Familia Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 This is not the coming home story we expected! We adopted a kitten from the zoo yesterday. She is 16 weeks old. They kept her so long so that all of her vaccinations would be complete and immunity highest. At the zoo she lived with her mom in a crate-like windowless room, having some contact with zoo caregivers who fed her and played with her occasionally. They weren't specific about it, but a week ago or so the mom went into heat and rejected the kitten -- attacking her they said, so they separated them. Dd had a plan to slowly adjust her to our home and get to know our family cat gradually over a few days (using separate rooms at first then moving up to a dog crate in the living room for a few hours to get them familiar with each other and so on). But, this kitten is slinking around like a ferret whenever she moves, and, yesterday, spent hours in the corner of our room standing up chest flat against a wall in the corner behind a dresser, with her tail wrapped tight against its leg. We moved her to a bathroom so she could still hide, but we can reach her easier. She allows us to hold her and even plays with a string for a moment before she runs back to hide. This seems beyond normal adjustment. We plan to do what we planned, but even more slowly. I wanted to see if any of you had some words of encouragement or advise. I will be out for a funeral but will look forward to hearing from you when I get back. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Familia Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 Update: Dd spent some time with her this morning. She came out of hiding to eat a few bites, play with a string and even gave herself a little bath. I guess we are making progress!? 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leav97 Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Give it a couple of weeks. If you just adopted her yesterday, that isn't nearly enough time to get used to your family, a new house, and the smell of a new cat. 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMamaBird Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 We got a kitten recently who had been raised with two litters, two mommies, tons of little kittens. He had LOTS of socialization and was very outgoing and friendly. Even then it took him a week to feel comfortable and almost three weeks to bond with our resident cat. It'll take some time. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaKim Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Yeah, one day is not nearly enough time for her to adjust. Just keep up what you are doing (playing with her regularly) and she will be fine. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Give it a couple of weeks. If you just adopted her yesterday, that isn't nearly enough time to get used to your family, a new house, and the smell of a new cat. :iagree: :iagree: This is only the second day? That's pretty normal. A couple of weeks is a fairly normal adjustment. Keep the kitten in the separate room for at least a week. Then short forays, perhaps held. Go into the room and play with it frequently. We adopted a cat that stayed under the dresser for at least a week, it may have been more. One of the sweetest cats we ever had, after he adjusted. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storygirl Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 We took in my mom's cat a few years ago, when my dad developed an allergy to her. This is a cat who had had plenty of socialization, but she hid for two weeks in our basement where we could not see or reach her. And then she ventured out and became more comfortable in her new home. She happens to be a very shy cat, so it took her a little longer than what I would consider normal, but it was all okay in the end. Sometimes it takes cats awhile to adjust, so your kitten's behavior seems normal. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Seems normal, she might take weeks to adjust. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Earlier this year we adopted 2 cats. With no other pets in the house--our previous cat had died 2 months prior--it still took a longer adjustment period. The kitten was already 6 months old but he adjusted in just a couple weeks. The cat was 2 yo and had lived in the shelter for a year--not sure of his prior history. He took about 4 months to adjust. Just give it time. A kitten as young as yours will not take long to become familiar with its new territory but one day is really not long enough. Enjoy your kitty! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Kittens are skittish even when well-socialized, in my experience. It is a self-preservation instinct, I think. It does sound that the kitten was probably less socialized than ideal, but I would expect an adjustment. We have a 16 week old kitten, also. We fostered her mama and siblings so we had her for the first eight weeks of her life. She then went to the shelter for two weeks before we went back and adopted her. It took her a good week to adjust to being out in the larger area of our home and another couple of weeks for our current cat to accept her. Give it time, go slowly, and I think she will be fine. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Overnight is definitely not long enough. Any change will make some kitties hide. Our cats of 8 years just came back from the kennel and won't be back to normal for another day or so. I've barely seen one of them, and the one who usually sleeps on me/the babies as much as possible all day is hiding in a basket of laundry and ignored us last night. My first cat was adopted at 1.5 and hid for a week. She managed to get herself underneath the dishwasher from a tiny hole in the cabinet. She was a fantastic girl and so sweet and cuddly for her 20+ years. She also would hide for a day after going to the kennel. And longer when we moved. Give it time! :) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Agreeing, you need more time. I would think even 2-3 weeks would be fairly normal. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Okay, I'll be the one to ask.... zoo?? You adopt from a zoo where you live? I've never heard of that! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Okay, I'll be the one to ask.... zoo?? You adopt from a zoo where you live? I've never heard of that! I figured it was an adoption event hosted by the zoo. Like the ones around here that are hosted by PetSmart and PetCo in conjunction with various rescues/shelters. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Familia Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 Thanks for sharing your experiences -- very reassuring! The flat against the corner/slinking crawl surprised me and caused me dismay! I've had 4 cats, two of which I got as kittens, and neither of them behaved like this. They acted like skittish kittens, to be sure, but they walked around the house normally and explored. My concern was that d/t the extremely controlled non-home environment, her age, and the mom's abuse, she'd be 'imprinted' or something and never be a normal cat! When we arrived home from being out today, we headed down to spend time with the kitty in the bathroom=) Dd played with her (very playful and climbed on us freely) while I read aloud and we ate our snack. I figured, that's what we do upstairs, might as well do it in her temporary domain. The plan is to move her Friday to the master BR where she spent time yesterday. This time I won't worry so much if she sleeps deep under the bed and won't come out. :001_smile: This story from Matryoshka helped me a lot: We adopted a cat that stayed under the dresser for at least a week, it may have been more. One of the sweetest cats we ever had, after he adjusted. Storygirl's post about the cat in the basement for two weeks, too -- I really can breath easier now! Okay, I'll be the one to ask.... zoo?? You adopt from a zoo where you live? I've never heard of that! Yes, the zoo. They do testing on house cats before they do things on big cats, from change of diet to reproductive factors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Familia Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 We no longer have a dog btw...old avatar! But, that is our 7 yo cat who is doing her own adjusting. She slept in Dd's closet all day -- hasn't done that in years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I agree with the others that it may take a few weeks for new kitty to settle in. Please don't be discouraged just yet! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Usually the recommendation is at least a two week adjustment period. We have two kittens that we brought home a little over a year ago, when they were ten weeks old. Our older cat still doesn't like them and hisses at them every chance she gets. She's generally very timid and hangs out under our bed and in our bedroom. It took three years before she let my husband pet her - we think she must have been abused at some point, and perhaps by a man, before she came to us. She's a sweetheart, though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Okay... I would be slightly concerned that the kitten didn't have enough human contact from what you described. My understanding is that they need human contact very early in life to become happy, loving housecats who like their people. But I also agree with the others that it's probably too early to know for sure. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 That seems like normal behavior. Cats can take weeks to adjust to a place. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reflections Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 She sounds unsocialized. BUT that's not a life long problem. Time, patience and love can win her over. Just be very very very careful about letting her outside - as in don't do it. There are some things you can get to help her mood.... http://www.amazon.com/SmartyKat-9345-Organic-Catnip-Canister/dp/B007JCDF9U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438832826&sr=8-1&keywords=organic+catnip http://www.amazon.com/Feliway-Plug--Diffuser-bottle-Milliliters/dp/B000WHUOEI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1438832888&sr=8-3&keywords=cat+pheromone I am so surprised that the above works. I bought the spray to help them with our huge 3 day move and new home and then the next new home 6 months later. Kept my cats from spraying and totally wigging out. Also something like this might help... but be sure to get more than one so that the cats can claim their own. Also, be sure to saturate them in catnip to get them in and comfortable. http://www.amazon.com/Abyss-Pets-Convertible-Pet-Bed-House/dp/B00QSB8CVO/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1438833181&sr=8-10-spons&keywords=cat+bed Disclaimer: Not all cats are affected by catnip. Sometimes catnip makes angry drunks. And sometimes, really stressed cats don't respond to catnip right away. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lailasmum Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 I had a cat as a teen that had been an alley cat and then in a shelter so not normally socialised where she had her own litter of kittens really young. She spent a lot of time under the sideboard when we first got and took a lot of time to adjust. She was fine after a few weeks though, just not as quick to settle as our current cats who all acted like they owned the place after a day or two. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 When we adopted one of our cats, she hid under the hutch for a week and still slinked around even after coming out for quite a while. Once she started acting like what seemed normal, she would still shy away from our touch. It took a good year before actually became a loving cat. Right now she is making typing this very difficult by being between me and my laptop and pushing on my hand to make me love on her. She's such a silly, loving girl now. Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 I haven't read any other replies yet, so forgive me if I'm repeating -- You're doing good. Keep her separated in a quiet, calm room of her own and go in to visit and play with her frequently. Don't force interaction. Let her decide. Be patient. It will take time, and perhaps lots of it. She sounds as if she's been very under socialized, so on top of adjusting to a new home she needs to catch up on the basic socialization that most kittens her age would have already had. Years ago we adopted an adult cat who had been seized by AC from a neglect situation. It took her three months to decide to leave our master bathroom. So . . .patience. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Familia Posted August 6, 2015 Author Share Posted August 6, 2015 UPDATE: This morning when dd went into the kitten's room, she did not hide, and she has finally eaten...a lot. Very playful and no problems being touched. Thank you for all the advice -- wish I could multi quote. Especially Reflections' product suggestions, and slr1765's story about her loving cat was so sweet! 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaughingCat Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 I had an unsocialized* kitten, adopted at 6 weeks old, who grew up to be a loving, socialized housecat. *by which I mean, the owners of the mother cat put her in the basement to have the kittens and then never touched the kittens (by their own report). The kittens just ran wild in the basement, hiding if anyone came in. Very strange IMO -- I mean, who can resist cute little kittens? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Familia Posted August 7, 2015 Author Share Posted August 7, 2015 Meet Zoe: 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Hi Zoe! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reflections Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Beautiful! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Welcome to the Hive, Sweet Zoe!!! You are beautiful! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Well isn't she a sweet thing!? Love her! Glad she's adjusting to her new digs. :001_tt1: :001_wub: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Not fair! I want a kitten now! (off to pout) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Zoe is precious! <3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okra Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 SOME very relaxed and easy-going cats adjust in a few days. We have the sweetest kitty, and a wonderful lap cat. But, she took about 6 months before she came out of the master bedroom area and about a year before she really felt comfortable being around the other cat. It was a seriously long adjustment period. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Meet Zoe: Zoe.jpeg :001_wub: :001_wub: :001_wub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinE Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 She's gorgeous! I miss having a cat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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