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

martin2345uk

Oh bless! I guess like people some cats are just of a nervous disposition.

Derek is currently scratching riiiiight up his scratching post, almost climbing up it.

Now he's lying down on its fur-covered base. I can't go to bed because I don't want to scare him! He's eyeballing me, I keep having to look away but he's just so cute...

I'm totally in love with the nervous little furball.

scaredy_cat

lol.. might be a night on the sofa then!

tealady

Sounds as if the little fella is settling in. Hopefully he will start to eat soon, in this weather mine tend to go off their food a bit.
And sometimes I swear cats need to go on that Secret Eaters programme as it isn't me who demolishes plates of kitty biscuits at night!
Just keep going on as you are, Derek has only been with you a few days and he is still finding his paws so to speak.

duchy

When you least expect it you'll find he has snuck out and is taking an interest in what you are doing. When he does just stay calm and don't react and he'll get braver and braver.

Definitely don't lob the Dreamies at him. Place them and retreat.

Iain_L

If you do want to watch him when he's out, just close your eyes slightly. Cats get big staring eyes when in stressful situations, and a humans eyes look just like that.

Just take it slowly, carry on your normal routines, and he'll come round.

Iain

paddypaws101

Oh gosh, he is sooooo cute!
Try a good quality catnip toy such as this one
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yeowww-Banana-Singles-Cat-Toy/dp/B000AUJFHE
or, to tempt him out of hiding, I find feather wand toys are good
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flying-Frenzy-Interactive-Feather-Cat/dp/B005VUDFJ2/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1400571841&sr=1-1&keywords=frenzy+cat+toys
This brand is one of the best, most cats cannot resist.
Treat wise, you could try Thrive
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_6?url=search-alias%3Dpets&field-keywords=thrive&sprefix=Thrive%2Cpets%2C242&rh=i%3Apets%2Ck%3Athrive
(available as single tubes in most supermarkets, you dont need to buy in bulk as above! )

martin2345uk

Cheers guys for the advice and support.

So my latest worry with Derek is that he's ill - he's been here since Saturday and had only used his litter tray once that I'm aware of. He's not done his business anywhere else I'm sure of that. The last thing I want is a poorly Derek as we'll have zero chance of getting him to a vet, not without giving him permanent post traumatic stress disorder

tea_lover

Our cat didn't wee for a couple of days, and didn't poop for nearly a week! He was just nervous. Is he eating and drinking?

martin2345uk

tea_lover wrote: »

Our cat didn't wee for a couple of days, and didn't poop for nearly a week! He was just nervous. Is he eating and drinking?

Really? That's comforting. Yes, he's been eating - a fair bit of tuna yesterday, and half a pouch of wet food morning and evening.

Though for some reason what he's started doing is eating the wet food that's in one half of the little double cat dish, and then somehow taking some of the dry food that's in the other half and "moving" it over into the wet food bowl.. not sure how he's doing it?

madrhino

Maybe you should try sitting on the floor, not too near but so you're at the same level. I'm no cat expert but have personally found that nervous ones I meet are more nervous when I'm towering over them and respond better when I'm at the same level. Put some cushions on the foor and make yourself comfortable, he might come over to have a sniff