Shelter cat is broken and super depressed

[Stormy accepts you]

If the shelter was giving up.. she could probably sense that they didn’t care to try anymore… cats can sense things. After six month, she’d probably given up on anyone ever loving or wanting her again. Keep at it, she needs to know that you won’t give up on her. She wants to feel wanted and loved. Right now, she’s scared. That’s understandable. This is a new place. You are unfamiliar to her. Give her time. Don’t get frustrated and yell or get loud. That’s the worst thing you can do. She needs to see you both as good hoomans.

 

[VAMama]

I got a Feliway diffuser and it seems to help a bit. The CBD hasn't arrived. It will definitely be a last resort. We've been doing cuddle sessions. She has an initial burst of fear, but then she pulls close to me and falls asleep. She likes to be cuddled and protected. Each day she's a bit calmer.

 

[Caspers Human]

We've been doing cuddle sessions. She has an initial burst of fear, but then she pulls close to me and falls asleep. She likes to be cuddled and protected. Each day she's a bit calmer.

Bravissimo! Molto bene!

If a cat lets you cuddle with her and even falls asleep, she's already starting to bond! She was starved for love and attention and, now, she has you! Nice job! Continua così! Keep up the good work!

Before you know it, you might not be able to get the cat OFF your lap!

That's the way our youngest, Elliot, was. He was pretty skittish until we caught him and took him inside. After we brought home from the vet, we opened his carrier and he hopped right up on my lap.

Elliot has been a virtual lap cat, ever since!

 

[Alldara]

I got a Feliway diffuser and it seems to help a bit. The CBD hasn't arrived. It will definitely be a last resort. We've been doing cuddle sessions. She has an initial burst of fear, but then she pulls close to me and falls asleep. She likes to be cuddled and protected. Each day she's a bit calmer.

That's amazing

 

[tabbytom]

I got a Feliway diffuser and it seems to help a bit. The CBD hasn't arrived. It will definitely be a last resort. We've been doing cuddle sessions. She has an initial burst of fear, but then she pulls close to me and falls asleep. She likes to be cuddled and protected. Each day she's a bit calmer.

 

[iPappy]

I got a Feliway diffuser and it seems to help a bit. The CBD hasn't arrived. It will definitely be a last resort. We've been doing cuddle sessions. She has an initial burst of fear, but then she pulls close to me and falls asleep. She likes to be cuddled and protected. Each day she's a bit calmer.

My friend rescued a dog that had gone fear-feral. She did what you did, she'd ignore the burst of fear and wait until he relaxed and he became such a sweet, loyal little dog. I am so glad she's allowing this, it shows me she's learning to trust you and is learning that humans are Really Really Cool.
The CBD will be a great back up tool to have.

 

[VAMama]

Update Cosette. After three weeks her litter needed refreshing. We cleaned and filled the box. Now she's guarding it.

 

[poolcat]

She's not in it, though .... so that's progress, right?

 

[Alldara]

Poor Cosette. Why are you thiefing her poos?

She will probably learn within a few months to appreciate your efforts!

 

[artiemom]

Such sad little eyes.... so frightened... Don't worry, Cosette; your box will smell like you a soon as you use it!!

 

[Caspers Human]

You know... The litter box might be an issue for her.

Cats often use their scat as a territorial marker. If she lived in close quarters with many other cats, likely using communal litter boxes for six months, she might not have been able to secure her place in the pecking order.

The reason why she seems to sketchy when you clean the litter box might be because she's trying to secure territory in her new home and she needs the box to mark her "home base."

I suggest cleaning the litter box a little less frequently. Check the box every day in case it gets messy but only clean it out every other day. Maybe you could just scoop out the clumps of pee and leave a lump of poo behind.

I used to have a cat that didn't want his box cleaned out every day. He wanted to be able to see the "results of his labor" when he went to the box and would get upset if I didn't leave, at least, a little something in there.

Regardless of the manner, I think adjusting your litter box cleaning routine might help Cosette feel more secure.

Such sad little eyes.... so frightened...

Yes, I saw that, too! Poor kitty! But, don't worry. You've got a new home, now, and your human will love you and take good care of you!

 

[VAMama]

Yes she clearly sees that box as her primary property. She laid inside it for several hours until she produced a deposit. Maybe I can keep a little token in a corner for her.

She went to the vet for labs yesterday. When she came home, she recognized her room, and there was a sense of relief. She was more upset about the box than the vet visit.

When I have to move/hold her she doesn't fight me near as much as she used to. Our relationship has gone from hostility to tolerance.

 

[iPappy]

Behind that worried look in her eyes, she really has a sweet little expression. She's very similar looking to my girl Sarah.

 

[Caspers Human]

Behind that worried look in her eyes, she really has a sweet little expression.

I read her expression as saying that she really, really wants a human to love and a warm bed to sleep in but she's still not sure whether this home is her forever home...which it is... but she's probably still got a lot of trauma to overcome.

Not to worry, kitty! You've just hit the jackpot! Your new human loves you!

 

[tabbytom]

I agree with all of the above posters mentioned. Yea, continue to give her much assurance and she probably knows that she's in the right place but just needed more assurance.

Once she feels more confidence and trust levels are up, I believe she'll be a clingy cat.

 

[VAMama]

Cosette is now sitting in a different corner, not under a table or anything. She seems to be expanding her territory. I think we're officially done with her needing a box!

 

[tabbytom]

Cosette is now sitting in a different corner, not under a table or anything. She seems to be expanding her territory. I think we're officially done with her needing a box!

That’s wonderful to hear. She’s getting more confidence and starting to explore. To help her gain more confidence, place her scent soaked towels further away so that when she venture further, there’s familiar scents.

It’s good to keep the box. Cats like boxes and also it serve as a safe place for her whenever she feels frightened so that she can retreat into and also it can be an extra place for her to sleep in.

 

[artiemom]

Cosette is now sitting in a different corner, not under a table or anything. She seems to be expanding her territory. I think we're officially done with her needing a box!

I agree with tabbytom I would keep the box for a while longer. It is her security zone. She knows it is there, if she gets scared or frightened. Taking it away too soon, my just set her back a bit.
Cats love boxes. Please keep.

So glad Cosette is expanding her horizons. Just let her do things at her own pace. I think, knowing that she has a forever home will mean a great deal to her. After returning from the Vet, she came back to her Home! That is huge in cat language. Now she is getting accustomed to knowing that she has a "home'... I would not do anything drastic, now. She is just emerging. You do not want to se there backwards.

 

[Caspers Human]

Cosette is now sitting in a different corner, not under a table or anything.

Yeah! It seems like she's getting ready to check out her new home! Maybe not today but soon.

I agree with tabbytom Move some of her familiar things farther away so that they'll act as guide posts for her territory. Not too far. Just far enough to expand her playing field a little bit. Once she's had a chance to explore on her own terms she'll start progressing quickly, I hope.

Also, yes, keep the box. It's her "home base." She might need it if she gets frightened. Even after she outgrows her box, be sure to make sure she always has a place of safe retreat whenever she needs it...behind the sofa...under the bed...in the back of a closet. Virtually all cats need a safe space to hide out in when they get scared or upset.

It sounds like Cosette is getting ready to venture out. It won't be long before she takes over the whole house! Just give her time.

Who knows? There might come a day when you wish that the darned cat would go back into her room!

 

[IndyJones]

Keep the box it has her scent in it. Scent seems particularly important to her as evidenced by her litterbox behaviour so I would keep things that smell like her to make her feel secure.