So we just moved into a new house this week, and we are having problems with our cat Missy. Missy was abused as a kitten until my grandma adopted her.When my family moved to Minnesota to move in with my grandma 5 years ago, we didn't see Missy for two months. She was so afraid of strangers she just hid from us. Since then, now she comes running up to strangers. She is still pretty cautious, but has for sure lightend up. She lived in apartments all her life, so this is a really big place to her.. with a upstairs and a basement. We are having problems getting her outside of just a few rooms.. the living room, my mom's room, and my grandmas room. She has trouble going into the kitchen (where the food is) and in the basement/my room (where the litter box is). Any ideas? Do you think just over time she will brave up to come down here and stuff? Our other cat Tony thinks its the greatest thing ever having all this new room. So he is no problem at all.
One thing that might work is "feel-a-way", (that is how it's said, now how it's spelled). It's supposed to calm cats down to new cats or changes in environment.
Hi, When cats feel threatened or stressed, their response is to shrink the space around them. So the cat confining herself to a small area is absolutely natural. Every time I moved, even my well adjusted cats spent time hiding under the bed or in a closet. A formerly abused cat would be even more nervous. When I was a little girl we took a cat from the shelter who hid under the dryer. Drove my mom crazy because she couldn't do the laundry (I sat guard in front of the dryer and absolutely forbade using it until the cat voluntarily came out.) You might want to move the cat box into one of "her" spots. Just to avoid unpleasantness. I would suggest putting her food near, but not in, "her" spot. Believe me, a cat will not starve her/himself to death. By putting food near her comfort zone, she does not have to stray far to eat, but does have to move a bit. Then when she is comfortable, gradually move the food more to where you want it. Cats are also by nature very curious. When she gets settled she will start wanting to explore. Spend some time in her comfort zone talking to her and petting her if she allows. If she has a favorite toy or security item that she likes to lie on, bring that to her. Eventually she will emerge. Remember how big a big house is to a very small animal. I'm glad you took her in and that she is getting socialized. Hope this helps.
When I moved last one of my most outgoing cats hit under the bed for about a week. We tried to get him out but he was very tramatized. After a few days we were leaving food and water under the bed. It took him a few weeks to get back to his normal self. After he finally got the courage to step out from under the bed... all his worst fears manifested themselves in the ceiling fan. He was scarred shitless of it for some reason. He would start to come out... then catch a glimps of the fan and right back under. To this day... years later he still has an un-natural fear of ceiling fans. It took him over a year before he'd jump on the bed because that was just to0 close to the fan. Now he is pretty OK with it unless it moves... then he is gone. So... just be patient. Move the food and catbox where she is comfortable and eventually you will be able to get it where you want. We had to put a cat box in our damn bedroom for weeks and even then he still used the carpet for the first days.
Last night while i was in my room downstairs, she voluntarily came down about 10 times o check out the room, and she went back where the litter box is twice. So I think she is doing better. And JE, the basement is divided into separate rooms, so the litter box is actually no where near me. Thanks for your concern though lol
