New cat owner

bizbob

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Hey everybody,

Last February, I came here asking questions about potentially adopting a cat ( http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=211988 ). I'm happy to say, on Thursday I went out and adopted a cat. She is a 1 year old, black, short haired cat named Pluto (her name was Mother Hubbard at the shelter). She's very sweet. I set up my bedroom in my apartment to be cat-proof and that's her room for now. She spends most of her time under the bed, but when I come into the room with her she'll come out and play sometimes. She mostly wants to play when I'm going to sleep, so I think she's still on a nocturnal schedule. When she's out from under the bed, she enjoys rolling around on the ground and stretching out her tummy for a good rub. She's very well behaved, she has only gone in her litter box, and she is using her scratching posts (although she's ignoring the big cat tree I bought for her... go figure). She enjoys clawing into the carpet and stretching, so I'll probably get a horizontal scratcher in the next couple days for her.

As I promised in February, here are some pictures I was able to nab of her the night I brought her home:
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/1034/img3678g.jpg
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/1315/img3679zj.jpg
http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/5378/img3680o.jpg
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/4763/img3681q.jpg
High Five! - http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/7886/img3682n.jpg
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/1590/img3683q.jpg
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/9164/img3684l.jpg
 

mrblanche

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A beautiful cat! And thank you for adopting a black one; they are put to sleep more often than any other color at the shelters, because they are so slow to be adopted.

You can clip her claws to help save your carpet (and skin).

It will undoubtedly take a while for her to completely settle in. Please, if you have any questions, feel free to post them here. If you've never had a cat before, they can be very puzzling.
 
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bizbob

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Her claws are already trimmed so she isn't doing any damage to the carpet. I've had only good experiences with her for the past few days I've had her


I'm trying to figure out how to get her to use some of the stuff I bought her. Since she was hiding under the bed, I bought her a nice little basket for her to lie in to feel safe and put it in the corner, but so far she's just sniffed and rubbed against it without actually getting in (there was a similar basket at the shelter she seemed fond of, so I thought she might like it). I figure she'll warm up to other things eventually. Is there any way I can entice her to explore a basket?

Also, I can't tell if she's a cat that reacts to catnip or not. I've never had a cat before so I'm not exactly sure what it looks like for them to be on a "catnip high." I checked out some videos on youtube of cats reacting to catnip, and they are acting like she acts without catnip. If you watch this video, the cat on the right of the video (little brown spotted one) is acting like she acts normally. The first time I gave her some, she seemed to be watching something in air that I couldn't see, but mostly just rolled around rubbing the carpet like she usually does without catnip (and like the cat in the video did).

I also can't tell if she doesn't like the treats I've bought or not. I guess I'm used to a dog (I grew up with a Chihuahua), where if you have a treat in your hand within 50 feet the dog will come running and jumping around with excitement. She mostly just ignores it unless I put it right up to her mouth and then she inspects it and eats it. I tried two flavors from two brands and got the same reaction to both (ignoring me until I stick it right in her face, sniffing it for a second, and then eating it). Is this expected, does she not like the kinds I'm buying, or am I just too used to a dog's reaction to treats?

All in all, I don't see how this process could be going any better. I think Pluto and I will grow to be great friends
 

mrblanche

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Meh. Fickle cats!

We have one cat that comes running when he hears me pick up the treat bag. Another two who will come out eventually. And one who won't eat them, even if I put them in his food bowl.

Cats will choose where they want to lie, and where you want them to has little effect on it. However, I know you said you had a cat tree, and once they discover it, few can resist one. Altitude is safety for a cat.

However, if there is one place you want your cat to lie down, put a sheet of copy paper there. She'll find it!
 

captiva

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Very cute! Congratulations! She's still very new and trying to get used to the place and you. Catnip would have been my choice to sprinkle on her new bed, but if she's not sensitive to it..
I think you will find that cats play with simple things after you spend the money for toys
A piece of wadded paper, a paper bag (not plastic), a cardboard box.

Looking forward to reading about Pluto's progress!
 

kailie

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Wow, she's gorgeous!
So happy for both you AND her!

Yeah, she's just getting used to you and her new home. I bet once she becomes more comfortable, she'll start enjoying the things you have there for her.
 

sisu

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You need to change the title of this thread. You are slowly discovering what many of those who have always had cats, have always known. Dogs have owners, cats, own the owners.

Maybe try some different treats?

If you want a cat to take interest in something spray it with catnip scent or rub it with cat nip. This has always worked wonders for us.

The other thing is, cats are very wary of new places and new things. That she rubs her face against it, means she accepts it. She is marking it as property of her. In time, she may come to feel it is a good place to sleep or not. But if you put catnip scent all over the inside that might help her want to atleast get inside it.

Good luck! And great you got her at a shelter. In my opinion which isn't worth much that is the best place to get a new pet. Too many homeless desperate animals in those places. Horrible that so many have no homes.
 

otto

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Congratulations on your new fur baby, and hurray for you for adopting an adult cat!

Don't worry about Pluto not using all her furniture yet. It's all still new to her, she will get the idea after a while. When she gets more into playing interactrive games with you, incorporate the cat tree into those games by throwing her toys up on it for her to chase, and dragging her string on a stick up it for her to chase, it will help her get the idea.

When Pluto scratches on any thing other than her own furniture, gently pick her up and take her to her own scratchers.

You can also scratch on her furniture yourself (yes, pretend you are a cat) because cats are the original copy cats and if she see's you doing it, she may want to try it too.

Looking forward to lots of Pluto stories!
 

milk maid

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Ahh she is lovely, beautiful eyes, well done you for adopting an older cat


I find the best thing that they want to play with is just scrap paper rolled into a ball.

As for the treats, yes dogs will go mad for a treat, but most of the cats that I have had have never been that fussed.

Enjoy your life with Pluto
 
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