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So, I just got a cat for the first time in my life. I got it through adoption. I had lots of dogs as pets but never a cat. I thought this would be easy but I really need help.
This cat has been abandoned by her previous owners. I think she's scared because of the unfamiliar environment. In the first hour, I was able to pet her and hold her but, soon, she just ran away underneath my bed. I haven't been able to get her out of there because my bed is very low and I think she's afraid of me. She came out for about 5 mins when I brought her some cat food but she quickly ran back in when she was done. I really don't want to force her to come out.
Basically, can anyone give me some simple advices on how to raise an adopted cat? I really want her to like me. Personally, since this is my first cat, I think I've scared her  . I'm really confused on what to do. I hope I can find some good help here. Thanks!
Edit: PICS!!
+ Show Spoiler +
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I just wanna say that it's great that you adopted an animal. It's a shame that not enough people do it.
Good luck!
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No sudden movements, no loud noises. Basically do whatever you can to not scare her. Other than that just give her time to get used to you and to the new environment. Make sure there's a warm, comfortable place that she can go curl up and feel secure. There's probably nothing wrong with her hiding out under your bed for a while. Leave food and water out for her. She might only come out and eat and drink when you're out or asleep if she's scared, but that's better than nothing. Over time (several days, maybe weeks) she'll get used to you and become more friendly.
edit: Good on you for doing this and good luck. I hope it works out for you.
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On May 25 2010 09:58 Wohmfg wrote:
I just wanna say that it's great that you adopted an animal. It's a shame that not enough people do it.
Good luck!
Thanks! I really hope she will like me, but so far... It doesn't look she will T_T. She's been under the bed for the past 3 hrs. I've tried to accommodate her by bringing her food/water. I even cleaned up my room completely. I'm just worried that she'll never come out of there T_T.
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Its really the same as taking a kitten home away from its mother. She will be frightened at first and the only thing you can give her is time, affection (although don't force affection on it), and supplies. My cat was the same way when we brought her home and it took 2 days for her to grow comfortable enough to be held.
If you treat your new cat with respect and don't force her to do anything she doesn't want to, she will come out eventually and you will begin to form a relationship.
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OMG she came out. The adoption agency person told me not to let her out of the house, so right now, I'm keeping her in my room. Unfortunately, she's sitting by the door wanting to get out. Ugh, this is so frustrating.
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It takes a long time for a cat to get comfortable in its new house, don't take it hiding from you personally. I would suggest to avoid picking up it for a while, and just to be nice to it without coming at it too much. As tarpman said, cat's dig on comfy hidey holes, so it's completely normal. My housemates and I recently came into a cat that has lost it's home, and for weeks it was stanndoffish with a couple people here (there are 4 of us), and even to the people he was friendly with he was aloof somewhat.
Basically patience is a virtue and don't touch him too much till he behaves like he wants you to. Gl with the kitty!
Oh also if you try and force it to hang out anywhere it prolly wont, you gotta let it come to you.
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It will take time. I hope you have a litter box for her later when she does come out. When she is out I would suggest cleaning under your bed due to that she might have used it as her litter box......
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cats are like women basically. don't throw your love at her. let her see that in no way you need her love. lead your life and let her watch. don't react to her. she'll grow comfortable and will eventually see you as trustworthy.
and look into yourself.. do you feel a little insecure when you're trying to approach the cat? maybe because you don't wanna be "rejected", so to speak? fearing that she'll react badly to you? just let her alone and lead your life as if she wasn't there. if you can pull this off, she'll fall in love with you. cats fall heavily in love with their owners.
good luck 
EDIT: the stuff i'm trying to explain is really really subtle. "not reacting to her" doesn't mean to completely not react.. but look into yourself. you do react on the level of feelings. look into yourself, see why you react. and then just stop this and be with the cat.
i can actually make stranger cats approach me by being completely cool and not reacting.. it's so hard to describe, but if your cat actually can teach you this... it's a lesson for life. because cats are like women .. and women are like every other human being ..
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@ tarpman, thank you for your advices! I'll try to make her feel as comfortable as possible. I better play keep the stream volume down (damn loud korean announcers!).
@ dethrawr, ah alright, I'll try my best not to force affection on it. Maybe thats why it was scared. I guess I was trying to forcefully make it like me the instant I adopted her. I'll definitely treat her with great respect! Thanks!
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On May 25 2010 10:08 CatioN wrote:
It will take time. I hope you have a litter box for her later when she does come out. When she is out I would suggest cleaning under your bed due to that she might have used it as her litter box......
This, get a litter box and kitty litter if you haven't already. I'm sure you can find some cat toys at a local pet shop, and maybe pick up some catnip (they go crazy for that shit... insta love).
P.S. Piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiics
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I'm not an expert but a cat is way more independant than a dog and you will never be able to impose your will on a cat because he will scratch you or go away. Cats are also way more egoistic, they can spend days without people around whereas most dogs would feel lonely and get depressed or scared.
Your cat is probably quite scared and not used to your house. She wants to be "alone" and that's why she is hiding under your bed. It is 100% normal and she will be shy at first but you just need time. Don't try to catch her, don't yell and don't force her to go out if she wants to hide.
She will eventually get out and if you are nice with her you will be able to stroke your cat
I guess you will need a couple of days or maybe weeks to have a fully confident and friendly cat.
Give it time.
edit: well people have said the same thing :o
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Ares[Effort]
DEMACIA6550 Posts
Good job yoon nim, I proud of you yo! Does it have a gosu accent like yours? lol jk and yea pictures please
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Hey guys, thank you for all the replies and your advices. I'm definitely gonna write them down. This cat is my first pet in YEARS. She was standing by the door as if she wanted to get the hell out of my house but now she's cuddling my legs and everything. All of a sudden she became really friendly! She's rolling around in my room, letting me pet her. I think she's gotten a bit comfortable. I hope I didn't feed her too much. I have a quick question though, am supposed to leave the kitty litter box somewhere secluded? Like away from my sight?
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On May 25 2010 10:06 YoonHo wrote:
OMG she came out. The adoption agency person told me not to let her out of the house, so right now, I'm keeping her in my room. Unfortunately, she's sitting by the door wanting to get out. Ugh, this is so frustrating.
Take notice if she jumps on handles and tries to pull doors with her paw. One of my cats does and I have to place chairs at the doors in the night because she wakes up my family x)
Also don't be discouraged if she bites and scratches you when you simply pet her. My other cat sometimes does this, especially when she lies on my knees but this doesn't mean she doesn't like me because she also often shows some love by jumping on my shoulders and rubbing against my neck 
On May 25 2010 10:17 YoonHo wrote:
Hey guys, thank you for all the replies and your advices. I'm definitely gonna write them down. This cat is my first pet in YEARS. She was standing by the door as if she wanted to get the hell out of my house but now she's cuddling my legs and everything. All of a sudden she became really friendly! She's rolling around in my room, letting me pet her. I think she's gotten a bit comfortable. I hope I didn't feed her too much. I have a quick question though, am supposed to leave the kitty litter box somewhere secluded? Like away from my sight?
It doesn't matter in my case
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Do you know how old she/he is? I own three cats
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haha steve gl with your cat. my family has 2 but we got them as kittens and theyve always had eachother for company. Just keep giving her food and dont make movements toward her that may seem threatening, let the cat come to you once shes comfortable, she will come to trust you eventually. Also do you have a litter box in your room? cuz otherwise the cat might be trying to relieve itself, i donno if its been housetrained or not but this could be a possibility. Agree with the adoption person, if you let the cat roam out of the house right away it will just run away before youve been established in her mind as someone to trust and rely on.
edit: it would be a good idea if the litter box was somewhere she doesnt usually hang around, and you dont either for that matter because it can smell. Just so that she associates that area with shitting and pissing as opposed to the rest of her "territory". My cats litter box is in a closet away from couches/beds and shit where they like to lie around on lol
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Please don't make fun of my bed LOL, I usually put a sheet over it but I was cleaning >.<. YES IT'S GOT FLOWERS ON IT BUT ITS COMFY K?
Edit: pics in the first post now!
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EPT![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/35rRq.jpg)
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