I came here back in May-June of last year when I adopted my feral babies Cookie and Brownie and you guys were a MASSIVE help! They are happily adjusted and becoming snuggle bugs slowly. I took in a friends cat for a few months while she needed to sort out her living arrangement and it turns out our cats absolutely love him and now that he's leaving, we were worried about how they would adjust going back to just the two of them. So, I found them a friend. I just adopted a beautiful 5 month old that was TNR'd on 2/17 and brought her home on 3/6. She is scared, definitely a bit feral but was very well adjusted with her foster. He was able to pick her up, cuddle her, she would purr and enjoyed every moment.
I fully do not expect a well adjusted cat super quickly, I learned that the first time around! I do have some questions regarding how to treat her adjustment period though. Shes younger and I want to continue to encourage petting and contact while she is still young and don't want to wait too long. She has been here for about 36 hours, she hasn't eaten at all but has started to explore when its quiet and at night. I have pet her in her hiding spot but I know it's not very beneficial as that is her safe space currently and I dont want to intrude.
My question is where to go from here. I feed her stinky wet food three times a day and she has dry food out at all times. I expect her to hide out a few more days, and hopefully she will start eating in the next day or so.
I fully do not expect a well adjusted cat super quickly, I learned that the first time around! I do have some questions regarding how to treat her adjustment period though. Shes younger and I want to continue to encourage petting and contact while she is still young and don't want to wait too long. She has been here for about 36 hours, she hasn't eaten at all but has started to explore when its quiet and at night. I have pet her in her hiding spot but I know it's not very beneficial as that is her safe space currently and I dont want to intrude.
My question is where to go from here. I feed her stinky wet food three times a day and she has dry food out at all times. I expect her to hide out a few more days, and hopefully she will start eating in the next day or so.
- How much does a 5 month old kitten need to eat? She is about 4lbs.
- Do I leave her to hide out until she is ready to come out? Or should I start to pick her up in a few days after she starts eating?
- How long is too long? She is already past the socialization stage but I want to pet her and pick her up as much as I can while she is still small. I do not want to wait until she is older and less open to socializing.