New cat. He's not up to much.

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Otispunkmeyer

Original Poster:

12,555 posts

154 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
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We have a new cat. We've had him for nearly 3 weeks now and we got him from a rescue place. This place was no cats protection, it was wrank so living here is definitely better!

But he's just completely indifferent to everything, to the point that I wonder if he even gives a st about being alive. On the first day there was the usual investigatory behaviour but after that he resigned to hiding behind the sofa all day, every day. When we foiled that plan, he went and hid in the boot cupboard under the stairs. Now he seems ok being out in the open with us but yeah he just doesn't do anything.

Today he's spent all day on one chair, getting up occasionally to do a 360 and lie back down. He's not sleeping when he does this either (or when hes in a hiding spot) he just sits or lays there, staring off into the distance.

He doesn't play, he doesn't purr often and he doesn't respond to much to attention. He has been eating quite poorly as well, doesn't seem to like any felix or whiskas stuff whether its gravy or jelly. All we've been able to get him to eat are biscuits and the really posh cat foods (tried em all, those are the only ones that work) or sharing some of our food (bits of chicken, some tuna from the tin etc), which is fine, but surely a bit too rich for having all the time?

Haven't seen him drink yet either (but then our old cat never drank much either). Seems to have zero interest in going outside.

Hi background was that he was originally owned by a bi-polar man who would be kind one day and be kicking him out of the house the next. He was found running in and out of a barn type place. The next people to have him had a few other cats and he spent all his time bullying them. But you wouldn't know it now we have him, doesn't have the motivation to do anything at all.

Not sure what to do with him. Any ideas?




bigandclever

13,750 posts

237 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
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Let him settle in at his own pace. From your post he's had (at least) 3 stty places to live in, give him chance to work out yours isn't like them.

steve2

1,771 posts

217 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
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We think he is a bit depressed and what he needs is lots of gentle attention and kindness as he needs to learn to trust you.
We had a cat who took six weeks to really come round and he ended up being a great cat.
Keep him on the dry food and Sheba and get him a catnip toy,
Don't worry about him not going out as he might think that he will not be allowed in again, persevere with him and I'm sure you will get the rewards

Otispunkmeyer

Original Poster:

12,555 posts

154 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
quotequote all
We'll give him some more time, sure.

We are just getting worried about his eating now. He started off ok, but gradually has decided he doesn't like what we're feeding him. He's starting to get dry, cracked pads on his paws.

Will pick up some more of those Sheba things tomorrow (though sainsburys have one in a little ring pull tin that seems to be a miniature version of a John West Tuna tin! except its got shrimp in it too. He likes those!)

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Wednesday 30th November 17:42

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
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He needs more time,you need to give at least 3 months to start seeing more character develop if he is a bit introverted.

Make sure you interact positively with him, don't just ignore him, see if he will play with a bit of string (not much more at this stage)

Plug a pet remedy in (find it online) or in his case may be a feliway.

Have you taken him for a vet check since you've had him?

What foods and how much is he actually eating.

Edited by bexVN on Wednesday 30th November 17:42

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

254 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
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He needs to drink. Common cat problem, it knackers their kidneys.

Otispunkmeyer

Original Poster:

12,555 posts

154 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
quotequote all
Yeah took him almost straight away (considering where he was!) and he checked out fine. Was a bit traumatic getting him in the cat carrier though! He did not like that! Though it soon became his favourite thing once at the vets.

Vets told us to just keep him in for 3-4 weeks and keep an eye on him for anything that might also need looking at that didn't come up in the check up. Then bring him back for jabs and we'll get him chipped at some point too.

Otispunkmeyer

Original Poster:

12,555 posts

154 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
quotequote all
mybrainhurts said:
He needs to drink. Common cat problem, it knackers their kidneys.
How do you get them to drink? We put out clean water daily for him. Though with wet food they do get plenty of moisture.

MarshPhantom

9,658 posts

136 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
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The 2 cats we have "rescued" (one had to have his tail off) just did their own thing for quite a while. Spending a lot of time alone upstairs for starters. They are now very much part of the household and get on with everyone.

Otispunkmeyer

Original Poster:

12,555 posts

154 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
IMG_20161113_155620 by Alex Mason, on Flickr

IMG_20161113_085908 by Alex Mason, on Flickr

Otispunkmeyer

Original Poster:

12,555 posts

154 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for the input everyone... guess he needs more time and just need to keep any eye on his food and water consumption. Will update with progress in a few weeks!

UpTheIron

3,992 posts

267 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
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For the drinking... try a water fountain (Google Cat-it), alternatively what are you putting the water in? Some cat are fussy buggers and prefer glass or ceramic and don't like plastic.

I'm only a cat servant, so no expert but he sounds a mix of scared, bored and confused. Suddenly in a new place with no other feline friends (or victims!). Keep working on the food and water, don't be shy to involve the vet. Best of luck and we'll done for rescuing him.

MarshPhantom

9,658 posts

136 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
quotequote all
Very nice. Love to get a ginger cat at some point as we've never had one.

UpTheIron

3,992 posts

267 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
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Seen the pictures now. Looks fab.

My ex and I took on two semi feral kittens (not our first cats!) it took a LONG time for them to come round. I don't see them any more :-( but I suspect they still run and hide under the bed at every opportunity.

MarshPhantom

9,658 posts

136 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
quotequote all
Regarding the water, we have a little trough by the kitchen door in the back garden that all 4 like using. 2 of the also like the bathroom tap.

Otispunkmeyer

Original Poster:

12,555 posts

154 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
quotequote all
UpTheIron said:
Seen the pictures now. Looks fab.

My ex and I took on two semi feral kittens (not our first cats!) it took a LONG time for them to come round. I don't see them any more :-( but I suspect they still run and hide under the bed at every opportunity.
The lady we got him off (bless her) said if they're feral and have been living rough since being small its almost impossible to tame them. Who knows, thats what she says and she had a few ferals in there that just were left to do as they please.

Shes 87 and trying to retire but people keep dumping cats on her, including social services who then proceed to fk of and forget all about it.

Tango13

8,395 posts

175 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
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Sounds like he needs some time to settle in and plan the best method of controlling his new human servants.

One of my mums rescue bull terriers was fine for the first six months then went through a phase of being 'needy' and following my mum everywhere. Turned out the dog had previously been rehomed twice, both times after about six months.

After a month of being nervous the dog realised she wasn't going anywhere and settled down to her usual fkwit self hehe

Dr Mike Oxgreen

4,101 posts

164 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
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Try putting multiple water bowls in various places around the house. Cats often dislike drinking from a bowl in the near vicinity of their food bowl, preferring to drink from places further away.

He looks a very handsome fellow!

bigandclever

13,750 posts

237 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
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One of mine will (seemingly) only drink from a rainwater filled plant pot at the back door. So it was a bit of a shock for him that it was frozen solid this morning smile

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
quotequote all
Those pics show a fairly chilled cat, Eyes are relaxed in the top ones, I think it'll all be good in time.