Hi, so the new kitten is in his "safe room" with all new toys, fave foods, fresh water, air condition. He's been meowing all day and night. I think he really misses his mom and other litter mates. When he was at the vet today, he saw another cat and was trying to claw his way out of his pet carrier to get to the other cat. It was very sad. It's like he thinks he's been abducted. We do have a resident cat to introduce him to for company but the vet wants the kitten isolated until all his labs come back on Friday. Any advice on how to help him relax and adjust to his new home over the next few days? He is eating, drinking, and using the litter box.
When I open the door to his room, he hides under furniture and then comes out once I've sit down in the room and he feels its safe. Then we'll play and then he'll allow petting. He might cuddle for a minute and then run off again. My other cat was older when we adopted him so he didn't meow a lot or get frightened by very much. He's very outgoing.
Hello!
Baby is very very cute
Not only is he missing his mom and littermates, but he's also somewhere totally new and with people he doesn't really know. Add that to the fact that it's a part of raggie nature to want to be with someone at all times, and it makes for one distressed kitten.
I know it sounds harsh but sometimes you have to just do what is best for them though it doesn't seem like it is. We kept Ruby in the bathroom for a couple weeks for her to adjust and she meowed so much but eventually would fall asleep. It was so, so hard for me....she has the most pitiful, longing meow and on several occassions I would go in there with her in the middle of the night and just pet her for hours because I felt so bad. It does get easier though. By the time we brought our second kitten home, I had no trouble putting him in the bathroom (it helps that he is a very good boy when I put him in there and only meows in the morning when he's had enough of being ignored.LOL)
I can't really tell you what might comfort him, but I do know he'll adjust better with time. All you can really do is keep doing what you are..give him plenty of food, lots of toys, and a nice soft spot to sleep...maybe even put his crate/kennel in there for him to sleep in if it brings him comfort.
Good luck. I know you're doing what's right, your vet is good to want to be sure he is healthy before he shares the same spaces as your other cat.
Your little boy is very cute! He's probably overwhelmed with all the new sights, smells and people, but as Jelena said that will subside in time. Some people's babies have cried for weeks until they've settled (I hope its not that long for you!) And you may just have a very affectionate, loving boy who wants to be with you ALL the time. It helps if the breeder gave you something like a toy or blanket that smells like home to tide him over till he gets used to you. If he's comfortable alone with you, maybe you could try leaving a shirt or jumper with him when you're not there (worn but not washed), so he is comforted by your smell. Hopefully he'll settle soon
Thank you both for the advice and encouragement!!
You have identified the issue. Use this time to create the bond with you by being there and comforting him to the extent he will allow it - and he will allow more as time passes. I prefer a family member spending the night with the newcomer so that the comfort level and bonding can happen during the night as well. At first, just being with the kitten is important. It may seem he is just hiding from you and there is no point, but in fact he is observing and discovering you are in fact a familiar "type."
Having just been through it, I feel for you Jamasian. Jan makes an excellent point, it was a real bonding time for Dexter and I. We were fortunate in that we have teen kids so he would sleep with my daughter at night so he wasn't alone. Imagine how perplexing and strange everything in their new world is to them. I found that lots of playtime made Dex less afraid and within two days he would get so excited when I'd return to him that he'd charge over to me and jump in my lap immediately.
Don't worry, I'm amazed at how readily they adjust over just a few days and I find now that we are almost a month in it's very smooth sailing
Awww! I got my new raggie 2 1/2 weeks ago. He cried most of the way home (aside from when he fell asleep) and then a LOTTT for the first week that we were home. He was definitely used to having 3-5 other cats to play with and now he was the only one. As much as he loved us and spent a lot of time on our laps...he still was probably very home sick. I'm sure your kitty is the same way! Whenever we leave the room and he can't find us...he would meow nonstop...but I would call "We're in here!" and he would come running in very happily. Now, he only cries when we go in the bathroom and once in a while if he can't find us (if we are in the other room). Other than that, he doesn't cry much any more. Yours will definitely calm down. Good luck!!
Thanks everyone for the encouragement and support. JanH, I understood your last post on the other thread. Thank you for the clarification.
:The kitten has come a long way, in 2 days. Today he leaped out when I opened the bedroom door and was ready to play. As soon as he saw my other Ragdoll he was ready to play with him. The resident cat has taken to him minus a few hisses and some posturing. My resident cat loves to play hide and seek so they hit it off- it's amazing!! Continuing to supervise their playtime...
(07-20-2010 07:01 AM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]You have identified the issue. Use this time to create the bond with you by being there and comforting him to the extent he will allow it - and he will allow more as time passes. I prefer a family member spending the night with the newcomer so that the comfort level and bonding can happen during the night as well. At first, just being with the kitten is important. It may seem he is just hiding from you and there is no point, but in fact he is observing and discovering you are in fact a familiar "type."