Need advice for a very scared cat

[chrissynemetz]

Thanks you guys for all the advice. I'm feeling more confident about her transition already
Y'all are the best!!

 

[cassie]

Set her up in your bedroom with as many of her familiar things as possible- litter box, food and water bowls, toys, familiar smelling blanket or couple of shirts. Try to find out what food and kitty litter she is accustomed to. Expect her to spend a lot of time hiding and allow it. Try to only be in the room to sleep so she can observe you when it’s safe. Don’t do anything loud or sudden nearby while she adjusts. She may not eat and drink well at first due to depression. Stress can also make cats stop using the litter box so 2 boxes in separate safe quiet locations would be best. If the family know anything about her try to find out as much as you can, including what veterinarian she went to so you can find out her health history.. Give her all the time she needs to become familiar with her new home in a comfortable way. After a few days you might try sitting on the floor , chair or on the bed reading. Don’t let her out of the room in less than a week, it all depends on how long she takes to adjust. Do you have any other pets in your home?

Just be sure not to place the litter box near the food and water. Also cats, particularly timid ones, like a predictable routine. You might also get some of those phremones that are available and spray them around. I forget what they are called. Felaway or something.

 

[Suedan]

Yes! Feliway!

 

[Dinogrrl]

Definitely second Feliway diffusers! You'll want the Classic/original version for the room the cat's staying in. If you plan to introduce cats to one another you'll want the MultiCat for that. And use actual Feliway brand, not ones that say 'with Feliway', they don't work as well.

Otherwise everyone else has given good advice. It is very counter-intuitive to us, but cats who don't know you feel safest when you ignore them. That tells them that you aren't interested in them, therefore you are not a threat. You can absolutely go into the room with the cat, but don't go trying to give attention. Just sit and do something quiet, like read a book, or dink around online, or talk quietly, or do some chores but move softly and slowly, so the cat gets used to your presence but learns you aren't going to come after it. Just be the provider of necessary things, especially food, and it'll come around eventually.

 

[cassie]

Definitely second Feliway diffusers! You'll want the Classic/original version for the room the cat's staying in. If you plan to introduce cats to one another you'll want the MultiCat for that. And use actual Feliway brand, not ones that say 'with Feliway', they don't work as well.

Otherwise everyone else has given good advice. It is very counter-intuitive to us, but cats who don't know you feel safest when you ignore them. That tells them that you aren't interested in them, therefore you are not a threat. You can absolutely go into the room with the cat, but don't go trying to give attention. Just sit and do something quiet, like read a book, or dink around online, or talk quietly, or do some chores but move softly and slowly, so the cat gets used to your presence but learns you aren't going to come after it. Just be the provider of necessary things, especially food, and it'll come around eventually.

This is why the cat will go to the one person in the room who doesn't like cats. That is the person who makes no overtures to the cat and the cat does not feel threatened. The cat hating person might, though.

 

[Marie2020]

I know I'm late finding this thread but would really like to know how this kitty got on?

I rescued a kitten, he took 8 months to catch to get him neutered then it was another five months before he decided he was going to live with me. It was worth every moment of worry and effort, he's turned out to be the most loving loyal little guy today.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Oh I forgot about this thread!
Kitty is doing fantastic! I put her in a spare bedroom and pretty much just left her alone. I would open the door at night (with my male cat closed in a different room) so she could explore in peace if she wanted to. After a couple of weeks she was sleeping on the couch one morning when I got up. From that point on she acted like she had always been here. She's not the least bit skittish or afraid of anything. And she loves my male cat, Clyde, they're inseparable now. It worked out much better than I expected.

Kitty and Clyde enjoying nap time

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I've had four cats all between 3-7 years and have never, ever, ever been able to get them to snuggle. If they are in bed, it's one at each corner, as far as they can be and still enjoy the comfy bed. So happy I found this thread now to see a happy resolution!

 

[chrissynemetz]

These two cats are definitely snuggle bunnies. They always sleep snuggled up together.