New Cat

[Cloverjo]

I adopted a cat today. She’s been here since midday, and went to find a hidey hole almost straightaway. . We didn’t know where she was all day but have just found her shaking under a pile of cardboard boxes.
She’s had nothing to eat or drink since she got here. Should I leave her where she is until she gets her confidence to come out and eat, or try to entice her out?
She’s 9 years old and didn’t have a great start in life. Thanks for any advice.

[Theland]

Put food and water and litter tray close to her but leave her.

[woofgang]

I would put the food and a drink very close to where she is hiding, also a litter box where she can get to it if she has no access to outdoors, and leave her very strictly alone. Maybe a feliway plug in might help too?

[Buenchico]

Leave food and water near to where she's hiding and stay as far away from her as possible. (Hey! What a great excuse for going down the pub!)

She'll eventually work out that you're the one with the grub!

[vetuste_ennemi]

Well done for looking after an abused cat.

My instinct (and that's all it is) is to leave her where she is, but make food and water and cat tray available nearby. And make sure she can't run off out of the house.

We had so many over the years and they were all different.

[Theland]

She will adapt YOU when she is ready.

[Cloverjo]

Thank you. Poor thing breaks my heart already.

[vetuste_ennemi]

//Maybe a feliway plug in might help too?//

Ah, forgot that. Not cheap, but they promise a relaxing effect on the cat. Worth a try. Get one from the internet rather than the local vet.

[Theland]

She will be sitting on your knee in no time.

[calmck]

2 years ago found a young semi feral kitten. Gave him food and a litter tray. Barely saw him for 3 weeks but he ate and toilited. Now the most loving cat who sleeps on the bed. Speak to yours when you give food but otherwise leave alone. Good luck

[Barmaid]

Agree with others about food and water and a litter tray (although if poss put litter tray as far away as possible from food). You could try putting some gentle constant music on so that the normal noises in the house dont freak her out too much. Save for changing her food, water and litter tray, let her come to you. Just go and sit in the room and speak softly (just read a book out loud if you like) and speak calmly. If she makes a move dont stop continue reading keeping your voice calm and soft and just let her do things at her pace. Make sure there is stuff in the room that will smell strongly of you such as a well worn cardy. If you can, isolate her in that room for now (or if you get the chance move her to another small room).

If she hasnt eaten for 24 hours, put some poached chicken, still in the broth down or some tuna in spring water.

Well done for adopting this little cat and also for adopting servitude. You'll be just fine.

This is Chapter 1 of the Cat Slave Training Manual. In Chapter 2 we discuss how kitty might get you to behave like this FOREVER!

She's scared beyond words bless her. She's had a horrid start in life and to her another change means another sort of danger for her.

[Cloverjo]

Thank you all.
God knows what happened to her before. She has only one eye.

[Hopkirk]

She'll probably slink around exploring in the dead of night.

[MrsLadyBug]

I am sure she will settle in ok.#I remember when my son adopted a wild stray who was very reluctant to come out of hiding he stayed in the spare room where she was and just lay on the bed and kept talking gently and he finally got the message that all was well. I think it took a couple of days and lots of patience.
How lucky she is and she will thank you for rescuing her in her own way soon.
Good Luck !

[Buenchico]

Once you've got her settled in, get your camera out. We all want to see a picture of your new friend!

[Cloverjo]

I’m so thrilled.
The cat came out from under my bed and LOVED being stroked. My new best friend:))

[Patsy33]

Aww, so pleased for you, Cloverjo. Did you leave food out or did she come out on her own without encouragement?

[tonyav]

:-)

[Buenchico]

That's lovely, Clover.

Now can someone please tell me how to get this ruddy great big ginger cat off my knee., please? There are things that I want to do but he's having none of it ;-)

[ummmm]

My OH found a little injured kitten at work. He stroked her and then she followed him everywhere. She came in the house, had something to eat and then strutted about like she owned the place.

[vetuste_ennemi]

//The cat came out from under my bed and LOVED being stroked. My new best friend//

Delighted to hear that. Problem for you and cat solved. Wish your new best friend a long and happy future, CloverJo. (Nice Listener last week, yes?)