Our New Shelter Cat

MrsFoof

We adopted a 1 year old stray from a shelter last Saturday.  He is so shy.  I am hoping he will he come around or did we adopt a breathing decoration for the top of our bathroom cabinet? 

We have been keeping him in our downstairs bathroom because he is so shy.  The first few days he wouldn't leave his litter box, then he started sleeping in the bed we made for him.  He has since discovered that if he climbs on top of the washer/drier he has access to the top of the cabinets.  This is where he has been hiding for the past several days.  I go in every so often to talk with him and make sure he has plenty of food and water.  Occasionally, I will go into the bathroom when I hear him moving around.  When he is down from the cabinet, he will jump into his bed and let me brush him and pat him-- he loves it.  But, after a few minutes he jumps back on the cabinet.  He will only let me pat him when he is in his bed.  He will run up to the cabinet if I try to pat him anywhere else in the bathroom.

At night, after the kids go to bed, I open the door and let him explore the rest of the house.  He roams around the house (except for where I am) and makes himself comfortable amongst the clutter of toys in the playroom.  But, when he sees me, he runs (full speed ahead) for the top of the cabinet in the bathroom.  Almost like he forgets I am the same person that was feeding him treats, patting and playing with him in his bed a few minutes ago.

What gives?  Does this sound like a cat that will eventually want to sit on the couch or sleep in bed with us or does he sound like a forever "scardey cat"?  Any advice on anything else I can do to help him get more comfortable with me?

Thank you!

blue_elle

Sounds normal. Just give it some time. If you don't have other pets to be concerned about introducing, and he's using his box appropriately, I'd go ahead and let him roam at will. He'll likely keep the cabinet as his safe haven for a while, but it won't hurt to let him watch the household happenings from whatever other hiding spot he takes up. Don't force him into interaction, but offer a hand to sniff when he comes close, or treats to show him attention comes with rewards. He'll come around.

musac15

I'd maybe consider getting a large cat gym - one of those tall carpeted ones. Put it in a quiet area of the house, but where he can see what's going on. I'd try to show him multiple "safe spaces" exist in the house, including the large cat tower. 

Give him time, and don't force things. He'll get comfortable, eventually. You could always try feeding him after the kids are in bed - canned, yummy food. Cats have an amazing sense of smell, leave it out in the room you're in (or the next room over) and slowly day by day try to get closer to him (or the food closer to you).  

kszczyp

I think he'll adjust in time. Our cat was picked up off the streets and we adopted her from the girl who found her. She was very shy for a while. 5 1/2 years later she is a complete love and demands our attention. While the exact same thing may not happen with your cat, I'm sure he'll come around in time.

MayberryAfterMidnight

It sounds like you're doing everything right and you're a great kitty mama! My family and I had a very similar situation years ago when I was growing up. We also adopted a 1-2 year old cat from the local shelter who - we were warned - had been returned to the shelter 3 times before for "being too shy." We decided to adopt him anyway and, sure enough, he spent the first 3 weeks hiding underneath my bed. We put his food bowl and his litter box right next to the bed, and I would spend hours with my hand over the side of the bed, talking to Spartacus. Finally, almost 3 weeks to the day since we brought him home, my mom and I were sitting and talking in my room and Spartacus came out from the under the bed verrrry slowly and started walking the perimeter of the room, smelling and checking everything out. After that, he gradually moved on to exploring the rest of the house and interacting with the family. I will be honest that he never blossomed into an outgoing, gregarious cat, but he did overcome his initial shyness and was one of the sweetest, most loving animals I've ever know. Sorry! I seemed to have made this response all about me...Point is, definitely give him time! And I wouldn't expect him to be like this forever, but I would not expect things to change dramatically for the first several weeks. It sounds like he's made tremendous progress already, ie moving from the litter box (which cats will often sleep in when they're anxious) to the bed to exploring his space. I would continue to let him out at night and maybe spend some time sitting on the floor while he is exploring, so you become something he expects to see, and continue to talk in a perpetually soothing voice. Gradually, I would start keeping the door to the bathroom open all the time, so he can get used to the rest of the family. Do you have any other pets? (Important - are they friendly/calm?) Some pets feel comforted by another animal acting as a mentor, helping show them the ropes. So introducing him (slowly) to your other pet/s could help calm him (depending on your individual situation - obviously this can backfire). Not much help, but it sounds like you're off to a great start and - good luck!

kangjisook

The way your kitty is reacting is actually very normal and common, especially for a cat that is shy and has just been moved to a new place.  Cats, as a general rule, don't like change nor do they like new, unfamiliar surroundings.  They also like to have their hiding places.  

That being said, you've done a fantastic job at providing him a safe place in your home and you've introduced him to your home in the best possible way for any cat, let alone a shy one.  By the sounds of it, he's very comfortable in your laundry room.  That's a good sign.

Since he lets you pet him, brush him and that he'll take treats from you at all is also a very good sign.  It means he is comfortable with you, even if it seems like he's not.  He's also showing that he's becoming more used to and comfortable with your home because he is leaving his safe place to go explore.  That's awesome that he's doing that after just a few days!  

Give the little guy some time though.  He is shy, so he'll probably continue to hide and be selective with when he'll interact with you for a while.  Just be patient.  I have two very shy kitties and two very outgoing kitties.  The two shy ones took a very long time to really warm up to us, but they are the sweetest and most loving kitties now.  The more outgoing ones are very sweet and loving too, but are a little more preoccupied getting into everything. 

There is always a possibility that he's not going to be a big cuddler or anything like that.  Some cats just are lap cats.  He'll probably like to be around you and your family all the time though, after he's gotten much more comfortable and secure.  You should definitely start leaving the door open throughout the day so he gets used to your normal daily activities and gets better acquainted with the rest of your family.  A kitty condo in the different part of the house is also a good idea.  It gives him another safe place and essentially a giant scratcher/toy for him to use.

 Keep doing what you are doing as well though!  It's clearly helping him become more comfortable with you and your home!

Harr1030

Give it some time.  When I brought home my first kitty, she stayed in the cat carrier in the closet for two weeks.