If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Question about new cats I just got about a week ago
It must be asked alot but this is the first time I have had to deal
with this but I recently got two new cats from a lady who had no room for them. She actually found them as strays and took them in, She said it took a monthfor them to come around for her but i'm not sure if this is the same situation. The two cats seem to be buddies, Tehy usually ball up together as if they were trying to protect one another. This has only been week one, Since they were hiding under our couch the first two nights and not eating we put the litter and food in our bathroom and had them stay in there. They started eating and doing their litter duties. Well the problem is now they dont want to get out of the bathtub, I guess they feel really safe there and will let us pet them when they are in it. But my girlfriend and I need to shower so when we pick them up and take them out they hiss at us and one has even attacked me. I might of been wrong to yell at the little guy when he did but I did it out of reaction. But since then when I pick them up they dont really hiss anymore except for on one other occasion but there was no bite or scratching. Well we figured they need to get out of the bathroom so we have no set up the box and food in our bedroom along with a scratch post. One cat hides under sink next to the litter box, I made sure to put his food nearby so he doesnt have to move to eat. The other cat sits at my sliding glass door and looks outside. The black and whire cat who sits by the glass door at night meows alot and runs through the blinds while the other just stays put. The gray cat is the one who doesnt really move alot, I've tried to sit and pet him for awile and he seems like he's just real depressed, The black and white cat seems like he's sticking up for the gray one cause he eyes me the whole time I am with it. I know it's only been a week but is this rare for them to act so scared? We've done alot to try and comfort them but as soon as we have to pick them up from going in the bathroom they get mad at us again and ignore us. Eventually the black and white gets over it and walks around and lets us pet her, But the gray cat just sits there and could care less. Also, The black and white cat gets on her belly and it seems like she wants me to pet her but then she bites me, It doesnt hurt but I wonder if it's just playing or actually doesnt want me to pet her there. She throws her hands and feet at me too for doing it. Any help would be appreciative. Reply |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
No - that's normal. The two I got in May (gray and b/w also) took weeks to adjust. I kept them confined with food/water and litter box in a bedroom. They hid under furniture every time I came in to feed them or try to hang out with them. They were confined for 2 weeks and after that when I let them out (I have two other adult cats) they still acted weird for a couple weeks. Even now sometimes they run from me if I walk into the room. They'll get used to you. That's just cats being cats. They're scared. Carol "O.G" wrote in message oups.com... It must be asked alot but this is the first time I have had to deal with this but I recently got two new cats from a lady who had no room for them. She actually found them as strays and took them in, She said it took a monthfor them to come around for her but i'm not sure if this is the same situation. The two cats seem to be buddies, Tehy usually ball up together as if they were trying to protect one another. This has only been week one, Since they were hiding under our couch the first two nights and not eating we put the litter and food in our bathroom and had them stay in there. They started eating and doing their litter duties. Well the problem is now they dont want to get out of the bathtub, I guess they feel really safe there and will let us pet them when they are in it. But my girlfriend and I need to shower so when we pick them up and take them out they hiss at us and one has even attacked me. I might of been wrong to yell at the little guy when he did but I did it out of reaction. But since then when I pick them up they dont really hiss anymore except for on one other occasion but there was no bite or scratching. Well we figured they need to get out of the bathroom so we have no set up the box and food in our bedroom along with a scratch post. One cat hides under sink next to the litter box, I made sure to put his food nearby so he doesnt have to move to eat. The other cat sits at my sliding glass door and looks outside. The black and whire cat who sits by the glass door at night meows alot and runs through the blinds while the other just stays put. The gray cat is the one who doesnt really move alot, I've tried to sit and pet him for awile and he seems like he's just real depressed, The black and white cat seems like he's sticking up for the gray one cause he eyes me the whole time I am with it. I know it's only been a week but is this rare for them to act so scared? We've done alot to try and comfort them but as soon as we have to pick them up from going in the bathroom they get mad at us again and ignore us. Eventually the black and white gets over it and walks around and lets us pet her, But the gray cat just sits there and could care less. Also, The black and white cat gets on her belly and it seems like she wants me to pet her but then she bites me, It doesnt hurt but I wonder if it's just playing or actually doesnt want me to pet her there. She throws her hands and feet at me too for doing it. Any help would be appreciative. Reply |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
On Tue 09 Aug 2005 03:29:16p, O.G wrote in
rec.pets.cats.health+behav roups.com): snip I know it's only been a week but is this rare for them to act so scared? We've done alot to try and comfort them but as soon as we have to pick them up from going in the bathroom they get mad at us again and ignore us. Eventually the black and white gets over it and walks around and lets us pet her, But the gray cat just sits there and could care less. Totally normal. They've been through some recent changes and are adjusting. You're so great to take them in! Also, The black and white cat gets on her belly and it seems like she wants me to pet her but then she bites me, It doesnt hurt but I wonder if it's just playing or actually doesnt want me to pet her there. She throws her hands and feet at me too for doing it. In my experience with shy/skittish new cats, it's best to just sit with them and let them get used to you for a while before giving lots of love. If they accept the petting, you're lucky! Maybe try sitting on the floor and do something else like read a book. Heck, maybe even read it to them. It'll seem to them that you're talking to them. -- Cheryl "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited breath." - W.C. Fields |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
No. Not abnormal at all. A week is nothing in cat time. You should see
some relaxing/changes in their behavior around a month or perhaps a bit sooner. As Cheryl said, I always find it helpful with spooked cats to just spend time in their vincinity doing inoffensive things that aren't centered on them - fold laundry, clean something, read aloud, listen to music and just let them watch me from their hiding spaces (and they will) and gently talk a loud from time to time in their general direction. They're trying to figure out what's going on in this new, scary place and if they can get some data without having to brave a full-on interaction then that's going to be helpful for them - lol. You can also leave behind a treat or two at the end of your "time" with them. They won't eat it while you're there, but they will when the coast is clear : Good luck! Tracy |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Dry Food Good For Teeth and Gum Health? | biggerbadderbarry | Cat health & behaviour | 87 | July 24th 05 02:44 PM |
Rules for Care and Feeding of Stray Cats | Cathi | Cat anecdotes | 1 | May 3rd 05 12:36 PM |
Opinions on fatty liver/possible pancreatitis problem | Underwood | Cat health & behaviour | 80 | April 10th 04 03:57 AM |
Caring for an older cat questions....... | MJohns7861 | Cat health & behaviour | 27 | January 19th 04 04:52 AM |
American Idol guy & Cats | PawsForThought | Cat health & behaviour | 445 | December 1st 03 07:47 PM |