Kitten help needed!

[kellia]

Help, we just got a kitten last night. I got her from an ad in the paper, I am worried that was a bad decision! The kitten is 7 or 8 weeks old and not friendly at all. She acts like she is terrified of us and if she does come out of the little cat house bed we got her, she hides under something and won't come out. We've had 3 kittens before (the one we still have is now 6 years old), and while they might have been a week or 2 older when we got them, they were always friendly and playful. Dh thinks maybe this one was abused and I am worried that she won't warm up to us.

Any suggestions? I don't want to get rid of her, but if she is a timid cat, this is not the right home for her and she's going to hate it here with my little kids.

Oh, also, she is eating fine, but can't get her to drink water. Since last night she has not used the littler box (which is right next to her in dd's room for now).

Help, I feel so bad about this! Just now she started crying again, but doesn't want to be held, I don't know what to do!

 

[MickeysMommy]

Mickey was like that when we first got him. He used to climb up into the arms of the couch. He doesn't drink a lot of water either. The vet said as long as he is eating wet food he is getting water. They will use the litter box when they have to. If he used it once already - he knows where it is. I would give him a little time - remember this is all new for him too and he is so little. He'll get used to you. Good Luck!

 

[MickeysMommy]

Sorry..."she"..

 

[simba928]

My first thought was the same as your DH's. She may have not had the best life before (even though she is still young). Since you said you got her from an ad, do you know if this was someone that knew what they were doing breeding kittens or were they just careless people that didn't spay their cat and ended up with kittens or what? Your kitten may not have been socialized properly, which could be why she is so timid. Or she may still be trying to figure out whats going on and eventually come out of her shell. I would give her some time to warm up and adjust. See what happens and if she eventually warms up to you. Good luck and congratulations on your new kitty!

 

[mickeyboat]

My kittens were very scared when we first brought them home. They used to hide INSIDE the recliners. It took a while before they were comfortable enough to come out and be around us. We tried to wear soft and fuzzy clothing so they would feel comfortable and warm around us. For the longest time, they would curl up together on the top step of our staircase and watch us.

I also think they were a lot younger than they were purported to be. They were absolutely starving!

Cats are pretty picky about their water, it needs to be super clean. I also find my cats don't like to drink their water when someone else is around. You might try putting out more than one dish of water.

Now my cats are the most affectionate cats I have ever seen. Give it some time.

Denae

 

[kellia]

My first thought was the same as your DH's. She may have not had the best life before (even though she is still young). Since you said you got her from an ad, do you know if this was someone that knew what they were doing breeding kittens or were they just careless people that didn't spay their cat and ended up with kittens or what? Your kitten may not have been socialized properly, which could be why she is so timid. Or she may still be trying to figure out whats going on and eventually come out of her shell. I would give her some time to warm up and adjust. See what happens and if she eventually warms up to you. Good luck and congratulations on your new kitty!

No, they were not breeders! The home was um... well... let's just say too many animals, not enough cleaning. The woman did seem nice, though, but I don't know about who else lived there or the large dog I saw in a crate. I felt bad for the kitty and couldn't leave it, though!

Thank you for your posts, I hope she is just getting used to us and will warm up! I just wanted to know that there is hope!

 

[TurboKitty]

I had a cat like that once. When we first got her, all she did was hide, growl and hiss. She hadn't been socialized/acclimated with people properly. She growled at our other cat. She hide under the bed. This went on for a week. Finally I got sick of her complaining. I picked her up and put her in my lap and petted her. She never wanted to out of a lap after that. Biggest furry suckup for attention you'd ever want to meet. Also sweet and gentle with kids. (Miss ya Squeaky cat!)

I hope your new cat soon discovers the joy of people. The crying is likely for her siblings or mother. Try moewing back to her. (My cats now seem to like it when I do that)

 

[SarahK]

My cat was like that at first. I think she spent her first week at home crying under the bed. But now she is very friendly and affectionate! We just let her come out to see us on her own terms, and after a couple weeks she felt at home.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Maybe you can try rebonding with her? Get some kitten formula and then feed like a baby with an eyedropper.

Become her "momma" and then she will trust you forever.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I have a feeling she will come around once she knows she is safe and in a good home. She sounds like she is scared.

 

[kellia]

I just got back from the vet, turns out it is a BOY, had to tease dh since he insisted it was a girl! No feline leukemia! And got his first shots and a treatment for fleas (weren't any on him, but there had been- ewwwww!). Doc said he thought he'd probably be fine, he looks healthy just scrawny. And he finally drank water when we got home.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Rhonda922]

As a cat lover, thank you for taking in this little kitty. I've always had cats and they usually will hide out for a while because they're someplace new and they're scared. Imagine it from his point of view. He's suddenly in a new environment and everything seems so big and scary. When I got my new kitty 2 years ago, she was only 6 weeks. I wrapped her in a towel and would put her on my lap just so that she would feel safe inside the towel (with her head peeking out, of course) and she could get use to me, hear my voice, and get use to being around me and DH. She would cry if I left her alone in the bedroom and she wouldn't eat or drink anything. Well, you should see her now!! She runs, jumps, plays, eats like a fiend. I love her to death!

 

[HERSEY]

My Brucie was like that when we first got her. Her mom didn't want her and was pushing her away from the other kittens. We had to become her mom and give her extra attention. We had to pet her head to tip of tail, all parts of her body so she would get used to humans touching her. Be patient she will come around.