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Big problems with new arrival

post #1 of 7
4/29/11 at 2:25pm
Thread Starter 
Today I adopted a 6 mo old male kitten from a shelter..I found him online on the shelters website..I filled out the adoption form and was called yesterday and told I was approved...when I went to pick him up today the first thing I noticed was that he was extremely shy..after petting him in his cage for a few minutes he relaxed somewhat..even the employee who had to most contact with him had a hard time getting him out of his cage and into the car carrier.

While driving home I was wondering how the meeting process would be between him and my 4 yr old male..I get him in the house still in the carrier and my cat did a little hissing but seemed like he would be ok..after a while I tried to get him out of the carrier but he fought me to no end..I finally took the top off and he ran and got under the couch..I was able to get him out and held him for a few minutes but I knew that as soon as I relaxed my hold on him he would take off and thats exactly what happened..

He is now in the laundry room hiding between the furnace and the furnace vent pipe..I could get him but I dont want to traumatize him any further..I finally put his food, water and litter box in the laundry room and closed the door...not sure what the next step is..I guess worse case scenario is to put a bed in there for him and wait it out..any suggestions?
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post #2 of 7
4/29/11 at 3:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by glenman12 View Post

He is now in the laundry room hiding between the furnace and the furnace vent pipe..I could get him but I dont want to traumatize him any further..I finally put his food, water and litter box in the laundry room and closed the door...not sure what the next step is..I guess worse case scenario is to put a bed in there for him and wait it out..any suggestions?

I think that that's the best thing possible to do for now: let him come out on his own and explore. He'll begin to relax when he realizes there's no threat to him. As long as he has food, water, and his litterbox, I'm sure he'll be just fine. There's no chance of him and your other cat getting into it, is there? I would keep them separated for the time being. I'm assuming that he's not in any danger either by hiding behind the furnace?

I'm sure all will go well once he adjusts to his new surroundings. Good luck!
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post #3 of 7
4/29/11 at 3:05pm
Thread Starter 
well, to let him come out and explore I would have to open the laundry room door..as for my cat, I cant say for sure..he was hissing a little but for now he keeps hanging out by the laundry room door which has slats so they both can smell and see each a bit..he's in no danger from the furnace as I turned it off..
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post #4 of 7
4/29/11 at 3:10pm
Just leave him be. Think of it from his point of view. Suddenly he's dragged from his home, a small cage, and put into a strange smelling box, where he experiences strange motion, then brought into a strange large place and set face to face with a hostile feline. He has no idea what has happened to him and his life is just one big scary disaster from his point of view.

Leave him where he is. Provide food, water, bed, clean litter daily. Go in and sit and talk quietly to him periodically, do NOT force him out or reach for him, let him come to you, no matter how long it takes.

Exchange smells with resident cat by leaving a towel in there, and after a day or so bring it out and let your other cat smell it, do that regularly.

Slow and easy does it.

Congratulations on your new family member and hurray for you for adopting from a shelter!
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post #5 of 7
4/29/11 at 3:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by glenman12 View Post
well, to let him come out and explore I would have to open the laundry room door..as for my cat, I cant say for sure..he was hissing a little but for now he keeps hanging out by the laundry room door which has slats so they both can smell and see each a bit..he's in no danger from the furnace as I turned it off..
That is the perfect way for them to get introduced to one another. Let it be for now.
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post #6 of 7
4/29/11 at 3:18pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Otto..everything you said makes a world of sense to me and thats what i will do..
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post #7 of 7
4/29/11 at 5:44pm
Thread Starter 
just an update..a little progress is being made..he's no longer hiding behind the furnace, he is now out in the open and sleeping inside his bed..plus he let me open the door and talk to him but I didnt go inside..

also this morning still in the bed but has been eating and using his litter box
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