new himalayan

we had a stray himalayan come to our house about a week and a half ago. We decieded to keep her. Took her to the vet, shes about 3 years old and healthy. We are just wondering, how long does it take for them to get used to us. She sleeps alot, wont really play and meows very little. She is not agressive at all, just kinda to herself. She goes right to the box, so thats not a problem, just hoping that this will pass and its not just her personality. Any help would be appreciated! BTW she is the only animal in the house and we are not looking to add anymore right now.

She's probably a bit traumatised after her time as a stray. It can take some cats quite a while to get used to new environments and come out of their shell.

Odds are that she'll need a bit more time to really start bossing you around. Having said that himalayans are usually pretty laidback cats.

Have you tried the Da Bird toy? It's has feathers on the end that spin and make a whirring noise when you move it. Cats really like it usually and it can make cats excited about playing that haven't in a while.

Anyway congrats on your new cat and you're doing a fantastic thing letting her live with you

Himalayans tend to be that way. They are very sweet once they get to know you, but are rarely rowdy or highly active, especially once they are grown.

Let her come to you, which she will, and pay attention to her not physically, but with eye contact and sweet talk. She's probably looking for that kind of opening. Make her a quiet part of your time at home, and she will start to come out of her shell.

Eh be careful with the eye contact, eye contact is openly hostile body langage for most cats. We humans like to look people in the eye and it means we're friendly but it means completely different things for most animals.

A lot of cats have gotten used to being looked in the eye and have adapted to that quirk of their humans but I would never stare directly at a cat I didn't know *very* well.

Thank you for all the info, ive had cats before but i had them since kittens, so this is kinda new to me. Im going to look into that toy and hope with time she becomes more personable.

Originally Posted by vegasrob

we had a stray himalayan come to our house about a week and a half ago. We decieded to keep her. Took her to the vet, shes about 3 years old and healthy. We are just wondering, how long does it take for them to get used to us. She sleeps alot, wont really play and meows very little. She is not agressive at all, just kinda to herself. She goes right to the box, so thats not a problem, just hoping that this will pass and its not just her personality. Any help would be appreciated! BTW she is the only animal in the house and we are not looking to add anymore right now.

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I think she is a typical himalayan cat. My cat sleeps a lot, won't play and meows very little. By the way, are you sure she is stray? These cats wouldn't last long outside-especially if she was in good shape. Have you tried to look for a possible owner-maybe she escaped from somebody's home?

maybe she ran away from an abusive home

You've gotten some good advice! Himmies are very sweet and laid back. If she was a stray, she probably hasn't slept well for quite a while, and that is a compliment to how comfortable she feels with you.

I would just try & bond with her by sitting near her when she sleeps, and petting her. She may perk up a bit once she is well rested.

Originally Posted by chausiefan

maybe she ran away from an abusive home

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Cats are not troubled teenagers.
Sometimes they can run off even if the home is not abusive. One time I found a very pretty seal himmi. He actually escaped from my neighbor's. Those cats shouldn't be outside, obviously.

Originally Posted by jenniferd

I think she is a typical himalayan cat. My cat sleeps a lot, won't play and meows very little. By the way, are you sure she is stray? These cats wouldn't last long outside-especially if she was in good shape. Have you tried to look for a possible owner-maybe she escaped from somebody's home?

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we looked in our complex and no one knew of her, and she is not microchiped, so at that point since we could not find an owner we made her our own. thanks for the info

This is exactly the personality of my Himmie and my moms as well. I know a few others and they have pretty much always been the same way.

Originally Posted by vegasrob

we looked in our complex and no one knew of her, and she is not microchiped, so at that point since we could not find an owner we made her our own. thanks for the info

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Good thing that you made an effort to find the owner. I returned the pretty himmi I found-unfortunately I found the owner.

She probably won't change much. This is just the way these cats are. She might became freindlier toward you and would want to spend more time with you, but don't expect her to run around the apartment meowing up a storm. My cats rarely meow, and they like to eat and sleep. Also you will need to brush the cat as they can't take care of their long fur themselves.

Could take a few more weeks. Some cats adjust quicker then others. And a stray may take months to adjust after being out in the streets. Time and patience will work wonders

She has warmed up and is playing more, she still is kinda to herself alot of the time, but i guess that is just the nature of her breed. Other than that she is great!!