Beginner advice needed

Hi there

I adopted a cat (2.5 years, female) last week from the cat shelter.

She's been friendly.  Happy to snuggle up next to me and a good mix of affectionate and independent.

Last night she didn't really want anything to do with me.  She'd come up for a quick rub against me but walked away from any real stroking or fuss..  She was thrilled to see me in the morning, following me around as I sorted out her food, water and litter.  But since then she's a bit odd and is now under my sofa.  She was purring around me earlier so I don't think I've done anything to offend her but I have noticed she's been completely ignoring me if I call her or signal her.

We found out her favourite treat and bought her some today.  She got on my lap earlier when I had one but was off of me as soon as she got it.

I'm probably just being a bit oversensitive but right now she's under my sofa..  I can see her and she can see me but it's still a bit odd.  She's not been one for hiding until now and I don't think I've over-fussed her or neglected her.  I'm just wondering what it all means.

Has she been to a vet for a check-up recently? If there's a medical issue that's making her uncomfortable it could explain her behavior. Along those lines, has she been fixed?

Hiding isn't itself a surefire sign that there's a problem, but keep an eye on her eating and litter box habits to make sure everything is consistent just in case. I always like to take a new animal to the vet right away even if they've been checked out by the shelter already just to establish them as a patient and get the details about their health from a vet firsthand.

If nothing medical is wrong, there could be many explanations. Sometimes cats just need a bit of quiet time away from people throughout the day. Or something that you don't know about could be unsettling her, like an animal outside that she can smell. Most likely, I think, this could be the next phase of how she's getting used to her new home. The first few days were very exciting and maybe she just needs some space to gather herself. You have only had her a week, so you can't really have a good sense of what is and isn't normal for her yet. Barring any signs of illness, I'm just give it some time and see how she adjusts.

Good advice from Molly92. Barring any medical illness, her behavior is kind of normal for a new cat. Monitor her eating and litter box use, but give her the space and time she needs to feel comfortable in her new surroundings. Don't try too hard to cuddle with her or pet her. It took our latest adoptee a few months for us to pet her for an extended amount of time (1 minute) before ducking away or swatting our hands away. She's been with us for over a year, but she still won't sit in our lap and she hates being picked up. But she loves hanging out right next to her humans, and that's her own sign of affection. Just like humans, all cats are different. Just let her be, and you'll figure out her preferences in time. 

 

Thanks, guys.

After some slightly odd behaviour from my little girl, she eventually leapt on my lap and had a good knead and then a sleep. So I guess we are good again.

I'm very relieved.

I'm very inexperienced with all this but she's a wonderful cat and I'm super happy again.

repoman said:

Thanks, guys.

After some slightly odd behaviour from my little girl, she eventually leapt on my lap and had a good knead and then a sleep. So I guess we are good again.

I'm very relieved.

I'm very inexperienced with all this but she's a wonderful cat and I'm super happy again.

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Right off the mark - welcome to TCS !

Your observation about, "affectionate," and, "independent," suggests that you have a good idea already.  That said, cats can take time to adjust, and their ways are alien to even those of us who've lived with them more than half a century. 

It sounds as though the two of you are off on the right foot; just keep doing what you're doing, and remember that you have more patience than she does.  You don't really, of course - that's absolute prevarication on my part - but pretending so will ease the stress of those times when she does exactly the opposite of what you'd expect.

She eats great and is totally litter box trained

mydtribe5 said:

She eats great and is totally litter box trained

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Those are two of the things that cats do best - especially the first one.



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