New Adopted Kitten

[LouMeezie]

Hi, I adopted my first kitten (he's 5months, 3 weeks) and at the shelter he was obviously shy of new people, but warmed up and allowed me to cuddle him. They said he was not socialised properly and was semi-feral,when he came in to the shelter. I took him home Thursday (5 days ago) and he's been hiding under our couch during the day. With time and patience, he is easily coaxed out and loves playing, exploring and cuddles (he drools when he's super happy). But he seems to retreat under the couch all the time, especially during the day. He will be playing, then if I stop interacting with him, he'll disappear under again. He is eating, using his litter box and exploring at night. Do I just keep being patient with him, and trust he'll stop hiding under the couch?

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi!
Yes, you're doing incredibly well with this little guy!!

He'll eventually stop hiding, just keep doing exactly what you're doing, you have a recipe for success going here, good for you!!

Just in case this helps with anything, but basically, you really rock

First-time Cat Owner's Guide

 

[duncanmac]

I have a cat who is a former feral, and he hides but he is out and about quite a bit too. If you guy was feral, as much as he likes you, he is working at trusting you. After play when he goes under the couch, just sit down and watch TV and talk to yourself. In a couple of days he should start coming out to relax and maybe even hop up on the couch with you. AND, he will run away the first time you move but that will get better over time too.

 

[LouMeezie]

I have a cat who is a former feral, and he hides but he is out and about quite a bit too. If you guy was feral, as much as he likes you, he is working at trusting you. After play when he goes under the couch, just sit down and watch TV and talk to yourself. In a couple of days he should start coming out to relax and maybe even hop up on the couch with you. AND, he will run away the first time you move but that will get better over time too.

When he is coaxed out, he does all of those things, cuddles, jumps up on the couch and plays. It's like he just loses interest, rather than gets scared. When he's out and he gets scared he goes under our coffee table or under the dining table (we have a 1 bed apartment, with open kitchen/living room)
He's definitely going to be an interesting cat!

 

[LouMeezie]

Hi!
Yes, you're doing incredibly well with this little guy!!

He'll eventually stop hiding, just keep doing exactly what you're doing, you have a recipe for success going here, good for you!!

Just in case this helps with anything, but basically, you really rock

First-time Cat Owner's Guide

Thank you! The guide was helpful.
I'll keep trying with him. I see so much potential in him, I think patience will be the key.

 

[Furballsmom]

I'm so glad he found you!

 

[rubysmama]

Hello and welcome to TCS. Congrats on the new kitten. Can we see pics of him?
How To Add A Picture To Your Forum Post

I think you're doing great with him, and since he's so young, his semi-feral background shouldn't even be noticeable once he's with you longer.

Here are some TCS articles that might have some tips for you in the meantime.

9 Tips That Will Help Your Kitten Adapt To A New Apartment
Kitten Proofing Your Home: 13 Practical Tips

How To Get A Cat To Come Out Of Hiding?
16 Top Cat Experts Share Tips For Dealing With Timid Cats
14 Cat Experts Reveal: How To Get A Cat To Like Me
Playing With Your Cat: 10 Things You Need To Know

 

[LouMeezie]

Here is Paris (affectionately known as Fluffy McFlufface)

 

[rubysmama]

Awww.... what a cutie pie. I can see where he gets his nickname.

 

[Kflowers]

It's still early and he may be a little tired yet from being at the shelter. It's hard to sleep deep in such a situation. Of course, it was difficult to sleep deep on his own after he left his mom. Going under the bed is finding the safest place to sleep. He's not hiding from you, but from whoever/whatever might come into the house. He probably comes out and watches you sleep and is amazed that you do it in the open.

I suspect that is why they take to sleeping under the covers, the magic covers that protect the sleeper from the dangerous things that might come in the house.

He is really comfortable with you. It sounds as though he left the feral part of him at the shelter.

 

[LouMeezie]

Update:
I took the legs off the couch so he couldn't get underneath anymore. I felt this was the right decision as his behaviour wasn't depicting a scared cat.
It's been 2 days and I've seen a massive change. He follows me round the flat and is starting to come when I call him. He adores cuddles and playing with his new wand toy.
He just needed his hiding place taken away to understand that the world isn't a scary place.

 

[rubysmama]

Purr-fect update.