Very nervous new kitten

[technicalfoamboy]

After the recent passing of our lovely tuxedo cat, Rocky, we picked up a BSH kitten today.

He is 9 weeks old and a nervous wreck. He was the last of the litter, parents seemed to be fine.

So far, he just wants to hide under cushions or the sofa.

Is this normal? Any tips?

[CheesecakeRunner]

Perfectly normal. Let him hide, he’ll come out in his own time as he gets more comfortable with the surroundings. Remember it’s all very new, bright, loud and scary to him.

My two kittens are now 7 months old, but they were the same when we got them at a similar age. We made sure there were plenty of boxes and things like that in the rooms, and started off with them just in one room. As they got more comfortable we exposed them to more rooms of the house in turn. Does mean you need food, litter and beds in one room for a bit, but it soon settles down.

Edited by CheesecakeRunner on Monday 26th December 17:28

[Simpo Two]

As above. Time and patience, peace and quiet. He must be missing his mother - as you would at the equivalent age...!

[technicalfoamboy]

Thanks for the advice guys.

He's settled down nicely now.

A few pictures......

[Kes Arevo]

Job jobbed.

[MitchT]

Looks like you're already making good progress but I was going to say...

When we got our two they were the same. I made a point of sitting in the room where we were keeping them initially and just getting on with stuff on my laptop or watching the TV. I didn't attempt to force any attention on them - I just let them come to me in their own time, which they did.

[Kes Arevo]

Good advice. They will do what they will regardless, and mithering them won't help.

It looks like they are settled already simply by snoozing on the sofa.

[Simpo Two]

Beautiful! So many good times ahead.

[MG CHRIS]

He be running around like a nutter soon then the fun begins. Here mine 5 month old kitten pretty tired after 3 days at my parents with loads more to do and explore along with 2 older cats to annoy. They great at this stage but can be frustrating at times specially when they go full on crazy mode at 3am in the morning.

[Kes Arevo]

How is he getting on?

[technicalfoamboy]

Kes Arevo said:

How is he getting on?

He's getting on just fine now.

Although, our adult cat is freaking out at the sight of him. Something else to work on!

[Kes Arevo]

technicalfoamboy said:

He's getting on just fine now.

Although, our adult cat is freaking out at the sight of him. Something else to work on!

My cat freaked out when Egbert arrived. Lots of hissing, and 'bopping'. Took a few weeks for that to settle down. The same when Donut arrived.

All good now.

Edited by Kes Arevo on Thursday 29th December 07:46

[Simpo Two]

technicalfoamboy said:

Although, our adult cat is freaking out at the sight of him. Something else to work on!

Ah, you didn't mention that bit. Changes the scenery somewhat.