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| Sun, 10-10-2004 - 6:23pm |
We adopted our cat a 6 month old Tabby I am guessing, about 3 weeks ago from a family ( she had a brother but we could not take him also). She has already been spayed and everything. The first day we brought her home she was very scared and ended up in our fire place. We had no choice but to bathe her. Well, now she will not go to the back part of our home. I have in the last week just gotten her to go into my kitchen to eat by moving her food there, I had been keeping it in the living room where she likes to stay. I tried to move the litter box to the back also figuring she would go and use it like she went and ate but that did not happen. She used the floor where the box had been. My question is how do I get her to go into the back and use the litter box so I can get it out of my living room? Do I just need to give her more time?
She is adjusting very well to all of us here and moves freely between the living room and my bedroom. She is still very skidish when she goes into the kitchen area to eat but will do so. She has no problems coming to us or showing she wants attention. I just want to get her into the rest of the house!
Thanks for any advice,

Hi Ivin2bamom. *Welcome* to Cats.
Someone mentioned talking to her sweetly. Yes, do that. Make her feel safe and welcome. Also, when young cats are afraid in a new surrounding, they don't like direct eye contact because they consider it confrontational. When you talk to her, you can look to the side of her face, and she will see that you are a safe person she can trust. It takes time and patience. That initial ordeal with the fireplace and bath was a setback, but kitties soon forget.
About the brother cat, it is up to you whether you are able to take him on. I almost took in my cat's brother, but I did not have the space, so I didn't. I've heard that when you take in two siblings at once, sometimes they cling to each other and less likely bind with you, so don't feel bad if you don't have room for the other cat.
Everything will work out great!