Rescue cat hell- he's made an escape :(

foreign_correspondent

he came back... I think that says a lot!!! Don't feel this is a backwards step, he is just settling in, but must be starting to feel at home!

coolio_2

Try not to worry, I took in rescue 6 months olds and they change all the time, one has gone from hiding away to running around doing the wierd chirping/wooki impression. Give a good couple of weeks, try not to worry about how the cat is settling in, just focus on that you are offering a loving home, and yes, they are stressed but they will settle down a fair bit.

BitterAndTwisted

He came back in! Twice! Phew, that's just great news, it really is. I think you've made huge progress with him already if he came back in of his own accord. I wasn't that hopeful tbh, I thought he sounded too fearful of you. What a milestone

butler_helen

thank you to everyone for your advice, I feel a lot less like I've done the wrong thing with taking on a troubled cat. I'm sure I'm more stressed than him now, he's found hiding places and with the exception of not being outside, he seems quite happy. I got some toys on sticks and he LOVES them- although he doesn't always land on his feet- sometimes he does a sliding catch and a couple of times he landed just on his back feet- quite odd!

mouseymousey99

Hi, Just wondering if cat has somewhere to hide out? A cardboard box, just somewhere he can have some 'cat time', to retreat to? I've bought mine beds etc etc but they all make a b line for any carboard box that comes into the house.

Please don't give up on him, he'll be fine as so many others have said its just fear.

One of mine does that with his food too, he looks at it and wonders off. But, when the others have had theirs he comes back - eats his, and polishes off anything they have left!

butler_helen

he has under the bed, which as it is made most of the time (he doesn't sleep in there with us) he can hide under there in the day time. He has a gap between our wardrobe and window- he sits on the windowsill and I swear he thinks he can't be seen.

and if he's really scared, he hides under our TV, in the bit at the bottom which houses our DVD's. So I think he's sorted for hiding places.

I won't give up on him just yet, although I have bought some gardening gloves to get him into the box on vet day! As my hands can't take any more scratches (I think it might sometimes just be be over excitment).

zzzLazyDaisy

He's going to be fine. Just find out what his favourite treat is, and bribe him!

My cat goes mad for the cat sticks from aldi ... but only if they are broken into pieces and hand fed to him. Put them on the floor/in a dish.whatever and he won't look at them.

Spoilt? Well, err, maybe......... :rotfl:

coolio_2

Depending on where you are, you may be able to use a mobile vet practice. May cause a lot less stress for you both.