He is home!

[AmyAndSimba]

More progress!

I am so happy to say that Simba and I had a big milestone today!

I forget who suggested using a spoon to feed him his food, but this really helped a lot! Every time I feeds him he is soo happy. His little motor is purrin' and he gives me (and the toilet) tons of headbutts Over the course of the day he has eaten nearly one whole (bigger) can of food.

We have also been able to play a bit with the feather toy, he LOVES it and is so bouncy when he plays, I know he could go on and on for hours .

He is still skiddish of me when I don't have food or our wand toy, but there is definitely so much improvement, and I can't wait to see this guy grow up into an affectionate love-bug!

 

[Julie]

Any progress is great news, dont push to fast past his comfort zone but hopefully soon you'll get full headbutts.

 

[Trish Allearz]

How old is he again, Amy? Is he one of the younger kittens going home on the boards? I was just thinking- it seems like a developmental milestone around 8-9 weeks when the kittens are a bit nervous about new things and they tend to spook easier. At least, I've noticed this- and they grow out of it fast!

 

[AmyAndSimba]

He is younger, but not as young as I thought I'd be bringing him home. He was exactly 9 weeks when he came home, now almost 9.5

 

[WitchyWoman]

He is younger, but not as young as I thought I'd be bringing him home. He was exactly 9 weeks when he came home, now almost 9.5

Well does that does shed a bit more light on the skittishness Amy. He's just a little baby trying to figure out why this big cat with no fur who stands on two feet has taken the place of momma cat. Keep on as you are and enjoy watching the process of his maturation over these next few weeks.

 

[Kristine]

Hey everyone, Simba is finally home! He came home a week later than he had planned for since there was some crazy maintenance stuff going on here (hopefully it won't happen again). My breeder's plans to move had changed (for those of you who are wondering, let's just say this is all a long story!) so she was able to keep him a little longer for me.

Anyways, she told me he was the most active of the litter so I expected a little bouncing ball of her when I brought him home but he is soo scared I know this is totally normal, but I am wondering how I should approach him getting used to me and socializing him with others.

I have heard most people say it is best for the cat to come to you, which I will do. I haven't pet him yet since he's been here.. just letting him be by himself and get used to the room first. I will certainly be patient and let him come to me when he feels safe and secure.. but I really want him to socialize with a variety of people. How can this happen if he runs from someone new, and the person doesn't have time to stick around for him to get used to?

I was worried he wouldn't eat since he just wanted to stay in the carrier when we got home... thankfully I caught him sneaking some canned food when I walked in and exploring the windows

My resident cat is at my boyfriends for now and I will try to leave her there as long as I can. There won't be any cat to cat intros until a couple of weeks.

Any advice would be appreciated, or is there already a thread on this?

How is Simba doing today? I read everyone's advice and you received great advice. I always tell me kitten buyers that it can take up to two weeks, sometimes longer, for a kitten or cat to adjust to its new home. Just be patient and continue doing the things you are doing. Keep in mind that the cat or kitten is embarking on a new life without its litter mates, cat friends and former human family, its an intimidating process. Even if Simba acts like her doesn't want or need you during this time, he does, keep talking to him and offering to play with him. Our daughter's British Shorthair was so shy when we got him we never even saw him for a week, I panicked and called up the breeder and said "he's defective, he is supposed to be a kids pet and all he does is hide", the breeder assured me that he would come around and he did. Went onto a super successful show career and is a very loving cat (well as loving and affectionate as a British Shorthair, with their usual reserve can be).

 

[Breheart]

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.

I absolutely agree with this. Going diarrhea once is no big deal, it is actually very common for new kittens coming home to have runny stools for a bit. It is actually onset by stress. If it goes longer than a day or so, or if he shows signs of being dehydrated, that would be where I would draw the line to bring him to the vet. Going diarrhea just once isn't that big of a scare, and is actually quite normal for stressed kittens coming to a new home Hopefully it has stopped by now! It sounds like he is eating well and making progress.

 

[Breheart]

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.

I totally agree with this advice to breeders. Keljin's breeder allowed me to leave a little bed and blankie in his house for the last 4 weeks til he came home so it could pick up his momma's and sibling's scent of "home" and it totally worked. He was always sleeping on that bed and still loves it to this day, and he was so relaxed and comfortable at home with me instantly purring and loving. I think as humans we don't really realize or think about how scents can impact emotions in animals, but it is a huge deal!

 

[Breheart]

More progress!

I am so happy to say that Simba and I had a big milestone today!

I forget who suggested using a spoon to feed him his food, but this really helped a lot! Every time I feeds him he is soo happy. His little motor is purrin' and he gives me (and the toilet) tons of headbutts Over the course of the day he has eaten nearly one whole (bigger) can of food.

We have also been able to play a bit with the feather toy, he LOVES it and is so bouncy when he plays, I know he could go on and on for hours .

He is still skiddish of me when I don't have food or our wand toy, but there is definitely so much improvement, and I can't wait to see this guy grow up into an affectionate love-bug!

Aww!! I am so happy and squealing in excitement for you Amy! I am glad that Simba gave you (and the toilet) some headbutts lol. And the purring just melts my heart! Eating from you so close is definitely great bonding advice, glad to hear it is helping make improvements

 

[AmyAndSimba]

Yes, he is soo funny, he will give me so many and just fall over on the ground or clumsily knock something over... definitely a love bug