- Joined
- Jan 4, 2017
- Messages
- 13
- Purraise
- 6
I have always loved cats and wanted one of my own. Finally my bf and I decided we were ready and searched for the right cat. We decided on a Russian blue because they are better for people with allergies (I have allergies but they are mild ). The kitten is a 4 month old male we decided to call Simon. Simon was rescued by a woman who caught him on the street about 3 weeks ago along with his mom and siblings. Mom ended up getting sent to a cat farm because she was very aggressive but we were told Simon was ready to be adopted. He was spayed and had his shots and he was kept in a large crate at the woman's house where she also had other pets. My bf and I held him in our arms and he was so sweet and cute I fell in love and took him home. I knew Simon would need some time to adjust and still does but I didn't know it would be this difficult and emotionally stressful for me. I feel like Simon takes one step forward and two steps back. We made him a space in our storage room where we put his litter and food. On day one he stayed there and barely came out. We have him his space for the most part but I had friends over that night which may have scared him. He did explore the house ending up in the bathroom/under the bed etc. on day 2 he finally ate his food but still stayed hidden and we left him alone besides peeking in on him a bit and giving him wet food which he seems to like (usually eats it right away but barely touches dry).
On day 3 we decided to clean up his room a boy because too much junk was in there that could hurt him. As we cleaned I think he got scared. Next thing we know we hear meowing and find him under the bed where he pooped. Bf pulled him out of there and we cleaned up the mess. Held Simon in his arms while we both pet him gently. I got some food for him to make him feel better and gain his trust. He ate it from our hands which was a good step. Since then he has been eating and using his box normally. I thought maybe we didn't clean his box of the pee and that's why he pooped under the bed. Day 4 Simon found a good hiding spot in his room on an old coffee table that we put a blanket over. Stayed there most of the day. Peeked at him once and he hissed at me which broke my heart. Made sure to bring him lots of food and water. On day 5 I got him some catnip and some toys. I lifted his blanket and he hissed again. Decided to leave it a bit up so I don't startle him by lifting it. I got a feather and started playing with it on a string in front of Simon. He was mildly interested and his eyes followed it around. Eventually he swatted at it and I rewarded him with some yummy tuna. He hissed when I brought it in but ate it when I left the room. When my bf came home he decided to spend some time in simons room. He layed down on the ground and spoke gently to Simon. Got him his favorite food out until finally Simon came out and ate the food in front of my bf. These seem like good steps. I tried to do the same a few hours later but Simon hissed as usual then stopped when I ignored him and eventually fell asleep. I stayed on the flood quietly and tried not to make any abrupt movements but Simon got up and ran out of the room into the bathroom. I let him be. Bf and i decided to put our t shirts in there so he got used to our smell but he didn't seem to like that. When he came back to his little spot he avoided the shirts. Left him alone. At night he actually played with some toys we left out and came in to our room briefly. He's been coming to our room meowing the past 3 nights but runs away if I get up. Today is day 6. I said hi to him and gave him food and he hissed again. After I left the room he ran out past me and hid under the bed. When I got home from work today he is still under the bed with no intention to come out even for some new treats or a toy.
I wanted a cat so badly but I was not prepared for this. He hisses and shows no interest in ever coming up to us. I know it can take weeks but the progress is so slow I'm not sure he will ever be the love bug I imagined. It just breaks my heart.we tried everything we read to do but I can't tell if any if it helps. Also I have to take him to the vet this weekend which may end up setting him back even more in adjusting. I'm not sure this is the cat for me or that getting one was a good decision. All I can think about is him and how sad I feel that I can not bond with him in any meaningful way. Please help me with any advice on our situation. I'd hate to give up on him but if he can not be socialized I don't know what to do or how to even predict. It's emotionally draining and I can't help wishing I went with getting a cat from a breeder. I thought saving a rescue was the right thing to do but I didn't know it would be this tough and painful.
On day 3 we decided to clean up his room a boy because too much junk was in there that could hurt him. As we cleaned I think he got scared. Next thing we know we hear meowing and find him under the bed where he pooped. Bf pulled him out of there and we cleaned up the mess. Held Simon in his arms while we both pet him gently. I got some food for him to make him feel better and gain his trust. He ate it from our hands which was a good step. Since then he has been eating and using his box normally. I thought maybe we didn't clean his box of the pee and that's why he pooped under the bed. Day 4 Simon found a good hiding spot in his room on an old coffee table that we put a blanket over. Stayed there most of the day. Peeked at him once and he hissed at me which broke my heart. Made sure to bring him lots of food and water. On day 5 I got him some catnip and some toys. I lifted his blanket and he hissed again. Decided to leave it a bit up so I don't startle him by lifting it. I got a feather and started playing with it on a string in front of Simon. He was mildly interested and his eyes followed it around. Eventually he swatted at it and I rewarded him with some yummy tuna. He hissed when I brought it in but ate it when I left the room. When my bf came home he decided to spend some time in simons room. He layed down on the ground and spoke gently to Simon. Got him his favorite food out until finally Simon came out and ate the food in front of my bf. These seem like good steps. I tried to do the same a few hours later but Simon hissed as usual then stopped when I ignored him and eventually fell asleep. I stayed on the flood quietly and tried not to make any abrupt movements but Simon got up and ran out of the room into the bathroom. I let him be. Bf and i decided to put our t shirts in there so he got used to our smell but he didn't seem to like that. When he came back to his little spot he avoided the shirts. Left him alone. At night he actually played with some toys we left out and came in to our room briefly. He's been coming to our room meowing the past 3 nights but runs away if I get up. Today is day 6. I said hi to him and gave him food and he hissed again. After I left the room he ran out past me and hid under the bed. When I got home from work today he is still under the bed with no intention to come out even for some new treats or a toy.
I wanted a cat so badly but I was not prepared for this. He hisses and shows no interest in ever coming up to us. I know it can take weeks but the progress is so slow I'm not sure he will ever be the love bug I imagined. It just breaks my heart.we tried everything we read to do but I can't tell if any if it helps. Also I have to take him to the vet this weekend which may end up setting him back even more in adjusting. I'm not sure this is the cat for me or that getting one was a good decision. All I can think about is him and how sad I feel that I can not bond with him in any meaningful way. Please help me with any advice on our situation. I'd hate to give up on him but if he can not be socialized I don't know what to do or how to even predict. It's emotionally draining and I can't help wishing I went with getting a cat from a breeder. I thought saving a rescue was the right thing to do but I didn't know it would be this tough and painful.