What to expect from a cat after adoption...?

[Amethyste]

Hello friendly members of PS!

My husband and I are looking to adopt a cat from the SPCA. We both live in a smaller 1 br. apartment. With re-arranging our place a little, we will have room for the kitty litter and a possible cat tree for him to enjoy his time watching the world go by... I am just wondering a few things though:

Do you all think that even if you look at the adoption papers of a certain cat, the fact that they are surrounded by zillions of people moving in and out of a room, petting them and picking them up, the fact that all the cats are together in a room can REALLY change how a cat "IS" in a different home situation?
The cat I was thinking about adopting has shown aggression towards men, and strangers, but I wonder how that cat qould be in a quieter home without so much stress...

Also, most cats found at the SPCA were outdoor/indoor kitties. I live near a busy street and would have to make this cat an indoor cat. How hard would that be for a cat that is used to more freedom?

i just want some pointers on what to expect from a cat ( i know it will vary from 1 kitty to another ) but just general things for me to think of, in case I have forgotten something...

Thank you in advance

 

[princesss]

If you''re a new cat owner, the aggression would worry me a little.

Both of my cats were the same at the shelter as they were at home. Lola is shy and quiet, loves me since I''m her person, but is shy and standoffish around other people. She likes to hide and feel safe. Ezra is a really outgoing, loveable cuddlebug and will play and snuggle all day. Both of them were exactly like that in the shelter, and their personality has been set from day one with me. (BTW, Lola was 6 1/2 when I got her, and Ezra was 4 or 5 months.)

I think it''s probably best to assume what you see is what you''ll get and try to get a cat that can bond equally with you and your DH.

 

[Amethyste]

Thank you Princess for your reply. I am not a new cat owner but my DH is. That little guy really took my heart, but I don''t think my husbsand really "loves" him. By aggressive, he swats without using his claws and he doesnt bite. Kinda in a more "hard playful" manner, I know the cat is trying to "test" me and I know the game, but my husband doesn''t really have that much exprerience with kitties...

ahhhhhhhhhh... lol

 

[Ara Ann]

Just some general kitty advice... Make sure he has a scratching post, if the 'kitty tree' isn't one. Cats NEED to scratch and will use a scratch post if introduced to it immediately upon moving into your home (you have to actually take kitty's paws and 'help' them to scratch the post, this places their scent on it, they have scent glands in their paws and once marked, that's where they will continue to scratch...they'll leave your furniture alone if you do this, first thing!!) And keep lots of toys around as well.

Also, about the 'male' aggression issue...have your hubby feed the cat and play with the cat, feeding it treats etc. You should hold back a bit at first and let your hubby take the lead...kitties know and love their caretakers...if he starts off in that role, kitty will grow to accept him, but may not warm up to other men as much. And yes, environment can play a role in kitty and dog behavior! Just be patient...may take a while for him to adjust.

Good luck with your new kitty! Hope it all goes well...expect a few bumps at first, but things should work out eventually!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Date: 9/15/2009 11:35:47 AM
Author: Amethyste
Thank you Princess for your reply. I am not a new cat owner but my DH is. That little guy really took my heart, but I don't think my husbsand really 'loves' him. By aggressive, he swats without using his claws and he doesnt bite. Kinda in a more 'hard playful' manner, I know the cat is trying to 'test' me and I know the game, but my husband doesn't really have that much exprerience with kitties...


ahhhhhhhhhh... lol

I don't think I'd take this as aggression. It sounds like he's trying to play. My cats (kittens and full-grown) will often bat at my legs as I walk past them when they want attention.

I have one pet store cat, one humane society rescue and a feral rescue and they're all very different.

Murphy, the pet store cat is a little skittish but is very very affectionate, loving and loyal. He's a total momma's boy. He was abused by my ex (one of the reasons he's an ex) and as a result doesn't like men all that much. He adores DH and likes company if they're willing to pet and love him. It's all about building trust between the cat and the owner

Binks, the ASPCA rescue was adopted and returned to the shelter twice before I adopted him. He was too rambunctious for the people who adopted him apparently. In reality he was a young kitten who hadn't been socialized properly (or at all). He was very hyper, very bitey and not all that nice when I first got him. For a long time he'd only let me pet his head. Now we're at the point that I can pick him up for a snuggle and pet his stomach if he's in a good mood. He doesn't ever relax into the petting though. His hyperactivity has diminished greatly and now he's quite the lazy boy. He's very skittish and hides in the basement when we have company over.

Monty is the latest addition to our furry family. He's about 4-5 months old and he was born in my boss' yard. We got him at about 2-3 months. Monty is typical for a kitten. When he plays he plays with his paws, feet and teeth. As he's learning to hunt and behave appropriately in our family, we make a point to correct him when he uses teeth or claws and praise him when he's loving and sweet. He's a bruiser though and tries to beat up the other cats and our dog. They all tolerate it for the most part and any biting, gripping or rough housing I see is very clearly either playing or dominance/correction. Monty doesn't pay much attention to us during the day, he's got too much to do, but at night he sleeps with us and is a total cuddle bug.

As you can see, all three cats are very different. No cat will be the same as the next. Cats are tough and resilient. They can (when they want to) adapt easily to changes in the environment. The fact that they're going from a busy space to a mellow space probably won't matter. It might even make them a little more comfortable and relaxed. Additionally, unless a cat has been living outside for years and years, it's really easy to train and indoor/outdoor cat to be indoors alone. Monty was born outside and now has no interest in going out. Murphy and Binks love the garage but get FREAKED out when the garage door is open. And if the cat is at the ASPCA then they're inside cats because the ASPCA doesn't let them outside.

I think one thing that will be important for you and your husband both is to give the kitten space. Let it get used to the environment, the new smells and sounds. Have your husband feed the kitten so it learns that Dad is part of the family and he has no choice in interacting with him. Chances are the little guy is going to hide under the couch or dresser for a few days. Let it. Put a litter box and its food/water in the room and leave it alone. Wait for it to come out and approach you. It took Monty almost 2 weeks to get to this stage. Also, cats for some reason are attracted to indifferent people. I'm willing to bet if your husband sat quietly on the couch the kitten would come and investigate. When the cat will let you handle it, make sure you touch it all over, tail, face, belly, paws, claws and handle them often. This will help make chores like claw trimming easier down the road. Also, when speaking to the cat, keep your voice low and soft. Speak to it often so it gets used to your voice. That way you can verbally discipline it when needed. They'll recognize the change in tone. My cats also love music, so you could try singing to him to mellow him out. Should be no problem for you

I hope this long winded response helps. I love cats, they make such a difference in my life. I hope you get one!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/15/2009 12:55:48 PM


I love cats, they make such a difference in my life. I hope you get one!

Well said!!!

 

[Amethyste]

Mrs. Hudson_Hawk -

Thank you so much for your generous post and sharing your experience with your kitties.It is really nice to see that even though they all have a different personnality, they all get along somehow I don''t have the kitty yet but the one I''d really like to adopt, has some little "attitude" problem lol. But I think that if he''s given proper care, love and home he''s be able to be a little more trusty and open up, even towards men.

the idea of giving him treats is a good idea for my hubby... Thank you so much for your reply

 

[tyty333]

Hi Ames,
I''m looking for a new kitty too. About 2 years ago I adopted my female Riley from the pound.
She was somewhat nervous and not all that interested in me (but I fell for her beautiful green
eyes). I figured when I got her home, and she was a little more comfortable, that I would see
some more affection out of her. Well...she hasnt changed. She rarely ever purrs and every
once in a while she will grace us with her presence on our bed for some attention. I like
to say that she is more of a cat''s cat than a people''s cat. We love her all the same.

So this time around I am looking for a cat that purrs (at the pound). Likes to be held
(at the pound) and will sit in my lap for a while (at the pound). I figured if they can
be laided back at the pound and want my attention then hopefully they will still want
some attention at home.

Good luck with your search and please post some pictures when you find your little furball!

tyty

 

[Octavia]

Date: 9/15/2009 12:55:48 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk

I think one thing that will be important for you and your husband both is to give the kitten space. Let it get used to the environment, the new smells and sounds. Have your husband feed the kitten so it learns that Dad is part of the family and he has no choice in interacting with him. Chances are the little guy is going to hide under the couch or dresser for a few days. Let it. Put a litter box and its food/water in the room and leave it alone. Wait for it to come out and approach you. It took Monty almost 2 weeks to get to this stage. Also, cats for some reason are attracted to indifferent people. I'm willing to bet if your husband sat quietly on the couch the kitten would come and investigate. When the cat will let you handle it, make sure you touch it all over, tail, face, belly, paws, claws and handle them often. This will help make chores like claw trimming easier down the road. Also, when speaking to the cat, keep your voice low and soft. Speak to it often so it gets used to your voice. That way you can verbally discipline it when needed. They'll recognize the change in tone. My cats also love music, so you could try singing to him to mellow him out. Should be no problem for you

This is exactly the advice I was typing out before I realized that H_H had already said it all! It's pretty much what we did with our little guy, and he's SUCH a good cat. We tried really hard to take our cues from him, and to gradually raise his comfort level around us. When we got him, we could barely pick him up, and now he lets us hold him like a baby for 15-20 minutes at a time. It took a long time to get to that point, though -- you really have to be patient. He's so funny, if I get home and he's not out and about, all I have to do is say "where's my cat?" in a certain tone of voice and he comes running to greet me.

Like H_H's cats, mine also bats at my legs, but never with claws. It's definitely a "pay attention to me! now!" thing. He also gives us plenty of warning before the claws come out if the belly rubs are getting to be too much, or if I've trimmed a nail too many. I think he's so chill because we've demonstrated that we're worthy of his trust, and even if he's annoyed he never feels threatened by us.

At some level, though, you have to be prepared to love the cat for what it is, because most cats have very strong personalities and there are some things that even trust and affection won't change. Our little guy is NOT a lap cat, even though he loves to be held when we're standing up. I'd like him to be more cuddly...he'd like me to feed him more treats. Neither one is going to happen, so we both deal. It's funny how much more human-like my relationship with the cat is than my relationship with my parents' dog -- much more of a give-and-take.

On the indoor/outdoor issue, some friends of ours have a cat who was indoor-outdoor when they lived in a more suburban area, but when they moved into the city, he became indoor-only. He doesn't seem to have had any problems with it. I'm not sure cats think about "freedom" the same way we would, and I think that indoor-outdoor to indoor-only is an easier transition for cats to make than the other way around. I'd be terrified to let our cat outside now, because I don't think his survival skills are up to standard...

 

[MichelleCarmen]

My cat (who is 16+) was a terror when little and she never outgrew that over the years. She is aggressive and scratches and bites. She''ll be purring one minute and then turn around growl at me the next. I usually warn friends/children when they come over. . .but for some reason she''s always nice to company. Strange cat. . .

That aside, personally, I''d avoid adopting a cat who is aggressive, because once you bring the pet home, it''s not right to take it back and you do not want to be stuck with an angry pet.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Amethyste, what signs of aggression is she showing?

 

[Amethyste]

Date: 9/15/2009 7:35:21 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Amethyste, what signs of aggression is she showing?

Manny is a big boy, he sit on the SPCA cat condo and looked so handsome. So I went to pet him on the head after i left him sniff my hand and he let me do that... THen I go see another kitty and came back to Manny. He was then laying on his belly and went to pet under his chin and let me do that. THen I was taking my hand back and he started batting at my hand without using his claws and "trying" to mouth me but wouldn''t get that far... kinda like in a playful manner, but his tail was wagging a little harsh, like maybe he was annoyed by me or the attention. THen I got a stringy toy to see if he wanted to play and played with me a little bit then he moved down to go eat and drink... then when he was done, and walked near me, I picked him up and put him back into the cat tree. He didn''t fight me or showed stress while in my arms.

I am not exactly sure what kind of behaviour he was showing, but I just wasn''t sure if it was aggresivity or he was trying to tell me that "hey you can pet me, you can try to love me, but I still roost the nest" type of signal.........

 

[Elmorton]

I''m actually really surprised that the SPCA shelter has indoor/outdoor kitties. We''ve donated to them from time to time, thus got a newsletter, and there were typically articles about how you should never have an outdoor cat.

That said - if a cat has been an outdoor cat, you''ll find that it usually wants to be an outdoor cat. My MIL''s outdoor cat would express his displeasure by peeing on her bathmats.

Personality can change a lot. A friend of mine recently adopted a 5 year old male tabby from a shelter. In the shelter, he was very chill, alert, but laid back - seemed to be interested in playing/human contact, but not overtly so. Based on meeting him in the shelter, I thought she had an awesome cat because he seemed very laid back, which fit my friend. When she got him home, he got very neurotic. Hides at loud noises (the shelter was under construction, so he was around loud noises a lot), hides when new people come, but can''t leave my friend alone when she''s home - pawing at her, curling up with her, sometimes even a nip or two if she''s not paying him enough attention. The first time she left for a day, he freaked out and peed on her bed. It''s taken him a lot of time to adjust. It''s really hard to tell what "personality" he''ll have based on the shelter or even a few weeks at home. You have to remember that when you meet them, they''re under stress, and when they come home to you, that doesn''t mean the stress is over.

That said, I''ve volunteered at shelters, and they try to do a very good job of explaining that behavior (depending on the shelter). That card doesn''t mean the cat hissed or was scared of a man just once, typically - it means that volunteers saw repeat behavior. I would never expect the issue on the card to just go away. If it does, that''s wonderful!, but I would always adopt expecting that what the volunteers/handlers have found with that animal will be true of that animal in all conditions.

While I absolutely completely encourage you to adopt, I also would be hesitant about adopting an animal that your partner isn''t bonded with. If you''re unsure that you can commit to this kitty (because I assume you ARE committed to your DH!! there''s no turning him out , I''d look at other kitties. If your DH is bonding well with the cat or is okay with the behavior, by all means, adopot!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Date: 9/15/2009 8:02:29 PM
Author: Amethyste

Date: 9/15/2009 7:35:21 PM

Author: Hudson_Hawk

Amethyste, what signs of aggression is she showing?

Manny is a big boy, he sit on the SPCA cat condo and looked so handsome. So I went to pet him on the head after i left him sniff my hand and he let me do that... THen I go see another kitty and came back to Manny. He was then laying on his belly and went to pet under his chin and let me do that. THen I was taking my hand back and he started batting at my hand without using his claws and ''trying'' to mouth me but wouldn''t get that far... kinda like in a playful manner, but his tail was wagging a little harsh, like maybe he was annoyed by me or the attention. THen I got a stringy toy to see if he wanted to play and played with me a little bit then he moved down to go eat and drink... then when he was done, and walked near me, I picked him up and put him back into the cat tree. He didn''t fight me or showed stress while in my arms.


I am not exactly sure what kind of behaviour he was showing, but I just wasn''t sure if it was aggresivity or he was trying to tell me that ''hey you can pet me, you can try to love me, but I still roost the nest'' type of signal.........

Again, to me that''s not aggressive. That''s being a cat. They can be fickle and jealous. Perhaps he smelled the other cat and was peeved at you? I would ask the shelter staff for more details about his behavior with men and watch your husband interact with the cat in the shelter environment.

 

[Amethyste]

Date: 9/15/2009 8:06:26 PM
Author: Elmorton
I''m actually really surprised that the SPCA shelter has indoor/outdoor kitties. We''ve donated to them from time to time, thus got a newsletter, and there were typically articles about how you should never have an outdoor cat.


That said - if a cat has been an outdoor cat, you''ll find that it usually wants to be an outdoor cat. My MIL''s outdoor cat would express his displeasure by peeing on her bathmats.

Oh Elmorton, what I meant to say is that Manny was an outside cat before he was turned over to the SPCA. He belonged to someone, but they left him outside and he wandered and been brought in as a stray. When they found the owners, they decided to leave Manny at the shelter cause "They just didn''t have any time for him".

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR POSTS.... every single one fo your answers really brought me more information and different light that I didn''t see... Please carry on