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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Adopted cat - having second thoughts

38 replies

ClaireEclair · 01/02/2024 05:36

Hello. Our lovely old cat died a while ago and we miss her terribly. We decided to adopt a young rescue cat (2 years old) and she has just arrived. She’s beautiful, very friendly and curious. But, our house is open plan downstairs. We originally planned to let her have access to the kitchen, living room and conservatory. However, she’s is just trying to climb up on everything and I’m so worried she will hurt herself.

We shut her in the conservatory over night but it’s absolutely freezing at the moment and there’s no heat in there. I got up at 4am worried about her.

Shes now walking all over the downstairs, wanting to jump up on the TV, the gas hob, the kitchen counters and I’m constantly having to watch her.

We’ve never had a young cat before. Will this curiosity and want to jump up on everything calm down? She doesn’t seem to be a lap cat unfortunately and will be allowed outside eventually. I’m wondering if we are the best home for such a curious lady.

OP posts:
Josette77 · 01/02/2024 05:40

I assumed cats always jumped up on stuff? Even at 21 my cat was still going where he wasn't allowed. Lol

What do you think she'll hurt herself on? If she falls she'll be ok.💞

Gumbo · 01/02/2024 05:44

She's wanting to know everything about her new home! Cats are naturally very curious and inquisitive so it's perfectly normal. I'm assuming the hob isn't on so she can't hurt herself? When she seems it not interesting she'll be looking for the coziest spot to snuggle down it...which is unlikely to be in an unheated conservatory.

I'd let her roam and learn about her surroundings, just put things that she could knock over and break out of the way. Congratulations on your new family member!

Original poster
ClaireEclair · 01/02/2024 05:50

Thank you for your fast responses. I’m worried she will knock the TV down on herself or accidentally switch the gas on as she’s walking over the job. Probably being silly but she’s so active send it’s such a shock. Poor thing must be so confused too. I think I might have anxiety too which doesn’t make it easier lol.

OP posts:
Ladyj84 · 01/02/2024 05:52

I don't get why she's not allowed to be a cat, why feel the need to watch her when all she's doing is pottering around her new territory. It's what cats do lol. My 2 jump onto everything the more you watch her and shut her away will actually stress her and make her more nervous. Let her settle down, wander about you can't expect her to become a lap cat when she barely knows you or the house yet

Josette77 · 01/02/2024 05:53

Sounds like she is having a lovely time getting to know her new home. 💞

She might still become a lap cat when she settles down more.

Original poster
ClaireEclair · 01/02/2024 05:59

Ladyj84 · 01/02/2024 05:52

I don't get why she's not allowed to be a cat, why feel the need to watch her when all she's doing is pottering around her new territory. It's what cats do lol. My 2 jump onto everything the more you watch her and shut her away will actually stress her and make her more nervous. Let her settle down, wander about you can't expect her to become a lap cat when she barely knows you or the house yet

I know, you’re right. I’m just so worried she will hurt herself.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 01/02/2024 06:43

After 3 Persians, who never climbed or jumped on anything higher than my bed. My fourth has been a shock. And the reason for an emergency order of flat cat screens. She's calmed down a lot nowz

Sodndashitall · 01/02/2024 06:55

I absolutely hate my cats jumping on counters. So I sprayed with lemon and put sticky stuff on to dissuade them. My first cat learned fairly quickly. The second is too chonk to jump up anyway ! Weirdly the one who does the most is my 3rd rescue who is the oldest and he is naughty but again has soon learned there's nothing exciting on the counter has given up. I have plenty on the floor that's interesting (toys, catnip pillows, scratch pads etc) so maybe make sure there's plenty to keep interest down low? And try lemon scent or sticky film on the kitchen surfaces

lifeispainauchocolat · 01/02/2024 07:03

You need to let her be a cat. Secure the TV so she can't break it, turn the stove off overnight and just clean the counters before you make breakfast in the mornings and let her explore and enjoy her home.

It's highly unlikely that she will get hurt - cats are amazingly smart and agile and even if she does fall, she will probably just brush herself off and carry on. That's what all my cats have always done and they've got themselves into some right sticky situations over the years.

And please don't shut her in the cold conservatory alone all night.

NewYearNewCalendar · 01/02/2024 07:08

This is 100% normal cat behaviour. So any other cat you get is likely to do it too. If you get a new pet it’s reasonable to expect to make some changes to accommodate them - so move any breakables, switch the gas hob off overnight. Knocking the TV over seems unlikely, but if you’re really worried then secure it, or move it (could just put it on the floor overnight). She will probably, but not definitely, chill out a bit in time.

Why does she have to be shut in the conservatory overnight? Can’t you plug in a radiator in there or something?

cuckyplunt · 01/02/2024 07:10

We have 5 of the buggers, they are literally everywhere. None of them have ever hurt themselves seriously whilst climbing over household objects.
Chill out and enjoy your cat, she’ll settle down if you don’t fuss her.

Hobbesmanc · 01/02/2024 07:13

Cats do instinctively aim to find a high place where they feel safe and secure. When she settles in and feels comfortable she'll be less adventurous. But cats love to be nosey so just let her get on with it. I'd deffo move anything fragile from windowsills etc as I've had some sad breakages over the years

Original poster
ClaireEclair · 01/02/2024 07:32

Thank you everyone. My DH thinks I’m being an idiot. He loves her. I love her already too I think (maybe too much). I’ve let her explore this morning just watching her so hopefully once she’s realised it’s all boring she will calm down.

OP posts:
Theraffarian · 01/02/2024 07:33

Far less stressful actually to not watch them quite so much , otherwise I can understand you being anxious about your new adventurer . My 3 year old , had since a kitten, likes to stress my brain by balance walking along the banisters along a triple drop to downstairs , I swear he does it more if I watch . One of his favourite places to snooze is the top of the boiler , initially I was sure it would fall off the wall or he would burn himself somehow but no , he obviously risk assessed the area far better than me . All our cats have been adventurous until old age , however I would recommend insurance if you haven’t already just in case . ( Ours didn’t risk assess the bee he caught quite so well last year ) .

Copen · 01/02/2024 07:35

It all sounds very positive that she is out and exploring. My rescue hid for 5 days and only came out at night to explore. At night she went on every surface (could tell as she knocked a couple of things over). She doesn't bother with those surfaces now, she knows they are boring, but they have to check out everything in the beginning.

Also lap sitting didn't begin for about a week.

LaunchingTeabag · 01/02/2024 07:41

I got a 2 year old rescue cat about 6 months ago. She was busy exploring just like yours but has calmed down now. She sleeps a lot and goes on laps now and again.

She sleeps in the conservatory as that's where her cat flap is. I bought her a heated mat and she loves it. Uses it every night and is happy and settled.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0824LVH2C?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0824LVH2C?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-the-litter-tray-4998128-adopted-cat-having-second-thoughts

TheTripThatWasnt · 01/02/2024 07:52

Cats on worktops etc is a big no in my house. They are allowed to jump on the windowsill (and sofa/bed), but not where food is prepared or eaten. I think she did it once or twice, but got a very firm NO and a swift removal. We would have persisted with that to make the habit stick (it worked with our previous cat).

I say nip the jumping on things you don't want jumped on in the bud quickly.

Sunshineandrainbow · 01/02/2024 07:57

She might like one of those floor to ceiling cat trees thing to jump on.

Have you tried playing with her on floor level to use some energy up.

A cardboard box with blanket in the conservatory will give her a warm place.

I think she will settle.

Shadowssang · 01/02/2024 08:00

Cats are tree climbing animals. She’ll calm down a lot once she has access to the outside.

She won’t hurt herself.

Sluj · 01/02/2024 08:01

My 2 calmed down a lot once they were 1 year old though I did have a few heart attacks watching them negotiate roof tops after that. They have also become lap cats as they got older and the least friendly one initially, now spends every evening on my lap.

Worrying is part of being a good cat mum but I don't think the cold conservatory is the right place for winter.

EffortlessDistraction · 01/02/2024 08:03

She might turn into a lap cat yet. We adopted our two at a year old, it was months before either of them ventured onto laps. One of them never did but the other now cannot see a sitting human without climbing on board.

lifeispainauchocolat · 01/02/2024 08:08

TheTripThatWasnt · 01/02/2024 07:52

Cats on worktops etc is a big no in my house. They are allowed to jump on the windowsill (and sofa/bed), but not where food is prepared or eaten. I think she did it once or twice, but got a very firm NO and a swift removal. We would have persisted with that to make the habit stick (it worked with our previous cat).

I say nip the jumping on things you don't want jumped on in the bud quickly.

It's easier IMO to just clean your surfaces before making food.

I also know a lot of people who say their cats never jump up but all it meant was the cats didn't do it within ear shot!

Paw2024 · 01/02/2024 08:10

Mine is very similar, I got him a cat tree and he loves it

Original poster
ClaireEclair · 01/02/2024 08:10

LaunchingTeabag · 01/02/2024 07:41

I got a 2 year old rescue cat about 6 months ago. She was busy exploring just like yours but has calmed down now. She sleeps a lot and goes on laps now and again.

She sleeps in the conservatory as that's where her cat flap is. I bought her a heated mat and she loves it. Uses it every night and is happy and settled.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0824LVH2C?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Oh thank you for this! We got her an igloo with a self heating mat and there’s another self heating mat under the chair in the conservatory. We have actually ordered an oil burning radiator for the conservatory. She’s actually in there now while I’m working in the dining area so she doesn’t seem too bothered by the cold. I’ll check out that Matt though! Thanks again.

OP posts:
helpfulperson · 01/02/2024 08:20

Have you only ever had older cats before? I had then got a 7 month old who was into and up everything. It was a bit of shock to me although I knew logically he would be livelier than my previous cats.

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