Hi so I adopted a 5 yr old male bengal neutered and he's having a lot of separation anxiety. He was with his previous owner the whole 5 years so I know it will not be overnight but it's been 2 days now and he hasn't eaten, has barely drank any water, doesn't want treats. He's using the litter box fine and he's not meowing excessively. He doesn't like to play with any toys he mostly just finds corners and hides so far
When I picked him up from the previous owner at his house the cat was fine with me handling it and even liked when I rubbed his belly and stuff. I guess I'm just wondering how long it might take for him to get used to me and my home and if there's anything I should or shouldn't do to help the process along. This is my first bengal and I'm sure it's harder since he's been with the old owner for so long so I'm kinda lost on this one and want to make sure I don't do anything wrong. Thanks

Welcome to our forum and congratulations on your new fur baby. Know that it can be particularly stressful on an adult cat when re-homes. The poor thing is going to a new environment with new smells, new things, new humans. It can be traumatic and the cat is super stressed out. There are many things you can do to ease the transition.

Keep the cat in a safe room for the first week, at least. This can be a bedroom, bathroom. Make sure the litter box, cat bed, food and water bowls are there. Have toys, etc. You will spend time with the kitty in this area. Do not try to push yourself onto the cat. The cat is terrified at this point, probably missing the previous owners and home. Talk softly to the kitty -- maybe even read to it. You can try to tempt the kitty with treats (keep trying) and you can try to engage the cat in play (keep trying). If the kitty is not interested, then leave it alone.

Your cat should be eating after two days. This is super important as fatty liver disease can start to take affect within 48 hours if the cat has not eaten. Even the least little bit of nourishment will help. At least the baby is drinking water and using the litter box.

You will need a tall cat tree for the kitty as once you let the baby out, it will want to explore. I would try to keep your home as quiet as possible until the cat seems more adjusted. This is always a trying time for new owners, but it pales in comparison to the number of years you will have with this incredible animal.

Just know that the kitty will come around at its own pace. Hiding makes him feel safe. So let him come out on his own. I think you are doing everything right -- you just need to be patient. After a week, there should be some improvement and if your baby doesn't start eating, then a trip to the vet is advised, just to make sure all is well -- and that will stress out the kitty even more. Sometimes in the beginning, it's a no-win situation, but just keep at it. Things will improve.

We are here for you.

I, and probably many others, would love to try to help, but you've given so little information. You probably couldn't have given us less relevant information if you tried

* Why did he leave his owner?
* How did you become his new owner?
* Is he healthy? Has he had a recent vet checkup?
* Where is he staying right now? Please describe his current accommodations. Do you live alone with him? Are there other humans or pets in the home?
* When you say he hasn't eaten, tell us about that. What have you attempted, and how has he responded? Not just the food itself, but how and where have you tried to feed him?
* When you say that he won't play, tell us about that, what have you attempted?

You obviously need to get him eating first. Everything else is secondary right now. If him not trusting you is the problem, then don't let that be a barrier right now to him eating. Make it nice and easy for him. Quiet room, no people or other pets in it, and preferably one or two types of foods that he has known to eat before. You can also try "jackpot" foods, like tuna from a can, or turkey or chicken from the deli.

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The little monsters 3

So it's only been 6 days and little Bundy is adjusting really well he's eating regularly and is super friendly and playful. I got a cat tree and built lots of shelves and perches all over my apartment and he likes it. Thanks for the responses. :)

Glad to hear that things have settled down and thank you for keeping us updated - saving me from typing out a big reply full of suggestions.

It was obvious from your first post "rubbed his belly" that you had a very nice natured bengal on your hands, albeit sat behind a wall of fear because *everything* had changed. It is a big change to a territorial animal to be taken to somewhere that isn't their territory, doesn't sound/smell familiar that contains a human with which they have very little bond.

Welcome to the forum.

Happy to hear things are going to much better. Time and patience is really all that is needed and to let the kitty come around at his own pace -- not yours! Glad he is eating. Things will only get better from here on.