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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

New kitten please help ?

11 replies

honeylou42 · 26/10/2023 16:37

Hi everyone!
I have brought home my first kitten today he is a 6 month old British short hair called Albert. I’m looking for some advice as he is currently hiding underneath my sofa and has been for the past 7 hours🥲. He came out earlier for a short while and we had a little bit of interaction - stroking & him licking my hand. Apart from that he seems very unsettled & hasn’t had anything to eat / drink or use the litter tray since I have brought him home! Please give me some advice on how to build up his confidence without scarring him or being too pushy’.

OP posts:

Antst · 26/10/2023 16:40

He'll be fine! You're doing the right thing to let him move at his own speed. I'd wave some food in front of him once in a while and very slowly reach out your hand. Other than that, behave very calmly and he'll relax at some point! Good luck.

AlisonDonut · 26/10/2023 16:43

He needs something to come out for.

Food or to jump on something.

ladymalfoy45 · 26/10/2023 16:43

Cat Tax!

margotrose · 26/10/2023 16:43

It's totally normal - just sit with him in the same room and talk to him if possible and just let him get used to your presence. You could try and entice him out with some toys or treats but it's very normal for cats to hide away for a few days before coming out like wandering round like they own the place

FortheBeautyoftheEarth · 26/10/2023 16:45

We found our kitten quickly emerged from his carrier after a reticent start when we put a couple of dreamies in his path.

mamma65432 · 26/10/2023 16:45

I would just give him a quiet place and bring his food/water close by until he feels more settled.

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 26/10/2023 16:47

He will come out when he is ready and feels safe. Can take a few days or weeks for the stubborn ones. Lots of toys especially wand toys.

Elektra1 · 26/10/2023 16:48

My kitten did this for 3 weeks. Eventually she started exploring and now she follows me all round the house. Just let him go at his own pace.

DesolationRow · 26/10/2023 16:54

Just be patient. Being a kitten it'll probably only take him a couple of days to come out, adult cats can take weeks to get that comfortable! Don't worry, he's fine.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 26/10/2023 17:56

Ours weren’t kittens (1yo) but very shy, MaleCat threw himself under the corner table when he arrived. I made my DS sleep on the sofa that night to check on them, he said they both ate drank and used the trays. MaleCat still hid but at least we knew he was eating and toileting

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 26/10/2023 17:59

Albert 😄

My DD had a rescue Guinea pig she called Bert who was lovely but not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

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