Advice please

[Lorrwalters]

I adopted a 3 year old male cat and he does nothing but hide... he comes out at night and explores the house and uses litter box and eats. But during the day he cannot be found... my question is.. do I leave him alone? Or do I make him come out and be around his people to get to know us? I have tried to play with him and he is not interested. I pet him hold him and he seems to like it but goes right back to hiding... we have had him for 2 weeks. Will he ever adjust?

[Lilith]

Hi and welcome, congrats on the new arrival, and the answer is yes. Time and patience are the remedies. We never know what may be in the backgrounds of rescued cats, but when I moved to my present house, one of the cats I brought with me was an elderly girl I'd actually helped into the world as a newborn. Although she had me, the other cats, the dog and familiar furniture, she hid behind the sofa for a week or more.

I always give a new cat or kitten space to hide if it wants, until it has the confidence to emerge. You're quite right in being so patient with him, plenty of time for him to start being cheeky and bold, all the best and let us know how you go on with him

[alanc]

Hi - don't worry. It may take time (3 months as far as my old cat Misty was concerned) but he will come out in his own good time.

[Ruth B]

Like the others say, time and patience will be rewarded, some cats are instantly outgoing and exploring others can take months before they become confident enough to be out in the open.

I would suggest spending time in the room but ignoring him, do 'normal' stuff, read, play on an IPad or similar anything to keep your attention from him, if he does venture out, don't look at him directly, sidelong glances while appearing to keep your attention on whatever you are doing will draw him out far more than enforced socialisation.

[filardimarg-9]

I rehomed a kittie last October 1st, so 6 months ago......when I brought her home she hid in one of the bedrooms & stayed there, she still spends most of her time there now but does come down more now, I have always gone up to her every day, at the beginning I just sat in the room she was hiding there, now I go up 3 or 4 times a day to play with her, at first she would ignor me, now she does play with me every day, she has come a long way since we had her, she gains more confidence every day, so just give your new kittie time, she/he will come round but it might take a long time.
I was very disappointed when she wouldn't come down & sit on my lap, but that might come, she is still gaining confidence.

[Red wine lady]

Bless him! A Feliway plug in may help and have you thought of Zylkene (Pets at home)...I found these very helpful when we first got Oscar home.