New cat hiding

[DanceWithYourBalloon]

We bought home a young cat yesterday probably around 3-4 months of age.

We got her home and set her up in the play room off the living room and shut the door so she could hear and smell us but feel safe to do her thing.

Today we have the door open with a baby gate up to move things along. We just want to keep enthusiastic children and small dog out of her space but let her explore on her own timetable.

She used the litter tray and ate in the night but has been hiding on a shelf in the cupboard since she got here.

I've spent an hour here and there sat in the room quietly working away and not bothering her.

How long do you think she'll hide for? She was on at the woman who found her house. But her kids were older and she had more cats.

Any advice?

Cat tax pic

Can be weeks. Give her time, it's normal. She'll come out when she's ready, she needs to get familiar with the rhythms of the house first.

One of mine only came out after a week. Leave her too it. She'll get there. She's lovely!

It varies from cat to cat. My current cat was like an invisible cat for about 2 weeks. food disappearing, litter tray be used but otherwise she was hiding under furniture.
Most of my other cats and fosters start coming out and exploring within the week. The best thing at the beginning is to ignore them, go in the room, work, read a book, scroll through mumsnet. That way they get used to your presence but don't feel pressure.

I'll just keep doing what I'm doing then.
I'll keep the baby gate up for a while as the kids and dog are desperate to say hello! 😂

She is stunning! Welcome to the tortie owners club

My cat hid in a kitchen cupboard for a week - we couldn't work out where she was hiding until we saw her emerge, she must have been opening the door with her paw.

She will soon be out and walking around and showing her tortitude like she owns the place, it just takes time. As long as she's eating and poos are appearing everything is fine.

I'd keep the door closed until she's comfortable in the room, then you can upgrade to a gate. A gate so soon might be too much (equally it might not be, but it's always better to err on side of caution when settling new cats in).

You've got yourself a beauty! Perfectly normal for them to be shy for a while - think what's going through her little head, everything new, she just wants to assure herself that you and your family are safe.

But it sounds like you have the patience and consideration to be a good cat slave-mum! Happy catting!😁

Tortitude made me laugh 😆

Cat slave 😂 🐈

Ah what a beauty.

She'll be fine in her own time. It totally differs cat to cat.

You're doing 100% the right things.

We moved house recently with our cat who's known us for years.

Still took him over a week to leave his 'safe' room and that's with him know who we all are.

Now he's the king of the castle and stomps about the place screaming his head off for attention.

Personally I would get rid of the baby gate and go back to shutting the door for now. A gate where she can see and hear everything is too much, too soon IMO.

She needs somewhere to hide and decompress. She can't do that if she's always got other animals and children in her sight.

She's still hiding this morning but she's not trying to disappear further into the cupboard if I enter the room.

She has a rocking horse barrier between her den and the rest of the room that seems to be her line at the moment.

She was happily munching the treats I was tossing in there while talking to her as well.
This is an improvement, as before she wouldn't take her eyes off me. 🥰

She's using the litter tray on the other side of the room at night too.

Our new cat stayed under my bed for 2 weeks but a week later is now boss of the house and zooming with our old cat. Also stomping around screaming to let me know something has displeased him.

It really can take weeks and the best thing you can do is give her space. Don't force it and she'll come round. My cat hid for over a month, only coming out for food and the litter tray at night. Now he rules the roost and is extremely happy and confident. He's actually headbutting me as I write this!

I would keep up with the treat thing too. She will associate you with something good

Whoever we moved house our cat used to hide in the airing cupboard for about 3 days and then venture out. They were always our own cats to be fair.

If your children are desperate to interact then them sitting at the door reading aloud will let her get used to their voices.

😂Shame on you for not anticipating his every need and whim so he has to resort to screaming!

Day 4 and she's still in hiding. But she is purring now and she took a freeze dried treat out of my hand! 🤩

Aw a tortie! Gorgeous. I have two torties, nearly a year old that we brought home a week ago and they're both still hiding. They're only just starting to come out a little when we're there. Just spend time in the room she is in, talk to her quietly and she will get used to you.

My two won't even go anywhere near me yet, so it's great she is starting to come to you. So cute!

Glad to hear things are going well. As regards to preparing children, I tell DD that new cats are scared and need time because to them we are big and they don't know us yet, a bit like us being adopted by grizzly bears. So to give the cat time, try to avoid making sudden movements or loud noises. That a new cat won't be ready for stroking or playing yet but will become less shy as time goes on.

, a bit like us being adopted by grizzly bears

I LOVE this!

I've been fortunate with my rescues, in that they were immediately out and about. Newest boy is here just 8 weeks and seemed so chilled and laid back from Day 1 but his real personality took time to come out!

When we moved house 26 years ago now (!), Ginger boy cat took a full 5 weeks to pluck up the courage to go out. Our other blue tabby boy was out exploring the day after we moved in.

Just give it time. I bet in a few weeks the tortitude will come out! I love torties, they're amazing! I have two tortie and whites!

He got his revenge last night by yelling at me every hour on the hour. Brat.