I'm going to join the world of cat owners!!!!

martin2345uk

I need some reassurance here people, that we are doing the "right" thing by Derek...

Basically he doesn't come out of his little hidey hole while we're in the lounge with him. He's been out when we've been out the house, and he emerged overnight.

But as soon as there's any sign of us, he's back under there.

So - what we are doing is basically just living our lives as normal - TV on (not too loud), talking to each other, coming and going from the room, and every now and then just acknowledging Derek's presence with a little "Hi Derek!" and making little "tsk tsk" noises.

Should we be doing more? Or less?? Or are we doing okay..?

Here's the little cutie in his "home"

bagpussbear

Try coaxing him out with Dreamies?

martin2345uk

Tried that, he must be the world's only Dreamies-resistant cat!

[Deleted User]

We got two from a rescue centre a few years ago now.

The day they first arrived they both went behind the sofa and refused to come out.

The next morning one came out to say hi, but it took a lot longer for the other to pluck up the courage - they both came out and ate, had water, and a wander when we were out of the house. But when we were there, one was very cautious around us at first, and the other just hid!

After about a week they were both okay around us. We just kept speaking to them in quiet voices, kept loud noises to a minimum and bribed them with tasty food.

Now they are both very relaxed. The (slightly) braver one at first is very much her own cat and does as she pleases when and (only) if she pleases. The other, that was very timid at first, has been my shadow for many years now and demands almost constant attention by meowing if he feels for a second you might be concentrating on something other than him (reading a book, watching TV - and if you're working on the computer he settles to sleep on the keyboard!).

Just be patient with Derek he will come around in time - he just needs to settle to his new environment and you.

bagpussbear

Ah that's a shame, most cats go mental for Dreamies.

I am wondering if it's just too much for Derek to be put into the Lounge with people, tv and the general comings and goings of family life a bit too quick?

Advice generally states that you should (ideally) put a new cat into a safe room, ie. a quiet room just them where they can get used to smells and their surroundings for a while, could be a few days or weeks. And they start to venture out of the room when they feel ready, rather than we feel they should be.

Here's a good guide: http://www.mustlovecats.net/beginners.html

I've always done that, and it's worked well to build up their confidence.

Good luck!

martin2345uk

bagpussbear wrote: »

Ah that's a shame, most cats go mental for Dreamies.

I am wondering if it's just too much for Derek to be put into the Lounge with people, tv and the general comings and goings of family life a bit too quick?

Advice generally states that you should (ideally) put a new cat into a safe room, ie. a quiet room just them where they can get used to smells and their surroundings for a while, could be a few days or weeks. And they start to venture out of the room when they feel ready, rather than we feel they should be.

Here's a good guide: http://www.mustlovecats.net/beginners.html

I've always done that, and it's worked well to build up their confidence.

Good luck!

Possibly yes - thing is we just followed the advice of the RSPCA lady who did the home visit, she told us to let him out in whatever room we are in the most, and for that to become his "safe" room.. so here we are :-/

And there's no way we could move him now to a different room, he'd freak out for sure.

So I guess we just have to play the waiting game with li'l ol' Del Boy...

scaredy_cat

try feeding him some tuna while he's behind the unit - he sees that as his safe place, once he realises you are there not to hurt him, he might venture out.

it might take a few days for him to get confident about coming out. Don't forget, you are strange to him and he is on a new scary place.

geri1965_2

He'll be fine, honestly. He just needs time. I would be inclined to pretend he isn't there and he will come out when he's ready.

KxMx

I think you are doing a fab job, and need to give it more time.
He's been through a big ordeal, his first owner, the RSPCA and now he's landed up with more strange folk.
I think him using his litter box and going exploring when alone are really good, encouraging signs. He is growing in confidence in such a short space of time- interaction with you will follow, just be patient

xnatillyx

martin2345uk wrote: »

I need some reassurance here people, that we are doing the "right" thing by Derek...

Basically he doesn't come out of his little hidey hole while we're in the lounge with him. He's been out when we've been out the house, and he emerged overnight.

But as soon as there's any sign of us, he's back under there.

So - what we are doing is basically just living our lives as normal - TV on (not too loud), talking to each other, coming and going from the room, and every now and then just acknowledging Derek's presence with a little "Hi Derek!" and making little "tsk tsk" noises.

Should we be doing more? Or less?? Or are we doing okay..?

Here's the little cutie in his "home"

He is so cute
I have no more advice to add other than like others have said it's just a waiting game.

All cats are different - our family cat harry took a couple of days to come out properly , he hid under a display unit and just would not come out.
Then mine and my fiance's first cat Jessie at first she hid under a display unit as well but she did come out a lot quicker. By day 2 she was happy pottering around the room.
And out Cat Salem , second we let him out the carry case he was off exploring. Didn't hide at all.

He should be fine in a few days I'm sure.