New kitten help needed please!

**KimmieSC** · 06-23-2008, 09:08 PM

Hi Folks,

We adopted a new baby kitten (10 weeks old) from someone on FreeCycle. We brought her home yesterday afternoon about 4:30. We named her Heidi, and she is just the cutest little thing!

Some of our current furbabies were born here (we inherited the Mom when we bought our house). We have all those kittens and Mom still, but we were around them the whole time they were growing up. This is the first one we've brought in from another household. She is hiding under the bed and is crying so pitifully...It's making ME cry!

I know she misses her cat Mommy and siblings, but I feel soooo bad for her. Is there anything I can do to help her or make this transition easier???

She has water, kibble, and a litter box by the bed she is hiding under. She is laying on a pillow under there too. She has eaten some kibble and drank some water, and she has used the box a couple of times. I know it's normal for her to miss her family, but I just wanted to make sure the crying is normal, and find out if there is anything I can do to help. It's just breaking my heart to listen to her!

Thanks for any advice!

Blessings,

**Missy** · 06-23-2008, 09:13 PM

It's only been a day. She is in a completely unfamiliar place, around completely unfamiliar people, things and cats. The smells tastes, and other senses aree going nutso. Give her more time. She'll come around. Try to keep the others away from her for now. Keep the room quiet. Don't get high pitched when you talk to her. Try to be as monotone and calm as possible around her. Calm is key for her the next few days. It wouldn't hurt either to wear a t shirt for a day and put it under the bed for her to lay on to get accustomed to your scent being somehting safe for her.

**hwmabire3** · 06-23-2008, 11:37 PM

Our most recent kitten, Foxy, did the same thing. The first two or three days, she hid under the bed. Finally she came out and she's been ruling our house ever since! Don't worry, she'll grow out of it.

**The Muse** · 06-24-2008, 09:41 AM

I adopted a 5 week old kitty who was the same way. He just cried and cried. The only way he would stop is if I held him.

I literally held him or kept him with me for a week before he adjusted enough to be left on his own without crying. DH made me a sling to put around my neck and I kept him in that when I couldn't hold him. He's 5 years old now and the biggest snuggle cat ever. I have two other cats who are buddies, but the orange guy is all mine. He follows me around, sits in my lap, sits on my desk and is the sweetest most gentle cat ever.

Will she stop crying if you hold her?

**baxjul** · 06-24-2008, 11:44 AM

My two kitty twins did the same thing. I used to just lay down with them, and they would come and cuddle up to me.

**iida** · 06-24-2008, 12:23 PM

Our cat didn´t come out of my sons room for two weeks when we got her almost six years ago. She slept in my sons pillow next to him. And now my son is the only one who can hold her in his lap. We have a dog too (and had when the cat came), they are not the best of friends, but they tolerate each other.

You have a lot of fur babies. Little kitties are so sweet.

**staciah** · 06-24-2008, 12:30 PM

I miss have a cat. We had to give ours away 3 yrs ago because he just wouldn't stop spraying even though he was fixed before the 6 month mark. He really was an SOB.

All this talk of kittens makes me want to get another one but now is not the time for one.

Good luck with your kitty. Enjoy.

**MirandaK** · 06-24-2008, 12:44 PM

I'd go in the bedroom where she's hiding, close the door and just sit or lay on the floor in there for awhile. Take a book and relax and see if the kitty comes nosing around. With the door shut there will be less stimuli and maybe she'll get curious about what you are up to. Good luck!!!

**lwlynch** · 06-24-2008, 12:47 PM

mine did the same thing.. i put her in my sons room. and she slept with him for about a week.. but 6 weeks later she owns this house and all the dogs are hers....your will adjust...

**Nada.Leona** · 06-24-2008, 04:17 PM

When I brought Mischief home, the first thing she did was dive into the covered litter box and hide there for hours!!! lol Give her time to feel comfortable in her new setting. Nothing and no one smells familiar to her yet. Give her time, she'll make her way out when she sees she's in no serious harm. By the end of the week she'll be just fine!

**Michelle** · 06-24-2008, 04:43 PM

It would break my heart to hear her cry too, but it is totally normal. She'll get used to things before you know it.

**KimmieSC** · 06-24-2008, 04:56 PM

Thanks to you all for the reassurance, tips, and info!

I feel better just knowing she is acting normally. Heidi has moved from under the bed to behind the back piece of my corner desk, so I'm right here with her while working. I've been talking to her soothingly, and she is not crying so much anymore!

Thanks again!!!

Blessings,

**Michelle** · 06-24-2008, 05:49 PM

She'll get used to the sounds and the ways of your household in no time.

What kind of

is she?

**KimmieSC** · 06-24-2008, 06:29 PM

Hi!

She is dark gray striped with the biggest eyes and ears! She is adorable - When she gets used to the house and us, I'm going to take some pictures. I'll share them here when I do!

Blessings,