New Kitten, Need Advice!

ocicatdude

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Messages
63
Purraise
0
Location
UK
Hey there I'm new around here! Today i picked up my 18 week old Ocicat kitten but my problem is, he is hiding under my table in my dinning room and he wont come out or let me go near him or touch him, he is CONSTANTLY MEOWING! He jumps at the slightest noise and if i get up to move he is very scared. When i was in the house alone he did actually come up to me and sniff me and rubbed himself against me, also i was able to stroke him and play with him. But now, he is very scared again. I only got him at 1:30pm today, but i dont think he has been to the toilet and only had a tiny bit to eat, have not seen him drink yet.

Is this normal?

I am worried. When he was at his birth home he was awesome, he would let me pick him up without the blink of an eye. I guess its just going to take time but its worrying!

My dinning room is quite big and i want to move him into my bedroom as it's quiet up there and smaller, less for him to take in! But i cant pick him up as he is so scared


Anyway, Meet Alfie in his 'safe' place


http://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=spa0098kw4.jpg

Cheers
 

katz4life

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
3,667
Purraise
2
Just be patient with your new Ocicat! It takes time for him to get used to the house. He will come around soon...

We adopted a cat named Spici. She was great at the pet place but as soon as we got her home, she freaked out & went to hide. Eventually she came around...it'll take a little bit. Just keep letting Alfie sniff you, keep petting him, and keep talking to him to let him know everything is going to be okay. Keep showing him the litterbox & food/water area, try to watch to see if he goes to the bathroom, and try to see if he is eating. Hes still probably just a little scared...

Don't worry, he will be happy eventually...just give him time, you just got him
Just keep up the good job you are doing with Alfie...
 

larke

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 9, 2005
Messages
2,278
Purraise
6
Location
SE Canada
He may not eat, drink or pee & poop for a day or two, but that is normal, so relax. Try to keep the area as quiet (no sudden sharp noises) and calm as possible, and don't fuss him too much. Better to just be 'there' and talk to him. He'll be fine (and looks bright and beautiful!).
 

clpeters23

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 25, 2005
Messages
1,920
Purraise
1,368
Location
Chicagoland, Illinois, USA
Give him some time. It's a big scary world out there for some kittens. Try luring him into a carrier with food so you can move him to the bedroom until he gets a little more confident. Let him come to you until he learns he can trust you. Leave a little food out for him and litter box, and he should figure it out on his own, it just may take a little longer than you want.
 

sadieandziggy

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 11, 2007
Messages
1,364
Purraise
1
Location
Exeter, South West, UK
My little Zig's kept hiding behind the sofa when we first got her. When it became dark and calmer she would poke her little head out and have a little wander. I tried to make a point of stroking her, (not picking her up) until she became used to me. I was worried too coz she didn't eat, drink or poop for a few days. She didn't use her bed either (and never has, - shes now 10 and half month).

On the 2nd or 3rd day I started picking her up more and brushed her at the same time. She soon realised who her mummy was and started eating. Did you take a bit of Cat litter from his old home coz that helps him realise where he is supposed to do it.

he just misses his mum at the moment.

By the Way, Nice to see someone else from the UK, it's strange reading messages that were posted at 4am!!

 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

ocicatdude

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Messages
63
Purraise
0
Location
UK
Thanks for the replies! Result! He just let me stroke him again, with my parents around this time. Also he had a wee in his litter tray and ate some food
I had to crawl under the table though, lol. Hes not yet ventured out!
 

epona

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 24, 2006
Messages
4,663
Purraise
949
Location
London, England
He'll be fine and will come out eventually! Even for the boldest kitten moving to unfamilar territory can be upsetting. If he was friendly with you at the breeder's home then it sounds as if he's been socialised ok and probably isn't scared of you, it's just all the strange sights and noises and, most importantly, the smells aren't familiar, and he'll be missing his mum and siblings.

Of my 2 cats when I first brought them home, Radar zoomed out of his carrier and ran around exploring and play-attacking and chewing everything in sight (not a lot has changed there!), but Sonic had a more normal reaction of lurking at the back of his carrier and refused to come out for hours! We did manage to get him into the bedroom later that night though, and he was soon cuddling up to us for comfort.

Do you have anything familiar to him from his breeder? A toy or blanket that smells of mum for example would help him to settle in, but I'm sure he'll be fine and won't take too long to adjust
 

clpeters23

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 25, 2005
Messages
1,920
Purraise
1,368
Location
Chicagoland, Illinois, USA
When I had one of my kittens in the spare room (when she first came home) she slept in a cat hammock, and to this day, that's still her favorite place to snooze.
 

lonelykitten

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
232
Purraise
1
Location
united states
We brought in a stray kitten on saturday and all day saturday and sunday he did not want to leave his room. He would cuddle and sleep in bed with me at night but wanted to mainly stay in his room. Today he is a TERROR (good thing we named him Chaos)! He has been running everywhere, climbing our curtains in the livingroom, terrorizing the dog, and just being a regular little kitten. I would just give him time, eventually curiousity will get the best of him and he'll come out.
 

kalikat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
2,057
Purraise
1
Location
Sydney N.S.W
He's just left everything he's ever known & come to live in a strange place. It'll take time for him to get used to things. Give him time & he'll settle in.
 

lore

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 4, 2007
Messages
1,318
Purraise
2
Location
Chicagoland
It'll take some time


My first Cat Horatio, took to my house right away... my home was HIS home right away.

MY 2nd kitty Yuki spent 2 weeks under the Couch, I provided her with food & water under the couch & let her have her safe place. As she began to venture out (she was a rescue from a 30 cat horder seizure, thus she was most likely never socilized) so once she was out and about she never came near me and it was a good 2 months before I was ever able to pet her regularly. NOW, she has claimed her home & is out & about, she loves her humans & her lovin's, which is good as she is BUNNY soft, it just took ALOT of patience and time.

My 3rd kitty spent his first few days under the couch, but was taken to the vet due to a UTI. Now is in my room (with his own litterbox, food/water bowls, toys etc) for less stress while he takes his meds & to settle in. I'm noticing that he is settling in much faster in my room than down in the livingroom where he was able to get under the couch. Already his personality has come out, he comes to greet me when I come into my room & he is a total sweetheart. I think he will do pretty good once he is done with his meds in the house (other than I know him and Horatio have a long road
)

Anyway... what I'm saying with my book of ramling. (long story short... too late)

takes time... be patient. He'll be fine.


 

xman

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
98
Purraise
0
Location
Vancouver, BC
Just be gentle with him and give him some time and space. The more you do this, the sooner he'll come around.

X
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13

ocicatdude

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Messages
63
Purraise
0
Location
UK
Well hes much more confident now, he actually came into the lounge when we were all in here last night, thats a first. Hes been going to the loo, eating, drinking so i am happy with that! But OH MY GOD does he meow, its really bad.. I dont know if this will calm down or not, if your not stroking or playing with him and hes awake you can be sure he will be meowing! Sometimes its a really deep meow too, other times its just a normal one. Not sure what hes meowing about though!
 

goldenkitty45

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 29, 2005
Messages
19,900
Purraise
44
Location
SW Minnesota
OHHH cool - another Ocicat owner joining us


And a "non" spotted one - classic too
Sounds like he hasn't had a lot of socialization. Don't be timid in handling him. Just take charge and pick him up. When we got Charlie at 4 months old he was pretty confident from the start. But he didn't know us or the house.

So we put him in the library (small room) for about 2 weeks and let him get used to things. He hid a little while when you first came in (not much) and was better if you sat on the floor and played with him.

So you have to get him confined in a small room with litter pan and food/water first and let him get used to things slowly. Some cats are more shy. With Oci's they usually do not take very long in "taking charge of things" - so I'm willing to be you will see a big chance in a week or two with him.

What's his name?

As far as the meowing - is he an only cat? Might be missing mom/siblings
And remember Oci's are out of Abys and Siamese (both talkers) so the meowing is pretty typical. And watch out - once he's comfortable with things - he will be active
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15

ocicatdude

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Messages
63
Purraise
0
Location
UK
Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

OHHH cool - another Ocicat owner joining us


And a "non" spotted one - classic too
Sounds like he hasn't had a lot of socialization. Don't be timid in handling him. Just take charge and pick him up. When we got Charlie at 4 months old he was pretty confident from the start. But he didn't know us or the house.

So we put him in the library (small room) for about 2 weeks and let him get used to things. He hid a little while when you first came in (not much) and was better if you sat on the floor and played with him.

So you have to get him confined in a small room with litter pan and food/water first and let him get used to things slowly. Some cats are more shy. With Oci's they usually do not take very long in "taking charge of things" - so I'm willing to be you will see a big chance in a week or two with him.

What's his name?

As far as the meowing - is he an only cat? Might be missing mom/siblings
And remember Oci's are out of Abys and Siamese (both talkers) so the meowing is pretty typical. And watch out - once he's comfortable with things - he will be active
Hey yeah i have been wanting an ocicat for a while they are gorgeous! His name is Alfie.

Yeah he is the only cat and came from a house full of cats! He had lots of little tiny kittens around him also his mum and dad. I keep suggesting to my parents that we should get another to keep him company but they are not having none of it sadly!


He is in our Dinning room still, we were going to move him but as he seems much more confident we are leaving him as he is for now. I'm worried that if i move him too a smaller room he will lose his confidence again! But the dinning room is quite large and we are in there a lot of the time so i'm not sure if thats good or bad. Well at least he has the table to run too if hes scared without that i am sure he would be lost!

So does your Oci meow alot? Does he have a deep funny sounding meow that is extremely irritating


I think he is calling for his siblings alot of the time though, I just hope his 24/7 meowing calms down just a little !!!!!!
 

goldenkitty45

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 29, 2005
Messages
19,900
Purraise
44
Location
SW Minnesota
Yes, going from a house full of activity and other cats to being the ONLY cat is quite a difference. Hopefully your parents will change their minds on another Oci


And yes, Charlie talks a lot - in different tones from deep to normal. Seems to be like a "come and find me and see where I am now" thing


Once he's adjusted you will have a very fun kitty in your house. Be sure to get plenty of interactive toys, a good high tree house, and they love the laser light pens too.

BTW which UK cattery did you get him from - I've looked on the net for Oci catteries in UK, Australia as well as in the US. Not too many around, so I'm sure I'll know where you got yours.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #17

ocicatdude

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Messages
63
Purraise
0
Location
UK
Yes he is a lot of fun already i've been playing with him all night, he has tonnes of toys and a high tree thing that we ordered although he has not used that much yet he has been on it a few times though. But out of everything we have for him he loves a piece of foil rolled into a ball.. Typical..


Don't think my parents will change their minds they are pretty tough! I had to beg for an Ocicat


I got Alfie from a place just up the road from me which is handy if i want another one
They have a website it is - http://www.yesso.co.uk/ Do you know it?

I will have to buy a laser pen, i did see some today and thought about it.. thats next on the list!
 

missymotus

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 8, 2005
Messages
9,234
Purraise
254
Originally Posted by OcicatDude

So does your Oci meow alot? Does he have a deep funny sounding meow that is extremely irritating
Congratulations on your new Oci
Demetri meows a lot, he has an opinion on everything! I've been told it's an annoying sound, doesn't really bother me though.

Here in Aus we call the marbled Oci's Classicats.
 

goldenkitty45

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 29, 2005
Messages
19,900
Purraise
44
Location
SW Minnesota
Nice cattery - basically out of Thickthorn lines and that seems to be a pretty good cattery over there - you have a nice healthy line for his background


BTW I helped Missymotus get her first Ocicat even if she's in Australia and I'm in the USA
She's got a nice winner on her hands right now
Even Charlie's breeder knows the lines and was approving of the pick of Demetri


And don't worry too much - when you move out you can get as many Oci's as you want
How old are you now?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #20

ocicatdude

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Messages
63
Purraise
0
Location
UK
Yeah i shall get a couple more when i move out! But then i wont have my cooking/cleaning/ironing done for me damnit!


I'm 18 so few more years before i move out!
 
Top