I am now the owner of 2 5 month old kittens. They are cute little moggies and I got them today. It's been year since I've had a cat. They both were spayed last night and I've made our house comfy for them.

Thing is, they won't come from behind the dining room sofa. I don't know if they have taken any food or water and they haven't done the toilet. Is this normal? Do I have shy kitties? They seemed friendly enough yesterday when I went to see them. Any and all advice would be great.

Normally they will take a few days to get comfortable. Make sure they are kept in for about 3 weeks to get acclimatized, also, my cousin used to keep her kittens in one room with a baby gate and fed and watered them in there with their beds, they were allowed throughout the house throughout the day, however at night confined to a room and they got used to the routine.

Are they together?

I guess they're just a bit scared at the moment. Leave some dry food and a bit of water out for them and they'll come out eventually. Probably tonight after you've all gone to bed.

I think I've heard you say before that you've got kids as well. If they haven't come from a house with kids they may be nervous of all that as well.

They'll get used to their new surroundings and all of you soon.

awww they are just tiny & scared by their new environment

don't worry they'll adapt pretty quickly....i got 2 cats at 3 month old and for the first day or so they hid too....i was advised to keep them to 1 room for a few days with food, water & litter tray and then when they get comfortable let them investigate the rest of the house...worked really well

good luck

When I got mine they were much younger (8 wks) but I confined them to one room that was not too busy in traffic (the kitchen). At one end of the room I had their bed and food and at the other end of the room their litter tray (this distinction should encourage them not to soil anywhere other than their litter box. If they know what that is for, then they will be less inclined to soil their bedding etc).

As your two are older, they probably won't need a week but just a couple of days to overcome their shyness and then you can let them into other rooms. If you've got a box spare, I'd put that in the room you use for them along with some toys, that should keep them entertained. Also if you have a scratching post or an old doormat if not, that will save your furniture.

They'll get used to you entering the room and if each time you enter, you make a fuss of them, they should be crying for your attention in a couple of days' time and will overcome their shyness.

Oh, and if one or both is a little girl, you need to make sure they're not washing their stitches. I have a boy and a girl and I had to separate them for a few days as the little boy kept trying to chew his sister's stitches (he also tried to run off with her collar a few times too).

Hope this helps and have fun.

Thanks. I need to move their litterbox from the bathroom to the dining room for now then. When I took them out of their carrier, I put them in the litterbox to show them where it was. My little girls are indoor only cats, so they won't be going outside.

cosmo, I do have kids, but one is a baby and the 6 year old is just saying hi to them. I've told him to leave them be until they decide they want to be bothered. I don't know what kind of house they came from, but by the tone of the charity owner's voice, they may have been dumped at the charity. They are sweet little things-- one looks like Jess the cat.

Aw, bless them

Its nothing unusual though, they are just a bit nervous and need to get used to their new environment, its all scary noises and strange smells for them. As others have said, keep them in the room for a few days, with tray and food.

We kept our rescue cats in the kitchen for 3 days. They ignored the big soft pet bed and went into the dark pantry cupboard, and all 3 piled into the bottom tray of the vegetable rack and slept on top of each other, lol

By the end of the week they had adjusted enough to explore the whole house and within two weeks they were rolling over to greet us, purring for Britain and trying to outdo each other get the best places on the settees and beds or in front of the fire.

Keep them in till they are fully vaccinated and chipped though, and then only introduce them to the outdoors in little 5 min sessions so they can adjust to that too. Going out is hugely scary and it will take them a few days to adjust to all new smells and sounds outdoors.

edit: just saw your post that they won't be going outdoors.

Ooh I bet your house is full of excitement and nerves right now. I remember when I got mine and I was over the moon but also a bit apprehensive as it was ages since I had a cat and couldn't remember all they would need.

Enjoy.

Sounds like you have it covered with the kids. I have three of my own and I know what they can be like. Even if your boy isn't directly approaching them the noise he might make may scare them at first but they'll get used to it.

They're just a bit nervous. Don't worry about it. They'll come out of their shell when they realise nobody means them any harm.

It is. Even He Who Does Not Like Cats (my OH) brought home some posho cat food and was clucking at them to come from behind the sofa. He then ever so gently put the sofa back. My son has named them Chowder and Schnitzel, after some cartoon characters. Chowder looks like Jess, Schnitzel is a gray tabby with white socks.

sounds like my OH who likes to pretend he doesn't care about the cats but he's a big softie really

Leave them to it, no sharp noises that scare them. Don't keep looking that them to see what they are doing despite the temptation but talk to them a lot so they get used to your voice.

They will soon get used to the fact it is a safe environment and give you some love, don't worry!

what are their names?

Chowder and Schnitzel. Chowder has just come out for a reccie and Schnitzel has poked her head out!

UPDATE:

They've both come out, had some food, used the loo and had a general nosey. Schnitzel found one of my son's rubber balls and had a good time batting it about the kitchen. Chowder is a bit more timid and kind of skittishly looked around the place. Schnitzel played with my apron and we think she is going to be a lively lady. Chowder decided to sleep in the baby's car seat before she discovered the comfy sofa in the dining room. She's stretched out on the cushions like the Queen of Sheba. Schnitzel's moved to the floor near my boot, the one she tried to get in. Such fun!

Sounds like they are beginning to find their feet, already

Awwww

What a nice thread with plenty of good advice and a responsible new cat owner. Warms the cockles of my heart