Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   Hi,

   My lovely little cat just died at only six years old. She was beautiful, smart, and extremely social. In an attempt to fill the void, we just got a kitten about 24 hours ago. He's incredibly cute, and we got him from a loving family where he grew up (he's 9 weeks old) with his mother and 5 brothers and sisters. The problem is, he's extremely afraid of all of us.... He backs away from our hands, and we have to be very slow if we want a chance at petting him, and even then he only tolerates it for a minute or two. He doesn't like being picked up.

   Seeing as I've only had him a day, is it likely that in the next week or two this will improve drastically as he gets more used to us and our house? Or is this what we'll have.... We loved having an incredibly social cat, and it's tough thinking for the rest of his life that he may be afraid of us....

   Posted 8 months ago by wisedude #

2. 

   WD - it's been a long time since I've had a kitten, however, my guess is that he has been uprooted from all he knew. All new smells and sights and no mama cat and siblings. So he is scared. Just keep being patient and kind and loving. I am sure he will come around. More will jump in I'm sure but it's scarce today with it being a busy weekend and all. Hang in there! Sorry about your other cat... I'm sure she is at the bridge and rooting for your new little one.

   Posted 8 months ago by Lainey #

3. 

   Have you considered maybe getting a second kitten as company, possibly one of it's siblings? Sorry about your loss of your lovely 6 year old cat.

   Posted 8 months ago by Moonshadow_NZ #

4. 

   i vote for a second kitty. they will amuse each other when you're not home, and 2 kitties are 3 times the fun !!!

   Posted 8 months ago by Cheri 12/22 #

5. 

   Thanks for the responses guys. We have two other cats at the moment, one is 10 and one is 4. We're keeping the kitten isolated for a few days until the vet clears him, and so that the other cats can get used to smelling him through the door, and won't be so surprised when they finally see him

   Posted 8 months ago by wisedude #

6. 

   Give the baby time, he is in a new situation without his mum and siblings. Let him get used to the house, the other kitties and your family. Sorry for the loss of your 6 yr old kitty and I hope it was an easy crossing of the bridge for her.

   Posted 8 months ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #

7. 

   Hi WD, and welcome to TDK! I, too, send my condolences on the loss of your cat. RIP.

   As far as your new little one is concerned ~ since you already have two other cats, he's probably very frightened of the smell of the strange cats; is it possible you can contact the people you got him from and see if they have something ~ a towel, a snuggly toy or the like that has the smells of his mom and fursibs that you could bring home for him? Having something like that might help to ease his anxiety about his new home.

   Also, just go in the room where you have him sequestered for now and sit quietly, on the floor if possible, and just let him get used to you without instigating any contact. Try spending 10 minutes at first, without trying to touch him, then gradually increasing the time spent. If he comes from the kind of home you've described, I'll bet that he'll come up to you on his own within a very short time. That gives him time to approach you, without the fear that he'll be scooped up by a big stranger.....

   Keep checking back, cuz others here will have more suggestions for you, I'm sure. Does your new baby have a name yet?

   Posted 8 months ago by kittymom #

8. 

   Kittymom gave some good advice. Just keep in mind that he is just a baby and everything is new and scary to him.

   I'm sorry you lost your other baby. They can leave really big holes in our hearts.

   Posted 8 months ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

9. 

   It's a stressful transition time for the kitten. Things should get better soon. In my situation, my kitten got sick with diarrhea after coming to my place. After taking antibiotics, she felt better and started to become very interactive.

   Posted 8 months ago by sweetfurx4 #

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