How to help terrified new kitten

[scaredycat11]

We brought our new kitten home last night and he seemed really content maybe a little skittish. Then today he growling, spitting and shaking anytime we try to get near him. Poor thing is miserable. Any advice?

How old is he?

Put him down the front of your top for snoozes and cuddles. He needs to get used to you.

You could also warm a damp cotton bud and stroke him.

It mimics being licked by his mum.

Perhaps try the Feliway diffuser or spray? They release pheromones that calm cats down.

Hope the poor little chap settles into his new home soon.

Could he be ill? Is he eating normally?

Don’t try to get close to him. He probably feels like he is being chased, try sitting on the floor with some treats/ toys nearby and ignoring him. Let him come to you. Make sure he has a safe space and let him decide when and how to interact.

You need to just leave him alone and allow him to adjust in his own time. For kittens, it rarely takes long.

Where did you get him from? He’s acting odd for a socialised kitten. Mine have hid but no spitting.

He needs a nice warm nest, a soft toy to cuddle up to but you do need to handle him so he knows fuss is a good thing.

He's 14 weeks. I don't think he's ill. He's eating well and using the litter tray. I'm not sure it would end well for me I'd popped him down my top but I could try....maybe I'll give the warm wet cloth a go.

I would echo the recommendation to let him come to you. And try a Feliway diffuser to help him feel relaxed.

Currently I have him confined to one room. Maybe he feels trapped? It's quite a big house and we have another cat he hasn't met yet. Should I let him out or keep him in one room?

Keep him in the one room as you have another cat. He needs to get used to you and his new surroundings. After a few days, try leaving the door to the room open.

Keep him in one room. Sit in the room with him, in the floor but don't engage. Just read a book or surf the net.

Offer treats if he comes close. Give it time. In two weeks he'll be sitting in your lap purring.

Does he have blankets or a cat bed? Something in the room which is comforting and he can snuggle in? Where did you get him from?

My cat was like this. I gave her her own room, filled it with loads of toys and blankets that smelled of me and my dogs, and obviously food, water, bed and litter box. I'd sit with her for an hour or so regularly so she got used to me and two days later she was chasing my dogs around the place

Give him a small, warm dark space to hide in. If you have an empty box lying around from Christmas deliveries fill it with bed sheets. Make sure it’s enclosed though for privacy. Like a hidey hole!

Poor thing will crave feeling safe.
We did this with our (scared of his own shadow) 8 week old. If you leave him alone but maybe eat your meals on the floor near him (sounds crazy but trust me).

He’ll get used to your smell on the bedsheets and get curious about the food on offer. He’ll come to you and be much less nervy.

My kitten was the same. When we opened her cat box she bolted behind the fridge and refused to eat, drink or use her litter tray for a few days. We made her a base camp under a desk and used a blanket as a curtain, she had her litter tray, food and bed in their. We had to heat her food up and mash it so she would eat.

We just let her explore and put blankets in her little space and then moved the blankets to other parts of of the house so she would smell herself in different places in the house. When she got more confident I would wrap her in one of those blankets and bring her through to our room or the sofa. She liked being higher up. We also got her cat trees so she could have her high up spaces.

We also started a routine of giving her treats at bedtime on her cat tree in the bedroom . She started to come through to the bedroom for her treats and to sleep. We also done alot of play, and also when she wanted space we gave her it. Eventually she found her feet and she is now two and is very confident and still meows for her bedtime treats.

Excuse the typos. Long day at work.

@WorldsOnFire Eating my meals with him has been a big success. He cowers every time I come in the room but now I just scoop him up and the warmth makes him feel safe. Within a few minutes he's purring like an engine. He's started to have fun with some toys too.

Photo?😄

Here he is. 🐱

@scaredycat11

😂 Its hilarious how daring they’re willing to be when they can smell food and are curious!
First night we had our LO we ordered pizza and sat by his cage with the door open. He’d spent all day crying and hiding but as soon as the pizza turned up he was climbing over us to sniff the box. He was only 8 weeks, I hand fed him tiny bits of chicken.

There no short cuts to winning their trust but every-time you lure them out of hiding and don’t try to eat them they’ll get a bit more comfortable! Xx

So glad he’s settling xx

Oh those ears!!! He's making me kitten-broody.

I can't help with the problem though, sorry.

What a handsome kitty! I'm so glad he's getting settled in his new home.

He looks like a baby lion