Got my Percy the cat today - poor little sod seems a bit frightened - so im giving him plenty of love and attention with some dreamies snacks. Considered getting a plugin that calms down cats - but seems a bit evil “drugging” him up with pheromones.
gonna keep the flat quiet - and let him settle in. Hes on my bed, so ive covered him up - and ill keep talking to him. His scared little meow is heartbreaking Poor thing. Ive put a chair by the windows so he can look out. Will stay with him all day today - just to reassure him.
If you don’t want to drug your cat with pheromones, @Rhubot told me about these stuffed cats that have heartbeats that cats can snuggle up to when they’re scared.
It’s sometimes hard for a cat to adjust to a new environment. It can help to shut him in one small room, like the bathroom or your bedroom, with everything he needs. Litter box, food, water, a bed, and enrichment toys. And then spend plenty of time visiting him in his small room. After a day or two, open the door and see if he’s ready to explore the rest of the house.
When we moved to our new home, our cats were terrified for the first day, and huddled in the corner of their room. The second day, they felt brave enough to explore the house, and by the end of the next week they were able to go outside again.
Congratulations on your new best buddy. Bet he settles in quickly and will be bumbing into your leg asking for treats in no time. Oppie is the love of my life and I really believe cats are very therapeutic especially for people like us.
Oh, and provide lots of spaces to hide. Old cardboard boxes are very helpful for this purpose. Cats like to feel secure in tiny spaces. And when you hang out with him, let him come to you. With our PTSD kitty, we mostly ignored him until he came right to us, then we pet him until he ran away again.
Is Percy a rescue? If so, you have no idea what he’s been through prior to being found. He might have seen some things that scared him. Cats (and people) with a trauma history can be very shy and skittish until they learn you’re trustworthy. It helps to let him be in control of interactions, so he learns you’re a safe person who will respect his boundaries.
@Ninjastar
Ive got a quiet space for him in the laundry room which is dark and quiet. And yes - i think Percy was abused in the past - cos he seems very scared. He’s dozing on my bed at the moment - and has not moved much. Dont think hes house trained either cos he did an accident. I hope im doing everything right! I will put a quiet space for him in the bedroom i dont use as well, but he seems happy in my bed - so i will leave him there. I just gotta give him time to adjust i think. Ive put his food and water at the end of the bed so he can smell it. Maybe my body warmth with reassure him - when i goto bed later.
Sorry just read your msg properly - Yes hes a rescue cat - i got him from a place call St noddys near here. And yes a think some b@astard has abused him.
I think i will take my night meds early about 5.30pm then i will cuddle up to him - let the poor sod know hes loved. His scared little meow would make any decent person cry! Dont worry - this mad rog gonna look after him. x
You don’t need to be afraid. You’re trying, and that will go a long way towards getting him to trust you, even if you do end up making a few mistakes. All cat parents make a mistake or two, especially when they’re first getting to know a traumatized cat. But he’ll teach you what he likes and doesn’t like, and he’ll learn what you like and don’t like, and you’ll really help each other. He’ll be great company for you since you can’t hang it with your friends at the bar anymore. And a great excuse to dodge social outings without getting your friends mad. “Sorry, can’t come out, I have to stay with my new cat” is a great excuse.
Percy sounds awesome! I used to have a cat that I loved but sadly had to get rid of when I moved. maybe I’ll get another when I am in my own place. I’m definitely a cat person.
If I’d known then what I know now, I would have treated my kitten a lot better when we brought her home from a farm. Looking back, I realize that she was scared. I didn’t know then, I was a kid and just thought she was unlikable. I’m afraid it affected her whole life with us.
Promise i will post pics of him soon - but only got an old 2g Phone - and no webcam. But i will soon. I think the flash on the phone might scare him at the moment anyway. Had a quick cuddle - then he dived back into my bed. Ill cuddle up to him later
Poor thing. Ive put a chair by the windows so he can look out. Will stay with him all day today - just to reassure him.
