Hi all

Picked up our two snow spotted girls yesterday.

Got home about 16:30 and went to their quiet room (our en suite), opened the door of the carrier and they nervously came out but ran under our bed (forgot to shut the door ).

They sayed there for a few hours until Indiya started to venture out, she is certainly the braver of the two despite being the smaller one. After a while Safiya followed her and they started to explore.

They both found and used the litter tray, very pleased about that, then Indiya found the food and water and had something to eat and drink.

They started to play with their toys, Indiya was fine and was happy for us to stroke her but Safiya was very nervous when we moved and ran away when we tried to stroke her.

They had a mad run around and then settled down despite Safiya not having eaten anything.

Then at 3am we were woken by loud meowing from Safiya, she was nervously cowering behind the door. Indiya came out to see what the noise was but Safiya continued her loud meow.

Thought it was time to try the Da Bird (hadn't got it out earlier as I thought it might be too much excitement), this worked a treat Safiya stopped meowing and both cats went wild for it (although Safiya still ran away when I moved).

We played for quite a while, they both had a mad five miuntes running around afterwards and then we all went off to sleep.

Woke up this morning (they slept under our bed), they were quiet for an hout or so then Indiya came out again, followed by Safiya. They started to explore in the daylight and both went for some food & drink (first time Safiya has eaten, although she didn't eat much).

They are happily playing with each other and have jumped on the bed a few times, Indiya is happy to be stroked and starts purring straight away, Safiya comes to see what the purring is but still backs/runs away when you put out your hand to stroke her.

I know it's early days as they have been here for less than 24 hours but wondered if it was normal for one to be SO nervous?

The only odd behavoiur from her is that she scratches the floor around her food bowl and also vertical scrathes the wall by the food bowl. Not sure what this is for?

We are trying the let them come to us approach but is there anything else we could do?

I have a feliway diffuser but have not turned it on yet as I didn't want them to be dependant on it (if she would be nervous again when it is off).

Does the behavoiur sound normal?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Dave

Sounds all very normal Dave. Just take it gently and once they get used to their new surroundings their confidence will boost.

The scratching around the food bowls is a cats way of trying to bury their food as they would do in the wild.

Enjoy

Its pretty normal for them to be nervous for a few days when they arrive at a strange place with strange people. Just give her a bit of time and she will be come round in her own time, she will be fine

If you think the feliway will help calm her i dont see why you cant use it.

As others have said, it's all entirely normal. You'll often get one kitten who is quite confident while the other is quite timid. It sounds as if they've already settled really well though and I'm sure it's just a matter of time before Safiya gets her confidence. You may find that in a couple of weeks' time the roles are reversed

It will probably help to turn on the Feliway diffuser as they release calming pheromones into the atmosphere. It's not a case of her getting addicted to it, just that it will help her through the initial settling in period. Once she's got her confidence, she won't lose it if you don't replace the diffuser.

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Thanks for the replies, we'll just take it slowly from day to day.

Ginny, the feliway is being turned on right now, it's good to know she won;t miss it once they have settled.

Thanks again.

Thanks, I do hope so!

They had another mad play this afternoon, they cannot resist the Da Bird!

Safiya is still very wary but seems a bit more settled, she ate some more food so at least she is eating.

They're both asleep under the bed again now.

Think we might be on for another 3am mad house.

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Kato & Leon

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Kato & Leon

Hey, it doesn't sound like your little kits are that nervous at all! On the first day I could stroke mine in their carrier where they'd sit and watch me if I came in, but their posture wasn't scared and I got purrs and headbutting. But out of their cave they stayed low to the ground for a couple of days. They'd play with us, eat in front of us and play with each other while we were there but would head back to the carrier if we even held eye contact for too long, never mind moving towards them. It was on the fourth day I could approach and stroke them and it took a whole week before they'd find us for attention and not run away spooked when somebody galloped down the stairs. As you can see, you're doing very well in comparison They quickly became hug-seekers after that, so don't worry about not being able to stroke Safiya just yet. She'll come around.