New cats are terrIfield - please help

[UsedToBeAPaxmanFan]

Two new cats (mum and daughter aged 3 and 1) joined our household yesterday. They were living with a family in a flat, in a noisy/cramped environment with no access to the outside. The family loved them but felt they were unhappy in a noisy environment so we agreed to take them as we had just lost our much-loved cat.

The new cats have never been outside the flat before - never been in a cat basket, never been in a car and of course our house is very strange to them. So we expected them to be very nervous but we didn't anticipate how terrified they would be.

As soon as they arrived (about 18 hours ago) they ran under the sofa and haven't moved since. They are shaking with fear. We left them alone as we thought after a couple of hours they might start exploring. But we got up this morning and they are still under the sofa. We left food, water and a litter tray in front of the sofa but they haven't been touched.

I'm now really worried that they will start to be dehydrated and that the stress will impact on them, but don't know what to do. I'm working at home today but don't know if I should keep going into the living room or just leave them be. They were used to a very noisy environment where the tv was on all the time - should I put the tv on for them? Would that help?

I can't move the sofa by myself and think that would completely freak them. But I don't like the thought that they are squashed under there (not a big gap).

Dh had booked to take them to the vet tomorrow for jabs and check up but we will cancel that as they have never been to a vet and I don't want to inflict more stress on them at the moment.

Any ideas as to how long I should leave them and what I should do if they are still not coming out after, say, 24 hours?

[Cowardlycustard2]

I really hope they emerge soon. How long would you guess it is since they last ate? The poor babies must be hungry let's hope the tuna does trick. The Feliway will def help but you have to allow a few days for it to build up in room for it to work at full potential.

[UsedToBeAPaxmanFan]

Good news! All the food and water we put out has gone overnight, plus the litter tray has been used extensively. Hopefully they will start to feel more confident in their new home and emerge whilst we are around.

Thanks, everyone, for all the support and advice.

[Dontyouopenthattrapdoor]

I'm so pleased!!

When they get braver can we have a photo?

[SuperFlyHigh]

They should come out soon But don't be surprised if they take another week or so.

Strangely my cat Felix likes women talking (eg outside bathroom) scared of most men.

It's because the poor things haven't been socialised, handled etc

Well done so far

[cozietoesie]

Food and water gone and litter tray used? You can relax now - they'll be OK.

I'm very pleased for you all.

[cozietoesie]

PS - Maybe consider a second tray to make life more comfortable for them?

[UsedToBeAPaxmanFan]

Hi
I think we will get a second tray. Anything to make them happy. I thought that, having been in a small flat with lots of people including a toddler, they wouldn't be so terrified.
I'll definitely post a pic if/when they come out but it may not be for some time!

[SuperFlyHigh]

OP - some cats if they've been used to lots of handling by young children (chasing etc) don't like them...

Felix despite being brought up in a house with young and older children and a dog now dislikes/distrusts both. I think he was treated as a 'toy' or chased around.

Toddlers are not great with cats generally!

Treats are a good idea plus their own cat beds and/or soft throws they like - Felix is addicted to a fleece throw I had when I got him at 4.5 months and likes a mohair fleece I got afterwards.

[cozietoesie]

This is huge for them. Even if they didn't much like their previous environment, it's what they knew. (And there are two of them so they can feed off each other's anxieties.)

You're doing fine.

[SuperFlyHigh]

agree with Cozie it is HUGE for them...

Felix was with his mum and another cat... and similar to what Cozie said even if they didn't like their old environment it was 'home' to them.

[UsedToBeAPaxmanFan]

Yes, it's a huge change for them. Ery different to our previous cat who we adopted as an adult. He arrived at our house, climbed out of the cat basket and then explored everywhere before climbing onto our laps for cuddles.

Apparently the mum was brave enough to come out for a few minutes today whilst dh sat very quietly nearby. They are both under the sofa again now though!

[cozietoesie]

She came out though.

I bet DH is chuffed?

[UsedToBeAPaxmanFan]

Last night they were both brave enough to come out and eat whilst we were in the room. We had put the food at the side of the sofa, against the wall, so they couldn't see us whilst they were eating but they knew we were there as we kept talking in soft voices to them. The mum seems a bit braver than the daughter.

Overnight all the food we put down went, but we think only one of them used the tray. Dh is goug to buy a second tray today in case that helps although they've only ever had one tray between them before.

Hopefully they will get braver as time goes on.

[cozietoesie]

Well that all sounds very good. They could have been tucked away for weeks while you were in the room so you and DH sound like relaxing types.

Good going.

[Dontyouopenthattrapdoor]

That's brilliant progress!!
They're going to be just fine :)
Still want photos though :D

[twinkletoedelephant]

My rescue cat spent a fortnight in the cupboard under the stairs ( the door was propped open ) he came out only at night to use litter box and eat.

After 2 weeks he sauntered into the living room meiowed loudly and flopped on the floor, from that day until his last day he would follow the children upstairs to bed to 'listen' to their bedtime stories and keep the monsters out of dd's room.

We were 24hr away from taking him back as we assumed he was so miserable in our house.

Give them lots of time and patience....they will learn they are on to a good thing :-)

[cozietoesie]

We sort of assumed that Seniorboy was miserable - he'd just lost his Person after all and for a Siamese that can be a big thing - but he was family (my mother's cat) and we knew he was still alive from nighttime tray use and eating. We just gave him the adjustment time and went about or business.

24 hours though. Jings.

[cozietoesie]

our

[viques]

Great to hear that they are venturing out. am impressed at the OPs dedication to her new furries that she pooed in the room (twice!) to make them feel at home!!

None of mine have ever had settling in problems, but one of my daughters spent a week under the floorboards having found a tiny gap that was just his size. Luckily came out eventually as he grew into a chunky lad.

[UsedToBeAPaxmanFan]

Oh god, what a typo viques. Obviously I POPPED in there twice.

Mum is now being very brave and sat on my lap this morning! She still dives under the sofa at the slightest unexpected sound. Daughter hasn't really emerged much except to eat. I'll see if I can get a picture of mum.

[cozietoesie]

They're acclimatising pretty quickly all told. You must have a very acceptable environment for them.

[UsedToBeAPaxmanFan]

Daughter is still very nervous. Mum is now eating all the food we put down, daughter is too scared to come out whilst we are the and if we leave the food down then Mum eats all of it, even if she's just had a huge bowl of food.

At least mum is getting used to us. Hopefully her daughter will follow suit shortly.

[Dontyouopenthattrapdoor]

That made me laugh. Naughty Mumcat.

Hope the daughter finds her feet soon.

[MrsBertMacklin]

Paxman, have you got any cardboard boxes, or an enclosed cat bed?

BertCat is a lapcat now, but is very nervous around new people and if I start doing housework, so I have an enclosed bed that serves as her retreat. I bought it precisely because of the same issue with her squeezing under the sofa.

Cardboard boxes are appealing anyway, enclosed space where the cat feels like nothing can surprise them from the sides or back?

[caitlinohara]

I would get some small toys and trail them around the floor where they can see them. Sometimes if food isn't doing it then play will tempt them out, as long as it's not a big open room. If the space is too large then I would put chairs, boxes etc around to give them some cover. If they do come out to play, have some treats at the ready to reward them.