Make new Kitties Welcome

**hdeneise** · 11-15-2004, 02:45 PM

Over the weekend, my husband and I have adopted two new family members. The cats came from my coworker's daughters home in another state. They were well loved and well adjusted cats, but her new baby was allergic to them (one is long-haired), so I'm their new mom. I've had cats all of my life, but I've always gotten them as kittens, so adjustment was easy.

When they came to the house, the cats had been traquilized for the 6 hour trip, so it didn't really suprize me when they headed under the furniture straight out of the carriers. They've been pretty much left alone over the weekend to adjust to the new surroundings, but I'm getting a little concerned.

We've only seen Boo-Boo 2 or 3 times, and he'll allow himself to be petted briefly, but you can tell he's not happy about it. Kelly, on the otherhand, in a no-show. We see her sitting in the window when we come home, but as soon as the key hits the lock, she's under the sofa.

At least one of them is eating (or at least some of the food is disappearing) and they seem to be using the litterbox.

What can I do to make them feel more at home and become more comfortable with us. We have the same food, food bowls, litterbox and their favorite toys (their owner really didn't want them to go), but they're just not interested. .....Help--I want happy kitties

**RedHedd** · 11-15-2004, 03:23 PM

Just give them time. They've been traumatized by the long drive and then being placed in a new environment that smells different to them. It can take several days; just be patient. It sounds like you're doing the right thing by leaving them alone in a room together; it's much less traumatic for them to be in an enclosed space initially to get used to the change. Try to spend a little time with them, just quietly sitting in the room, not moving or attempting to catch or pet them. Let them come out on their own. They will, although it may take several days. Congratulations on your new babies and welcome to Pet Talk!

**leslie** · 11-15-2004, 11:52 PM

Try lying down next to the couch or wherever one is hiding and just extend an arm or hand but then turn your face away at the same time to take away the "threat" (you know, of being eaten- you are the potential predator! ha ha) When you do make eye contact, make long blinks, and try to open your eyes having them looking to the side, not at the cat. keep your teeth covered with your lips. And believe it or not, baby talk was scientifically proven to appeal to animals as it does to babies, so don't feel silly! The eye and teeth thing is how animals communicate- I learned back when socializing feral cats and still use on my semi-ferals that I have had as pets for several years when i want them to tolerate brushing and nail-clipping! They LOVE long blinks and often doze off while we exchange these. Don't forget the most important thing of all FOOD. Sit on the floor where they are hiding eating a delicious roast beef or tuna something. After enjoying a few bites, toss a bite under wherever. Make a trail leading to you, kind of like training a squirrel to eat out of your hand! Good luck. Cooked chicken and turkey are winners too! or a stinky can of mackerel if you aren't hungry!

**hdeneise** · 11-16-2004, 08:34 AM

When I came home from work last night, my husband was in the floor with Boo-Boo in his lap

. Boo-Boo is doing really well, he wandered around the house all night and came over occasionally to be petted. This morning he greeted us at the bedroom door and followed us around the house meowing for behind the ear scritches.

Kelly isn't so great. She got up IN the sleeper sofa. Stephen and I took out the cushions (for fear she'd get squished) and she darted into the kitchen. We closed the kitchen doors and brought Boo-Boo in hoping to calm her down........Have you ever seen the guys at the circus ride motorcycles in the big steel round cages?? That's what Kelly did to our kitchen. Broken glasses and don't even ask about the spice rack. She finally settled in a chair in the corner where she sat anxiously the rest of the night.

The attachment is some pictures from their former owner. Boo-Boo is the fat one (over 19 pounds) and Kelly is the smaller one with the mustache.

**hdeneise** · 11-16-2004, 08:36 AM

Sorry, here's the pics.....

**leslie** · 11-16-2004, 10:54 PM

You know, it may be worth calling the vet who treated them. bet cha anything kelly is feral. Give it time and limit the access to rooms! just because they have tags doesn't mean they aren't feral. My ferals are acclimated to me, but in a new situation would regress! They would need to start from step one all over again. (Cage for forced contact, petting, etc) Keep us posted. You may want to move this to cat general at this point to get input from more members! In fact, I highly suggest it!!!