New Luck Owner

[WitchyWoman]

And put a soft blanket in the box for her along with an article of clothing you've worn so she starts getting used to your smell.

 

[Sam]

She just ate lots of chicken The breeder gave us a few bags of the dry food she was given and that is what I have put out for her. We will slowly give her the new food and see how she reacts. Putting down a few t shirts in her box and she does have plenty of blankets and pillows but she is prefers the box for now. She just jumped the barrier and back under the recliner, I think I will let her roam in the basement and I am going to go down and watch football and get some work and maybe I can bond with her more

 

[Jacq]

I wouldn't let her roam in too big of an area. It might frighten and confuse her.

 

[SV Dad]

so escaping when you are not looking is par for the course.

Tell me about it. Mayhem bolted out through the garage this morning. Had a lot of fun chasing him around the neighbors houses. He got tired of trying to out run me, so he just walked up to me.

 

[Sam]

I was able to hand feed her boiled chicken but she still wouldn't let me pet her. We have been using pheremones and it's seems to help her mood. She actually finally played for 30 minutes last night with my laser pointer and her scratching post and her audience were static we have to move her to our master bath this Thanksgiving due to family coming over and I hope that transition is smooth.

 

[Sam]

And put a soft blanket in the box for her along with an article of clothing you've worn so she starts getting used to your smell.

I am starting to get worried, she is eating out of our hands and wont touch the dry food at all. I have not seen her drink water (bottle water) in her bowl. She is eating like a champion but not drinking any liquids (so far she has eating tons of chicken breast, tuna can and boiled chicken liver). I just bought KMR formula and organic chicken broth and put it in front of her and she has no interest. I know its been two days :-( I just dont want this little girl to suffer. Oh and no poop either in 3 days.. where is all that food go lol.

 

[WitchyWoman]

Switch out the chicken breast for thighs please. Dark meat has the much needed taurine that cats can't synthesize by themselves. Also start adding in raw organ meats (liver, heart). No more tuna. I think part of the problem is that her diet is out of balance. You can also lightly poach/bake the chicken & organs in the broth, not until the meat is completely done -- leave it a little raw. Give her the chicken with some of the broth. Unless they are on a kibble diet, cats usually get most of the liquid they need from their food and aren't big water drinkers. That's one of the reasons a kibble diet is not good for them. She isn't suffering, she's playing you.

 

[Sam]

She is not on Kibble diet but I always leave dry food out just incase. I have bought natures variety wet food and so far she doesn't touch it. I am a believer of wet food since dry food only has very little benefits but that is what the breeder was giving her and don't want to change her food to quickly. If she is playing me then more power to her, so far she has been very skiddish with little signs of showing adaptation and the breeder stated that is what happens with a high percentage f2 and it will take a few weeks... I am glad I can work from anywhere lol.... She did mention something that contradicts everything I have been reading which is to constantly be around her 24/7 and then i read that she shoud be confined to a small area like bathroom which I am not going to spend 24/7 in there. We have spent a lot of time around her but she, for now prefers to hide away. I will follow your instructions food wise to over come possible dehydration.

 

[WitchyWoman]

Do you have a spare bedroom that you can move her to rather than the bathroom? Someplace where you play with her, spend time with her that includes her toys, litter box, and a nice box or cat carrier where she can retreat when she's tired? You said you needed to move her into the master bedroom when you have holiday guests so why not just move her there now and leave her there until she's ready to have the run of the house. That way she can "explore" you when you're sleeping and maybe even decide to sleep on the bed with you.

You don't have to spend 24/7 with her. Spend time playing with her before & after breakfast and then just spend 30 minutes or so in the room not interacting with her -- read or do work. Then go about your business and visit her again periodically throughout the day for 30 minutes where you either play with her, feed her, or just be in the room doing things that don't involve her but which will allow her to get used to the way you move, sound, and behave as you go through the rhythms of your day.

Some cats need way more time to adjust than others. Two of mine, one of whom is a HP F2, needed no adjustment and bounced out of their carriers and made themselves at home within 2 minutes. My other F2 took 2 yrs and he still has days where he acts like he's never seen me before.

Hang in there and don't get discouraged. Also, don't try too hard to get her to respond to you which will have the opposite effect. Sometimes the act of being ignored is enough to get them curious enough to come to you.

 

[Sam]

Thanks Deborah, we already moved her this afternoon to the master bath and she is now under our bed. I fed her and she started to cry for Mommy right away (she has done this each time she eats) and then plays for a while and then goes in to hiding. 2 years? That is some patience, I had a dog for 17 years and a cat for 13 years and I dont remember any of them being so shy but I hope this girl turns around and starts to be happy soon. I guess I have to play hard to get at times and see if it changes anything. I am wondering if I should put her in her crate and take her to the middle floor for an hour during Thanksgiving dinner so she can get used to the sounds of people taling etc.. Maybe a bad idea but just a thought. Our previous cat went on a rampage the first day in the house as well. Our bedroom and master bath has a few cat beds and her crate with pillows and blankets everywhere and so far she prefers under the bed/couch/tv stand in the sitting room.