Cat advice help
Discussion
Hi all,
Some of you may remember me talking about getting another cat to keep my old Sqweek company.
I spent a long time looking for a cat I could adopt that was not too young (so not mad and bouncy), and not aggressive, ideally a cat a few years old that was just very chilled out - one that wasn't bothered by my Sqweek, or the new house, or anything really.
I thought I'd found the ideal candidate in Kahn - a 3 year old Bengal.
He's very timid, no fighting, just a bit of hissing which I'd expect with a new meets old cat scenario. After 3 weeks he is either outside or upstairs, sometimes coming down for a wander round if I follow him round talking to him. (in his old house he lived outside all day, coming in for food now and then and then coming in for tea and having a sleep in the evening)
The thing is the lady I got him off said he wasn't happy living in their family as they have two sons who are in and out all the time, bringing friends round, gym and DJ gear downstairs, XBoxes playing shootemup games, etc, i.e. lots and lots of noise which Kahn really didn't like.
I live by myself and apart from the TV my house is nice and quiet, so I thought it'd be idea.
However after 3 weeks Kahn is still shying away from anything that makes noises, and not coming downstairs to see me at all. (I do wander up regularily and say hello for a few minutes)
The gas fire going "ping" as it expands or contracts, the (quiet) fan or the louvers moving in the air con unit, doors closing, me making tea, any short, sharp sound and he twitches or jumps.
I'm starting to feel that in the start it may have been a loud environment that made him nervous, but after 3 years he's now a neurotic cat who's hyper nervous even when taken out of the noisy environment
If my suspicions are right I know he'll need loads of love and attention and eventually he'll come round and be a great cat, but I work, retirements decades away and I can't give him the home he needs.
My family, me, sister, brother, parents, have just about always had cats, and in the past we've brought them home with us at Christmas and I know it's usually just a matter of days before all the cats have come out from under the beds and are exploring and investigating everything and each other, and then playing around, and for a 3 year old cat to have spend 3 weeks in a new house and still be very nervous and shy, I'm worrying.
The lady I adopted him off said if things didn't work out she would be happy to take him back, and if he does need a bit of extra TLC at this point of his life, I'd obviously he go to a home where he can get it, a retired couple or similar.
Tell you one thing, I never thought the new cat would be the one I'd be worrying about!
Some of you may remember me talking about getting another cat to keep my old Sqweek company.
I spent a long time looking for a cat I could adopt that was not too young (so not mad and bouncy), and not aggressive, ideally a cat a few years old that was just very chilled out - one that wasn't bothered by my Sqweek, or the new house, or anything really.
I thought I'd found the ideal candidate in Kahn - a 3 year old Bengal.
He's very timid, no fighting, just a bit of hissing which I'd expect with a new meets old cat scenario. After 3 weeks he is either outside or upstairs, sometimes coming down for a wander round if I follow him round talking to him. (in his old house he lived outside all day, coming in for food now and then and then coming in for tea and having a sleep in the evening)
The thing is the lady I got him off said he wasn't happy living in their family as they have two sons who are in and out all the time, bringing friends round, gym and DJ gear downstairs, XBoxes playing shootemup games, etc, i.e. lots and lots of noise which Kahn really didn't like.
I live by myself and apart from the TV my house is nice and quiet, so I thought it'd be idea.
However after 3 weeks Kahn is still shying away from anything that makes noises, and not coming downstairs to see me at all. (I do wander up regularily and say hello for a few minutes)
The gas fire going "ping" as it expands or contracts, the (quiet) fan or the louvers moving in the air con unit, doors closing, me making tea, any short, sharp sound and he twitches or jumps.
I'm starting to feel that in the start it may have been a loud environment that made him nervous, but after 3 years he's now a neurotic cat who's hyper nervous even when taken out of the noisy environment
If my suspicions are right I know he'll need loads of love and attention and eventually he'll come round and be a great cat, but I work, retirements decades away and I can't give him the home he needs.
My family, me, sister, brother, parents, have just about always had cats, and in the past we've brought them home with us at Christmas and I know it's usually just a matter of days before all the cats have come out from under the beds and are exploring and investigating everything and each other, and then playing around, and for a 3 year old cat to have spend 3 weeks in a new house and still be very nervous and shy, I'm worrying.
The lady I adopted him off said if things didn't work out she would be happy to take him back, and if he does need a bit of extra TLC at this point of his life, I'd obviously he go to a home where he can get it, a retired couple or similar.
Tell you one thing, I never thought the new cat would be the one I'd be worrying about!
Welcome to the intriguing world of the Bengal.
Not an easy breed and tbh not one I'd have thought of for what you were after!
He is a very stressed confused puss cat at the mo. It will take time.
I would recommend some Feliway, zylkene and poss Kalmaid as natural remedies to try and destress him.
Not an easy breed and tbh not one I'd have thought of for what you were after!
He is a very stressed confused puss cat at the mo. It will take time.
I would recommend some Feliway, zylkene and poss Kalmaid as natural remedies to try and destress him.
Feliway is being used.
Will investigate the other two, thanks.
If he'll come round in time and be happy here I'll do whatever it takes, no problem, but I don't want him to be confused, nervous, and get worse because he's alone during work hours.
He's happy around me, a right tart who always throws himself on his back when stroked
Will investigate the other two, thanks.
If he'll come round in time and be happy here I'll do whatever it takes, no problem, but I don't want him to be confused, nervous, and get worse because he's alone during work hours.
He's happy around me, a right tart who always throws himself on his back when stroked
They are lovely affectionate cats but can get needy. It is still early days and may take a few more weeks even 3+ months before you'll know how he truly settles in.
It maybe worth seeking advice from Bengal owners (find a forum possibly) re how to help a single Bengal re: boredom etc. Plenty are single cat households. I'm sure he will settle to the routine in time
It maybe worth seeking advice from Bengal owners (find a forum possibly) re how to help a single Bengal re: boredom etc. Plenty are single cat households. I'm sure he will settle to the routine in time
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