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?

It'd be awful to have to do that. However, in your case it definitely sounds like cats and you are happier now.

Having said what I did earlier, I'm home alone now and have spent half an hour sitting on the floor while Bramble () rubbed her cheeks all over me and shamelessly cadged Dreamies from me (strict max of 6 per day!). She's under the table again now but we definitely had some interaction. Arthur has sodded off upstairs, probabaly inder my bed again where there is no hope of reaching him. He'll reappear at dinner time I hope

Quick question of a practical nature though. Her claws keep getting caught on our cheapo shaggy rug. Will this be annoying her or is it kind of like a scratchy thing?

SHE'S JUST JUMPED UP ON ME FOR A STROKE!!!!!!!!

She’ll learn soon enough how to stop getting her claws caught and how to use your rug for claw sharpening purposes only!

Aw YAY!!

It does take time to bond with new cats but 6 months on I really love Ebony.

She woke me up this morning wanting food!!

Your cats will definitely improve but it takes time.

Give them time. They'll come round when they're ready. One of our cats was a feral kitten who'd never been inside a house, been stroked etc. He would fight and growl with any attempt to pick him up. Took him a couple of weeks to be comfortable being in the same room as people! He's now 11 years old and a proper tart for a stroke from anyone.

We made him a little house from a cardboard box with a small entrance. He could go inside when he got nervous, which as often. I started stroking him gently when he was eating, until he would allow it at other times.

Our feral cat also 'sharpens his claws' on the carpet. Get them a scratching post wrapped with sisal/string. It saves the furniture too (mostly). We have a fab climbing frame/scratching post that they love. It also has a box and shelf. Cats like to get high up.

Getting caught on rugs usually means their claws have grown too long from lack of use running up trees, killing small animals and whatnot. You might have to give them a trim, which (obviously) they won't like at all...
Have you got them a good scratching post/pad? You may be able to avoid that trauma if they can shorten their own claws.

They've got a house/shelf/scratching post combo which they love. The rug is very shaggy so probably not the easiest thing for them to walk on. But they're due injections any time now so I'll ask about claws then. Not sure I feel confident enough yet to tackle that!

They've been completely loopy this morning, using the stairs as a racetrack

Ask the vet to trim them for you, and show you how at the same time.

Mad galloping up & down the stairs is A Good Sign - means they are comfortable & feeling safe.

They must have been feeling great then because they were going like the clappers

Mine sound like a herd of baby rhinos - I thought cats were supposed to be stealthy animals?

And they always wait until about 10 minutes after the lights go out

We call ours Thundercat at that time in the evening.

She's tiny - how does she make so much racket?

@PussinWellies we call ours Thunderpaws 😂

Our three are the herd of elephants when they get the zoomies all together. Two sisters and a rescue who's rather nervous and standoffice, so it's always a bit of a soppy "awww!" moment when they do play with each other.