Awww. Some cats are just shy. When my (former) roommate got her cat, we ended up having to physically pull the cat out of the cat carrier because three hours after we got home, she still hadn't come out on her own. I don't think it was us; I think it was just her. Some cats need a longer adjustment period than others.
It's exciting you were finally able to get your cat! Weren't you going to get two, though?
Thanks for the reassurance - I'm hoping I'm just being a panicky first-time cat owner. I was going to have two cats - brothers - but the lady I was adopting them from changed her mind, so I have Max instead.
Give him time to adjust! New place, new cat box, new person - cats are creatures of habit, and new stuff can make them nervous. The best approach I've found is to sit in the same room and just talk to him occasionally, without moving, and give him time to get used to the sound of your voice & all the new smells. Eventually he will get curious. When he does venture out, don't try to pet him, don't reach for him, but let him explore... it will take a few days, but eventually he'll get everything sniffed and start on you. My older two were shelter-shocked when I got them and spent a month watching me from a safe distance, wouldn't even play, but once I got them to start playing things normalized quickly. Vala, though, wouldn't sit on my lap for six months.
One of the people on my flist had the same thing happen, but her cat finally screwed up its courage and came out & made friends, and they're best buddies now. Just give him time. And congratulations!
Thanks! I'm hoping he might at least shuffle out when he gets hungry, since he hasn't had anything to eat since yesterday morning - wouldn't come out to eat last night, and wouldn't eat when I put food near him either.
He's just a little shy. You might want to try sitting in the room where he is, but not too close and don't look interested either. Sit down with a book, maybe, (and having some temptations or treats about might not hurt either *G*) and see what happens.
When I got my girl, she was a 3 month old stray who had been fostered. She hid under the bed (and various other locales) for a few days except for those times when I scooped her up from her hiding spots. Ironically, she was pretty happy to be held when I did.
He's 5, but he was a stray until he got caught and went into foster care about 6 months ago. He was happy being stroked yesterday, he just freaked when he tried to run out of the room and found the door closed, and has been under the sofa ever since.
congrats on your acceptance to the PhD!
Thanks! i can't quite believe I start in a couple of months
Do not be discouraged! Cats will do that in a new place. Just leave food and water out, and maybe a few catnip toys, and he'll come out and be social eventually.
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It's exciting you were finally able to get your cat! Weren't you going to get two, though?
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Thanks for the reassurance - I'm hoping I'm just being a panicky first-time cat owner. I was going to have two cats - brothers - but the lady I was adopting them from changed her mind, so I have Max instead.
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One of the people on my flist had the same thing happen, but her cat finally screwed up its courage and came out & made friends, and they're best buddies now. Just give him time. And congratulations!
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When I got my girl, she was a 3 month old stray who had been fostered. She hid under the bed (and various other locales) for a few days except for those times when I scooped her up from her hiding spots. Ironically, she was pretty happy to be held when I did.
(oh, congrats on your acceptance to the PhD!)
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congrats on your acceptance to the PhD!
Thanks! i can't quite believe I start in a couple of months
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