Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   Hi everyone,

   I adopted my beautiful little 3 month old grey boy (Anderson - hence my username) from the ASPCA in New York yesterday. The woman at the shelter told us that he and his brother (who had been adopted several days earlier) had likely been deprived of human contact for most of their young lives, and so do not know how to live around or react to people. Since we brought Anderson home yesterday afternoon (I live in a small 3-bedroom apt. with two roommates, we are all 22 and work full time) he has seemed shell-shocked and kind of like he's suffering from cat PTSD. I know this is normal behavior for a new kitty and that this is an extremely scary situation for him, but want to make sure I'm doing the right things and that he will eventually warm up to me and my roommates.

   He does seem to be eating when I'm not in the room (we're keeping him confined to my bedroom for the time being) but only wants to hide behind my desk or bed while I am present. He will allow me to pet him while he's in these places, and sometimes closes his eyes and seems relaxed, but will not purr/display any other normal kitty body language/play with any of his toys/snuggle/come out of his hiding place. I want to find the right balance between leaving him to his own devices and being overly clingy towards him, and wonder if anyone has had a similar situation or advice to offer me.

   Sorry for this really long message - this board seems like a very supportive place and I hope some of you will have some kind words of advice for me and Anderson :-)

   Posted 2 months ago by andersonsmom #

2. 

   Hi AM(we like to abbreviate here),it sounds like you're doing the right things like keeping him in a small room. What he will need most is time to learn to trust you. When you go into his room talk to him in a conversational way so he hears the calm in your voice. I have taken books into a new kitty's room and just read to let him get used to me. Bring him some treats and just drop them on the floor near to you at first and slowly see when he will eat out of your hand. Kitty needs consistency to find out that you are good people and will not harm him. It may take a little longer since he was not socialized but he'll come around.
   And welcome to TDK!!!! We'd love to see a picture of little Mr Anderson! :)
   Sundays are kinda slow here,others will log on with advice,please keep checking back.

   Posted 2 months ago by Buttercup #

3. 

   Welcome to TDK AM. That's great advice from Buttercup. Just sitting on the floor reading, without making eye contact and allowing Anderson to become used to your presence. Some yummy treats will help too. Good luck.

   Posted 2 months ago by Moonshadow_NZ #

4. 

   Anderson, You are right to keep him confined to your room for now. Let him hide as much as he wants. I adopted a 2 month old feral a few weeks ago and he was very frightened at first as well. I live alone with one other cat, Jasmine. Your situation is a bit more challenging since you have roommates. Go into the room frequently--just you--when you are at home, to pet and reassure him. Bring him food goodies too. Toys like little balls and a shoestring are good as well; if hy ou can coax him into playing he will relax more easily. I would give him a week or more before introducing him to the rest of the apartment. But judge based on how relaxed he seems to be. You'll be able to tell when he wants to explore the apartment, bc he will go to the door and meow. But let him have one or two good hiding places in that room that he can always return to when he wants. You might even want to make one by putting a blanket over a cat carrier or box. Good luck!

   Posted 2 months ago by Mojo #

5. 

   I used to sit on the floor and play solitaire. When Anderson comes out, don't make any sudden moves toward him; let him come to you, then extend just a finger or two until he's used to that. Once you establish trust, he'll come around.

   Posted 2 months ago by GizzysAuntie #

6. 

   Hi everyone,

   Thank you so much for your replies. I tried several of your suggestions today - I read to him softly, got some small ball toys, and tried to give him treats. He shows no interest in the treats or toys as of yet, and thoroughly freaked himself out by knocking several books off my desk, but does seem to enjoy when I'm holding him. However, as soon as I let go of him and get up to leave the room, he immediately runs away and hides.

   Also, his picture is currently my avatar (excuse the quality, I took it with a camera phone). He is a beautiful cat and I just hope that he can get over this terror he has and become happy.

   Thank you all again for your replies!

   Posted 2 months ago by andersonsmom #

7. 

   He will, don't get discouraged, it just takes time and patience and love. He sounds like a beautiful wee boy, bless you for giving him a wonderful home!

   Posted 2 months ago by jcat #

8. 

   Hi everyone,

   Just wanted to give you all an update on Anderson. He is doing so much better - not nearly as scared, eating well, being affectionate with my roommates and I, and just all around acting like a normal kitten. I'm having one problem with him though - he won't let me sleep through the night. I know that cats are nocturnal and that he has a great deal of energy to expend, but it's starting to affect me and my productivity during the day; I'm averaging about 5 hours of sleep because he jumps on my bed and attacks my legs at around 3AM every morning. The problem is that his litterbox, bed, food, and toys are all in my bedroom (and there's really no other place in our apartment to move them to) so I can't exactly kick him out of my room for the night.

   Any ideas for ways to calm him down/get him to stop waking me up? Thanks!!

   Posted 2 months ago by andersonsmom #

9. 

   AM, Welcome to TDK, sorry I didn't see your post till just now! as far as the 3am attacks...I'm trying not to giggle too much, we all know what those are like. You can try playing with Anderson for about a half hour before you go to bed to try and tucker him out, but he will likely still be up wanting to play some...Honestly, I miss those days!!! They won't last forever....

   Posted 2 months ago by 2bpurring #

10. 

    He'll mellow out...but Sophie is 1.5 and she still wakes me up in the middle of night..Soph will come into the room, jump on to the bed and demand cuddles or attention or try to wake me up to play...and everytime I stir, she looks at me as if to say 'ARe you up yet?!!". The joys of having a kitty :) But from everything I hear as they get older they will start sleeping through the night more

    Posted 2 months ago by iliketea #

11. 

    Hi AM, a belated welcome to TDK from me :o) Anderson will calm down, it's a good idea to try and tire him out before bedtime, and make sure he has toys he can play with himself when you're asleep. He sounds like a right little character! I'm pleased he's settling in so well, look forward to hearing more about him.

    Posted 2 months ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #

12. 

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ffwDYo00Q

    tee hee

    Posted 2 months ago by 2bpurring #

13. 

    Hey everyone,

    So Anderson is still waking me up in the middle of the night, but not as soon as he has the last few nights. Last night he started meowing at 5:30 though b/c his food dish was empty...this kitten eats like crazy! Hope he continues to learn that nighttime is not playtime (at least not with me!)

    Posted 1 month ago by andersonsmom #

14. 

    Hi AM, another belated welcome to TDK ;-) Sounds like little Anderson is adjusting well to apartment living; don't worry, he'll get the hang of sleeping thru the night eventually.....

    Posted 1 month ago by kittymom #

15. 

    Anderson will settle, and his appetite will slowly diminish as his body stops growing, but it could take until he's 7 or 8 months til he gets a steady pattern of 2 meals a day. My sumi is 5 months and has had a ravenous appetite since the day I found her at 5 weeks. It hasn't showed signs of slowing yet, but I know it will eventually! They need lots of nourishment for their growth spurts. He sounds gorgeous!

    Posted 1 month ago by eleniki #

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