My husband and I adopted a 5 month old female kitten today, and she's hiding behind our tv stand and not coming out or near us I'm afraid she won't eat or use her litter box. what are some ways to make her feel more comfortable and come out?
She's out now and acting just fine. =)
CF_
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It typically takes cats 2 weeks to adjust to a new home, for kittens usually less time but still it takes time. Cats bond to places so any change of home is traumatic.
For now you want to shut all the doors in your home so you limit the amount of space she has as she is overwhelmed. Most of the time it is recommended to keep a new cat in a small room for the first few days rather than just plop it in the middle of the home.
Anyhow just put some food and water nearby and make sure the litter box is reasonably accessable.
OR pull out the furniture the cat is hiding behind and take the kitten to the room where you want to keep the litter box, put the food and water in a different part of the room, she can adjust to that room for a few days before exploring the rest of the house - you can visit her in the room lots.
http://therealowner.com/cats/the-first-few-days-with-your-new-kitten/
Thanks for adopting and saving a life.
Colleen
Give her time to adjust. She's not a toy! She has new smells, new noises, new people, new litter box, new toys, new house, new freedom, and brand new life! Wow!
Picture you and hubby having someone snatch you both out of your house right now! They take you away in a box. Next thing you know you're taken to a huge mansion. Gorgeous! You got people talking to you, smiling, showing you this house, bringing you food, wine, clothes, but, they don't speak English! Although they're smiling, friendly, you'd be nervous and not completely sure of their motivation? Overwhelmed. Will you be happy here or will they cook and eat you? That's where kitty is. Let her wonder around and find out about her new world. You can lay or sit on the floor to make her feel like you're down there with her. This also isn't the time to bring everyone over to stare at her. Wouldn't that make you weird out a little if that was happening at that mansion?
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She's scared. It's a new home, with new smells, new noises, new people. She doesn't know if there is a dog that may come in and attack her, doesn't know if the humans can be trusted. So she's staying where she feels she may be safe. Let her get used to things on her own time. Cats are curious so she'll quickly want to explore, she'll find that nothing bad has happened so far and will come out very slowly to look around. You and your husband should just ignore her for now, but have food, water, litterbox easily available--usually in the place where they are always going to be so she can establish it in her mind where everything is. With any new animals we get, we confine them to only a couple rooms so they don't overwhelmed with space (that "dog could be in the next room" thing)--usually the kitchen and laundry room (coonnected) because if there are any accidents, these rooms are easiest to clean up, plus their box is always in the laundry room, food and water are always going to be in the kitchen, plus we can start teaching the new cat(s) that the counters and other food prep surfaces in the kitchen (especially the stove) are off limits always--they can get up on the washer/dryer and that old stereo speaker if the want to look but everything else (except the floor) is off limits. After today, you and your husband should spend some time sitting/lying on the floor, down to her level, so you don't look quite so huge to her, and talk very quietly and gently to her. Do not try to grab her. If she come to you, let her explore you. And only after a while you can try to very gently stroke her--because you're going to have to figure out where she likes being touched and where she won't let you touch her. Some cats are very particular. And just take it slowly, let her dictate how fast you guys become friends. It'll happen, just give her time. At 5 months, she is a teenager so she'll be getting into a lot of trouble, testing your limits and hers, she'll be into everything and will be all over the place once she feels secure in her new home so enjoy your quiet time while you have it.
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It is normal for kittens to hide the first few days in a new environment. You need to have her in a small area with food, toys, water, litter box and bed where she can't "hide" from you. Once she is comfortable there, expand her territory.
Do NOT force her out of hiding. Take a pole toy and dance it where she can see it. Kittens cannot resist the temptation to come out and catch it.
Good luck, and give her time.
Anna E
Rather than letting her have the run of the house, she should be isolated in one room with her litter box and food and water for a few days. When you walk into this room, don't try to catch her or hold her, just sit in the room for a while, maybe bring in some treats or toys and put them on the floor. She will quickly become used to you and you can then allow her to be in other rooms of the house.