Scardey Cats - need advice please

Margoriglick

Hi all,

Thanks for reading and any advice given.

I finally got 2 cats from a Rescue Centre on Thursday. We thought long and hard about this as our last cat Hendrix died in November whilst we was on holiday, obviously this was very upsetting and we wanted to make sure we was doing the right thing.
Anyway, we found 2 at the local centre, they are sisters who are approx 2 years old, we didn't want kittens. They have been in the Centre for just over 21 months, the volunteers there think they hadn't been rehomed due to Sussanah being very shy and timid. Trinny is more outgoing and will let you stroke her and purr very loudly at this.
So when i brought them home and let them out they both took refuge under the kitchen cupboards. I've been sitting on the floor talking to them and they both let me stroke them, Sussanah only for about 4 seconds though. Trinny came out for a quick nosey last night followed by Sussanah who had a quick sniff and went back.
Now im a little bit worried about them being in the Kitchen as its a busy place, we are trying to be quiet but im concerned that the noise may put them of coming out. Should i try and move them to the spare room or just leave them where they are? Don't really know what to do for the best.
I understand that its going to hard for them as they've never lived in a house before and nearly 2 years in the Rescue Centre is an awfully long time. Just want to try and help them the best i can.

Many Thanks x x

SnowyOwl_2

Aww the poor little things! IMO I think it's a case of letting them get used to the normal noise, routine and movements around your house. They are of course very confused and frightened having been taken out of the environment they were so used to. It might take weeks and weeks but they will get used to their new surroundings and the new people in their lives. Soft voices and delicious food will help. Just be patient, they will respond in their own time.

trinidadone

hey marg, i can understand your worries, but it is on sunday, so you have only had these moggies for a few days. They need to get use to alot, lots of new smells, new people, new objects, I would hide under a kitchen cabnet if i was taken somewhere that i was unfamiliar with. just make sure none of them have access to the outside, they will settle down, but might take a few weeks as to appose to a few days. I would not bother with the spare room, as they will need to get use to everything eventually. At least they have one another and have gone to a loving home

Margoriglick

I know its so sad. The bloke that came to check our house said that no one had ever been to see them or anything. Their both lovely little things, all cuddled up together they are on their bed under the cupboard.

trinidadone

arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

rising_from_the_ashes

I'm afraid I'm going to disagree and suggest the spare room - I rehomed a nervous cat and he hid for 3 weeks before he came out!

They've been in the shelter for a long time and will need time to adjust to everyday household noises and therefore need somewhere safe and secure or they'll be terrified.

I've quoted from another thread I posted on yesterday:

"Awww, that's great - keeping everything crossed that they get the loving forever home they deserve with you and your OH!

A couple of bits of advice from my experience of rehoming an adult cat who was very nervous when I first got him:

Have you got somewhere quiet (ideally a spare room) you could set up for them when they 1st come?

I'd suggest keeping them in there for the 1st wee while - by all means pop in, read to them (out loud), sit and have a chat with OH so they get used to your voices etc but I'd keep them in there until they feel secure and settled and have got used to normal household noises (you'll know when the time's right).

Once they feel secure, leave the door open (obviously if in a spare room) and they'll eventually wander out as they are naturally curious creatures - but will probably run back to their "safe place" a lot at first.

Smudge hid under my bed for at least the 1st 3 weeks when I got him - I literally NEVER saw him although he obviously came out when I wasn't there (or was asleep) as food was being eaten, water drunk and the litter tray used!;)

When he 1st started coming out, if I looked at him, he'd run straight back under the bed! :eek:(There were times when I wondered if I'd done the right thing, believe me).

However, I found that if I totally ignored him and just started chatting away (luckily no-one else around to hear my silly chatter to myself!) he'd sit down and stay.

Eventually, he got braver and would come and sit at the other end of the sofa and if I stuck my hand out he'd have a bit of a pet (but still ran away if I looked at him).

It did take a while but he learned to trust me (and the world in general) and became your "average and normal" (if there is such a thing:D) cat.

If you can visit a few times before they come home so they get used to your voice / smell etc, then that would help enormously - please let us know how you get on."

(Link to the full thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3283504 - there's some useful tips from others on there too)


Good luck & really pleased they've found a forever home at last!

3v3

As you have made the kitchen their first experience of "home", I would suggest you let them acclimatise to that room first (yes, even though it is a busy place). If you now whisk them off to the spare room, you have effectively stressed them twice. In time (theirs) they will explore other rooms.

Well done you for choosing a pair of sisters; wishing you many happy fur hours with them

Margoriglick

Thanks for all the replies.

That why i wasn't sure about moving them, don't want to stress them out anymore than they are. I did want to put them in the spare room, but when i let them out they made their way to the living room. They do seem to be quite happy under there aswell, just a bit startled when they hear a new noise .

Fire_Fox

Well done for taking on adult cats and I love the names! Agree with Risingfromtheashes they need to be given free reign of a quiet room initially, really the rescue should have explained this to you since they are nervous and have never lived in a home. Do you have a Feliway diffuser on the go yet? If you don't I recently ordered the cheapest I could find from eBay (£20 delivered, they are £37 in Pets at Home!) and had it delivered the next day. Do pop over to Purrsinourhearts forum if you want the advice of loads of rescuers, really friendly place and so much knowledge.

Margoriglick

I'd never heard of these diffuser things until i seen something on another thread earlier. I had a look at their website and it wasn't loading. Will promptly get one of ebay .
We decided on adults as most people want a little fluffy kitten and the adults seem to get overlooked sometimes i think.

spookylukey

Congratulations on your new arrivals. I'm sure in time they'll reward you for adopting them over a cute/fluffy/outgoing kitten. I've had great success with the Feliway plug in and a nervy/sensitive cat so would highly recommend it.

VetUK have 15% off Feliway at the moment. That makes the diffuser (plug) with refill £19.90 delivered. Have been ordering from them for years now and would recommend them.

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/feliway-products-c-1/feliway-diffuser-pack-incl-feliway-diffuser-and-feliway-vial-p-334