I have a new cat,He will not warm up to us tho.?

Question

We found him on a bridge

we feed him,take care of him,and love him

but he sleeps 23 hours a day.

he bites and scratches if he try to pet him for longer then like 3 Min's

he wont play with any cat toys.

and where getting sick of it

what do we do?

Answer 1

Be patient! He has to get used to the situation.

Is it a kitten? Or an adult cat? You could be in trouble with an adult cat. If he's a street cat, and used to live like this, he will have difficulties adjusting to your house and rules. If he's a run away cat, you might want to try and find his owners.

If it's a kitten, he will be fine. But do a check-up at the vet, for diseases and such.

And just be very patient. Imagine where the animal comes from. He has to get used to you, he doesn't know you, doesn't trust you probably, and so on. He might have had a bad time. So, get him checked, and be patient. Give him the time he needs.

Answer 2

Have you taken him to a vet? Is he spayed? How old is he?

Without knowing that all I can say is give him time, he's obviously had a rough time and it will take time for him to trust you.

OK, you HAVE to take him to a vet, he could have all manner of issues that are making him behave like this. Cats do sleep a lot but 23 hours a day does seem excessive. Getting him spayed will also calm him down. He also needs vaccinations etc. I honestly think a trip to the vets will solve a lot of his issues.

How do you know he was in a house if you found him on a bridge? In any case the fact remains that you did find him abandoned on a bridge so the fact remains that he's had a rough trot. The consensus of answers here is to take him to be seen by a vet and that is exactly what you should do. The end.

Answer 3

Cats are very independent animals, and it sounds like the one you picked up was feral for the most part. The most important thing right now is to get him to the vet. He could be biting or lashing out because he has sore spots, or other issues. You never really know with a cat you've just brought home. Once he's been to the vet and had his shots, give him lots of time to adjust. Don't try to force yourself on him. Don't leave food out on the floor for him. instead, give him meal times. Give him ten minutes to eat, then if he stops for five minutes take it away. Once he realizes you're in charge of food his respect for you will blossom a little more. And don't worry, you won't starve him this way. I've had to do it with many of my cats and dogs.

I'd suggest breakfast and dinner. You can do three meals if you want.

Stroke him a few times every once in a while, but other than that give him his space. Try to lure him with toys but if he doesn't show interest then he's just not willing to play. Maybe buy some catnip toys for him.

If all fails and you can't seem to get him to fit your lifestyle, post some ads in various places to try and find him a home that he'd fit in better. :)

Answer 4

How long have you had this new cat?  That is a critical question.

A new pet adopted from a domestic setting is going to be socialized and use to being a member of a human family.  He will have been sheltered, fed, kept safe.  However, when you rescue an animal from some stray setting, you have no idea what the animal has suffered,  how much trauma he has been subjected to, how long he has been without food.  His nervous system has been stressed, and that takes some time to calm down.  Imagine being a stray cat picked up off a bridge.  He doesn't know who you are, doesn't know where he is, doesn't trust that he is safe.  He is insecure and way out of his comfort zone.

You can tell him he is safe, you can tell him whatever you think he needs to hear..but he doesn't speak your language.  You can only demonstrate to him that you are safe to be around, that you will provide for him, be patient with him while he gets use to his new surroundings and his new family.  No instant gratification for you here, but the love and trust of a rescue is well worth the effort it takes to build.

The fact that he is sleeping so long  suggests that he has some healing to do...whether from an injury or from extended time without food.

If you are unable to work with him, check with your local shelter to see if there are any animal organizations that work with strays.  A shelter is apt to just put him down.  Here in Salt Lake there is a 'No More Homeless Pets' organization that would take him and place him in a foster setting, get him vet care, find him a forever home.  Check to see if there is something like that where you are located.

Answer 5

First, you must take the cat for an initial vet visit. Many times, cats that have been left outside to fend for themselves have picked up viruses or other things and need an examination and shots.

We adopted a 3 y/o cat last year that was abandoned and living on a local farm. She hid for a month and growled and hissed if we came near her. Slowly she started to come out and after about 6 months she is finally comfortable in our house and is a great pet. Cats that have not been raised around people just need some time to adjust. Just think how scared you would be if you were abducted by some 100 foot tall aliens and taken away to a strange place.

Answer 6

if you found him outside, he's most likely been a stray all his life, or at least for awhile. he probably hasn't been around humans much, if at all. it is really hard for cats to get used to humans if they didnt interact with before they were about 8-12 weeks old. so if he ever does warm up to you guys, it will take awhile. one of our cats used to be a stray before we adopted him, but he had obviously had an owner at some point because although he was really hard to get along with at first, he still liked some attention and love. it took him awhile, but he loves our whole family now, even though he still sometimes has a little bit of that stray cat in him, and he gets in "bad moods."  so just feed him, pet him everyday, but not too long, and be patient. he should come around.  good luck!  :D