Hi; I've been reading these forums and articles for a little while, trying to understand the behavior of my new cats. I still have a few questions, however.
I recently rescued two cats from an overwhelmed home. The cats are siblings (brother and sister) and were originally rescued from a box in an alley where they were abandoned as kittens. Initially they grew up with the company of another older cat and according to the previous owner they were happy and sociable. Then, a chihuahua entered the picture and absolutely terrorized the cats - this is why they had to be re-homed.
They are both approx. 2-3 years old, fixed, and current with their shots. The previous owner had taken them to the vet before I adopted them, so they both have clean bills of health.
When I first brought them home I kept them isolated in a room with the box in one corner and food in the other. I expected in the first week they would be skittish as they got used to their new home. After a day or two I allowed access to my room (so they could get used to my scent) and moved the box into the bathroom. They promptly took up residence under my bed.
They hid under the bed during the day and emerged at night, and I was glad they were finally exploring the rest of the home on their own. All was going well until I smelled an "accident" and discovered one had pooed on the rug in my bedroom. I barred them from my bedroom after that.
One has taken up to hiding in the bathroom under the sink, and the other hides behind a bookcase in the front room. When I am home for a while they will emerge and sit with me on the couch, and I make sure to spend plenty of time petting them, talking to them, and playing with them. When I stand up, though, it's back to hiding. Sometimes they walk around crouched low to the ground.
I can tell they are upset; they have had a few more "accidents" on rugs and *my couch* despite the fact that they both use the box (the box is cleaned daily). I don't force them out of hiding and am trying to do my best not to stress them, but I don't know how to make things better for them. I've had them almost three weeks now, which I figured would be enough time for adjustment, but given their stressful previous home situation, perhaps they need more time? I figured they would be happy to live in a dog-free, low traffic home.
I'm pretty patient and am not going to get rid of the cats - I'll be picking up some "Dumb Cat" spray from the pet store to discourage them from using the rugs/couch as an impromptu box. I try to keep a consistent schedule with them - dry food in the morning, wet in evening, and plenty of water. Anything else I can do to help them become more comfortable and less "Fraidy"?
Thanks!
I recently rescued two cats from an overwhelmed home. The cats are siblings (brother and sister) and were originally rescued from a box in an alley where they were abandoned as kittens. Initially they grew up with the company of another older cat and according to the previous owner they were happy and sociable. Then, a chihuahua entered the picture and absolutely terrorized the cats - this is why they had to be re-homed.
They are both approx. 2-3 years old, fixed, and current with their shots. The previous owner had taken them to the vet before I adopted them, so they both have clean bills of health.
When I first brought them home I kept them isolated in a room with the box in one corner and food in the other. I expected in the first week they would be skittish as they got used to their new home. After a day or two I allowed access to my room (so they could get used to my scent) and moved the box into the bathroom. They promptly took up residence under my bed.
They hid under the bed during the day and emerged at night, and I was glad they were finally exploring the rest of the home on their own. All was going well until I smelled an "accident" and discovered one had pooed on the rug in my bedroom. I barred them from my bedroom after that.
One has taken up to hiding in the bathroom under the sink, and the other hides behind a bookcase in the front room. When I am home for a while they will emerge and sit with me on the couch, and I make sure to spend plenty of time petting them, talking to them, and playing with them. When I stand up, though, it's back to hiding. Sometimes they walk around crouched low to the ground.
I can tell they are upset; they have had a few more "accidents" on rugs and *my couch* despite the fact that they both use the box (the box is cleaned daily). I don't force them out of hiding and am trying to do my best not to stress them, but I don't know how to make things better for them. I've had them almost three weeks now, which I figured would be enough time for adjustment, but given their stressful previous home situation, perhaps they need more time? I figured they would be happy to live in a dog-free, low traffic home.
I'm pretty patient and am not going to get rid of the cats - I'll be picking up some "Dumb Cat" spray from the pet store to discourage them from using the rugs/couch as an impromptu box. I try to keep a consistent schedule with them - dry food in the morning, wet in evening, and plenty of water. Anything else I can do to help them become more comfortable and less "Fraidy"?
Thanks!