Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/15/2009

Question
QUESTION: dear tabbi,
         i just adopted a Siamese cat. she is two year old.she was with her owner since birth but due to some personal reasons they had to give it away. I had no pets before this cat. it has been two days since the cat is with me, the problem she does allows any one to touch her as soon as i take my hand near her she strikes with her paws and when i come close to her she starts to do GRrrrrrrrrrrr.I give him food as advised to me by her previous owners. i wanted to ask how much time would the cat take to settle down.

ANSWER: Fahad,

Give her time! Cats don't adjust to change quickly. Everything is new to her and she is frightened, unhappy, and unsure of you and everything else. Let her be. Don't try to force her. She will start to adapt and warm up to you as she gets used to things and a new routine. It could take 2 weeks or more.  

Food is a great bribe. Have her associate you with something pleasant. Give her some tuna, or tinned sardines in oil, etc.

Growling and striking is her way of protecting herself. She doesn't know or trust you yet. And she probably is missing her previous owners and is upset. Don't take it personal.

Tabbi

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: dear tabbi,
         thank you for your reply. i also wanted to know what else the cat would eat besides dry food and boiled lungs of a goat. Previous owner told me she only eats this food. Should i try giving her some new food. There is one thing more that although being potty trained , she did shit some place rather than her litter box. Is it fine or should i worry because the previous day she did her stuff in the litter box but today she was off target i guess.

Answer
Fahad,

I'm not sure what cat foods are available in Pakistan, but if possible get a good quality brand like Iams, etc. It has all the dietary nutrients needed for a healthy cat and not a lot of fillers that the cheaper brands have which makes the cat hungry all the time and can cause health problems. I would leave a bowl available all the time so the cat can munch when it is hungry. A cat doesn't eat too much if he knows it will always be available. Also keep fresh water on hand for the cat. Other foods, such as boiled goat lungs, can be given as a treat.

Her not using the litterbox could be due to being upset and stressed right now. Use a large litter box with deep clumping litter, and keep it cleaned out once a day and you shouldn't have any problems, unless she has a medical issue.

Tabbi