New Kitty!

Question

Hi everyone! Im a newbie and have 2 ?'s and hope someone can help me with. 2 weeks ago I got a Cat from a family who has had her since she was a kitten. She will be 3 in Oct. Shes not a special breed or anything just a plain ole cat!  Well I brought her home and took her to my room b/c my grankids where here and I didnt want to upset her anymore than she was. Well guess I messed up b/c she wont leave my room except at night when all is quiet. She woudnt eat for a couple of days so I moved her food to my bathroom which is right next door. Then she started eating. I gave her a few more days then I moved her food to the kitchen. I know now that at night she will come out from under my bed go to the kitchen and eat after all is quiet. I have even found her the next morning hiding in the Entertainment Center in my living room and when I open the door to get her out she is GONE...straight back to my bedroom! She stays under my bed ALL DAY! At night I go to my room and watch TV and she will come out and walk around in the bedroom when she knows Im staying. She is still trying to get used to all the different noises and smells Im sure. During the day when I have time I will talk her out from under the bed and sit in the floor to pet her and try to get her to play but she wants nothing to do with playing. I even talk to her which is not unusual for me b/c I talk to any animal like its human! She likes me to pet her! She loves that. The owner said she was a lap cat and very loving and thats what I was looking for. Anyway my ? is what can I do to get her to leave my room and get to feeling more comfortable in the whole house during the day? I know its only been a couple of weeks but Im just afraid she wont come around b/c shes not happy and upset b/c she is no longer in the home she has known all her  2+ yrs life!  I just dont know what to do. I want her to be happy and comfortable so any help would really be appreciated. I know she wasnt mistreated by this family they are nice people and have kept in touch with me and very concerned about her but couldnt keep her b/c of her daughters allergies. Another thing they bathed her once a week!!! To keep the dander down she said and now the poor kitty just scratches all the time! She has never been outside and has no fleas I checked but i know you dont bathe cats! Is there anything I can do or buy that would help with the scratching? She looks so miserable. :( I feel bad for her. So thats about it, I think I covered about everything so Im hoping someone will have some answers for me!
Thank you and will be looking forward to any advice! Have a great day!!

AppleBr · Answer

Hi Nadine,I have been away from posting for some time so I only read about you and Molly today.
Welcome to THE HOUSE OF THE OLD ( and Young, for sure!)  CRAZY  CAT LADIES ( ok Pip ,BOYS as well)
I do agree its just a question of time and patience.Therefore I never had a problematic cat ( my first one in life came  from nowhere and simply adopted me - I still wonder if she had some previous home) i'm sure your will fast be happy in a home like yours.
Mine had babies a long time ago and this forum was quite helpful those first times - and keep doing, since we have great "Searchers" here!
About the baths, Im also only brush mines everyday.I have 3 and if I "forget" of doing it,soon I have fur balls to remember me :-)
2 of them are quite furry and they lick each other all the time.
Hope you can manage the scratching stuff soon...

nadine126 · Answer

Hi jade59, and thanks for the comments! No I did not try the Omega 3 Fatty acids. I used fish oil straight from the capsule but she wouldnt eat so nothing yet. I have been brushing her like you said backwards and she is not so bad at scrathing now! Her food, litter, everything she has came with her and the owner said she didnt have a problem scratching there, so I dont know other than she bathed her once a week! I was thinking maybe massaging some fish oil into her skin but thinking that she would be greasy. Not alot and work it in real good! What do u think?  I still believe its from bathing her so much! I mean cats bath their self and if she needed a bath I wouldnt do it once a week! Maybe once a month! But I have never had a cat that liked water and I dont like getting tore up! Ya Know? LoL...Well guess i will talk to ya later! Thanks for the advice!!! have a great weekend!

Jade59 · Answer

Hi Nadine!!  We are so happy to have you and Molly!  She is just beautiful!  I did a little research and was it Omega 3 Fatty Acids you put on her food?  I also see there is a shampoo for dry skin that your vet may have.  She's already used to bathing anyway. However, I am not so sure of this idea, just something I read.  I have never bathed a cat either (once a week? yikes!)  Tell me, what is her diet?  It may not be only the bathing, but she could be having a reaction to her food which is common for some kitties.  And the litter...is it scented?  Cats can have a reaction to scented litter.  Or anything scented.  We had one poster who's cat scratched for years.  The owner finally figured out it was the Fabreeze used all over everything.  

I sure understand the distress in watching poor Molly scratching.  Our last kitty did that and I would end up putting her outside as it was unnerving to watch.  Don't worry, she was indoor/outdoor.  I wouldn't want anyone to think I put my INDOOR cat out because I couldn't watch her scratch.  

Something else I do for Jade to stimulate her skin is to brush her fur backward along her back and near her tail.  Just using my fingers is enough.  She was starting to get that 'rolling skin' syndrome, but by gently ruffing her fur the wrong way, that has all stopped.  

Keep us updated, and best of luck!

nadine126 · Answer

Thank u I like it! I wouldnt bath a cat either. I have been brushing her and she does let me know where she doesnt like it! LoL..But she reall loves it. We are getting closer, now if only she could win my husbands trust. Working on that now. Some one had suggested putting fish oil in her food. I did but she wouldnt eat it. What do ya'll think about massaging it in her skin? Or what other ideas do you have on getting her to get some in her. The itching is driving me NUTS i know it is her. The poor thing i feel so bad for her. :(
Oh by the way I love the name Spirit!! Sound like you have a wonderful fur baby too as ALL you guys do! They are the best dont you think!!

Ok so all have a great evening!

spirit3 · Answer

Molly's a great name!! I, personally, don't bathe my cats but I brush them at least once a day. They are short hair cats but this keeps the oils distributed as well as helps w/hairballs and...we bond! You can't be too gentle here, Molly will let you know if she has a sensitive area, our Butters' ribs is a "bad touch" area. The tips on making sure Molly has her own area are good ones, if mine go either under the bed or in the bathroom hamper (which they've scratched to oblivion and has holes in the side so is covered w/a decorative Indian blanket) that's their safe place on off limits to us. My vet heartily approved when Spirit was ill and if she retreated in there, no more efforts to try and medicate for the time being). I learned on Must Love Cats this w'end that you can not give your cat too much catnip so enjoy the 'nip at will! Good luck w/Molly-it sounds like she landed in a caring forever home.

nadine126 · Answer

Hi LindaTx....thank you for the welcome!! Glad to be part of it!! Her name is Molly and she will be 3 on Oct.28 2012!! I think you are so right about all the oils being washed out of her skin. I have never heard of bathing a cat ONCE a WEEK!! maybe once a year if needed but cats keep themselves clean. I have done some light brushing and like some else in another post mentioned using a wash cloth and wiping her down b/c she is so used to it. Yes I will Defintley get her some cat nip!!! Thanks for the info! Have a great night!!!

PS. love the kitty face!!!!   =)

LindaTX · Answer

Hi Nadine....and welcome to the Cat forum.  She really is a beautiful kitty.  What's her name?  I think the more often you pet her, the more she will feel at home.  Also the more you pet her, the more the natural oil in her skin will be stimulated and eventually her coat will be less dry...can't believed they bathed her so often.  It definitely dried her coat out.  She could be a little deficient in certain nutrients and a daily liquid vitamin supplement might help and maybe a little light brushing.  I know you don't want to agitate her skin.

Also, if she has a scratching post, you might sprinkle a little catnip on it.  My cats love that and I think it relaxes them, really mellows them out.

Good luck and kitty hugs ((>^.^<))

nadine126 · Answer

Hi Piparskeggr! I think its wonderful that you rescued a abused kitty. It is a horrible thing and I for get very angry when I know of ANY animal abuse!!! No animal deserves that. I applaud anyone who takes in abused animals! You are wonderful people!! Thanks for your story I think Miss Molly and I are going to do just fine!! Talk to ya soon! =)

nadine126 · Answer

Thank all of you for your advice and info! It is greatly appreciated! All of you have givin me some good advice on what to do! Thanks again and I will keep you updated on her progress, also thank you margypops for the compliment on Molly!! I think she is beautiful!! Everyone have a great day! =)

nadine126 · Answer

Hey, margypops thanks for your imput also. I am home all day so I am with her but I dont spend al whole lot of time with her just mostly in the evenings. I just leave her during the day in her hiding spot. I think I need to pay more attention to her. Didnt think about that! Thanks

nadine126 · Answer

Thank u!  I will work on that more! Good advice! =)

Piparskeggr · Answer

Good afternoon!

The Teia mentioned in a previous post is a kitty my wife and I took in just over 2 2/3 years ago at the age of 10 1/2 years from the home she'd had since she was about 6 months old.

We brought her into a house with three other cats.

Teia was an abused street cat that they rescued and gave a safe place to, but did not really socialize.  She was very fearful, and struck out at the other kitties, my wife and me.  She exhibited the hiding and "secret" eating behavior.

But, with patient, persistent kindness, the effect has been as you'll see if you read the recent breakfast in bed post.

It looks like your kitty is coming around a little quicker than Teia.  But, something I've learned over the years, some cats will establish a very small "home range."  Teia's was at first the water closet in out master bath.  One night she made it to the guest bedroom and that was the limit of her world for a very long time.  Now, she spends time between the walk-in closet off the master bath and the guest room.

I should think that a younger cat, which was in a loving home, will adjust much quicker than the time we've invested in Teia.

As for the lack of bathing...if kitty got used to that, you might try grooming her with a damp wash cloth so she has that sensation of being bathed.  Just wrap it around your hand and caress her, especially the head and shoulders, like mama cat grooming a kitten.

Try adding some fish oil to her diet, might help the itches she seems to have.

Good luck!  (search for the keyword Teia in this forum for other milestones)

opus88 · Answer

yes the others are right, it just takes time and patience..........kitty is still scared of all the changes and other kitties in your home. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you give her a room or space all her own so she can get feeling comfortable with that area and know she is SAFE there away from all the others................its a MUST that you provide her with her own food, water and litter box in this spot..just for her!!!
than slowly she'll get feeling safer and venture out a little more each day but this will take TIME...please allow her that time, she;ll decided on her own when she's ready. also give her lots of loving and attention whenever you can..so she also become used to you...than the rest will fall into place. be very sure she has her own food,water and litter box in this safe spot.
don't worry about the itching just yet, it may not be fleas..(can deal with this later if it is)
it could be dry skin due to the OVER BATHING or it could be food allergies....wht is she eating?
good luck and be patient.

margypops · Answer

hi Nadine and welcome to kittyland LOl  I think your kitty need company sometime cats can get lonely .so I would say bring her to be with you when you are home , lots of stroking and talking I know my calico Tweey miows when I speak to her , it takes time to get used to a new place she'll be okay soon Shes very pretty on the profile pic ...good luck

spirit3 · Answer

I'm going to leave the flea issue to our experts as I've never dealt with that. I suggest you let the new kitty come out in her own time; remember she's probably confused being taken from the only home she's known since a kitten. Patience will be rewarded-read some of Teia's story and you'll see! Progress might be gradual but you'll be rewarded as she gets to know and trust you and see you as more than just her food provider. Make sure you try and spend some quality time w/her daily-talking and trying to play even if she just stares at first, she'll come around! I had a cat I adopted that had been abused and he spent his first days with us (I forget now how long) either behind the dryer staring at the wall or in our bedroom doorway meowing at us as we tried to sleep. he turned out to be a most excellent cat and great caretaker when we got Spirit as a 5 wk old kitten, he taught her games and just loved her to death. His name was Timmy and we still miss him. Just hang in there, I'm sure she'll be your lapcat in no time. Let us know!!