- Joined
- Mar 27, 2013
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Hello, everyone! I'm a new cat owner and was hoping I get can some insight on a few things. Me and my roommate got a new cat. She used to belong to a friend of mine who had to give her away because she was having another baby. The cat's name is Onyx, she is a female who is about 2 years old. She may have gotten shots as a kitten, but I do need to get her to a vet because her previous owner is unsure. She is NOT spayed yet either. She lived with my friend since she was about 2 months or so.
We brought Onyx to our home about a week ago. Before picking her up, we made sure to have all the essentials: food/water bowls, bed, scratching post, litter box, a carrier and a few toys. She was fine on the way home, a little meow here and there but that was to be expected. I asked her previous owner how she was feed and continued with that feeding schedule and we used the same kind of litter she used. She also provided me with one of Onyx's old toys so she would have something familiar to her at our house. We live in an apartment and gave her the living room as her area and set everything up for her there.
The first few days, Onyx hid a lot. She would hide under one of our couches, which is also a sofa bed so we had to get her out because we were afraid she'd get hurt. She doesn't hide there much anymore so that's a plus. Now, here are some concerns I have:
1) She does not sleep in the bed we got her. She sniffs it and will kind of step into it but she won't sleep there. We gave her a blanket for warmth. We also put the blanket that was in her carrier the day we picked her up but she won't even look at it. She'd rather sleep on the chairs in the kitchen. Is there anyway to get her to use her bed?
2) She hisses whenever we go near her. We have yet to be able to pet her because if we get too close, she hisses. She doesn't really swat at use with her paw, but she will kind of jump back if you get closer. When she hisses, I usually step back and give her space before attempting to walk in the direction again. I get nervous because I don't want to get scratched or bitten. A few days a go, she was meowing so I called out to her. I held my hand out for her to sniff, which she did but then swatted my hand with her paw (no claws though). We usually try to show her that the hissing won't get a reaction from us and that we are not going to hurt her. I've tried to offer her toys and treats but don't get much reaction. Is this normal? Can I ever expect for her to calm down and allow us to be near and touch her?
3) She meows a bit and scratches on our bedrooms doors at night sometimes, seemingly for our attention. But, once we open the doors, she runs off. Does anyone know why that could be?
I know this is all new territory for her and we are a whole new family she is getting used to. I am just concerned. I have always loved cats and wanted to own one. Her previous owner said she was like that when she got her too. She would just go about her day and eventually, Onyx came to her. Is that what I should do? I mean, I pay her attention but I usually just go about my routine so she sees how life is like here and can get accustomed. I speak to her in a calm voice and so does my roommate. She doesn't hide as much anymore and will be out in the open for you to see her, but will still hiss and run off when you get too close sometimes. Can anyone give me any advice on this? I just hope that she warms up to us and loves us like we love her. Thanks for hearing me out!
We brought Onyx to our home about a week ago. Before picking her up, we made sure to have all the essentials: food/water bowls, bed, scratching post, litter box, a carrier and a few toys. She was fine on the way home, a little meow here and there but that was to be expected. I asked her previous owner how she was feed and continued with that feeding schedule and we used the same kind of litter she used. She also provided me with one of Onyx's old toys so she would have something familiar to her at our house. We live in an apartment and gave her the living room as her area and set everything up for her there.
The first few days, Onyx hid a lot. She would hide under one of our couches, which is also a sofa bed so we had to get her out because we were afraid she'd get hurt. She doesn't hide there much anymore so that's a plus. Now, here are some concerns I have:
1) She does not sleep in the bed we got her. She sniffs it and will kind of step into it but she won't sleep there. We gave her a blanket for warmth. We also put the blanket that was in her carrier the day we picked her up but she won't even look at it. She'd rather sleep on the chairs in the kitchen. Is there anyway to get her to use her bed?
2) She hisses whenever we go near her. We have yet to be able to pet her because if we get too close, she hisses. She doesn't really swat at use with her paw, but she will kind of jump back if you get closer. When she hisses, I usually step back and give her space before attempting to walk in the direction again. I get nervous because I don't want to get scratched or bitten. A few days a go, she was meowing so I called out to her. I held my hand out for her to sniff, which she did but then swatted my hand with her paw (no claws though). We usually try to show her that the hissing won't get a reaction from us and that we are not going to hurt her. I've tried to offer her toys and treats but don't get much reaction. Is this normal? Can I ever expect for her to calm down and allow us to be near and touch her?
3) She meows a bit and scratches on our bedrooms doors at night sometimes, seemingly for our attention. But, once we open the doors, she runs off. Does anyone know why that could be?
I know this is all new territory for her and we are a whole new family she is getting used to. I am just concerned. I have always loved cats and wanted to own one. Her previous owner said she was like that when she got her too. She would just go about her day and eventually, Onyx came to her. Is that what I should do? I mean, I pay her attention but I usually just go about my routine so she sees how life is like here and can get accustomed. I speak to her in a calm voice and so does my roommate. She doesn't hide as much anymore and will be out in the open for you to see her, but will still hiss and run off when you get too close sometimes. Can anyone give me any advice on this? I just hope that she warms up to us and loves us like we love her. Thanks for hearing me out!