Confused over cat's behaviour

Lilith1980

Hi all

Sorry, yet another post from the newbie cat owner!

We have had our boy Charlie for just over a week now. He was settling in well and at first he was getting used to the sounds of the flat and us coming and going.

He used to hide behind the sofa when he heard us come in - not sure if the sound scared him, but he got used to it after a few days and when we came home he would be chilling out on the sofa

Over the last few days however, he has gone back to hiding behind the sofa and when he comes out he cowers as he walks, and tends to dash away from us, hissing. We're totally confused by what this means - have we done something wrong?

We give him nothing but fuss and attention which he loves and pesters us for. I'm wondering if any sounds outside the flat have spooked him??

Also, when we come down the stairs that tends to spook him and he hides. Sometimes when we crouch on the floor and call him to come out he comes, and at other times he stays behind the sofa for half an hour or so and then ventures back out.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what this could be about please?

EDIT: He got spooked again when we got in tonight and is now under the kitchen table and won't respond to us

Thanks

lolababy

Hi he sounds like one of my cats. My youngest cat is highly strung and will hide at the slightest noise although this is getting better. I suppose that like humans they can be shy.
Cats can sense things that humans may not such as ghosts. Now Im not suggesting you have a ghost but something has spooked him lol.

cavework

Hi.
Just a thought but maybe the home he came from had a cat flap and another cat used to visit?
Please don't worry , he will settle in. I have taken in 5 rescue cats over the years all with initial problems.
My latest was terrified of the ironing board, although I could sympathise as so am I..
xxx

emlou2009

cats are all so different and all have such different temperaments and personalities. my cat that lives with my nan, for example, is terrified of my son and any noise that he makes, while my kitten who lives with me chases him around and plays with him! my point is that maybe he is just a nervous cat? if he is, lots of love, care and attention should eventually help to turn him around. not wishing to scare you, but a cat my mum had when i was born took until i was 11 to warm to me :eek: so it does take time.
when he hides behind the sofa or under the table, dont crawl under/behind to get him out, cos it is likely to distress him more he has chosen that as his space to hide in. coax him out gently and quietly with gentle tones and some treats, but if he doesnt come leave him to it a little longer and try again

Lilith1980

Thanks for all your replies, I think we find it weird though cos he had settled in so well and it seems like he has gone "backwards" in his behaviour.

We took him to the vets on Saturday for a check-up which first caused him to hide again and he doesn't seem to have been the same since. So maybe that is it??

cavework

:rolleyes:Lilith.. delicate question..
was he neutered just before you homed him?
The visit to the Vets might just have made him a bit... erm..
jumpy?
He has a wonderful owner in you and is a very lucky cat.:T
I'm sure if you give him a couple of months to settle in, he will be fine.
xxxxxx

paddypaws101

Oh he is really putting you through your paces as new slaves isn't he?
Let him come to you on his terms, don't chase him or drag him out of hidey holes.
I had great success with a Feliway plug in, completely turned around my nervous mog and well worth the money.
Body language wise...Play this game...Wait till cat is looking over at you, don't meet his gaze full on just peek at him, then yawn expansively and slowly turn your head and gaze away from him whilst kind of smacking your lips. Can't remember where I read about that but apparently they see it as non-aggressive and it relaxes them.

Lilith1980

Hi Cavework - not sure about the neutering. He is four years old and was neutered when we got him so I don't know to be honest.

Paddypaws - I had thought about the Feliway plug-in......would we have to keep buying them to keep him calm or would buying one be enough and then he'd be ok once that one had run out?

Hubby went and picked the cat up, although I would have said we should leave him be....but anyway, the cat sat on hubby's lap and is now napping on the sofa but he doesn't seem the same. Almost looks a bit depressed - but he was fine this morning and was getting me to fuss him and he sat on my lap for his morning fuss

Fire_Fox

If he enjoys affection then Charlie is a people cat. However everything in his life has changed, with nobody explaining to him how and why. Just as he was getting used to you he had to go to the vet (not a criticism, simply from his POV). A week is not a long time, all shy cats have their ups and downs and you sound like a very caring mum and dad! :A

Do not approach Charlie - when you come down the stairs start speaking to him so he knows who is coming and from the tone of voice that it's going to be a positive experience. Every time he cowers try to stay where you are if seated, or go down to his level if standing: if that isn't possible walk the long route and talk to him so he doesn't feel like he might be 'attacked'.

Don't pick any cat up until they are 100% settled with you (a month or two with a shy cat) let them come to you, let them be in charge, just chat and maybe tempt with seafood or their favourite treat. You are doing great just expecting too much too soon!! :beer:

Lilith1980

Thanks Firefox, I agree, I think we are expecting too much too soon.

I will tell hubby next time to just leave him - problem is that hubby takes things like this personally and I've said that the cat needs to be left to do things in his own time.

By the end of last night he was leant up against me on the sofa having a snooze so I don't think he's unhappy necessarily, maybe we just need to be more mindful of the fact he's only been with us just over a week and is still settling in.

And yes, we are very caring - we are like proud parents lol! We're not planning on having children so Charlie is our "baby" So we just want to make sure he is ok, but he just needs time.

Thanks

paddypaws101

Feliway... Once you have bought the whole unit the refills are not so expensive ( Medicanimal, Bestpet etc online ) So for example I had some building work done and put a new plug in out. I also use the spray on the cat box for vet visits. They say it creates a landscape of soothing smells in a property and the cat begins to feel safe.