Yesterday I brought our beautiful new kitten home. I know I'm biased but she really is the most beautiful little creature I've seen. She was nice and confident when I chose her with her littermates but now I've brought her home she's so shy, I feel really sorry for her.

She's over 12 weeks, well socialised by the breeder, spayed 5 days ago and innoculated. The breeder tells me her mum left the litter a few days before she came to me so it's been her and her siblings recently. I've set up her room with beds and food and litter tray. She's had a nibble of food and a poo. But she seems disinterested in playing and wants to hide in a corner. She was more cuddly when I chose her with the breeder but when I hold her now she wants to leave me, which I'm okay with. I sit in the room listening to the radio, chatting to her but she seems to be struggling with her new home which surprises me.

I'm planning on getting another kitten in Feb 08, but I wanted your advice on whether there's anything else I can be doing for her, or whether I should be doing anything differently. She doesn't seem scared stiff, it's more of a withdrawal. Did your cats go through this?

Granted it's only been a day or so, and it's early days, I just wanted some feedback on how usual this kind of reaction is. I love her so much already and I just want her to be happy with us.

Hi there,

Don't panic!...Imagine how the kitten feels, just left its mum & is in a strange place with no friends apart from the big human thing that wants to hold it.. Its quite normal its going to take time to bound with you, let the kitten come to you, it will get curious eventually... & start to get to know you...

It takes time the kitten needs to learn to trust you.

hiya,

glad you have your little one! jim is right...it's a big scary world & everything she knew has just changed in a flash.

my willow was very shy when i brought her home (she was my first bengal). it took 2 hours for her to pluck up the courage to venture out of her carrier, then she tentatively explored the area nearby & ran back into it at the slightest disturbance.

i put her food & litter right next to the carrier, & sat nearby talking softly to her & gently dragging a toy on string back & forth in front of the carrier to tempt her.

after two days, she was darting round the room like a loony, eating well & curling up on my lap when she'd exhausted herself. you wouldn't believe it was the same kitten!

she will come round, as soon as she realises you are no threat & in fact that you may have nice things to offer her. bribery works with kittens lol! a tempting treat or toy.

you are doing it right by talking to her & not forcing her to have cuddles...when she thinks it was all her own idea she'll do it a lot easier. i'm willing to bet she'll be happy & adventurous as soon as she gets her bearings

You were all right, she's building in confidence. I was panicking! I think she needed to build trust in us. She's coming out now and not as skitterish. She's really bonded with my husband, she's giving him more affection now.

We've been trying to take photos but she's so quick! Everything is blurred!

Here's a video of her as we're getting her to play with us. I love that she's on her way to being feisty her reflexes seem so much sharper than a "normal" cat already.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PK8331rZj1A

She is adorable!

She looks like she is coming around nicely!

Take care,
Carol

Awwwwww!!!!!!!!

Now I want another baby =)

She's just lovely!