Adopted a 2 year old cat...need advice

[nathaliabrown]

we adopted a 2 year old cat from the shelter Sunday afternoon. He is a sweet ball of fluff. I have him in my room with the door shut. My room also has a bathroom in it. I am keeping my dogs out of the room for a few weeks until he is comfortable. If I put him on the bed with he does happy paws for hours and purs non stop. He is so sweet. But if I put him on the floor he gets very scared and runs under my bed. He has not eaten food (except for a few treats I have given him on my bed) and has not used the litter box. I have him food,water, and box in my bathroom. Its a big bathroom and the food and water is separated from the box. I have put him in the box and showed him by digging with his feet but he just lays there. I am going to get wet food today and see how that goes. But is this normal?

I have had a cat before. He was 13 so it was a long time ago. Unfortunately I had to put him to sleep as he got very sick with diabetes.


Any advice will be grateful.

 

[hsmamato2]

Good idea to keep the dogs out for a while...sounds like you are doing everything right, just give it time. Sometimes a cat will not eat or drink for days out of fear, but if you continue to let it adjust it should get comfortable soon- some cats are always nervous due to their personality.... I have one of each, a mellow (dog like) cat,and a nervous cat who forgets who I am on a daily basis and runs away when I try to let her out the door.....I've had them both for 12+ years....

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I think you are doing the exact right thing to get the new cat acquainted. When we got our new cat he stayed in our guest bedroom for a week before we introduced him to the other dogs and our other cat. It took him a bit to use the litter box and eat food too.

I would also recommend holding the new cat and taking him out to see the dogs. That way he knows where the sounds are coming from and what they are. Just make sure you are taking him out and not brining the dogs in so that he still feels safe. Don't let him down or anything, just let him observe. It takes several days to warm up so give it some time.

 

[secretpantssam]

Maybe try giving him some wet food or different kinds of food. And spend some time petting him next to the food. That way he'll feel comfortable and happy and associate that with food.

 

[kymom99]

I am adopting a 6 month old cat on Saturday! We don't have any other pets to worry about but I still get nervous hoping he will adjust. Cats are funny creatures. My last cat I had hid under the tv cart for a while before deciding we were okay. Years ago we got a cat and put her in the garage and she hid under a shelf and swatted at anyone who came near. Both cats ended up adjusting just fine. Right now your cat isn't thinking food he is thinking "Oh my God where am I!"

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

put the cat into the bathroom and close the door. Also leave your bedroom door shut. The cat then has a smaller 'safer' place to get used to - with food, water and litter box (don't worry the cat knows what to do with the box). Go in and visit frequently. Give the cat something nice to sit / sleep on a cat bed or even a few towels.

Once the cat feels comfortable in the bathroom (is eating / drinking / wondering around) then let him out into the bedroom.

The cat just needs to adjust to his new home. With the barrier of the bedroom the dogs will sound/ feel less scary and the bathroom is a nice small safe feeling place for the cat.

 

[chanson2]

Agree with PP. We also adopted a 2 yr old cat that had been in the shelter all his life. I don't think he had ever seen a dog before! He stayed in a bedroom for about 2-3 weeks, with the door closed to keep out the dog. After those 2-3 weeks, we started opening the door, but always kept the dog restrained. We allowed the cat to decide when he felt comfortable enough to investigate the house. Its not easy to always keep the dog restrained till the cat is comfortable - either locked up elsewhere or at least on a leash you are holding to keep from running up to the cat - but worth it. After a few months, the cat was calm and happy, and eventually he and the dog became buddies. Hope yours does too!

 

[miksilver]

You can also try scent swapping while the cat and dogs are still separated. Get something (a towel, or toy) with the dogs scent on it and put it in the room with the cat. Animals familiarize themselves through scent more than anything else. You can also do the same with the cats scent with the dogs.

Make sure the cat has something that is their own. Like a small pet bed and/or scratcher. That will also give the new cat something to establish their scent on. A nervous cat tends to be one that has less confidence. Having their own "stuff" can build that confidence for a cat.

Sometimes a lot of patience is required for a new cat transition. Some cats are easy and some take lots of time.

Good Luck!

 

[MomToOne]

The cat hasn't used the litter box AT ALL in 2 days? And hasn't found a substitute target either? (my cat likes to pee on piles of clothes - don't ask!) That's not normal - you might want to at least call your vet and talk to them. I'd be worried the cat was dehydrated at this point.

 

[SharonZ]

I'd be concerned about no urination since Sunday. I agree with calling the vet, he needs to be checked out thoroughly. At this point, you don't know if he has any prior medical issues.

 

[Mommee]

Our 2-yr. old shelter cat took 3 days to eat/drink and start using the litter box. If I'm remembering right we were told 3-4 days was normal.

 

[Lizzybean]

My cat is currently going through an awful bout of FLUD and cystitis. Since being home from the hospital he was refusing to eat (and he's a picky eater anyway). I put dabs of wet cat food on my fingers and hand fed him. It was gross but it got the job done.

I'd be somewhat concerned about the lack of urination. I think putting him in the bathroom (with frequent visits) for awhile might be a good idea.

 

[Redwitch]

Thank you for adopting! I think you are doing great!
I agree that giving him an even smaller space would be awesome, but he already has the run of the bedroom and bath and that is fine. I adopted a semi-feral and he still hides under the bed if stressed or fearful (two years in July.) I also agree with swapping out items that smell like cat and dog to the other pet to increase the acceptance.
If he hasn't eaten in a day or two, I would contact the vet. Also, does he have a spot to hide? Cats like a "Hidey-Hole."

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

get him some craft pom poms to play with. I put mine in the container of catnip and 30 minutes or so and the toss them on the floor. That might peek his interest to be on the floor. But right now his is scared. So spend as much time interacting with him.

Also try a plug in airfresher. The cat could be getting a wif of the dogs scent comeing under the door and it could be scaring him. Get a plug in that has lavender in it - it has a calming effect and plug it in in the room where the kitty is.

One more thing get a box that is big enough for the cat. Cut a whole for him to climb into and cover the box with a towel or blanket. That way he as some place to go and feel safe.

 

[Redwitch]

I forgot - you can also try a calming diffuser like Feliway to make him feel more welcome. There are several brands available, They work on some kitties, but not others, so it is a gamble.

 

[nathaliabrown]

GOOD NEWS! He used the litter box last night while we were sleeping. Still doesnt look like he has eaten/drink anything but it shows he is getting more comfortable. He was even playing with me last night by attaching my feet under the covers. Im feeling much better now =)

 

[kymom99]

That is wonderful news! Cats really have a hard time adjusting to new surroundings. I am hoping my adoption goes smoothly on Saturday!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

GOOD NEWS! He used the litter box last night while we were sleeping. Still doesnt look like he has eaten/drink anything but it shows he is getting more comfortable. He was even playing with me last night by attaching my feet under the covers. Im feeling much better now =)

Little by little he will get more comfortable. Try some different types of food wet/dry different brands maybe he is picky. Temptations has those treats that are round balls. Maybe try rolling some to him.

 

[midwestdee]

Cats (unlike dogs) will literally starve themselves rather than eat food they don't like. I volunteer at an animal shelter and we keep boatloads of different varieties of canned and dry food for the cats (they really need that kibble to keep teeth in good shape). If you have an old baby gate you can cut a whole in it - so the cat can go out but the dogs can't follow it back in your room - if you have medium or large dogs.

 

[cattywampus]

Chicken baby food does well in a pinch. It does double duty to get both food and water into the cat, since it has a lot of water content.