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New cats!

(94 Posts)
grannylyn65 Sun 24-Jul-16 16:43:06

Have just 'adopted' 2 2year old cats! They had a bit of a look about, eaten a bit and now have taken refuge behind sofa/setee ! If I pull sofa out, one will come up to me and rub himself all over me, and has been up on my lap, the other is reserving judgement! I only got them yesterday and, as yet have not used litter box, don't appear
to have gone elsewhere ( its a tiny house ) Should I just leave them be or be more proactive?
They are brothers btw.

Charleygirl Sun 24-Jul-16 16:48:47

Have you actually shown them where the litter box is?
That is a lovely idea giving a home to two brothers. They will be company for each other when you are out.

My last cat stayed in a bedroom for a week and ventured out during the night towards the end of the week. He was timid throughout his life. My present cat had a bedroom prepared for her, she jumped on the arm of the sofa and did not move except for food, toilet and cuddles.

Jane10 Sun 24-Jul-16 16:50:50

Just leave them to get used to their new environment. You can't force yourself on a cat. Where is the litter tray? I think I might have kept them in one room to start with, with the litter tray in it just to get them used to it. See how it goes. Its the start of a long happy relationship for you and the boys! Enjoy them.

seacliff Sun 24-Jul-16 16:52:21

Hi Grannylyn, I would leave them to get accustomed to your home for a few days more, and all the new smells and sounds etc. They have a bolt hole under the sofa to feel secure, which is good.

I would just sit in there and talk to them softly, maybe swish a long feather/toy around, and have a few cat treats ready if they emerge. They will hopefully soon come round. Do you know their history?

grannylyn65 Sun 24-Jul-16 16:54:12

yes, advice is one room but as I said, tiny house!
Litter tray by back door

Jane10 Sun 24-Jul-16 16:58:11

They look lovely. At least they're eating. They'll soon get used to you.

grannylyn65 Sun 24-Jul-16 16:58:40

Yes I do,previous owner young man who advertised on gumtree for a forever home as he is moving to Glasgow and no pets allowed. He brought them up on the bus, we had a wee chat. He refused any money, not even bus fare. I have his mob and email. Seemed couthy and works with autistic teenagers, though only young himself!!

Alima Sun 24-Jul-16 17:00:50

Brilliant, what are their names? ( Seven years ago we adopted two feral sisters, they were 10 weeks old. It took several days before they ventured out of the cat carrier if anyone was around!). Your two have found their food, I am sure they will soon get their bearings.

grannylyn65 Sun 24-Jul-16 17:01:35

PS I think they had a bit of a party last night judging by sitting room ? this morning!

seacliff Sun 24-Jul-16 17:04:59

Well it's great they have been kept together, very lucky cats to get a loving new home. They will soon come round.

Personally if it's a small house, I'd leave the doors open so they can gradually explore at their own pace. Obviously care with open windows. He sounds a nice responsible owner.

grannylyn65 Sun 24-Jul-16 17:08:19

They are Stan and Salen !!

shysal Sun 24-Jul-16 17:32:26

I hope they settle in soon. All the right advice already given. Leave them alone and make sure the litter is where they can find it, but not near the food. If you are patient they will reward you soon.
Feliway plug-in diffusers are supposed to relax stressed cats, but they are not cheap.

grannylyn65 Sun 24-Jul-16 17:35:25

Thanks x

whitewave Sun 24-Jul-16 17:37:28

How lovely - this time ne t year they will own their house grin with you as their slave.

wot Sun 24-Jul-16 17:44:24

They are lovely! What's "couthy" though!??

grannylyn65 Sun 24-Jul-16 18:41:55

Scottish word, friendly, cute, warm, just Couthy !!!

wot Sun 24-Jul-16 19:01:31

????

wot Sun 24-Jul-16 19:02:41

Thanks! ?

Willow500 Sun 24-Jul-16 19:04:56

Aw that's lovely - their owner must have been so sad to leave them behind but relieved to find a good forever home. I've found it takes them quite a while to go in the litter trays in a strange environment. You wonder how they can hang on that long lol. Just check the sink and bath if they have access to those areas - one of mine will periodically go in there if he's feeling stressed!

trisher Sun 24-Jul-16 19:39:31

grannylyn65 Congratulations on your new charges! I watched a TV programme where someone was settling a new kitten into her home. She gave it a place to retire to (behind the sofa is obviously yours) and when she wanted it to explore further she rubbed a handkerchief on it and used it to transfare scent onto corners of furniture and doors. It seemed to work.

Swanny Sun 24-Jul-16 19:41:41

Oh you lucky lady grannylyn! I so miss having cat(s) around but even though I'm on the ground floor I'm not allowed pets at this flat, apart from budgies or hamsters or some such caged creature, which I would never have. DGS and I have discovered a cat who lurks in the local swing park; seems a bit wary but has allowed us to stroke her. She's clean and well fed so obviously has a home somewhere nearby. Incidentally, why are cats always 'she' and dogs 'he'?

annsixty Sun 24-Jul-16 20:13:22

My D has recently adopted the mother of her two cats she had last year as a few weeks old kittens. They ( brothers) settled fantastically quickly and now rule the roost. The owner of the mother couldn't have her any more and asked D if she would take her. She has settled well but one of the kittens hasn't taken to her whilst one has. The new cat mostly lives on top of the wardrobe and doesn't like going outside, she was a flat dwelling cat
Good luck with them both , you will have endless love and affection when they have settled

Charleygirl Sun 24-Jul-16 20:29:41

They should be kept indoors for a couple of weeks and when allowed out, make sure that they go out hungry so that they will want to return to feed their tums!

Are they up to date with injections etc? You should register them at the vet of your choice.

Because of cost, insurance is a problem. Tara is insured and it started off being a reasonable amount. This year I was given a bill of nearly £28 monthly so I checked on line and now pay £12. Admittedly I will have to pay more if there is a problem and there are fewer frills but I can live with that.

The alternative is to open a savings account for them- you may be lucky and get off Scot free or you may have to dip into it- the luck of the draw.

They are 2 lucky young fellows having found a loving, caring home.

rosesarered Sun 24-Jul-16 21:05:59

Our last cat ( from cats home) stayed in the veg rack for two days!
They soon come round though, when they feel safe.
Black cats always need homes as they are the last to get them ( least popular) a friend has two black kittens, Sooty and Sweep.

grannylyn65 Sun 24-Jul-16 21:15:28

Minor problems! Last cat I had from a kitten and was 17 before she ?, as a kitten we had 'ground rules' all of which my terrors have laughed at as I don't want to upset them.! So they basically do what they like, no, not basically. They do it anyway!!!
I never knew that about black cats!