We've had a rescue cat for nearly 4 weeks. We can't let him outside until 6 weeks, which he is clearly very frustrated about (forever moaning at the door or window!).
We're both disappointed that he isn't that interested in myself or my partner. We have got him loads of toys and encourage him to play, we try to entice him with treats, and we regularly speak to him and try to pet him. We are really trying!
He blatantly isn't stressed because he's forever splayed out on our bed or our sofa (but not when we're on it) and friends who have come round have commented on how relaxed and 'at home' he looks. Even the vet we took him too said he's a very confident and 'cocky' cat! However, whenever he's awake all he wants to do is miaow at the windows and go outside!
Any tips on how to bond with him or shall we just leave him be and let him do it on his terms? I'm worried that the moment we let him outside we won't ever see him apart from mealtimes!
Answers:
Good on you for taking on a rescue cat. He will make the best pet in time you'll see.
Remember he's been imprisoned for some time and can sense his freedom is just around the corner. Frustrated is'nt the word.
You could purchase a feliway plug-in which will make him more relaxed and secure in his new home and reduce any anxiety. This is good for a multitude of problems, including soiling in the house, fighting, etc. They are quite expensive from vets but you can buy them cheaper on ebay. They last for one month and then you can just buy the refill,
Remember he's a young man with places to go and sights to see. So give him time and the first time you let him out make sure he is wearing a collar with a disc and your telephone number on it. Butter his paws and he will sit in the garden washing it off and in that time he will be taking in all the sights and smells of his own garden. This is an old wives tale, but in my book it works.
As an ex-rescue cat I assume he is neutered and vaccinated, if not you must get these done.
Have you changed his name by an chance as he may not recognise it? Often just calling puss, puss, puss, puss, puss quickly, gets a reaction.
Try not looking at him directly, as this is a direct threat to a cat. Try squinting and blinking your eyes when you look at him and yawning. These are all friendly gestures to a cat.
Try spraying his toys and scratching post with a catnip spray, which you can buy from good pet shops.
Let him come to you and dont show too much attention to him so soon. Wait until he is in a sleepy, submissive mood then gently stroke the sides of his face with the back of your hand upwards and his forehead. this is how cats bond by transferring their scent from these scent glands.
Give him time, when the weather changes he will want to spend more time at home with you.
If you can get him in at night though, it would be better to avoil territory disputes and most cats that get hit by a car, it happens at night.
Cats normally bond most with the person that feeds them.
Good luck to you and your new cat and I hope this helps. What a lucky cat he is.
take him out on a leash. I wouldn't recomend letting him out to roam around on his own. set up a half hour or an hour a few times a week to take him out on the leash, if you make it a routine your cat will love you forever. as I said never let him out there to roam around on his own.
Get him a cat lead asap and take him out around the house grounds. I did this when me and my cat moved house ... it's better than keeping him in all the time and hearing the meowing constantly.
Do this for a week or so and he will be able to go out alone, and know where he is.
Good Luck.
taka him in a room without windows and play with him in their then hell understand he is welcome
I would leave it entirely up to your cat.
After keeping three cats for a few years now, I've come to the conclusion that that they keep me as a pet.
Cat's are always most interested in people who ignore them.. hence they always curl up on the lap of the person who hates cats!!
Does he fuss you at meal times? Mine would do anything for a bit of tuna or meat!
He was probably an outdoor cat before you, so he wants to go out and patrol and mark his new surroundings. It can be very frustrating bonding with a new cat, especially an adult, but give it time. He's gone through a big change and right now he just needs some time to adjust.
Just pick him up, show him affection, and give him treats, he'll come around eventually.
Would you consider keeping him as an indoor cat? He will lead a much longer, healthier, and safer life. He will definitely make the adjustment over time, and you'll have your buddy for years to come!
My cat loves to be brushed and I think that can be a good way to bond with your cat.
Your kitten is used to the doors and wants to explore. I say let him go out, and stay with him. I don't know if this is your first kitten, but most cats own you, and will come to you when they are ready. Maybe a second kitten would ease the pain for both you and your cat. My cat Chester is 14 years old and he adopted us, and he decides when and if he want to love us. I can not tell you the joy and the happiest that Chester has been in our life. Give your new kitten space to belong apart of your family, and good luck.
Let it happen slowly or just baby him or her. I never had a problem bonding with a new cat. Young ones need to playso buy toys. I just lay in bed watching the tellly and it takes its turn loving you back. I just got a 6 year old cat and the second day he just sat on my lap. The cat was spoiled but lived in the laundry room because the people all of a sudden became allergic to him. He is very happy now with me, I baby him and talk baby to him. LOL
your cat will love you - he may not show it the you want him to but he will and probably does already - wait till winter he'll be in the bed with you.
Sounds like my sisters cat.Just keep approaching him and stroking him and talking to him etc letting him know he's safe with you.
It takes cats a while to get used to everything. We got a puppy, and my it took my cat about two months before she finally gave in and didn't pop the puppy in the head every time she saw her. Even after that, if the puppy got within a foot of her, she would hiss. So it is just going to take him some time to realize that this place really is home. Get him used to coming for treats now. Maybe try the clicker training. When he hears the click he will associate that with something really good coming. So when he is outside, and you want him back in, the clicking sound should help alot.
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I have always adopted adult cats from the shelter. It usually takes them a few months to see me as a trusted family member -- but the fact that your cat is already comfortable enough to lay on top of your furniture (and not hide under it) seems to indicate you will be in good shape after a while. It is particularly a good sign that the cat likes your bed -- since it is probably the place with the strongest scent of you on it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I let my cats outside (which I do) I have a Loc8tor tag on their collars. You can get this nifty radio tag from a firm in England (or on a couple of websites). It is small and fits right on the cat's collar. I have a little remote I can use to "locate" each cat by selecting its tag. The Loc8tor remote then gives you red, yellow, and green light indicators -- sort of like playing "hot and cold" when you get closer to the cat. The best part is that the cat's tag also beeps, helping you find it outside. My cats have gotten so used to it that they come in on their own as soon as their tags start to beep. This is a product I HIGHLY recommend if you are worried about your new cat not coming home once it gets outside.
Good luck! It usually always works out -- just give it a few months :)