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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

New kitten advice

39 replies

Mummyoftwo91 · 22/12/2017 19:42

Got our lovely girl today, given her a safe room of her own so she has space and quiet. She has been hiding a lot and won't come near me and is hissing at me is this normal?

New kitten advice
OP posts:
dementedpixie · 22/12/2017 19:45

Have you tried just sitting in the floor in the room and ignoring her and see if she'll come over. What age is she?

Original poster
Mummyoftwo91 · 22/12/2017 20:44

Yeah I did try that sat for about 20 minutes, she was hissing at me from under the bed, she's 10 weeks. I think the car journey scared her a little, how can I build her trust?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 22/12/2017 20:58

It will just take time. She will be out of her comfort zone with different smells and environment

ClareB83 · 22/12/2017 21:09

20 minutes isn't very long. Just chill out in the same room. Maybe flick a cat toy occasionally and out some food out. After an hour or so give her some me alone time so she can eat if she hasn't yet and use her litter tray. Then try again.

Tinselistacky · 22/12/2017 21:12

The magic ingredient to woo a kitten is Primula cream cheese.
My dgm cat used to sit at the fridge and meow for it after a while!!

Want2beme · 22/12/2017 21:13

She's probably a bit scared & unsure of what's happening. I'd say she's a very bright girl and a little bit sensitive. Have a little play with her and just keep visiting her in her space. Once she feels a bit more confident, she'll come to you. Does she have something she can disappear into, like a box? Somebody here recently mentioned playing with a ball of wool with feral cats very successfully. She's very cute. Hope she settles soon for you.

VictoriaPeach · 22/12/2017 21:14

Has she been brought up so far in a family? Used to kids and noise etc.

BowieAndMercury · 22/12/2017 21:20

Totally normal. Ours hid behind the sofa the first day and slept there together. We started off by stroking them with one finger while they were eating wet food. Within a few days they were coming straight to us for attention, and now they're two of the most loving cats I've ever had. It takes time. Smile

Original poster
Mummyoftwo91 · 22/12/2017 21:47

She's been here since about 4pm and hasn't touched her food or litter tray yet is this normal? Bless her I feel sorry for her she must be so scared

OP posts:
BowieAndMercury · 22/12/2017 22:11

Is the food and litter somewhere she would feel safe to go to it?

Foxedme · 22/12/2017 22:23

When we got our two a couple of months ago they kept hiding behind the cupboards the first day. It takes a couple of days or more for them to get their groove. She might also be missing a sibling or Mum. My cats are now confident and extremely affectionate little monsters! But I was wondering what they'd be like on day 1! Definitely is it out, Dreamies and cat toys help.

Want2beme · 22/12/2017 22:25

Cats prefer to pee in private. Can you put her tray under a table or somewhere out 9f view from you? Make sure her food & water are away from her litter tray & her water is a little bit distant from her food. Does she have something snuggly to sleep on?

Original poster
Mummyoftwo91 · 23/12/2017 12:54

She was crying all night I tried to pick her up to Comfort her but she was having none of it so I've given her space now she's still under the bed hiding, nothing to eat still

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 23/12/2017 13:58

Could you put food near her where she is hiding?

Original poster
Mummyoftwo91 · 23/12/2017 14:14

I did put her food under the bed but she looked at me in disgust! I am just worried about her

OP posts:
ScreamingValentaMySantaExpress · 23/12/2017 14:18

It's always taken a good few days for cats to start eating properly in a new home, in my experience. You need to give her space and let her come to you - avoid picking her up until she seems comfortable being stroked.

Regularsizedrudy · 23/12/2017 14:21

I think it’s pretty normal. She’s going to take a good few days to realise she is safe. I think it’s best if you don’t bother her too much and let her take the lead.

Original poster
Mummyoftwo91 · 23/12/2017 14:32

Thanks, I will give her the space she needs to adjust, here she is

New kitten advice
OP posts:
ScreamingValentaMySantaExpress · 23/12/2017 14:37

She's got lovely, unusual markings and such a sweet little face. What a stunner! She'll be very striking when she's grown up.

DottyS · 23/12/2017 15:50

One of ours hid behind the curtain for 2 weeks. We left food, water and a litter tray near her. When we went into the room we ignored her but spoke to her - actually we had lots of one sided conversations (who needs a therapist Smile). Just give her time and space and she will soon come round.

EachandEveryone · 23/12/2017 16:08

Have you got other cats? She’s lovely. I found when I had the one she took a lot of time and boy did she cry, it was heartbreaking. I got number 2 quick smart it made a huge difference.

They all love something on the end of a string have you got anything like that?

Fluffycloudland77 · 23/12/2017 16:54

Ah she's a brindle tortie. Don't worry you will all be under the paw in no time.

She's a beautiful little girl.

Original poster
Mummyoftwo91 · 23/12/2017 17:06

Thanks everyone, I had a beautiful black car growing up but I was only about 6 when we got her so I don't remember this part! She came out earlier when I was wrapping presents to be nosy and touch the paper with her paws so I think she's getting a little bit more confident but still won't come near me, I'm sure she will get there Grin

OP posts:
EachandEveryone · 23/12/2017 18:09

Aw that’s sweet what’s her name

TheSecondOfHerName · 23/12/2017 18:21

She's very beautiful

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