*Updated again* Advice on adopting a very shy, little kitten! *Updated with pics*

marmiterulesok

Lancslass1982 wrote: »

Thank-you very much for the answers. They have been very helpful.

She was born in the rescue. She did have a brother, who she was apparently very playful with. The rescue tried to re-home them together, but i think her shyness put people off taking both and I guess the rescue didn't want to risk the little boy not getting a home (he was apparently very confident; totally different to his sister).

Anyway, we have had a home visit today, signed the papers and we will be picking her up tomorrow evening.:D We have been out and bought a bed, toys, litter tray and food and treats so that we're all ready for her.

She is a grey/blue tabby and such a lovely little thing. The rescue named her Bluebell, but I think we will change it to Bella.

Thanks again for the help. Fire Fox, your post was really helpful!

That's great!Lucky,lucky Bella!

I wonder if the rescue would let you have her bed or the blanket she sleeps on,so that you have something in the flat that smells of her IYSWIM?It might help make her feel more secure in her new home.You could offer a replacement blanket or money towards a cat bed.Just an idea.

abcdefghijklmnop

Congrats on your new kitten! Can't wait to see the pics she sounds gorgeous. A bit different as our cats were much older (10 ish) but they were horrendously shy when we got them a few months ago... we did as advised above and started them off in a box room. When they first arrived they came out of their cat boxes, cried and pooed themselves all over the room... then curled up together to hide in a box! I was terrified that they'd never come out!

Very slowly they started to trust us - just a sniff of the hand or not hiding in the furthest away box if we went in the room. It is really so rewarded to watch a shy cat relax and learn to trust you.

Now they mooch around upstairs and are starting to see where the staircase goes. They jump on our bed every morning to demand a cuddle and some breakfast! Unfortunatley they still hide from everyone else but small steps...

Best of luck! So pleased you picked a shy one :-)

G-WWBB

So glad you've chosen to adopt from a rescue centre, too many animals out there need a home

When I was younger we had an incredibly shy kitten, she was locked in a coal shed with her mum and siblings, she was the only survivor when she was rescued, so understandable why she was so scared.
For the first few weeks with us, we never saw her, she only came out from hiding to eat and poop, and that was usually when we weren't around.
It took quite a while for her to come around, lots of patience was needed, but she became the most loyal and loving cat you could ever wish to meet.

Fully agree with Fire Fox's advice, start her off in her own room until she's used to the smell and surroundings, then slowly introduce her to the rest of the house.

Can't wait to see pics! Best of luck for tomorrow

Fire_Fox

:j:j:j Exciting stuff!!!

Lancslass1982

So, Bella has been with us for a day now. She's incredibly shy and does like to hide. She has used the litter tray once today, but has only had a couple of mouthfuls of food. She has just started to become really vocal - meowing A LOT!! I'm not sure what this means, but it started with her meowing when we left the room and left her alone.

Hopefully she'll start coming out of her shell. Here are a few pics:

When we first got her home - very scared!


Hiding!!


Getting a little more confident

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

She is so pretty

marmiterulesok

What a lovely looking little cat she is.Thanks for the photos.She does look quite relaxed in the last two.Do you know how old she is?

The meowing might to do with the fact that she's in a completely new environment and it's even more stressful when she's all on her own in a room.Everything is new and strange and it's her saying 'not really sure about all this'.I think that it's likely to settle down as she feels more secure in her environment,which I think would take a few weeks certainly.

Please keep us updated on how she settles in.Best of luck!

ps my cat also does the 'hiding in the crook of the arm' when I take her to the vet's.

minimad1970

Aah she's so pretty and matches your lounge beautifully.:D

Fire_Fox

Soooooooooooooo cute hiding her head!! She's doing really well for such a short time.

loulou123

We adopted a very shy and nervous cat, at 11 months, she had been ill treated her whole life and even the rescue centre wasn't sure if she'd ever settle into a home.

But we took her on (im always one for a "hard" to place animal! For the 1st 2 days she hid behind our tv, but in the 3rd night we heard her come out and explore our flat. She'd walk around meowing to herself as if reassuring herself. It took months before she'd allow any contact but we got their gradually, and now she is the most lovely cat ever - loves cuddles and sitting with us.

She is still terrified of others tho, and if anyone visits she will hide away until they are gone. I think this'll be permanent as she's 8 now. But I'm so glad we took her on, as she's lovely with us.

Your new kitten is gorgeous by the way!