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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

New kitten hiding - am I doing this all wrong?

16 replies

Spudlover · 07/06/2022 18:32

We adopted a 10 week old girl kitten and brought her home yesterday. She has been in hiding ever since.

My house is pretty open plan but I’d been assured this was fine and a small room wasn’t essential as long as she had hiding spaces which I set up.

After an initial 5 minute explore, she bolted under the sofa and has been there the majority of the time. Apart from a few Dreamies, she has eaten and drunk virtually nothing, nor used her litter tray.

She did come out for half an hour last night, came near me but bolted if I tried to stroke her. I came into the living room this morning and she was curled up on the sofa but hid again pretty much straight away.

is it worth turfing one of the kids out of their bedroom and trying to relocate her there or is it too late now? I know hiding is really common but I’m just worried about her not eating or drinking.

I have a feliway plug in and I have been sitting and talking to her quite a lot.

Any advice? Thanks.

OP posts:
Mimimayhem18 · 07/06/2022 18:35

My kitten was exactly the same, try some food with a strong smell to get them to eat. Honestly enjoy your quiet while you can! Generally with a kitten it won't last long.

artisanbread · 07/06/2022 18:37

Very normal. Spend what time you can sitting close to where she is hiding so she gets used to you.

Allergictoironing · 07/06/2022 18:39

Took my pair of young adults days before I even got a glimpse of them; only reason I knew they were alive was because food/water had gone & the litter tray used. They are a demanding pair of cuddle monsters now!

100problems · 07/06/2022 18:41

She's just getting you used to the fact that it's now her house, you're her human and when you're good and ready to accept those perfectly obvious facts she will deign to allow you to behold her.

Sorcha69 · 07/06/2022 18:41

Don't relocate her...she just needs time....let her come you....don't worry she won't starve

12Thorns · 07/06/2022 18:42

Give her a few days to build up her confidence.

Antarcticant · 07/06/2022 18:42

This is completely normal. While some kittens/cats are extroverts and all over you from the outset, others take time to come out. My boy hid for almost a week before emerging in our presence (although we heard him leaping about when we were out of the room).

Don't try to relocate her now as this is likely to stress her out.

Let her come out in her own time. Offer treats, as you have been doing, but don't try to rush her. Spend time in the same room quietly doing your own thing so she gets used to your presence and smell. Give her plenty of alone time and she will likely pop out to eat, drink and use her tray when you are not there.

My shy boy responded more to 'wet' treats at first - i.e. pouches - I'd take some in my hand to offer, and he was happy to lick it off from the depths of his hiding place - so that might be worth a try.

forrestgreen · 07/06/2022 18:44

Lots of opportunities to eat. Put the bowl near where she's hiding and just sit there. Be calm and don't stroke her unless she looks confident. It's important she eats though.
Maybe play with a swishy stick toy to see if you can get her attention.
I've been known to line cat treats up so it brings them closer.

oakleaffy · 07/06/2022 18:47

She’s been ripped from all she’s known- She’s likely upset at the change, Don’t attempt to grab her or let kids grab her- Let her explore her new territory to n her own time-
She’ll get used to it in time.
Just a big change for her at moment.
Very normal to hide under things- even very tiny spaces.

Fluffycloudland77 · 07/06/2022 18:59

This is normal behaviour for them, they do come out. Usually when you’ve hand fed them rotisserie chicken or fresh fish.

Original poster
Spudlover · 07/06/2022 19:54

Thanks all for your advice.

My timing was obviously bang on because a few minutes after posting, she actually came out for some food. I had moved her food closer to the sofa which obviously helped! She wandered about, meowed at us, had a little bat at her fishing rod and is now sitting down the side of the sofa. After scratching it.

DH is getting very anxious about the litter tray though!

New kitten hiding - am I doing this all wrong?
OP posts:
Antarcticant · 07/06/2022 20:20

DH is getting very anxious about the litter tray though!

She'll most likely use it overnight while you're asleep. They feel at their most vulnerable on the tray so it takes a while for them to use it when there are folk about. They can hold their wee and poo for ages in this sort of situation.

frazzledbutcalm · 08/06/2022 15:10

How’s she settling now? Has she wee’d yet?

GuppytheCat · 08/06/2022 15:13

She's a nice chunky little lass from that photo! My current pair were runts from two different litters and were teeny fragile little dots at that age.

Is her litter tray well away from her food? They don't like it too close (can't blame them).

Original poster
Spudlover · 08/06/2022 16:35

She is much happier today thanks, and she has used her tray. She voluntarily sat on my lap, licked my ankles, has eaten plenty more and is generally up for a stroke and a bit of a play.

She has spent all afternoon behind the sofa again but I’m not worried about it this time. Apart from how we are going to get her out for her first set of jabs tomorrow…

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 08/06/2022 17:19

Leave her alone! It's very scary for her.

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