New Rescue

[strawberrylove]

Hiya,

I got a new cat today from a rescue centre. So far he's bitten me twice and hissed at me. I'm not deterred by this, we won't be giving him back or anything like that. Maybe I'm just fussing over him too much when he's not used to it? Perhaps I need to give him a bit of space?

Any tips for helping him settle in? X

Yep, you need to give him space to settle in. Some cats own a new home within a couple of hours, mine hid inside the sofa for 3 days before we even had a sighting & took weeks to not flee in panic if I moved e.g. shifted on the sofa.

Let him come to you in his own time. You may also want to try a Feliway or Pet Remedy plug in to encourage him to settle. Plus I'm a great believer in bribery .

Let him explore a quiet room in peace. Don't fuss over him at all. He is clearly very stressed.

Thank you, as soon as I let him out (he's only in one room) he appeared to be very confident. Hasn't hid at all and keeps purring round me, won't leave me alone if I go in there. Maybe I should just give him some space for a little while now! X

Leave him alone for a while, have a cardboard box with something soft in it for him to hide in, put something soft on the sofa for him to sit on, leave a few dreamies about and wait for him to come to you. Send us a pic when you get a chance.

This is my new lovely boy x

He's a beautiful tufty

I can just hear him crying upstairs 🙁

Should I just let him cry it out? X

Perhaps go and sit with him but don't approach him. One of mine cried all night the first night I had them.

Awww he's a lovely floof! He's only bitten you because you're getting too close and he's scared. You need to let him settle in without approaching him. Just quietly sit in the same room as him for a while so he learns you're not a threat. He'll come to you when he's ready but if you force him he'll just get more scared.

He is gorgeous. Beautiful fur.

Thank you, he settled a bit and then I went in and he was fine but he's desperate to get out!! He keeps jumping at the door handle! If it weren't for my other cat being terrified in the kitchen I would let him out! What should I do?? X

I would keep him in the one room for a few days at least to let him acclimatise - also for the sake of your other puss.