My aunt died, and I have taken in her cat, Emma. Emma is mostly white, age 12 years, and very overweight.
I already have 7 cats, plus 4 dogs. Emma had been adopted from the SPCA just 2 years ago, so we have no info on her past life, if she ever lived with other cats, or dogs. Emma was in Auntie's apartment alone for about 3 weeks (Auntie went to hospice at the end of her life). Someone would stop in morning and evening to feed her, change litter box, maybe pet her a bit. I was told that when Emma first arrived with Auntie, she (Emma) took some time to settle in and 'warm up.' Cousins remember receiving a phone call from Auntie the first time Emma jumped up on the sofa and settled down, just out of arm's reach. Later she was a lap cat.
In the past, I have done cat introductions by keeping the cat in one room for a few days -- depending on current residents, the newbie may be in a room with one other cat, but that is all. I recently moved (May 6th) to a smaller house, and I do not have that luxury here. When I relocated, my 7 cats spent about 24 hours hiding, not eating or drinking, which I expected. Slowly one by one they started coming out and exploring, and within 3 days all was normal. I kept tabs but didn't really worry -- they had all THEIR beds, blankies, toys, food, etc. And I know cats need time to adjust to major change.
So I brought Emma home on Thursday evening, opened her carrier door. She slowly came out, looked around a bit, moved under a bed (full, not twin sized). To my knowledge, she has not left that spot, has not eaten, used litter box, etc. "But I can't be sure!" The other cats are regularly in and out of the room where she is. Food, water and litter boxes are in that room.
This morning, I did use a broom to check if in fact she is still under the bed. She moved out on the far side to under a small table, so I did see her. Without the broom I walked over talking to her, used her name, and she just hissed then moved back under the bed.
Much as I hate to 'scare' her, I'm thinking I need to use the broom and get her to relocate to another room, which has no big bed. (It also has food, water and litter boxes). Plenty of hiding places, but I will be able to see her and keep better tabs on her. (BTW both the room she is in and the one I want her in have gates so the dogs do not go in those 2 rooms.) I had some of her food, which I put down after 24 hours, giving her time to adjust. That food disappeared but I've no way of knowing if she ate any of it.
Ideas, suggestions? I don't want her to stop eating, go into that liver disease, become anemic and die, not without trying to get her to come around.
I already have 7 cats, plus 4 dogs. Emma had been adopted from the SPCA just 2 years ago, so we have no info on her past life, if she ever lived with other cats, or dogs. Emma was in Auntie's apartment alone for about 3 weeks (Auntie went to hospice at the end of her life). Someone would stop in morning and evening to feed her, change litter box, maybe pet her a bit. I was told that when Emma first arrived with Auntie, she (Emma) took some time to settle in and 'warm up.' Cousins remember receiving a phone call from Auntie the first time Emma jumped up on the sofa and settled down, just out of arm's reach. Later she was a lap cat.
In the past, I have done cat introductions by keeping the cat in one room for a few days -- depending on current residents, the newbie may be in a room with one other cat, but that is all. I recently moved (May 6th) to a smaller house, and I do not have that luxury here. When I relocated, my 7 cats spent about 24 hours hiding, not eating or drinking, which I expected. Slowly one by one they started coming out and exploring, and within 3 days all was normal. I kept tabs but didn't really worry -- they had all THEIR beds, blankies, toys, food, etc. And I know cats need time to adjust to major change.
So I brought Emma home on Thursday evening, opened her carrier door. She slowly came out, looked around a bit, moved under a bed (full, not twin sized). To my knowledge, she has not left that spot, has not eaten, used litter box, etc. "But I can't be sure!" The other cats are regularly in and out of the room where she is. Food, water and litter boxes are in that room.
This morning, I did use a broom to check if in fact she is still under the bed. She moved out on the far side to under a small table, so I did see her. Without the broom I walked over talking to her, used her name, and she just hissed then moved back under the bed.
Much as I hate to 'scare' her, I'm thinking I need to use the broom and get her to relocate to another room, which has no big bed. (It also has food, water and litter boxes). Plenty of hiding places, but I will be able to see her and keep better tabs on her. (BTW both the room she is in and the one I want her in have gates so the dogs do not go in those 2 rooms.) I had some of her food, which I put down after 24 hours, giving her time to adjust. That food disappeared but I've no way of knowing if she ate any of it.
Ideas, suggestions? I don't want her to stop eating, go into that liver disease, become anemic and die, not without trying to get her to come around.
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