So we got a cat…

[StatesOfMatter]

After months of talking about it (how nice it would be to have a pet for the 2 DC, keeping adults company when WFH) we got a cat - in a very quick process - from a rescue.

He is a 4 year old black domestic short hair and it all happened rather quick (quicker than expected given we were looking for an indoor cat who can be around young children)

He arrived yesterday and instantly found somewhere to hide (expected as we knew from rescue he hadn’t coped well with the changes in his situation). We made sure he had a room all kitted out for him and could be his space - left door open to wider downstairs so he could hear/smell the bustle of the house.

Feel like I’ve now been inducted into cat ownership as this morning first question from DP is ‘where is the cat?’ cue looking around the place and then finding him behind sofa in living room (definitely not his space). I’m not abandoning my living room when he chose to be in it (which was discussed)

The positive is he felt ok enough to explore especially as we had repeatedly been told he may take days or weeks to do so. However it definitely feels like the question of ‘where is the cat?’ will be asked again and I think my idea of his space is not the same as his…

This is my first time as a cat owner (or person who belongs to a cat?) Is this what it is like?

(no ‘cat tax’ yet as he is picture shy and not happy when anyone gets close)

You'll also say hello to a crumpled up black t shirt or pick up a t shirt for the laundry to find it's the cat...

hazard of black cats. Mine likes to hide under the duvet so I spend a lot of time asking myself where the cat is

Keep offering the treats, even if he doesn't take them - it's all part of building trust.

When a new cat hides away, what's happening is that he is doing a 'risk assessment'. You humans are big scary things that might want to eat him, so he's taking the time to scope out his new situation and will be noting signs that it is safe (or not) and once he has completed his risk assessment, he will come out.

It's really early days OP. Most cats are super wary, but I bet this time next week he will be a lot less timid, especially if you leave him to get used to you in his own time and don't over fuss him. Let him come to you.

My elderly aunties who shared a house used to have a black cat and one of them had a hat that looked exactly the same. Now and again one of them used to say hello to it and they'd have a giggle

@PinkSparklyPussyCat slightly off topic, but you gave me one of the biggest laughs I've ever had on Mumsnet! It was your thread about trying to adopt a cat from an over zealous rescue, that insisted the cat had it's own room. Your plaintive response that you only had a one bedroom flat and weren't going to build an extension for the cat, just cracked me up so thanks for that!😂

I coaxed my shy boy into contact by lying on the sofa with dreamies on my stomach. And slowly he started staying after he had eaten them rather than a snatch and run.

Just give him time. You'll look back and wonder why you worried.

I had a major "what have I done?!" when we adopted our third cat a couple of months ago. His poo stank. Cat 1 hissed at him and Cat 2 growled. Literally within days, when Cat 2 discovered Cat 3 was no threat to her, they made friends! Cat 1 still hates them both lol but keeps her distance.

Cat 2 and Cat 3 were grooming each other today! You will be amazed!

When Cat 1 came she was terrified by the noise of all our appliances... now she sits on the tumble dryer eating Dreamies while it's on!

I couldn't find my cat today...

Thank you all for the wise words and reassurance (and lovely to see the other cats!) Ezra is making leaps and bounds (now literally). He still hides away most of the time but is eating in the day and has come out when quieter in evening and is nuzzling up and letting us give him a stroke (but very much on his terms)

Still playing a bit of ‘where’s the cat?’ with the DC in the morning. Ezra hasn’t turned up anywhere too odd yet!

Aw Ezra is lovely! Glad he is settling in well, before long he will have the whole house under his control! Welcome to being a black cat person. It is the best.

"Still playing a bit of ‘where’s the cat?’ with the DC in the morning. Ezra hasn’t turned up anywhere too odd yet!"
Look on the bright side, you won't need to do Elf on the Shelf this year.

How is Ezra doing now @StatesOfMatter?

Looks like Ezra is making himself at home, will soon be ruling the roost!
My current boss hid for a day, he had been on allotments for two years.
Previous boy just walked in and owned the place. Both total lap cat boys.
Their personalities are fascinating, just as varied as humans. Never a dull day with a furry overlord