New kitten is very skinny and timid. Help?

Question

I have a 1 yr old cat. I adopted her when she was 4 months old and she is my resident cat. I just brought home a new kitten 3 days ago. I have them in seperate rooms BUT the new kitten is very skinny and extremely timid. He was in a cage with two other cats at Petsmart and I don't think they allowed him to eat and he was often found laying in the litter box instead of out in the play area with the other cats. Since he's been home with me, he did lay in the litter box once and I got him out. But he eats a ton, so I don't understand why he's so skinny. Also, he's extremely timid. He cries at the door when I leave the room, but when I come in, he runs and hides under the bed. My question is, how do I gain his trust? and how do I introduce him to my other cat without them fighting and without my other cat dominating him the way I believe he was in Petsmart?

Answer 1

get him to the vet, you in all likelyhood got yourself a mill cat, in which case he can have any number of wrongs with him

he need a vet check up for parasites and worms, and it will take him time to overcome his bad start in life, and future wise please dont buy cats in stores, yes its bad for them, but for everyone you buy you finance 10 new ones so to speak, so while you save the one, you condemn its parents to continue their fate in bad conditions being overbreed giving birth to new weak and sickly kittens like this one

as for socialisation you will just need to give him time, try handfeeding

but really most important atm is geting that animal to a vet

Answer 2

You should try as much as possible not to leave the kitten and if she goes under the bed and hides just bring a few treats out or try getting a string and dragging it on the floor and see if he will try to catch it.  In about a few weeks I'm sure he will get your trust.  Try to let him sleep on the bed with you and feed him as much as he will eat.  Get a bed for him so he doesn't sit in the litter box instead.  If he's sitting in the litter box try picking him up and put him on your bed or his own bed.  Hope that helped.  I hope everything turns out fine (:

Answer 3

first and foremost, the kitten needs to see a vet.  Eating a lot and still remaining skinny could be a sign of worms.  Bring in a stool sample.  If your new kitten hasn't been tested for felv/fiv then that should be done so as not to expose your resident cat.

Your new kitten being alone in one room is a very good thing.  When I have timid cats I try to put them in a room or a cage with only one thing for them to hide in.  This way they fell protected, but you can get at them very easily with out causing trauma of having to chase them down.  Impose yourself on the kitten - do not force.  Meaning hold and cuddle, but if the kitten shows signs of wanting to get down put the kitten on the floor (do not let it escape) it shows you are open to listening to what the kitten wants.  By not letting it escape you show the kitten you are in charge, and are going to keep him safe.  If he escapes your grasp, he could injure himself falling to the floor.

Keep a radio or tv on in the room where the kitten is staying.  this will help him get used to the sounds of a household.

Play is a great motivator.  Use a fishing pole type toy to entice the kitten to play with out it having to be close to you.  This will build his confidence, and you will be able to bring the kitten closer and closer to you of it's own will.

Food is also a great motivator.  Make sure the kitten knows that you are feeding it.  Doing schedualed feedings of canned food twice a day will help a lot.  One it will give the kitten something to anticipate when you are around, two food is always a great reward.  three you'll know immediately if the kitten is not eating it's food - a sure sign of a health issue.  Wet is much better than dry - see http://www.catinfo.org for the reasonings behind why.  it is a site run by a vet who studies feline nutrition.

talk to the kitty.  Tell him you want to gain his trust, but your just a big ol silly human.. as odd as it sounds, talking to a kitty goes a long long way.

Answer 4

if you want the cat to gain your trust then just spend time with it and love it.to interduce him to your other cat put one in a cage and let the other one be outside of the cage and let them sniff each other so they get used to each other then switch and put the other one in the cage and let the other one wander around the cage. maybe the kitten has worms take him to a doctor.

Answer 5

His probably got worms, you should play with him alot if you dont he'll probably fell neglected as you did get him from a shelter he wont trust anyone for a while, just spend as much time with him as possible

Answer 6

first, vet. he may have worms.

second, just keep doing what you are doing. spend time with him, feed him.

after a few weeks, introduce him  to the cat with supervision. leave the door to the room open so he can hide if he wants to.

it just takes time.

lying in the litter box doesnt hurt anything, he will soon realize he is sleping in his toilet.

remember, he still a baby.

Answer 7

Have you brought them together at all? Or allowed them to smell each other? Try this and see how it goes, most cats will eventually respond well to a new kitten. If he's eating a "ton", then I wouldn't be too concerned as long as he doesn't look like he's starving, also watch out for frequent urination and that, he may have diabetes. If you see any other weird signs, get him to the vet!! How old is he and what would you estimate his weight to be? If you're really worried about him, you could take him to the vet to have him examined. Best of luck :)

Oh and for getting him to trust you, just leave him alone and let him come to you, and gradually see if he'll let you pet him and you could try giving him treats and playing with him. Good luck :)