Brought my baby home today...

I isolated Charlie in my bedroom with a new litter box and food and water. He's been under by bed for his first few hours here. This is totally normal right? I walked in and talked to him gently for a few minutes...he walks away from my hand...I'm kinda sad.

Will things change? He was very friendly when he was in his crate at PetsMart...




Kara

Give him time to get used to his new environment. My cats did the same thing when I brought them home.

Other members have wonderful advice.

If I remember right, your new cat lived in a cage for years. If this is true, you can just imagine how completely overwhelmed he is by the openness of his new room. This is in addition to all of the sounds and smells and sights that are so different from where he has lived his life up to now.

He will likely take several weeks before he feels secure in his new surroundings. While he is getting used to you and his new home, let him stay in his room and always talk softly and gently to him. Sit on the floor and read a book outloud (in a gentle voice) to him. Don't try to make him come to you, instead, let him come to you when he feels safe enough to do so.

You are a true angel to rescue this mistreated boy. Unfortunately, because of his history he will likely take a little longer to warm up to you than would another cat. But don't worry, once he learns that your home is a safe and loving one, you will find him to be a wonderful and loving companion!

Congrats on your new furbaby! He'll warm up to you, all it will take is time.

(Any chance of pic's?) *crosses fingers*

I'm so glad he's home with you!!!

Simba was a stray that we took in, and had been on his own long enough that he was almost starved. He didn't come out from under the bed for more than a minute or two (to eat or use the litterbox) for a couple of days. Then he really only came out in our bedroom when the house was very, very quiet for a few days. After about a week he was out from under the bed for good.

I think you will get good advice from a lot of people on this site that know a lot more than I do, but I think if you just keep things quiet for him and let him come out on his own time it will all work out. If you try to go too fast it might spook him.

Simba is now my total baby, he sleeps snuggled up as tight against me as he can get all night. But it took a couple of months before he got that close to me.

I had an abused kitty live in our rafters for over a year, so yes, hiding either under the bed or in under a chair, is completely normal. Give him a nice tall cat condo with an enclosed section in the middle to help him feel more secure, or take a big cardboard box, cut some doors in the box off the ground level big enough for the cat to pass through, flip the box over, weight it down, and give him an alternate place to hide. Play classical music really low, harp music has a wonderful soothing effect on anxious cats.

Thank you for rescuing this poor thing.

Oh you poor thing. I know it must be so exciting to have your new kitty home and it's a little sad that he's not ready to play yet - but he will.

When I brought my guys home they hid in the upstairs bedroom for quite some time...but I just let them do their thing and eventually they came to investigate who I was and what was going on in the house - then the excitment really begins !

Good luck with Charlie he looks like a great cat, I'm sure you'll become the best of friends

I hope "Charlie" becomes friends with you soon.

Congrats on the new kitty.

Congradulations on your new kitty.

What a wonderful thing you did by adopting him and giving him a new loving home.

Give him time to adjust - it could take a day or it can take longer. Considering what has happened to him, he's feeling overwhelmed so don't give up on him. Be there and give him time and patience and let him do the exploring of the room he's in first then the rest of the house as he gets comfortable.

Perhaps you can put something with your scent in there like a towel or a shirt to let him get adjusted to it.

Originally posted by lotsocats
If I remember right, your new cat lived in a cage for years. If this is true, you can just imagine how completely overwhelmed he is by the openness of his new room. This is in addition to all of the sounds and smells and sights that are so different from where he has lived his life up to now.

He will likely take several weeks before he feels secure in his new surroundings. While he is getting used to you and his new home, let him stay in his room and always talk softly and gently to him. Sit on the floor and read a book outloud (in a gentle voice) to him. Don't try to make him come to you, instead, let him come to you when he feels safe enough to do so.

You are a true angel to rescue this mistreated boy. Unfortunately, because of his history he will likely take a little longer to warm up to you than would another cat. But don't worry, once he learns that your home is a safe and loving one, you will find him to be a wonderful and loving companion!

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This is exactly what I would expect from that poor kitty Please be patient with him. Imagine the poor guy living in a box for 2 years.. he is probably going to be scared for a long time. Just be gentle with him.. give him treats and let him stay in the small room for quite a while.

Good luck to you and please post pics

Be patient, gentle and loving and your kindness will be repaid a thousand fold!!!

The first time I put my cat in the house, I wanted to introduce him slowly so I restricted him to my bathroom, and he hid underneath a cabinet for a couple days.. But eventually curiousity won out, and then when he got comfortable with the bathroom and the house noises, he didn't hide anymore. It's just a big difference from a crate, from the feel of different types of flooring, the strange unfamiliar sounds, the huge (in comparison) area he now has.. it would be daunting for anyone!! He'll come around soon, don't get discouraged Keep us updated!!

Congrats on your new kitty!!

Give him time, he'll come around.

Your cat will be fine. My kitten is called Jeepers, we called her that because she was so timid when we brought her home. She wouldn't come near us. Within a week she would tolerate us and now four weeks later she's using me as her personal jungle gym, swinging from my hair, climbing up my legs, sleeping on my head etc. Just be patient and your kitty will soon be at home! You can see pictures of jeepers on her website www.geocities.com/jeeperscat/index.html to see what I mean!

When I brought Jellybean home in July, he hid a lot at first. It took a long time before I really got the feeling that he was totally comfortable here. Now he boldly goes wherever he pleases!

I don't know if many other people do this, but, I like to make lots of little built-in hiding spots and cubby holes for my cats (I have 3). I like to set up hiding spots for them in my closet, in the children's closets, under the bed, down in the basement, etc. I don't think it encourages them to hide, but, I think it makes them more comfortable knowing that they have many safe little spots to get away from it all. All 3 cats seem to find the spots I make for them, and I think each of them really appreciates the extra efforts. Just a little idea to make your new kitty comfortable at home.

Be patient...he will come around. It takes cats awhile to adjust.

Best of luck to you!

Cindy W.

I think hiding spots would be a great idea for Charlie.

Yup, I agree with everyone's posts above. Time and patience and love will be key to helping your cat adjust to your new home, and considering the trauma he's been through, it may take a while. Hiding places are a great idea.

Sounds like he's in a great home with you, and you are doing your best for him, so I have no doubt that under your care he will flourish and thrive.

Congrats! The same thing happened when we brought Anastasia home. But now you can't keep her away from people. She's still shy with strangers, but she won't even let me do my homework!!! Sits on my papers and tries to play.

to keep from repeating what has already been posted, all i can say is HATS OFF TO YOU!!! for rescueing this poor baby, i cant imagine living in a cage for 2 yrs. thats terrible! good luck to Charlie and you, give him lots of TLC, he deserves it thats for sure

Hey, How is Charlie today?????