I brought home a senior cat yesterday and completely fell in love with her at the shelter. She was so cuddly there, but she’s been hiding in my couch since I brought her home. She hasn’t eaten, drunk, or used the bathroom (as far as I can tell). What do I do now?
Just give her some time. Offer her treats and don’t rush it. This is a completely new environment for her, so she’ll need time to adjust. It could take a few weeks before she feels comfortable. Just let things unfold naturally. Once she gets into a routine, she’ll start to open up. If she feels up for it, try playing with her, but if she’s not ready, let her explore at her own pace.
@Devin
Thanks so much! I’ve placed her food and water near her hiding spot and also set up the litter box close by for now. I’ve never had a pet as an adult (I’m almost 30!) so this is all new to me. We had cats growing up, but this one is different.
@Milo
Aww, that’s exciting! It’ll take a little while, but she’ll come around once she adjusts to the new surroundings. Moving from a busy shelter to a quiet home is a big change for her!
Devin said: @Milo
Aww, that’s exciting! It’ll take a little while, but she’ll come around once she adjusts to the new surroundings. Moving from a busy shelter to a quiet home is a big change for her!
Thank you so much I knew she’d be nervous, but since this is my first pet as an adult, I’m just really worried about her.
The best thing you can do is give her time. As a senior cat, she’ll need a peaceful, quiet environment to adjust. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on her past experiences. Sometimes animals go through trauma from being abandoned or having a rough past. It’s totally fine for her to have a quiet spot where she can sleep and hide while she adjusts.
For food, try some canned cat food (pâté style) with some warm water mixed in to keep it fresh. Start by giving small amounts, then gradually increase as her appetite grows. If her teeth are fine, you can leave dry kibble out for her to eat whenever she wants. Also, check if her gums are moist and not dry—this is a simple way to check if she’s hydrated.
She’s 13, and the shelter didn’t know much about her background. But I cried when she came up to me for headbutts and pets. I couldn’t leave her there.
She’s 13, and the shelter didn’t know much about her background. But I cried when she came up to me for headbutts and pets. I couldn’t leave her there.
You’re welcome anytime!
That’s so sweet! She must really trust you already, and sounds like she’ll be a sweet, social cat once she’s comfortable.
You should block off all hiding spots and give her a place to call her own, like a cat tree or bed. Before adopting a cat, make sure you have things like beds, toys, a cat tree, and scratching posts ready.
@Emerson
Don’t block off all the hiding spots! She’s nervous, so let her have some places to hide. It’s only temporary. She’ll find new spots to relax in once she feels comfortable.