Re homing a stray

GwylimT · 31 July 2014 at 11:53AM

If she has chosen her own little hideout she should creep out when she is ready, when she's a bit more confident we would love a cute picture.

heartbreak_star · 31 July 2014 at 12:01PM

Awww! Well at least she seems to have chosen a spot that's "hers".

Maybe try a Feliway diffuser? Good luck with her, glad you've opened the cage up

(And +1 to a pic when she's ready!

)

HBS x

mrsdwhite · 31 July 2014 at 4:19PM

How soon can I Hoover the room that she's in? She's a real litter kicker, amd it's driving me nuts! I've just swept my carpet to get up what I can but not being able to Hoover for a week is getting to me now :mad:
I'm about to go out and get a covered litter tray to try to contain it a bit more, and maybe a bed as she is still curled up on top of my books!

dandelionclock30 · 31 July 2014 at 5:16PM

I'd just hoover it and let her get on with it. If you get her a bed get a plastic dog bed instead of a basket. I've got both for my cats and the plastic one is easier to wash. I have to scrub the basket with a brush and it never gets properly clean.

mrsdwhite · 2 August 2014 at 4:15PM

I'd like to put a pic of her on here for you, but she has decide that behind the sofa is where she wants to live, and the light for taking a pic under there isn't great

Hopefully this phase will end at some point and she will realise that we 're ok really :cool:

meritaten · 2 August 2014 at 9:43PM

I agree with the poster who said to cover the cage with a blanket or towel - cats don't mind confined spaces as long as they feel 'private' and 'secure'.
try putting treats in the cage and sit with your back to her talking to her quietly while she enjoys them. spend as much time as you can within a distance she is comfortable with. take a book or magazine or the kids and play a game. I understand what you are trying to do - but a 'cat cave' would probably feel more comfortable for the cat, while she is getting used to the home and you.

mrsdwhite · 2 August 2014 at 10:47PM

meritaten wrote: »

I agree with the poster who said to cover the cage with a blanket or towel - cats don't mind confined spaces as long as they feel 'private' and 'secure'.
try putting treats in the cage and sit with your back to her talking to her quietly while she enjoys them. spend as much time as you can within a distance she is comfortable with. take a book or magazine or the kids and play a game. I understand what you are trying to do - but a 'cat cave' would probably feel more comfortable for the cat, while she is getting used to the home and you.

Thanks. She is out of the cage now, and just living in one room. But is still incredibly shy and won't come out from under the sofa unless it's to creep to the food or litter tray then creep back. Amd that's only once or twice when we're around.
Is this all normal? I'm beginning to wonder if she will ever settle and become confident with us

meritaten · 2 August 2014 at 10:55PM

she may just be a very timid cat? give her time and be patient. have you read Martins thread? it took his rescue cat weeks to decide to trust martin and his OH. truly, a week is nothing! I think you should carry on life as normal around her - leave her 'cat cave' available for her to dive into when threatened, but a threatened cat prefers high places! give it another week then leave the door open - let her explore and the others 'discover her'. don't try to force friendship - cats decide for themselves.

mrsdwhite · 4 August 2014 at 11:57AM

She coame out of hiding last night when our old boy cat came in, she definitely seems to like him. She was straight over to him and rolling around on the floor trying to get his attention.
This makes me think that the secret with her is going to be our other 2 cats, trouble is when she is shut in one room they rarely go in as we would need to be letting them in/out so they just stay out of there. I'm considering letting her explore other rooms but this will then make it almost impossible to keep her in.
Is it still too early for her to go out? I was hoping to keep her in until she seemed happier with us

elsien · 4 August 2014 at 12:23PM

Could you have them in a room together in the evening, after your little boy has gone to bed which might make it easier to keep doors etc shut? Maybe watching TV and getting her used to being around you.