Hello! I've been a cat owner most of my life - my sweet baby Ozzy was born when I was 8 and she is just now celebrating her 17th birthday. I moved out and naturally, I've adopted my own two rescue babies. They are semi/former ferals. They've been around humans since a young age (~4 months at least, they are about 2 years old now) and were swept in along with their colony (of 13!) and brought inside to an auto shop's office in November of 2019. They were able to come in and out originally, and since November have been strictly indoor. They made great strides, socializing and adjusting to being indoors. They greeted their owners at the door, ate out of their hand and loved to be pet. They are very bonded sisters and are inseparable.
We picked them up about 4 days ago, and we fully understand and acknowledge that this is a huge adjustment and they need more time than normal to adjust to the new environment. They have never been in an apartment or house before and have never been without their colony. We have designated the bedroom to be their room, they have a box from the auto shop, and all the essentials. I spend a majority of the work day on the bed working with some quiet music on. Sometimes I lay around on the floor near their hiding spot and do work (without bothering them) so they get used to my presence. I try to designate around 10-20 minutes during the day to speaking to them and petting them and again about 20 minutes in the evening before bed. We allow them to hide under the bed and dresser because they always hide in a place very easily accessible (by the edge of the bed, in corners) and I can always reach and pet them. They tolerate the attention and do not threaten to bite, scratch or hiss. They only move once we are out of sight. They've eaten a little bit and drank some water, and have used the litterbox every other day.
The only real issue we've had with them is the night time. Since the first night, they meow incessantly all night and wake us up. They meow whether they are together, separated, hiding, or most recently in the window looking out. They finally ventured out of their small corner and found the other half of the room, and started to spend some time on the windowsill and the cat tree, which is great! Except Cookie will sit in the window and meow like her life is dependent on it. She will not stop. Brownie has taken to standing at the door and meowing. When we wake up and look for them after half an hour of concern they tend to be quiet but start up again shortly after we get into bed. This has only gotten worse each night. It starts with some soft meows and turns into loud, concerning meows. After last night Brownie seems to be more aggressive, she lashed out and bit my boyfriend when he woke up and said good morning to them and hissed. She has never done this before. It seems like each day they have made a little bit of progress, exploring a little bit further, staying in more relaxed positions, not always keeping an eye on us if were around. We seemed to have taken a leap back.
The person I adopted them from says I should be spending as much time with them as I possibly can, petting them and giving them attention whenever possible. That this will comfort them and allow them to adjust quicker. They said as they meow at night we should seek them out and pet them to sooth them and comfort them. I'm just not sure that's the correct thing to do. Should we be leaving them alone to gain confidence and relax, or is forcing bonding the better thing to do? When they meow at night - is there anything we can do to calm them or ease them? Any particular reason they are doing this? I want to foster a welcoming environment for them and allow them to become confident, no matter how long it takes them. What else should I do? Am I even doing the correct things?
Cat Tax: Cookie is the calico & Brownie is the tabby
We picked them up about 4 days ago, and we fully understand and acknowledge that this is a huge adjustment and they need more time than normal to adjust to the new environment. They have never been in an apartment or house before and have never been without their colony. We have designated the bedroom to be their room, they have a box from the auto shop, and all the essentials. I spend a majority of the work day on the bed working with some quiet music on. Sometimes I lay around on the floor near their hiding spot and do work (without bothering them) so they get used to my presence. I try to designate around 10-20 minutes during the day to speaking to them and petting them and again about 20 minutes in the evening before bed. We allow them to hide under the bed and dresser because they always hide in a place very easily accessible (by the edge of the bed, in corners) and I can always reach and pet them. They tolerate the attention and do not threaten to bite, scratch or hiss. They only move once we are out of sight. They've eaten a little bit and drank some water, and have used the litterbox every other day.
The only real issue we've had with them is the night time. Since the first night, they meow incessantly all night and wake us up. They meow whether they are together, separated, hiding, or most recently in the window looking out. They finally ventured out of their small corner and found the other half of the room, and started to spend some time on the windowsill and the cat tree, which is great! Except Cookie will sit in the window and meow like her life is dependent on it. She will not stop. Brownie has taken to standing at the door and meowing. When we wake up and look for them after half an hour of concern they tend to be quiet but start up again shortly after we get into bed. This has only gotten worse each night. It starts with some soft meows and turns into loud, concerning meows. After last night Brownie seems to be more aggressive, she lashed out and bit my boyfriend when he woke up and said good morning to them and hissed. She has never done this before. It seems like each day they have made a little bit of progress, exploring a little bit further, staying in more relaxed positions, not always keeping an eye on us if were around. We seemed to have taken a leap back.
The person I adopted them from says I should be spending as much time with them as I possibly can, petting them and giving them attention whenever possible. That this will comfort them and allow them to adjust quicker. They said as they meow at night we should seek them out and pet them to sooth them and comfort them. I'm just not sure that's the correct thing to do. Should we be leaving them alone to gain confidence and relax, or is forcing bonding the better thing to do? When they meow at night - is there anything we can do to calm them or ease them? Any particular reason they are doing this? I want to foster a welcoming environment for them and allow them to become confident, no matter how long it takes them. What else should I do? Am I even doing the correct things?
Cat Tax: Cookie is the calico & Brownie is the tabby