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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.

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Original poster

Kitten won’t come out of hiding and will not let anyone touch her

41 replies

Pikusia1 · 01/06/2019 21:25

Hi guys,
I’m a bit worried. Yesterday I got my first kitten, she is a stunning 4 months old Russian blue. She had quite a long car journey yesterday but appeared quite confident when we arrived at her new home. She had a good nose around and even played with us when using one of those toys on a string with a stick. She wouldn’t want to be touched though. I’m not sure if she’s just stressed as at the breeders she was very cuddly and affectionate. Neither me or my partner have been able to touch her yet as she just runs off and hides. She seemed energetic yesterday evening but today she’s just slept all day and won’t come out from under the sofa where we can’t reach her. I have tried to give her space and just sat on the floor speaking to her in a soft manner but nothing seems to be helping. I’m starting to get really worried and don’t know what to do . I don’t want her to be unhappy here. She pooped yesterday but today she has not eaten or used the toilet and seems to cry every time we get near her. If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 01/06/2019 21:27

Our first cat spent the first fortnight under the sofa. Well, I lie. She did sod off up the chimney for a night. We used to lie on the floor with our arms under the sofa to fuss her.

Wolfiefan · 01/06/2019 21:27

Bless her. You need to make her a safe space. Confine her to one room with her food and water and litter. Don’t crowd her. Take a book and sit and read or a feather on a string and let her interact in a way that isn’t too close to her. Keep it quiet and she will soon come round.

plonkie · 01/06/2019 21:28

Aw dont worry, it's very early days! My now 8 year old cat took days, if not weeks, to come out of hiding. I still remember his first purr Haha. I spent a lot of time on my tummy talking gently and offering treats. It worked eventually!

MalloryLaurel · 01/06/2019 21:29

Get some feliway. It really works. I find it quite soothing too. Cook some chicken or fish so she knows how good it is at your house. She'll be okay.

smartcarnotsosmartdriver · 01/06/2019 21:33

Kittens can be skittish little things, we set ours up a safe place in a spare room where people didn't go so she could get used to the noises and smells of the house, took a couple of days but she realised that we weren't so bad and came for a fuss when she was ready.

Jojo19834 · 01/06/2019 21:35

Ah she will be fine, do not lose hope. I got 2 kittens and one became very adventurous very early on, the other took a full 2 weeks to even let me near her. She is now a beautiful girl that I couldn’t be without! It’s a stressful time for them so just give some space, let them come to you. I won her round as after a while she was happy eating with me around so I used to wait with her, and then after a few times started to touch her whilst she ate and she began purring so I knew she would come round. I didn’t push it and over time did a quick stroke and back off and then one day the switch flipped. The other cat is a boy so completely different temperament!

Onceuponatime21 · 01/06/2019 21:46

I chose my latest cat from the rescue centre because she was the friendliest creature in there, and I wanted one that would like people. Got her home, restricted her to a small room, and she hid under a book case for about 3 days. But we just spent time in there quietly, gradually let her about the house, and as hoped she's the friendliest cat and has never scratched or shown aggression ever.

Got to just give them time. Won't last long.

Original poster

Pikusia1 · 01/06/2019 21:46

Thank you so much for your replies guys, I really hope that she settles soon. I did try to give her a little forehead stroke but she cried and hid further. She’s not aggressive at all just appears to be extremely scared. She also hasn’t eaten or drunk anything today. Am hoping she will once I go to bed and she stops sleeping. Will keep you posted !

OP posts:

gamerchick · 01/06/2019 21:49

Just let her be, they're funny little buggers with new homes and smells. Leave everything within reach and she'll find her own way.

agnurse · 02/06/2019 02:16

It usually takes a few days for a cat to settle in.

My Froggie, who I had before I was married, only came out after about 3-4 days.

Just give her time and don't bother her. She needs to acclimate to the house. Likely she will come around.

Of course we will need pics to confirm

Original poster

Pikusia1 · 02/06/2019 08:07

Okay so she came out of the sofa at night and I noticed she laid in her little bed for the first time since arriving (we got this bed from the breeder). I thought that was a positive sign but this morning I have caught her just sitting and hanging out in the litter box. She has one of those enclosed Modkat ones but previously she would just do her business and get out. Not sure if I should just leave her to it ? I’m worried that if I try to take her out she’ll resent the litter box and won’t do her business there. I cleaned it last night but I’m sure she’s been in it during the night so why is she sitting in there if it’s not spotless ? We bought the feliway spray from amazon and it’s coming today so I’m really hoping it will help. The situation is also really starting to stress me out. I just want her to be okay...

OP posts:

Ellabella989 · 02/06/2019 08:13

If the litter box is enclosed she might feel safe sitting in it as she’ll feel hidden and less cramped than sitting under a sofa.
My cat was very nervous for about a week when I got him as a kitten. He barely ate anything and wanted to be left alone. The vet said it was normal as he was adapting from being taken away from his mum and siblings. He turned out to be the most affectionate happy cat ever so try not to lose hope. Try and put the food and water right beside where she’s hiding so she doesn’t have to travel far for it if she’s feeling braver. Is there anything that could be scaring her like the noise of another pet in another room or young children?

mathanxiety · 02/06/2019 08:17

Make sure she has her water nearby, and some kitten food (high protein). If you leave it near the couch she can duck out and get it without risking death (as she may see the situation).

Both of my cats arrived as kittens and used to hang out in the litter box occasionally when they were very young. They stopped that after a while.

Do you have any spare cardboard boxes to leave here and there? Shoe boxes are always nice for a kitten. Boxes make them feel secure.

MoonstoneMagic · 02/06/2019 08:18

This is completely normal. My kitten did this too. It is overwhelming for them . They lose their mum , familiar environment and siblings suddenly. Mine did not eat for two days, I was worried sick. Put yourself in the same situation and just give your kitten time. Don't try to fuss it or pick it up. Let it come to you when it feels ready. Did the home it came from give you something with a familiar smell? That can really help. Don't overwhelm your kitten with play or stimulation, just confine it to one room and take things very gently.

Mrsfussypants1 · 02/06/2019 08:19

Congratulations on your new family member. As she was confident in breeders home is good and her behaviour now is just her settling in to her new environment. Cats are territorial so this is a scary change for her. I agree definitely use feliway ( plug in not spray). It works using feline facial pheromone, it's a replica of the pheromone cats have in there cheeks, a happy scent they use to mark areas as there territory, just like how cats rub there cheeks on owners, furniture etc. It really works and is about £25 and lasts for up to 4 weeks. Plug it in in the room she is in. I would also try and block any low down hiding spaces and give her high up spaces instead (climbing frames, shelves etc) as it's better for her to be able to look down and see what's going on safely than hiding terrified under something, she will become more confident. I love Russian blues, they are very affectionate and I'm sure she will soon get used to you and her new home.

madcatladyforever · 02/06/2019 08:22

She'll be fine. She's just scared at being in a new place away from her family. I had a half Russian blue feral from the cats protection league years ago and he hid and spat for 2 months before gradually coming out. He was the most loyal precious cat in the end and I had him for 19 years during whigh time he never left my side.

Original poster

Pikusia1 · 02/06/2019 08:23

Thank you for your response, that’s a little reassuring. There is no noise, no pets and no children so I think it must still just be the stress from being taken away from her mum and siblings . I will move her food a little closer. She just came out and had a little play but still won’t go near me . On the plus side she’s used her scratch post for the first time !

OP posts:

Original poster

Pikusia1 · 02/06/2019 08:25

Thanks for all your responses guys ! Really appreciate it. Will let you know how she gets on ...

OP posts:

bodgeitandscarper · 02/06/2019 08:26

They lie in their litter trays when they are terrified because they find the scent comforting in a strange scary new world. I had a trapped feral that slept in his litter tray for several days. Id just leave her to build her confidence, tempt with food and treats and a gentle cheek rub if s he's comfortable with you doing it. Using a toy like a flying frenzy can help them to forget their fear, but dont overface her. She will probably be fine in a few days or so, just a sensitive soul.
Going into the room and ignoring her while you watch telly or read helps them to realise that you arent a threat.

Original poster

Pikusia1 · 02/06/2019 10:10

She’s come out and is letting us stroke her ! She’s a little purring machine . So happy !

OP posts:

bananasandwicheseveryday · 02/06/2019 10:34

WatcherOfTheNight · 02/06/2019 10:39

pleased to hear she's coming round ,they are skittish at first .

Also ,It's litter tray law that pictures of beautiful cats must be posted!

plonkie · 02/06/2019 13:47

Pikusia that's brilliant! Glad she's feeling happier :-)

agnurse · 02/06/2019 13:51

She sweet little girl!

Wolfiefan · 02/06/2019 17:06

I’m only here for the pictures.

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