help to settle a very scared cat!

[ghostyslovesheets]

Hello

So I have adopted my 6th (yes I am mad) and final cat - he arrived Friday evening. He is 3 and a beautiful ginger. He was living in awful conditions in a filthy multi cat household and I think was not really domesticated at all.

He is terrified - he hides most of the time (in one room with hidey holes and feliway!) he doesn't interact with us much but he loves our cats - he cries for them and only comes out if one is in the room - thankfully one of our boys is not bothered by him and sits calmly in the room.

He has also started coming out occasionally and rubbing against our leg or hand if we sit still - but if we move he darts for cover.

He is also weeing on everything (had a clean tray with the same litter he had in rescue) - mainly on the bed and pillows!

So my question is - any tips for easing the transition ? I am worried it's all too much for him and we have made a mistake - like he is maybe feral and we are trying to turn him into a house cat?

I know he needs time but has anyone been in a similar situation?

I never expect him to become a cuddle bum - I just want him to be happy.

I would shut him in a very small space (bathroom or utility room maybe?) so he can only pee on surfaces that can be easily cleaned. Make sure he has multiple litter trays too - the general rule is one per cat, plus an extra - so with six cats in the house you're going to need a lot of trays

Otherwise it's only been three days so you need to give him MUCH more time. We adopted a rescue that didn't come out of hiding for 10 days!

Try to spend time with him and with your laid back cat. Just sit in the room and read or go on your phone.

Some ham might be welcome.

Make 'walkways' across rooms and down halls so he doesn't have to cross another cat's territory, you can do this with furniture.

He needs a bolt hole, which is seems like he has.

Thank you :) Bathroom isn;t a bad bet but we only have one so he'd not get much peace - I'm going to put puppy pads under the sheet and take the pillows etc off - reassuring to know your cat hid for so long - I've never had one so scared!

The litter tray is just for him - we do have another in the house but only one cat uses it - the others all go out

Yes been sitting in their on the phone - and he's getting lots of cooked chicken :)

Here he is

He'll come around

Mine was abused (kicked and thrown about) and he was terrified of his own shadow when we got him. It took him three months or so to let me stroke him for more than a few seconds - even longer for DH (we think he was abused by a man).

Weirdly though, he loves kids and when my niece comes over he's all over and lets her do anything she likes

Oh @Cupsofcoffee that is so sad - we think one of mine was kicked because he is terrified of feet!

He is gorgeous.

It is very early days, the fact that he's rubbing against you shows he wants to be friendly, it will just take time for him to trust you.

Oh my....he is so so lovely. Keep doing what you’re doing, very gentle, holding your hand out for him to sniff...giving him chicken (don’t forget to leave fresh water out too)

I’m sure he’ll soon be right at home and very rewarding. Lovely thing.

Took one of mine 5-6 months before I could stroke her, and the other nearly a year. 5 years down the line they can be absolute pests demanding cuddles and fuss.

He definitely doesn't sound feral at all if he's already started to come over to you, rather than attacking you if you're anywhere near him. Just anxious about what's going to happen, with a bit of hope mixed in.

thank you all for the reassurance I already love him to bits

@ghostyslovesheets

Oh *@Cupsofcoffee* that is so sad - we think one of mine was kicked because he is terrified of feet!

It was horrible - he hated DH for probably around six months and even now if he walks too close to him he earns himself a hiss and a smack on the ankle!

He's a lot calmer now though and very much a part of our family. Like I said, he still isn't very cuddly but he loves a head rub and will put his paws on my chest to rub all over my face

Four years down the line, the longest he's sat on my lap is about 20 minutes and I swear I cried with happiness

He is lovely, I'm glad he let you take the pic.

Just keep doing what you are doing.

It sounds like you're doing everything right. He just needs time.

It's just an adjustment period and he will come round.

I really don't think giving him access to the bed is a good idea though, peeing there will become a habit if you don't break it now and do you really want to be peeling pee soaked puppy pads off your bed?

Just shut the door to that room?

quick update - he's 100% happier - no more peeing on anything - he's an angel with his litter tray (despite having a dickie tummy) - he now sleeps on the sofa and is settling in well. Still can't pick him up and he's quiet scared of us initially but he is getting bolder every day - thanks for the help!

He looks very happy!

Brilliant!

and now he's playing - actually playing - with crinkle balls, catnip and chase toys - like he's kittening again!

I'm so glad we have him he's ace

That is fabulous to hear.

🥺