He is home!

[Marissa]

Marissa, Your post continues to give me hope for my Echo. As much as I want to just scoop him up, which I won't because he would just rip the heck out of me and worse, set the progress back, I see small improvements all the time and know I am doing the right thing by letting it happen in "his time."

Give him time, that is what i have learned... I for awhile gave up hope, i always thought she would be just the cat that is part of the house hold that hides when people are near and wouldnt let you touch her.

Any chance i get i give her a quick pat, or scratch under the chin and then pull away, almost as if saying if you want more come get it, i try so hard not to get to the point that she pulls away, because at that point then i am realizing i am pushing her. i love her to death and i want her to be happy, for awhile i even contemplated moving her to a home that would be better for dealing with her. That wasn't the answer because all she needed was time, i am beyond thankful for her current behavior. i just want her to be happy and each day, even if it has taken a year i am seeing improvement. one thing i will tell someone that from experience is that DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE. There is always a sweet personality in there that is just waiting for the right person with the right patience to let it free echo will come around, it'll just take time good luck! I use to never be able to pick her up in certain ways, now i can, and its also to the point where she isnt afraid of me and i even trip over her most throughout the day!

 

[Laura W]

I have complete faith Echo will come around! He may never be a lap kitty, but he's curious and even if he does only leave his room after we go to bed, he at least comes out and explores the house and comes into our room and plays (he wakes us up playing then scurries away when he realizes we are watching him! lol), he loves his cat tree, talks to us as he rolls around on the bed in his room, plays with the laser that always ends on a treat, every night while we watch tv. I love him in spite of his issues.

 

[Patti]

Your poor little guy has just been ripped away from everyone and everything he has ever known his entire life. Not surprising that he is a little shell shocked. Everyone has given you excellent advice. He may come around to you in the next 24 hours or so... or he may always be a shy boy and never be a social butterfly. Only time will tell, but patience is most important of all.

You might also want to seek out Marilyn on her forum this week if you haven't done so already (I haven't gotten to that forum yet :- )

 

[AmyAndSimba]

Progress!
Well I have moved Simba from the bedroom to the bathroom this morning. He was in the bathroom at the breeder's so he might be more comfortable here. He had a little poo poo accident last night.. may have been diahrrea? I have a vet appointment for Saturday, do you guys think I should try to take him sooner?

He ate about only 1/4th a can of food, but gobbled it up in front of me. He then walked toward me and did a lap around me, but after that he said "I'm done" and went back and hid behind the trash can. I think we're getting there slowlyyy with little baby steps

 

[Eolsurion]

Have you tried getting him to interact with a toy? Sounds like he is comfortable enough to come out and eat, maybe a toy would be a good ice breaker. If you are able to engage him in play it may help him gain confidence. I believe you made the right move in taking him into a smaller room =}

 

[Eolsurion]

Btw Zeus was only eating 1/4 small can of food twice a day when he first came home. He didn't touch the kibble for the first week. He has been home 3 weeks now and is eating 1/3 can of large can of food, and he plows through the kibble. Needles to say he has more than doubled in size.

 

[Eolsurion]

Im my opinion, and others pls state your thoughts as well ... But I would wait on the vet trip just a little bit ... I think the best thing is to let him calm down and get established. I think putting him back in the crate and taking him to vet would be traumatic and prolly reverse the progress you have made. Keep an eye on his stool I think if he starts eating regularly, that will work itself out.

 

[Karen]

Using a bedroom off of our master bedroom for the initial quarantine period worked well for us with our F2. She had her "own private place" to sleep in at night for the first 2 days. We let her have full roam of the bedroom and bath shortly after that.

I like the suggestion of spending quiet time in the room with your new cat. A feather teaser and one of those laser lights may do the trick of attracting your new kitty to play.

For breeders- I would like to suggest including a soft, small baby blanket in the carrier that has the "scent of your home on it" to give kittens extra comfort during the initial days in their new home. Bella loved sleeping on her blanket during the first days here. I'm guessing that it may have had her mom's scent on it- which gave her extra comfort.

 

[Wyldthingz]

Amy, the cat coach is giving advice on another section of this forum. You may want to post a question to her asking her ideas on acclimating a shy kitten to a new home. I am sure we will all learn something valuable from her.

 

[Michelle Anderson]

Well, I'm so glad he's home with you! Shyla was very skiddish when she first came home....and I would just go hang out with her in her room for a hour or two, any time I could. She did not like my kids at first, which made me nervous....but she came around; We just introduced everything, and everyone very slowly.......and she finally came out of her shell. It took a little while before she was real good around my youngest child(who is 2), but the others she warmed up to relatively soon.....but it still took a good few weeks.. My youngest daughter is VERY loud sometimes, and would just scare the crap out of the poor kitty!(and most people as well! lol) So, it did take a while before Shyla was not scared of my daughter, but now they are the best of buds! And Shyla has been home almost 5 months(wow that time flew! lol) We brought her home on December 10th; she's still a bit skiddish of visitors, but doesn't really hide anymore. SO, just hang in there Amy, I'm sure he will come around....just give him time.