Can I ask a cat question in here?

[MissB]

Would this be a good place to find the resident DU experts on cats?

[amerikat]

1. This is the place. Ask a cat question.

[MissB]

3. Thank you! I adopted a cat a week ago

He's 10 months old and very sweet. He came complete with a respiratory infection (oh joy) and seemed pretty miserable for the first few days. The medication kicked in and for the past three days or so he's been pretty spunky.

Except that he won't leave our master bedroom. At all. If I am gone, he spends his time in the closet, otherwise he is on the pillows on the bed.

How do I encourage him to move about the house? Dh doesn't really want him to sleep in our room, as he is very nocturnal. He doesn't sleep at all while we are trying to sleep.

We do have another cat- she is about 4 years old. She isn't terribly pleased to have a new housemate, but she has been fairly tolerant. She hisses if he gets too near. Since the new cat doesn't leave the bedroom, she doesn't see too much of him. She spends most of her time outside anyway. We also have an Australian Shephard but the new cat doesn't seem to mind - in fact he's warmed right up to the dog.

I just can't figure out how to get him to leave our bedroom! Help!

[amerikat]

5. He needs time to adjust to his new surroundings.

Do you know anything about his history?
What conditions were like before he came to you?

[MissB]

6. No real idea, just a few pieces of info from the humane society

He was given up because of the owner's medical reasons, and had one owner. He was at the humane society for a bit more than a week. His tag said that he got along well with dogs and cats and adjusted to new conditions really well.

I guess I should just give him more time, huh? I don't want to force him out of the room and create unnecessary issues.

I guess I always thought cats were curious, kwim?

[koopie57]

10. we tried to adopt a dog from the humane society and one thing

we learned is that when someone gives up an animal, in it not unheard of for them to lie about how the animal gets along with others. And, I'm not judging, just that was my experience.

[MissB]

14. Good point

I didn't think about that. There may well be something in his past that is keeping him from being a confident kitty.

[SoCalDem]

20. He's just a bit disoriented. He probably misses "home"

Give him some time and don't push him.. He will start to "explore" his surroundings..

Our cats have done this when we have moved.. The bedding smelled of "us", so they felt secure there..The carpeting/floors smelled "foreign" to them.. In fact , we called Amber "the baseboard kitty" for a while.. She would slink from room to room, hugging the baseboards...as if she did not even want to walk on that "foreign floor..

He might be still thinking that his former "person" will be coming to get him...he might be lonely..

In about a week or so, he will probably be all over the place :)

[koopie57]

8. we adopted a cat who was about 10 months old

from a vet. They thought he had been abused, but were not really sure. He hid for a few days and only came out for my daughter. He spends his time in her room and mostly in the basement, but after four years he is finally spending more time in the living room with the family. He is only comfortable with her and beginning now with me. He doesn't like men/boys. He might feel comfortable checking out your home when he is alone. I would always be kind to him, and pet him if he lets you. But, I wouldn't worry for awhile. Imagine if you were thrust into a home and couldn't understand why.

[amerikat]

9. I don't understand.

He doesn't leave the bedroom at all? Where is the food and where is the litter box?

[MissB]

11. It is all in there, which doesn't exactly help

Dh doesn't like a litterbox in the bedroom. I don't like it in there. But the food, water and litterbox are all there in front of the dresser.

I am trying to accommodate his desire to hang in the bedroom.

He isn't at all curious about the rest of the house. He doesn't want to go upstairs, downstairs or anywhere. Nada.

And the dog doesn't bother him - she does tend to herd cats (it's the Aussie in her) but he ignores that. It's just that he doesn't move from the bedroom.

[amerikat]

13. can you pick her up and take her out of the bedroom?

Maybe move the litter box and food out of the room? Even if it is right outside the door. Move the food and box a few feet closer to where you want them everyday.

[MissB]

15. Good idea.

I'll try to move his food/water and litterbox just outside the door tomorrow.

[amerikat]

16. You might also try picking up the pillow while he is on it

and introduce him to the rest of the house while he is on the pillow. take him on a tour.

[jobycom]

18. That's extremely common

I've had many a cat hide out in one area of a new home. Whenever I've moved, one or two of my cats always goes into hiding. One, a full grown cat, stayed under the bed for days. He had a particularly rough time. He was terrified of the rental truck I drove him in, he was terrified of the new surroundings, and when I set him down he ran straight into the bathroom, a favorite place of his, and jumped on the lid-- which was open. After a while, he adjusted.

Several of my cats have done just what you're describing, especially when they had to move in with other animals. They are territorial, so they stay away from the other animals' territories, and claim whatever they feel they can get. Right now that's your room. And since you were the first creature the cat met, the cat probably feels most comfortable with you.

Just wait it out.

[Dastard Stepchild]

21. Second that

I was going to post a similar thread, but I'll second the good advice here. This has been my experience as well. Some cats just jump right into a new home, and others need patient coaxing.

[TrogL]

22. He'll get over it and explore

He's just freaked out right now and wants the stability of one room.

Don't move the litter box, it's just one more change to adjust to.

[Lindacooks]

26. Enhance the environment

We actually had a kitty shrink (animal behaviorist) help us some years ago. You need to enhance the environment where the cat won't go. Sprinkle catnip around, add toys, soft spots to sleep, food in bowls scattered around. See if you can get him to eat some canned food outside the bedroom (that always worked for us).

And give him time. A week is really no time at all; just make sure he feels safe and he'll eventually explore and get comfortable with the rest of the house.

[shanti]

2. this would be an excellent place

ask on...

[UTUSN]

4. Here? Of All Places?????????? n/t

[Tripper11]

7. Cat? Did someone say cats in the lounge??

[MissB]

12. Beautiful!

I love the pic of the one drinking from the glass!

[amerikat]

17. They are beauties. What are their names?

[Tripper11]

25. Pumpkin(all black) and Gizmo...

and the kitten with her head in the glass is Sisi, my grandmother's new cat.

[amerikat]

19. let us know how things develop

[Corgigal]

23. I will tell you what I did

I had a dog crate in the living room and inside I put the smaller plastic carry along crate. I also put in the litter box inside. I allowed the "new" cat to live in there for a few days so they can get the sights, smells and noises down but also allow them to hide in the plastic crate if they want to. They can hear your voice, they see you bring food/water. I works well and then the other cat (or dogs) can smell and look at each other safely before any real contact can be made. If you do this make sure you put the big dog crate (mine was around 80 bucks at a pet store) in your primary living space. It worked wonderfully.

[dudeness]

24. ..pussy aaarrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

:(