r/cats • u/LiamBrown779 • 3h ago
Advice Got a cat for the first time
I just broght home a cat. His name is diesel ik its a odd name his last owner was a diesel machanic so his kid name the cat diesel. Diesel last owner died and his wife ended up abandoning the house so her pets all got taken away. Diesel has been in the shelter for a year. I broght him home today but all hes done is hide under the bed hes had food and water i got him to snuggle up with me and my mom a little through out the day but he still likes to hide under the bed for hour. Is there anything i should be doing to help him adjust thanks.
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u/backpackwayne 3h ago
His world has been truned up-side-down. He has no idea what is happening. He is totally stressed out. He will hide for awhile until he feels more comfortable and safe.
Let it happen naturally. Do not force anything. Let him come to you. Don't force petting on him. This may take days, weeks or even months. Usually not, but it can. Just be patient.
Looks just like mine. Now she is the queen of the house.
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u/stemins 3h ago
Just give it time. You could try putting him in a small room like a bathroom. Cats like to hunker down and hide when they go to a new place. Just sit near him and read a book or scroll Reddit. Be near but safe and quiet.
It takes 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn the household rhythm and 3 months to feel comfortable.
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u/Only_Mirror_1986 3h ago
Cats prefer if you don’t make a lot of direct eye contact: that’s sort of considered confrontational. If you sit on the floor near them but not facing them and put a couple treats down between you, over time they’ll warm up to you. I’m in my 60s and have had many cats, some were once feral, and it just takes patience and a gentle touch. Best wishes with your new best friend 🥰PS: Diesel is a beauty!
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u/10toesdown2thumbsup 3h ago
I'd let them hide without any pressure to come out unless they want to. It might take a little bit, but you're building trust as a safe person. Maybe just sit in there with a book or playing a game. Squeeze tube treat is usually a crowd pleaser. I'm sure Diesel (the name is cool) will be very happy to have so.e attention and stability. Best of luck and keep them inside for their safety if you can. Outdoor cats tend to die faster. Yay Diesel!❤️
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u/One_Clown_Short 3h ago
Just give him time and a quiet place to become accustomed to his new place. When he's under the bed, you could go in the room, sit on the floor and just talk to him in a calm tone. Read him a magazine if you want. It's about getting him used to your voice.
Good on you for taking an older cat, they deserve homes but many don't get the opportunity.
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u/Translator_Various 3h ago
Give him time and space along with plenty of comfy places to hide out. Be quiet and just do your normal routine don’t be overly affectionate for now just give him time to decompress. It may takes days or weeks to adjust to such a big change or he may surprise you and settle in quickly. Congrats your new fur baby, he’s a handsome man!
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u/Anymous2314 3h ago
I would move his feeding bowl near his favorite bed under which he hides, I think if he sees you filling the bowl he will know you are friend.
Also you can bribe him with treats.
If you have time, just sit on the floor in the same room as him and browse internet or read a book, keep some treat handy, he may approach you on his own.
Poor kitty has had a very rough time so needs some time to feel comfortable again.
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u/Ok_Breadfruit_5159 3h ago
I would say just give him some time. My cat took months before he allowed me to pet him and have him on my lap. Thank you for being kind to Diesel.
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u/Buffalo-Empty 3h ago
Give him his space. If he liked cuddles you can keep doing that just don’t push it, watch his cues and listen when he’s uncomfy. As you build trust with him his walls will melt away.
Some cats hide for days so you’re already off to a good start! Just let that foundation of trust build up and hold strong and your cat will lean into you guys.
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u/Malnurtured_Snay 2h ago
He will adjust in time. He is a beautiful cat. You have not adopted him -- he has adopted you. Congratulations!
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u/ApprehensiveRoll3619 2h ago
Get a 2nd cat he need company
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u/RosalineGreen 59m ago
A second cat is a big responsibility and Diesel hasn't even settled in yet. That would just stress both cats out.
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u/nattzuki 1h ago
Owwww, why is he so freaking adorablee!!! I would love a hug from that fluffy baby.
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u/Flimsy-Succotash8834 49m ago
With cats that have been abandoned, time is the best thing you can give them. Our rescue came to us after original owners abandoned him with friends (who didn't want him and only did a favour looking after him for a bit). He was incredibly timid at the start. We gave him a room to settle in (away from our other cats) and I slept in there with him a couple of nights as company, but we left him to be. He had a panic after a week when a friend came over to see us and meet him. She is a kind friendly cat person but a little too enthusiastic (we think he thought she was there to take him away) and he hid from her. Left to adjust to his schedule, he came round quickly and when he gives affection, you feel loved. Give Diesel time, if he lived with others, he'll remember the enjoyment of interaction and want attention. Maybe let him come to you and get a toy on a string with a rod so he can play with you at a distance. Give time and the rewards are worth it.
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u/SoSeriousAndDeep 31m ago
Give him food, clean his litter box. He's likely still spooked from his time at the shelter; he'll open up eventually, but let him find his own pace.
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u/TeenySod 23m ago
If he's eating and drinking and using his litter tray then he (and you) are all doing really well.
As others have said, just give him time and space, shelters are high stress environments for cats so he will likely just be wanting to sleep that off in a place he feels safe.
Last couple of cats to move in with me have been adopted directly from previous owners, and have still taken a couple of days to adjust to their new environment.
I bet within a few days, you'll be woken up at an ungodly hour by 3 tons of cat landing on your head while you were (operative word 'were') sleeping ;p - or similar!
Diesel looks lovely, and welcome to the dark side :D
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u/moocow36 8m ago
You got a big floofer! As others have said, give hime time. Make sure he has food, water, clean litter and a place to hide, then just let him be, try to avoid loud noises because those are scary. He’ll adjust when he adjusts, might be next week (that would be surprising, might be in six months.
You might try some different treats, see if you find a brand he likes, just give him one once in a while, even if you just put it down close to him.
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u/CartoonistAvailable4 3h ago
Give him areas to hide and feel safe. Keep that litter box clean! When hes comfortable he will come find you! Congratulations! Wishing you a wonderful life together!