I have tried reading thru posts, but I am still looking for advice. I adopted what I was told was a good with cats/kids/dog 3 year old male cat. Since I brought him home a week ago, he is hiding in the closet and hissing at me everytime I go in to say hello. Today, after a week, i tried to pat him and he lunged an hissed at me. I am trying to be patient, but I do not see how this is good for the cat. I am contemplating giving him another week and if things are not improved taking him back to the shelter. I feel horrible, but I am wondering if he is just not in the right place.
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Adopted cat hiding/hissing
- Thread starter mperry29
- Start Date
Hello!
One week is a short time for a kitten. His whole world is changed. When scared many cats react with hissing etc. Even if used to certain things, a new house is all new sights, smells, sounds, etc to get used to. He lost his former family and home. That's a big adjustment.
Does he have a "home base" away from the other pets? (Are the the other pets allowed in this space currently)
Have you tried some cat calming music with purring? (Any streaming service)
Some shelters and other places have found it beneficial for children to read outloud to the pets outside of the cages. Some posters have also found this helps in their homes. Your children could leave a couple treats for him to eat and take some time to read to him if they are old enough.
Calcifer, my cat, came from one calm home to another and still it was SO stressful to him, that he developed a patch of grey hair! It took a few weeks for him to gain confidence, but for some it takes a few months.
9 Tips That Will Help Your Kitten Adapt To A New Apartment or House - TheCatSite Articles
One week is a short time for a kitten. His whole world is changed. When scared many cats react with hissing etc. Even if used to certain things, a new house is all new sights, smells, sounds, etc to get used to. He lost his former family and home. That's a big adjustment.
Does he have a "home base" away from the other pets? (Are the the other pets allowed in this space currently)
Have you tried some cat calming music with purring? (Any streaming service)
Some shelters and other places have found it beneficial for children to read outloud to the pets outside of the cages. Some posters have also found this helps in their homes. Your children could leave a couple treats for him to eat and take some time to read to him if they are old enough.
Calcifer, my cat, came from one calm home to another and still it was SO stressful to him, that he developed a patch of grey hair! It took a few weeks for him to gain confidence, but for some it takes a few months.
9 Tips That Will Help Your Kitten Adapt To A New Apartment or House - TheCatSite Articles
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- #3
He has not left the closet! I do talk to him. He is a 3 YO male. I am trying to be patient. I just don't want him to get sick!
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- #4
TY for replying. I will keep working at it
Is he eating, drinking and using the litter box? If he isn’t then this is more urgent that if he simply wont come out and wants nothing to do with you. And if he is eating he won’t likely get sick. My girl hid up inside my sofa for several weeks, leaving only to use her litterbox and eat during the night with no ill effects.
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Several years ago, my ex and I adopted a female cat that was very friendly and got along with other cats, kids, everything. She was so terrified when we brought her home, she hid in the closet for several days. I would hand her a plate of food and she would smack it from my hand. Just allow the cat to have a safe space with access to water, food, and a litter box. Let him adjust slowly. Talk to him every time you bring him food. Some cats take time to adjust to new surroundings and you likely need to earn his trust. You can also make use of calming spray. I believe Chewy sells the stuff I am talking about. It should only be a few bucks. You can spray a blanket or towel and set it in the closet to help with his anxiety.
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- #7
Thank you so much for the reply. I did get him some rescue remedy as that has always helped with other situations. He is using the litter box and eating. IDK about the water. I do keep it fresh and changed. I have been putting some water in his wet food hoping to keep him better hydrated.
That is wonderful to hear. Leaving a place he is familiar with is traumatic for a cat and it takes time for him to figure out you a a good human and this is a safe place. You don’t want to try to touch him or reach from him. Come in the room, sit with him and talk. You can put down a treat or two but at first he probably won’t take them while you are there.
If he doesn’t come out within a couple weeks and you don’t have other pets, you might consider leaving the door open and letting him explore your place.
If he doesn’t come out within a couple weeks and you don’t have other pets, you might consider leaving the door open and letting him explore your place.
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- #9
Thank you. I do have a small dog, which this guy supposedly does OK with! At least I know what room he is in as I do have a pet gate across the door. I have just returned from buying fresh catnip and some more calming treats. I really appreciate the help. I have had a couple of cats, but I do not understand them as well as I do dogs! I got this guy as a buddy for the dog, as my cat passed last October! I will try to post an update, hoping things start to improve!
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I would contact the shelter/rescue and ask a few more questions of them. Occasionally a shelter will indicate a cat is more socialized than they are to encourage adoptions. Explain the cat is still timid/hostile and ask to speak with whoever was their primary care giver. They should be able to give you more information on how the cat behaved while there. How long did you observe him where he was, and how did he respond to you?
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- #11
Thank you for your reply. I have reached out to them twice! Everyone is telling me to be patient! Don't get me wrong, I am an amimal lover and it would certainly upset me to have to bring him back as I know it could be a huge set back for him, but.......I have a feeling they maybe he left the shelter too soon. He was turned in, went to get fixed, and then landed with me supposedly within a week! I looked to the shelter to judge the process!! Thanks again.
M
mperry29
It can take cats, especially older ones like yours, a few months to settle in. Two weeks is still very early.
I know it's frustrating to keep hearing the same thing, but it's because you won't be able to know how he is in your home after just two weeks. He is building trust with you and his new home.
It's hard to tell a cat's full personality at a shelter too. They may act differently because of the high stress situation.
Including the shelter, he's likely lived in at least 3 places before your home! Like, he was born in one home, moved to another and then come to the shelter and now you. He's lived in more places than years he's been alive! You can't expect a cat in this circumstance to have any kind of feeling of security very quickly.
Please don't rush him. Trust in the process. Try some of the tips from the articles and that people have posted. But most importantly, try to do something for yourself to release some of the stress you are feeling. It will put you both more at ease.
I know it's frustrating to keep hearing the same thing, but it's because you won't be able to know how he is in your home after just two weeks. He is building trust with you and his new home.
It's hard to tell a cat's full personality at a shelter too. They may act differently because of the high stress situation.
Including the shelter, he's likely lived in at least 3 places before your home! Like, he was born in one home, moved to another and then come to the shelter and now you. He's lived in more places than years he's been alive! You can't expect a cat in this circumstance to have any kind of feeling of security very quickly.
Please don't rush him. Trust in the process. Try some of the tips from the articles and that people have posted. But most importantly, try to do something for yourself to release some of the stress you are feeling. It will put you both more at ease.
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I understand. If someone turned in a cat not well socialized, that may take quite a bit of time to work that out. Don’t get me wrong, it’s just been a week, and if he was turned in and went- shelter -vet- shelter- you, that’s a lot for a cat to process. He may be fine next week, or it could take months. It can be rewarding to work with a cat and bring them around. However, if you are unable to do that because of children, pets or time, that is understandable.
PS. After you try some of the tips, let us know what is working and what isn't. Then we can help you brainstorm some more. But the biggest factor will be giving him the time to learn that his new family and new home is safe.
Keep talking to him like you said. But also have the children in the room but not focused on him. Reading or even watching a movie.
Keep talking to him like you said. But also have the children in the room but not focused on him. Reading or even watching a movie.
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- #15
TY, still no progress. It seems to be getting worse. I am at a loss
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- #16
Thank you, I am wondering the same thing. We are now starting our 3rd week. Things are NOT getting any better, I actually feel it is getting worse. Now when I try to give him treats, he not only hisses, he starts growling! I can't see this is good for anyone
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Has the shelter, where you adopted him, confirmed that the people dropped off a family pet and not a feral or other stray cat?
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- #18
Supposedly he came from a home where they no longer had time for him. I am starting to wonder, although he did seem ok at the shelter! I am still trying, but this is certainly not what I was expecting. Thank you so much for the reply. I will keep everyone posted one way or the other.
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If he was only at the shelter for a week, they may not actually know. Being exposed, in a cage, is not the best example of a cat’s behavior. Too afraid to react, and all that. My cat is terrified at the vet and barely reacts. They would have no idea of how ornery she actually is, lol. A rescue, who takes the cat out and plays, or even fosters, have a much better idea of temperament.
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- #20
I should have insisted that I hold him. The people at the shelter said he would be uncomfortable. They last cat I adopted I had a wonderful experience. He was a 9 YO with FIV. I had him for 4 wonderful years. He was such a good boy. I had visited a shelter and looked at a cat that acted at the shelter like this one is acting here, and as badly as I felt for leaving her there, I knew it was above my cat knowledge or patience. I guess I ended up with a problem anyway. I went against my gut and did not go back to the same place where I adopted the last cat! Hind site, I should have stuck to what I said. I am still trying. As much as I do not want to set him back further, 1 or 2 more weeks and he may have to go back ;( Thank you for your reply
