tray, so I'm happy with that.
He'll come out for a little play, roll round on the fluffy rug (he LOVES the fluffy rug) then go back somewhere out of the way.
He's currently asleep under the bookshelf.

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Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 10/09/2016 12:04

Awwwwwwww. Any chance of a pic.

Original poster

Rachcakes · 10/09/2016 16:45

I'm not sure how I post one? I have a pic saved on photobucket.

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