Newly adopted Rescue

[Meme for 2]

Hello everyone, I am a new adoptive parent of a 5 yr old female kitty. She spent most of her life as a feral but was taken in by a family with 13 cats. She was attacked by one of the cats and is now with me. I need some tips to help her acclimate, she is currently under the bed for 3 days. Eating and using the box, but zero interraction. How can I help her?

 

[rubysmama]

Hello and welcome to TCS. Congrats on the adoption of the new kitty. Hope in time she'll be the purrfect companion.

For now she just needs some time to get used to her new home, and her new human. Some of her nervousness could be due to being a former feral, however, even non-feral cats can go into hiding when brought to their new home. The fact that she eating and using the litter box is excellent. So you don't have to worry about that.

TCS has some articles that might have some tips for you. But basically let her go at her pace. Spend as much time in the room with her as you can. Just sitting on the floor, and talking to her, or surfing the net.

Here's the links to the articles.

This first one is more for initially bringing a feral inside, so might not apply to your girl.
Handling Feral Cats – TheCatSite Articles

Here are the other articles:
9 Tips That Will Help Your Kitten Adapt To A New Apartment or House – TheCatSite Articles
How To Help A New Cat Adjust To Your Home – TheCatSite Articles

How To Get A Cat To Come Out Of Hiding? – TheCatSite Articles
10 Must-know Tips For Happy Living With A Shy Cat – TheCatSite Articles
16 Top Cat Experts Share Tips For Dealing With Timid Cats – TheCatSite Articles
14 Cat Experts Reveal: How To Get A Cat To Like Me – TheCatSite Articles

Good luck.

 

[Meme for 2]

Hello and welcome to TCS. Congrats on the adoption of the new kitty. Hope in time she'll be the purrfect companion.

For now she just needs some time to get used to her new home, and her new human. Some of her nervousness could be due to being a former feral, however, even non-feral cats can go into hiding when brought to their new home. The fact that she eating and using the litter box is excellent. So you don't have to worry about that.

TCS has some articles that might have some tips for you. But basically let her go at her pace. Spend as much time in the room with her as you can. Just sitting on the floor, and talking to her, or surfing the net.

Here's the links to the articles.

This first one is more for initially bringing a feral inside, so might not apply to your girl.
Handling Feral Cats – TheCatSite Articles

Here are the other articles:
9 Tips That Will Help Your Kitten Adapt To A New Apartment or House – TheCatSite Articles
How To Help A New Cat Adjust To Your Home – TheCatSite Articles

How To Get A Cat To Come Out Of Hiding? – TheCatSite Articles
10 Must-know Tips For Happy Living With A Shy Cat – TheCatSite Articles
16 Top Cat Experts Share Tips For Dealing With Timid Cats – TheCatSite Articles
14 Cat Experts Reveal: How To Get A Cat To Like Me – TheCatSite Articles

Good luck.

Thank you for providing some links! One thing I am not sure of is can I try to get close to her if she is under the bed or is it best not to? I watch her for signs of stress when I talk to her but she is very stoic. Only her eyes keep moving, watching for any signs of trouble. I don’t want to scare her.

 

[fionasmom]

From your post, it seems that you have only had her for a few days. At this point, I would not try to disturb her or get her out from under the bed. See if she begins to explore, which might be at night, and then try to sit with her, talk to her softly, read or occupy yourself as you sit near her without interacting. Eating and using the box are good signs in the beginnning. If you sense that she will allow touching, you might try first with a stick wrapped in a wash cloth or a cat wand type toy. Thank you for helping her.

 

[Meme for 2]

Thank you, yes, it is only a few days so far. We have nicknamed her our Night Stalker because I see signs that she has been exploring her safe room at night. I will remain patient and keep talking to her, I so want her to feel safe and loved.

 

[fionasmom]

That is really a common practice in newly rescued cats who are unsure of their surroundings. She has had a hard life going from feral to a rescue situation (probably well intended) which lead to a cat attack. She doesn't yet understand that she is safe with you and that history is not going to repeat itself.

 

[rubysmama]

If you'd posted before bringing her home, we probably would have suggested taking the mattress off the frame and putting it directly on the floor, so she couldn't get under the bed. But too late now. You definitely don't want to stress her out, by trying to root her out from her safe place.

When she's under the bed, is she way back against the wall, or closer to the front?

 

[Meme for 2]

If you'd posted before bringing her home, we probably would have suggested taking the mattress off the frame and putting it directly on the floor, so she couldn't get under the bed. But too late now. You definitely don't want to stress her out, by trying to root her out from her safe place.

When she's under the bed, is she way back against the wall, or closer to the front?

She is way in the back where the heaterboard is. We see signs that she explores at night and luckily it isn’t a low bed so plenty of room for me to see her and her to see me. I lay on the floor and talk to her, play with her toys and show her the treats I give her.

 

[rubysmama]

Sounds like you're doing the right thing. Just be patient with her, and in time she'll learn to be less fearful.

 

[Meme for 2]

Sounds like you're doing the right thing. Just be patient with her, and in time she'll learn to be less fearful.

Thank you for your support!

 

[rubysmama]

Keep us updated on her progress.

 

[Meme for 2]

We have now had our CeCe for 8 days and I am thinking about the little steps forward. With a traumatized kitty who lived outside for 4 1/2 of her 5 yrs, every little step gives me hope. She slept on her side for the first time the other day, she lets me scoot partway under the bed and drag her toy wand slowly near her (not too close), she is using her litter box during the day now too instead of holding it til we sleep. And tonight, she actually got ‘slitty eyed’ while I was talking to her! I am not extremely knowledgable about feral kitties but to me these steps seem so big. It warms my heart to think she is getting more comfortable. I will continue to be very patient, will not try to pet her just yet. Just feeling happy for her.

 

[Meme for 2]

 

[tabbytom]

We have now had our CeCe for 8 days and I am thinking about the little steps forward. With a traumatized kitty who lived outside for 4 1/2 of her 5 yrs, every little step gives me hope. She slept on her side for the first time the other day, she lets me scoot partway under the bed and drag her toy wand slowly near her (not too close), she is using her litter box during the day now too instead of holding it til we sleep. And tonight, she actually got ‘slitty eyed’ while I was talking to her! I am not extremely knowledgable about feral kitties but to me these steps seem so big. It warms my heart to think she is getting more comfortable. I will continue to be very patient, will not try to pet her just yet. Just feeling happy for her.

Hey there! Welcome to TCS!

Thank you for taking in Cece and for giving her a warm and fur-ever loving home and a safe sanctuary to live out her life

Yes, every little step counts. Since you have her in for only 8 days, there is some work to do to get her acclimatized to the house and also to you.

Many things are going on in her mind right now as you can see in her expression. Give her time, don't rush her and most of all, never betray her else her trust in you will diminish and it'll be harder to gain her trust again. Love, patience and routine rules the day.

Feel free to ask questions and do keep us updated on the progress.

 

[rubysmama]

Definitely sounds like she's getting more comfortable. When you mentioned "she actually got ‘slitty eyed’ while I was talking to her" that reminded me of something. When you look at her, do a slow blink. That lets her know you're not a threat. Sounds like she may have already been doing it back at you.

 

[Meme for 2]

A little bit of a side nap, she is just so cute! Last night I couldn’t find her, she had gotten on top of the bed and was burrowed behind the pillow. I told her goodnight and then let her be so not to spook her.

 

[Margot Lane]

Such a different look in the eyes this time! Love the progression of this positive tale, please keep um coming!

 

[rubysmama]

Yes, what a change in the look in her eyes. First pic was side eyeing you with suspicion. Second pic was just glancing up between naps.

 

[Meme for 2]

Update on our CeCe, she comes out from under the bed only at night to get on the bed and burrow under the pillows. She will not come out when I am in the room, pretty much does not move around at all during the day. Uses her litter box at night. I scooted under the bed this morning, I was able to gently rub near her chin using a wand with a small cloth on it. She was wide eyed but did not mive a muscle, no hissing or swatting. She will let me push treats towards her with my hand until about 6 inches away then backs up just a little. Will keep working on her, I can see she is a bit matted and feel bad that I cannot get those knots out

 

[rubysmama]

Awww... sweet girl. She'll eventually figure out that you're her human and she can trust you.