Have you tried putting a bowl of tuna or salmon down just to get something in him? Most cats go crazy for this.
I know. It's very unusual. I had one cat who hid under the bed for weeks, but she did come out to eat and use the cat box from the first day.Thank you. It's been a tough few days and the support is definitely appreciated. I have never seen a cat go this extreme with being scared before is all. Just eat!
We tried a can of tuna which is his favorite according to the rescue and he was licking his lips the whole time but didn't eat any and wouldn't touch it.Have you tried putting a bowl of tuna or salmon down just to get something in him? Most cats go crazy for this.
Thank you, I will provide some updates tomorrow if I wake up and he has eaten something. That'd be ideal.I know. It's very unusual. I had one cat who hid under the bed for weeks, but she did come out to eat and use the cat box from the first day.
Sounds like you're probably going to end up at the vet tomorrow. I'll look forward to any updates.
Wait....I just had a thought. Prior, my cat used to live on a quiet back road street and now I live on a loud, busy road right across from a fire department. Do you think this may have any correlation to his scaredness?I know. It's very unusual. I had one cat who hid under the bed for weeks, but she did come out to eat and use the cat box from the first day.
Sounds like you're probably going to end up at the vet tomorrow. I'll look forward to any updates.
Leaving him in a safe room alone will get him eating. It's hard to get him out with food when you are around and not to mention getting him out to get him to the vet, meaning you have to catch and pull him out of hiding which I would suggest you do not do that.His name is Dash and we haven't had the chance for him to come out so pictures will have to be on hold!
I understand that making him comfortable is important but he's gone almost 60 hours without eating a single bite of food and that has me worried. I'm totally cool with being patient if he was eating but as he has not eaten at all we are concerned. If he doesn't have anything by morning we have to rush him to the vet.
I really appreciate you commenting on the situation. We took him to the vet on Monday and he got his shots and they said nothing was wrong with him physically. One would assume that after 60+ hours he would be hungry and eat. I don't want to be a selfish person and yank him from his "safe space" but his health is now my concern and I don't want my kindness towards him to cost him his life.Leaving him in a safe room alone will get him eating. It's hard to get him out with food when you are around and not to mention getting him out to get him to the vet, meaning you have to catch and pull him out of hiding which I would suggest you do not do that.
If you pull him out of hiding, he'll be more fearful and weary and once he's back from the vet, it'll be more hiding for him from you. So please don't do that. As long as you know that there are no immediate known issues with the cat, meaning he is healthy, leave him alone and leave fresh water and fresh food for him and when he's really hungry, he'll eat.
That could add to his adjustment anxiety. Which room in your house is the most quiet (furthest away from the traffic noise)? I would move him to that room.Wait....I just had a thought. Prior, my cat used to live on a quiet back road street and now I live on a loud, busy road right across from a fire department. Do you think this may have any correlation to his scaredness?
Thank you for your comments. My girlfriend and I slept in a totally separate room as him last night to give him space and so he can feel comfortable and eat. When we walked in today we saw that he drank some of his water, ate 3/4 of his wet food and used the litter box!I noticed you've said he's licking his lips like he wants to eat...a cat licking their lips is actually a sign of nausea (unless it's after they've eaten and they're cleaning, of course). I agree with orange&white that it's possible he's having a bad reaction to the vaccines he got on Monday. Maybe this is more than just new home stress and he needs some antinausea medication.
How's it going today? Did he eat anything overnight? Could you call the vet you took him to on Monday and see what they think and/or bring him in if not?
That is fabulous news!!! I was getting really worried, so I can just imagine how you were feeling. What a relief.I'm confident the situation has gone from "Why won't my cat eat" to "Now my cat is hiding under the bed still and it would be nice to have him come out and feel more comfortable around us."
Thank you for the kind words! Yeah, he just wants to hide in the back of underneath the dresser or back of the bed up against the wall. I've tried catnip and play toys but he just sort of stares at them and hisses if try petting him, so we haven't even actually touched him yet.That is fabulous news!!! I was getting really worried, so I can just imagine how you were feeling. What a relief.
So yes, now you can get down to trust building and bonding. Trying to interest him out of hiding with toys as TabbyTom suggested is a great idea! Put a little trail of yummy treats out while you're in the room with him as well, to try to challenge and build his confidence.
Thank you, it's awesome news. Currently we have three other cats so we have him in our bedroom with the door closed so no other cats can get in to bother him. Do you think it would make sense at all for us to leave the door open to let the other cats in or should I keep the door closed so he feels safe in his little room?Bravo! Great to hear that he ate, drank and used the litter box. It's ok to leave him where he is now as he is eating, drinking and litter boxing. Just leave doors opened so that he can sense that he is not locked up and have an option to roam around the house.
Give him some time to overcome his hiding. As soon as he don't feel that you guys are a threat to him, and with your talking and luring him out with a toy like a cat wand, he'll eventually come out once he have full confidence in you guys.
Have they been introduced correctly? Does the other cats know that there's another cat in the house and vice versa?Thank you, it's awesome news. Currently we have three other cats so we have him in our bedroom with the door closed so no other cats can get in to bother him. Do you think it would make sense at all for us to leave the door open to let the other cats in or should I keep the door closed so he feels safe in his little room?
Your other three cats are likely to be territorial and not too welcoming to a "stranger" at first. I'd keep the door closed until the cat is coming out of hiding, then plan on a screen door or baby gate so they can see each other but not "get at" each other to see how they react.
Have they been introduced correctly? Does the other cats know that there's another cat in the house and vice versa?
If they have met and there're no sparks between them, it should be okay to leave the doors open. I'm afraid that they have not met and things will be different. It'll be better to keep him by himself till his confidence level is way up otherwise meeting the 3 other cats will be a nightmare for him.