Settling in a shy/anxious rescue cat

[twobluechickens]

Hi all,

Been a long term lurker on this board, admiring all your beautiful cats, but all being well I will be picking up a rescue cat this weekend, if we like each other when I go to meet her.

My last cat was a confident old lad who made himself at home immediately, but this one is shy and scared of new situations so I want to make it as comfortable for her as possible. It's just me at home, no kids or other pets. I WFH mostly. Any tips welcome! Will check food/litter requirements with the rescue.

Aww I love a cat story so I'm here for the happy ending when it happens 🥰
I had a rescue kitten many years ago, she was rejected by her mum when she was born, got her from a friend who worked at the RSPCA, I hand reared her and was supposed to hand her back if she survived.
She was so small I could hold her in the palm of my hand, I used to walk around with her on my shoulder hiding under my hair.
20 yrs I had her, she was like my baby, followed me around, couldn't even go to the bathroom without my fur baby.
She hated everyone else, DC were terrified of her, she'd lay in wait for them, arch her back then crab scuttle at them sideways.
If only I'd had a £1 for every time I heard "mum, the cat won't let me come downstairs"
AHH I miss that old girl.
Good luck with your new fur baby

She sounds like she's making good progress - eating, toileting, exploring when she feels safe to, that's all excellent stuff! You could try sitting in the room quietly or reading a book out loud to start to get her used to your presence and voice, that nothing bad happens when you're there.

I chat to her quietly when I go in, and have been sitting outside the door with a book a few times. The only issue is I need to take her to the vet late next week for her second vaccination so I'm hoping we've made a bit more progress by then otherwise she'll be re-traumatised. That's a long way off though, a lot can happen between now and then!

Maybe leave her cat carrier in the room with her and pop a few dreamies in it each time you go in. One of our cats will walk into the carrier for treats and the shy one was using it has her hiding spot / bed when she was in the cattery.

Good idea, I'll do that, perhaps with a blanket draped over it so it doesn't look too carrier-like!

Sat outside this evening after work, just reading stuff out loud, and after half an hour or so I heard the scrape of claws and a little face peered out at me briefly (I ignored her) before going back under the bed. I’ve left her be in case she needed a wee or wanted some dinner, but that feels like we’ve moved forward a little bit. And if nothing else she’s had a little bit of company because it must be very boring under there. Also left a little bit of lick-e-lix on a plate and that’s gone.

You're doing everything right by letting her come out at her own pace and not forcing it.
Our rescue cat took a month to settle in (he hid under the kitchen cupboards for 2 weeks!) but now he's so affectionate and content. He follows me everywhere like a little puppy.

It must be very boring under the bed

No , she;s plotting how to kill you off and make it look like a terrible accident .

#Mumof2BlackCatsWhoPlantoKillMeEveryDay .

@70isaLimitNotaTarget 😂 I’d better up the Dreamies count eh!

@SallyWD thank you, that’s really reassuring.

Further progress report: there is a little black cat curled up on the pillow on the spare bed 😻

And she didn't scarper back under the bed when I went in to check on her again, just stayed curled up and didn't even bother looking up. I am so pleased.

Aww, she’s decided you’re not going to murder her.

So sweet! Congratulations on the progress.

Someone has been exploring downstairs - I heard a noise early this morning but went back to sleep. Noticed some paperwork that had been on a shelf was on the floor in the front room and then noticed the little paw prints in the dust (shameful, I know) around the TV. She's back under the bed now, probably exhausted from her wanderings. I have lots of breakable things on the shelves so will need to move those if this is going to be a regular occurrence!

Good progress. The more she explores the better. She'll start spreading her scent and it will feel more like home.

Ooh, this is so exciting!

I don’t think I’ve seen you specify it, so apologies if it’s hugely obvious; & more apologies if I’ve missed it through tired/neurowobble but if you can sit with your back to her, that’s cat for “I trust you” but also carries the nuance of “I am keeping this space safe/protecting you” - as long as you leave enough space you’re not blocking egress or anything obviously.

I have lots of breakable things on the shelves so will need to move those if this is going to be a regular occurrence!

Yes ! My FemaleCat threw a fruitbowl off the table -it was huge , took up the top drawer of the dishwasher , and older than my DC who were 17 and 19 .
Then a heavy IKEA glass bowl hit the floor and she slipped , I had to lunge over and grab her before she landed on broken glass . I still have the scar from when she gratefully mauled me . But the cat was unscathed .
Metal fruit bowl now in situ .

Are you going to risk a Christmas Tree this year

You know now you pay the CatTax?

Further progress! I deliberately straightened the duvet cover on my bed before going out tonight, and left the door open. Came back to paw impressions on the duvet. Then went for a quick wee (with the door open - I live alone, ok 😂) and suddenly she emerges from the spare room, stops and stares at me, goes into my room and then retreats back into the spare room! So I have now clapped eyes on her actually upright rather than wedged into a corner. And she didn't immediately bolt back under the bed, she actually hung around briefly. No photos yet, but hopefully soon. Unless you want a photo of a black cat's arse in a dark space.

Oh and probably no Christmas tree, but I am in Cornwall where a holly branch is traditional, and possibly safer 😁

Certainly sounds like progress!

She had no other way of telling you it didn’t match the kitchen. It was that or gouge her eyes out.

I trained my Bengal to knock a lamp over I hated. Took three goes but it worked. Dh couldn’t shout at the cat.

Success! I sat by the door for a bit and now I have a small black cat draped across my lap purring madly. Cat tax finally!

So excited I forgot to post a photo

You’ve done really well! She’ll be poking you for breakfast at 6am in no time.

Ah that's amazing! It took my rescue cat (also black with yellow eyes) weeks to get to that point.

Aww I love a settling in story. Warms my heart ❤️