My boyfriend and I adopted and brought home two 5 month old kittens from an animal sanctuary on Saturday so this is our 4th day with them (they know each other so used to each other's company). The female (Sybil) had been spayed the day before and has been in hiding ever since we got home - the only time she comes out is to eat and use the litter tray if no one is around. And she can only eat if the male (Basil) is kept out of the room as he eats her food before she gets to it! Although she will come out slowly if I put the the food beside me on the floor and don't stare at her doing it. Basil had a small mishap in that the vet made the mistake of thinking he was a female cat instead of a male one who had been done and attempted to sapy him (poor guy!), so he has got an incision, but he seems absolutely fine and has settled right in - loves his cuddles, follows us everywhere etc.

What can I do to make Sybil more comfortable? She's hiding under the dining table in the lounge at the moment and there's no way of catching her and putting her in a smaller room (only available one is upstairs) with all her things as she bolts as soon as her "cover" is moved. I know she must be very confused in her new home and in some pain so I don't want to frighten her - I know how I would feel if I was her! She allows me to stroke her but I made the mistake of trying to pick her up and was rewarded with a mighty scratch and then she bolted straight to her hiding place! Kitty faux pas!

How long does it typically take for them to settle and recover from being spayed?

Sorry for the lengthy post - I am a total kitty novice who has only ever had dogs so any advice would be very much appreciated!

Have attached a pic of Basil for all you kitty lovers out there

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Sorry but cannot help you, this will bump the thread though so that someone who can may see it!

BUT ONE! when my cat comes back from the vets -c ertainly after his last op he hides - maybe because they feel vunerable!

AND TWO! when we moved house to where we are now, he would NOT come out of the spare room in which he was hiding for around three days!

regards
DT

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Thanks Colliemerls! Guess I just want reassurance that this is normal and I'm not doing anything wrong (besides the picking up attempt - have learned my lesson!) I guess I need as much training as they do I just feel a bit guilty that Basil is getting so many cuddles and she's getting none, but she'd come and get them if she wanted them I guess!

Yes - Fawlty Towers is my all-time fave show Boyfriend (as a joke) suggested we get a hamster and call him Manuel

Aaaw she will come out of herself, she is probs feeling a bit crappy after her op, has new home, new people to get used to, not surprising she is a bit reticent. Give her a little time & I'm sure she will be purring on your lap soon enough, if you try to force her out of hiding she will just be more stressed

Had a bit of a breakthrough with Sybil yesterday - I sat next to her hidey place for a while, then got a mouse on a string toy out and she started playing with it! Then she let me pet her, stroke her belly and rubbed her face on mine (as long as it was all under the table!) - then she came out later, had a play fight with Basil before going back under the table. Baby steps but improvement nonetheless!

Now if I could just get Basil to stop peeing on the bed, that would be great

Basil's manners are still a bit fawlty, by the sound of it.....

It was a very clever move to sit next to Sybil's hiding place and play with her. Can you get comfortable enough to snooze a bit in that position? She may be more likely to come out and investigate if she realizes you are relaxing...

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Jiskefet & the mognificent Dutch bunch

My little angels at the rainbow bridge

That's precisely what am doing right now - basil is fast asleep on me on the sofa and am just lying here and she's come out to explore!

Ha ha, yes, Basil's manners are a bit on the fawlty side - have a feeling Sybil will take him down a peg or two when she's feeling better in true fawlty towers style!

Sybil is out - can't get too near her, but she's out! Managed to get a pic

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It is quite normal for new kittens or cats to hide, sometimes for extended periods. Just make sure that they know where their food, water and litter is and they will come round. Try to keep them in a separate quiet room initially, where they can feel safe. They will soon tell you that they are ready to explore further.