Help with adopted older cat

[mustard-tree]

Just over 2 weeks ago I adoped a black neutered male. The shelter told me he is about 6 years old.

The first week he hid under the bed in my spare bedroom.

Now he spends most of his time perched on top of a shelf unit.

I have managed to coax him down to my level by bribing him with cat treats which he will eat out of my hand.

He is doing all the cat things like eating, drinking, using litter box and grooming, but though he is not shut in, he won`t come out of the room.

I spend plenty of time in there with him, sometimes just sitting on the bed reading.

He does panic if I pick him up, so I don`t do that now, I just talk to him and stroke him.

After all he has been through, it is not surprising he is a bit wary.

His owner died and he has been in the shelter for a year, as a lot of people don`t like black cats.

Should I encourage him to come out, or leave him to come out when he is ready.

I have read that it can take weeks or even months for some cats to settle in a new home.

[ilove2patch]

I remember you posting this a couple of weeks ago Mustard. Is he no better? 

[mustard-tree]

I had only had him a few days then.

He doesn`t hide under the bed now, so I think I am making slow progress.

The shelter did tell me that he needed someone to be patient.

[little-bacchus]

Sounds like you are doing everything right. Some cats can take a long time to settle in.

Keep up being around him and keep an eye on water and food if he goes off his food or water have a word with your vet.

[kaeptm]

Hi, It's probably best to just let the cat take it's own time. As you say, progress has been made already. Sounds like you're doing all the right things to me. He has to learn he can trust you and aclimatise himself to his new home. I'm sure, in time your patience will pay off. Difficult sometimes to be patient I know!

[bitsnknots]

I remember posting about this as well.  I hope that in time, your new puss will be alright for you.

[ginap.123]

Sounds like a great improvement already. Puss will soon emerge & mix in. Very lucky little cat to be taken in by you. Probably can't believe his luck.

[**towery**]

i guess its just a question of  time and readjustment

if hes spent a yr in a small enclosed space, then he has probably  accepted that as  'safe'

and you dont  really know  how his owner  before that kept him

maybe he isnt used to the run of a home

just  make sure he has  his safe place to  bolt to  and  dont force his participation

did you get a feliway thing?

[ilove2patch]

I can make you a catnip fish if you would like one. I know you were outbid on the MDCC one. Just let me know.

[auntieannie44]

If he is an older cat who has been used to being confined howabout putting a box with one side cut out and cosy bedding so that he can use it as personal space.  The size of a room might be disconcerting for him at the moment, but if he gets used to his own space and becomes comfortable in it you can move it bit by bit till he decides to join the body of the kirk, always having that to go back to if necessary.  They are funny critters and take their own sweet time to settle.

[wskneil]

Ignore him! Cat's hate being ignored. He will come round in time.

[mustard-tree]

"if hes spent a yr in a small enclosed space, then he has probably  accepted that as  'safe'

and you dont  really know  how his owner  before that kept him"

I think you have got something there.

The shelter he came from do not keep the animals in a kennels or cattery type setting, but have volunteer fosterers who take care of them in their own homes.

The lady who brought him was his fosterer and she told me she has what she calls the cat room.

So looks like he is used to being in one room.

Also, I was told that his elderly owner died and he was one of 4 cats, so he may be missing the others.

Every day, he seems more attentive to me, listening to me with his ears up, so I just think it is a matter of being patient.

I was hoping that someone might have had a similar experience with an adopted older cat.

[fishpieface]

Not that experience exactly Mustard, but I have a fair bit of cat experience.  I would agree with

the others on here, if he's healthy and making progress, albeit slow, I would allow him to do it in

his own time.  I imnagine he will come out eventually but for now he's just getting used to being

with you (and realising he's a lucky little cat) and possibly missing his contact with other cats.

They usually come round in the end but some can take ages and ages to do so, particularly if

they've had a bad experience which would have been his person passing away and having to

go somewhere else - however lovely the people are, it's a lot for a little cat to take in.

He sounds gorgeous anyway and I'm sure he feels safe and loved by you.  Possibly you could

try sitting in another room, making sure he knows you're in there, leaving both doors open.  Quite

often cats' curiosity gets the better of them and they have to come and see what you're doing!

My sister took in a little one who they think is about 11 and she, though very friendly, is wary of

leaving their lounge for long.  She's getting there though and even ventured into their garden

at the weekend.

[Anonymous]

I think you are doing all the right things, its just patience and consistent care. If hes eating, and being clean he's feeling safe where he is. He may not have been a cat that liked to be fussed, some cats are happy in a box on the wardrobe.

My sons remaining very elderly cat still spends most of her day in her favourite box on the wardrobe. It was always her spot when the other 4 were alive, they all have different personalities and they find their niche to fit in happily with the other cats. 

. 

[ed_blackadder_1]

We adopted an older black cat several years ago and it took a long time for her to come to us but she did eventually, she was never a fuss cat like our previous cats but she did join us sometimes. All cats are different and you just need to reassure them you are there and they will do their own thing. Good luck with it, it's a good thing you have done.