Cats very very nervous, have we done the right thing?

[Rockbird]

Day three here. Firstly, they're our cats now, that won't change. They both had a rotten start and from now on they'll have cuddles (if they let us), fluffy blankets, lots of food and treats and everything they could want even if they never go near us. I want to clarify that. But.

They are still cowering in the far corner of the cage. They retreat when anyone tries to go near them, even to put food out etc. They came out for a wander yesterday evening but if we breathed in their direction they ran away, they won't let us near them at all. They just look so miserable. I know it's very early days but will they ever be happy here?

Oh OP I know just how you feel! When I got mine they hated us and they kept hissing at me if I looked directly at them. They were nervous and a bit wild - they weren't used to people. They'd sneak out from their hiding place at night and explore the house but one of them lived under my bedside cabinet for about a month and scratched anyone who came near.

I was crushed - all I wanted were two fluffy cats to cuddle. BUT those same cats sleep in my arms like a baby at night now, curled right up. Or on DP's shoulder like a parrot. They rule the roost and have a long list of demands but they are so sweet and loving. It has taken a long time but they started to settle down once they trusted us and got used to their new life. It is so worth it when they fall asleep on you for the first time and you know how trusted you are.

Good luck!

Boys are.

They'll soon take over and decide which sofa seat you don't sit on anymore.

I would try the Feliway plug in if they don't settle in the next week or so. It replicates a pheromone that mum cat releases so has a really calming effect on cats.

I'm sure you will get there, it sounds like you are doing all the right things for them, it just takes some cats time to settle, especially when they haven't had the best start in life. You will gain their trust in time

Thank you all for the support. I never even knew the litter tray was here before a few weeks ago! I'd be clueless without you guys

Our traumatised rescue cat spent all her time hiding the first week or so. She started to creep out at night when the (noisy) DC were in bed, and then she'd sit by us on the sofa. Not touching, but nearby. Then back to hiding in the morning - so well we could't find her.

Three years later, still a scaredy cat, but loves being with the family. She's curled up alongside me now.

You could try Feliway pheromone spray, which chills our cat out.

DH said that after we'd all gone to bed last night, they were chasing each other round the front room, along the backs of the sofas etc! And he said that he had to pull Arthur out of the chimney by the tail!! And that he was super quick. So. Chimney is currently stuffed with Tesco bags for life while I go to Ikea (am going anyway) to buy a chimney sized cushion and collect my fire guard. DH is on chimney watch!

They run away if we go near them still, but they sometimes let us stroke them if they're sitting still. They're definitely exploring their surroundings now though!

That’s lovely. But YY to blocking the chimney!

I know! I didn't think they'd really go there yet but DH said he went straight to it.

Haha. Ours found all kinds of spaces we didn’t think they would fit in!

We got our cat as a kitten and she hid and refused to eat for the first few days. By the second week she was feeling comfortable but still wary. 6 months on she is basically owns the house and we are her guests 😁.

I used to place her beds and blankets around the house so she could smell her smell in different rooms. Also we bought cat towers and made it so she could get from around the lounge without touching the floor. She was really scared of people walking past her.

Maybe try getting the kids to sit on floor peacefully with a bag of treats of the cats to develop a bond. When they realise that no one is a threat they will probably invade every space you have.

Apologies for the typos :)

Raven. I am imagining your cat leaping from tower to tower like a small furry Bruce Willis.

OP, glad to hear they're slowly finding their feet. If you've got a couple of old cushions, they'll do the trick for the chimney.

Your kids sound like they've been great with them, for now try and vary who feeds them and just be gentle and quiet around them. It might be nice to record them playing so the kids can see it. My two love ping pong balls by the way (get lots of them as they get lost everywhere), they're something the kids could roll along the carpet and the kittens can chase after them - that way the kids can interact with them a bit but without the pressure of the kittens feeling overwhelmed by having them close.

My two are most active in the mornings until 11am, get up a couple of short times in the day for play, snack, attention and then from 9pm they go crazy running everywhere. Outside they'd be hunting at dawn and dusk so I guess they're following this natural pattern.

Have you decided what to call your girl now?

The girl looks like she's staying Bramble . I'll have to find a nickname for her.

We redecorated earlier this year and chucked all our old cushions. We have no sense of forward planning!

They are doing brilliantly well. Mine were invisible for days, and it took me months before I could touch them. But a couple of years down the line and I have to give Boycat his morning & bedtime cuddles on the bed or he jumps on me, and Girlcat won't eat her food until I've stroked her after putting it down. I'm also expected to watch her eating.

Google Jackson Galaxy. He's big on looking at "challenge lines" for anxious cats. It helps build their confidence to own a new space.
Good luck.

Yes I've watched a fair bit of Jackson Galaxy since this all started. We've learnt not to approach them from straight in front and not to block their exit.

Get your girls to just be quiet around them, my two sat In the room reading with ours for days. No sudden movements, soft voices etc, treats if they do venture near but they need to near enough ignore them.
We’ve had ours over a year now and the can still be skitish downstairs, will come for cuddles on the sofa - upstairs you can do almost anything to them - very strange.

They seem keen on the house, and they like DH and the dds but they hate me so far!

They are clearly softening you up while scouting out their domain!
Lovely pics.

You'll be their favourite soon enough!

I'd also agree to the feliway plug in. We brought our new rescue cat home on Saturday- he was very nervous to start. We got a feliway plug in as recommended by the rescue centre and he's so chilled now. Yesterday he was even sniffing one of the dogs bottoms!

I've just got another one to put in my grumpy cats room so hopefully she'll stop growling at the new cat!

Yes, nicknames are compulsory. You could make it a double barrel one sometimes, ie Bramble .......

OP, why do you think they're not keen on you? Just keep feeding, playing and talking to them. Assuming they end up being lap cats, in time it'd be hard for both to sit on your DH at night, that's where you come in!!

The names have been revised. For once and for all. The final answer is.... Roxy and George! All of us are agreed and I'm having blankets made with their names on so they can't be changed