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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

We're adopting sibling rescue cats this weekend...what do i need to know?

83 replies

Winona45 · 16/10/2019 09:55

Brother and sister 18 weeks old. Abandoned in a bin and mum died. Sad.
Rescue centre says they are inseparable so we said we'd take them both.
Now im nervous. Are 2 really better then 1 ?
Been reading advice online and will get multiple litter trays, food bowls etc..
Do they really ignore cat beds ?
Is there anything mega important i need to know??

OP posts:
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Original poster
Winona45 · 20/10/2019 14:45

Well they must have enjoyed themselves last night because they had eaten all the food, pooped in the litter tray and had clearly explored everywhere in the lounge ( which is the room they are in ).
Today however they have again retreated behind the sofa. I have just stuck a bowl of food down there as they haven't ventured out all day.
I was rewarded by being hissed at when i put my hand towards girl cat to try and sneak a stroke.
Neither wants anything to do with us still Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Winona45 · 20/10/2019 14:46

They did the exploring while we were all in bed obviously. Haven't seen them out yet Sad

OP posts:
Lamentations · 20/10/2019 15:00

It might take weeks OP but please don't doubt you have done the right thing. They are just scared and will come round.

They are lovely BTW.

KatherineJaneway · 20/10/2019 15:04

My semi feral rescue cat is still coming out of her shell years later. It's hard work but worth it. Give it time, it's a hard adjustment for them to make.

Soontobe60 · 20/10/2019 15:08

It'll be a good few weeks before they even think about trusting you. Don't try to stroke them yet, wait for them to come to you. Leave their food in the same place, they will feed when no ones there.
Our sistersntook about a month before they started to trust us. Even now we can't pick them up, but they are happy to sit in our laps of an evening.

Lamentations · 20/10/2019 15:32

Actually I'd probably try to handle them regularly but very briefly while they are still young and small. I'm talking a very quick pick up and stroke before putting them straight back down to build trust. I did this with mine and both now quite like a cuddle (one more than the other) but admittedly they weren't feral so I'm quite prepared to be told that's not right.

viccat · 20/10/2019 15:40

Do you know how long they have been with the rescue centre? Not to put you off at all but if they are 15 weeks and haven't had human contact before, it will take a very experienced person to tame them at this age (the first 3-8 weeks are the most important when it comes to socialising kittens - it can be done later but needs a lot of work). Of course if they've been at the rescue for a while, then it's a different situation and could just be initial shyness rather than actual feral behaviour.

Have you had cats before?

Two of mine were semi feral older kittens and I love them to bits but they wouldn't suit every family...

AhFlip · 20/10/2019 15:44

You obviously haven't got them from a big rescue organization like cats protection as you'd be bombarded with info. Look on their website and get a feliway surprised you didn't do your research before hand?

Original poster
Winona45 · 20/10/2019 16:43

I wasn't told they were nervous at all until i went to look at them. I was told they had been rescued from a colony and been in the centre around 4 weeks. They were picked up and handled by their fosterer im front of me but they were claws out so not really enjoying it.
I did ask if they were likely to settle eventually and was told it would take around 2 weeks.
I have been reading everything i can but am getting conflicting advice.
Stroke them, ignore them, dont make eye contact, talk to them.
I dont know what to do for the best.
Im happy to persevere but im not sure im experienced enough if they are going to take a lot of work ? I dont want to make them worse and traumatise them ?

OP posts:
HeatedDryer · 20/10/2019 16:51

They will get there. You can get a feliway diffuser which will help them settle. The fact that they have dome out to eat and use the litter tray is really positive. Give them time, don't try to rush it. If they are food orientated then dreamies scattered in your general location may helpSmile

HeatedDryer · 20/10/2019 16:51

come not dome

NorthEndGal · 20/10/2019 16:55

Its what we did, I'd never do differently.

We're adopting sibling rescue cats this weekend...what do i need to know?
Mia184 · 20/10/2019 16:59

@NorthEndGal Those whiskers!

StCharlotte · 20/10/2019 17:00

The only silver lining about losing our dog recently is that we can think about getting cats again.

My tip from last time we had kittens is get a scratching post. It was a godsend. They loved it for years and so did my furniture!

Grinchly · 20/10/2019 17:06

@Flicketyflack Goodness those three are stunning!

NorthEndGal · 20/10/2019 17:06

@Mia184 right? All the whiskers!

We're adopting sibling rescue cats this weekend...what do i need to know?
PixieDustt · 20/10/2019 17:10

Bless them. Their just scared that's all, give it some time.
If they don't want to be touched yet don't touch them. Leave them be, they will come out in their own time. You can always try to entice them with playing? This is all new to them. They will adapt to their new surroundings their only babies ☺️

eurochick · 20/10/2019 17:17

A laser pointer was good to draw our kitties out of hiding in the early days.

Original poster
Winona45 · 20/10/2019 18:10

Just wont budge.
One behind the sofa one in there.
All day.
How will they poop or eat ?
Aghhhh

We're adopting sibling rescue cats this weekend...what do i need to know?
OP posts:
gubbsywubbsy · 20/10/2019 18:13

Just relax and make them feel safe .. I would give them little treats and earn their trust .. don't give them up .. they are babies and frightened . They will come round .

Fluffycloudland77 · 20/10/2019 18:31

A socialised cat can hide for days if not weeks. You can try picking them up, they need to know humans are ok really. They’ll fight you on it but try to crack the most resistant one first.

You tube has videos on this.

nearlynermal · 20/10/2019 18:46

OP, looks like you've got two warm, safe, fed cats, and that's what matters for now. Just pointedly ignore them and let them set the pace. For an informative and entertaining read, try Cat Confidential, by Vicky Halls. I bet they're going to bring you much joy in time.

CMOTDibbler · 20/10/2019 19:01

It took weeks for my two to come out in the light. I'd recommend sitting very still on the floor in the dark and letting them come to you so they can do it totally on their own terms. A year on the boy sits on my lap most evenings but none of the current three appreciate being picked up, and thats fine with me as long as they are happy

Mia184 · 20/10/2019 19:57

@NorthEndGal My cat (and I) just fell in love! 😻

OP, just be patient. Given the kitten‘s background, it might take some time. But they will come out and eat and poop. Maybe get them some of these little cushions filled with catnip. Not all cats react to it, but if they do, they go mad in a positive way. It might help to distract and relax them.

viccat · 20/10/2019 20:38

The igloo bed is actually great because you can start picking up the whole igloo and putting it on your lap (with the opening facing you). Then start putting your hand in there and gently but firmly stroke the kitten to get them used to your touch. You might want to cover your hand with your sleeve at first in case you get swiped at. We often use this technique with igloo beds at the cat charity where I've volunteered and it's a great way to get the kittens used to humans.