How long should it take a new cat to settle in?

Question

Late December, I took on two new cats. They are my friend's pets- both 6 year old Burmese girls (sisters) they have been together their whole lives.
My friend is retired, and he is now living it up, and feels bad leaving the cats in catteries and thinks they would be happier in a home environment with people around most of the time.
I love these cats- I have known them since they were kittens, cat sat for them when my friend has been away, etc- so I was quite happy to take them.
I have had them for a month this week.
While one cat (Crystal) has settled in well- gets along with our other cat Zombie, tollerates the dogs, and is quite well adjusted and happy in her new home, the other cat (Esmeralda) is not coping so well.
She is scared of Zombie and the dogs. If the dogs are in the house, she generally wont come out of the bedroom. She will come and explore a little when the dogs are outside- but is still quite stressed in doing so. 
She no longer likes being handled, she doesnt play with Crystal like she normally would, she talks much more than she normally would.
She really isnt happy. I can tell that she is trying to be- she does try to find people when they come over, she will come out into the kitchen, now, and she likes to sleep on me.
But whether she will settle in or not... she has been like this for weeks, and I havent really seen much of an improvement- especially compared to Crystal.
What is everyone's opinion? I love these cats, and I would love to keep them, but I dont want Esmeralda to be unhappy. The cats cant be parted. I honestly think that they would be better off in a home with no other pets. How long does it normally take for cats to settle in and do you think she ever will?

Skyler · Accepted Answer

Hi
Its not that bad...I have had this experience.  You need to always provide a safe place for the scared cat with her friend so they can play in peace. Perhaps a room that you can have their food and litter in with a closed door.
Another thing is to ask the x-parent for some of his clothing that he has worn. Perhaps pajamas and a sweat-shirt. Or even a slipper or sock. This will give the scared cat a sense of home and safty.
After keeping these items where she sleeps move them with into you TV area or bedroom.
It will be awhile before the other animals will be welcomed into her world. So set time where she can be alone in the TV area without the others with exception of friend.
Also you need to spend some alone time with her every day. Say if you had a TV in your bedroom bring her bed in with the x cloths and spend an hour a night or so just doting on her alone.
Always give her treats when there is a presence of the others so the association is positive.
It took me 5-6 months. Now they all dont love each other but everyone moves about the house peacefully.
There are other calming remedies at the pet store some just plug into a room pug outlet.
Good luck. Be patient.

dobrowolski · Answer

i've got integrated canines with cats and vice versa. The cats have in many situations hated the recent kitten at first, in reality fluffing all their fur up and evident from a nook. My oldest cat Mildrid sat on the backyard fence for an entire day refussing to come again in whilst we've been given our 2d kitten! With cats its suitable to bypass away them to it - the kittens are often oblivious to the older cats behaviour and after a whilst all of them settle. ultimately they could desire to become acquaintances as cats clearly stay in collonies - our older cats nonetheless groom the extra youthful one and placed across 'provides' lower back for him (specially ineffective mice regardless of the undeniable fact that it is the thought that counts i assume!) The cats in many situations behave comparable to above whilst a sparkling puppy is proficient. the 1st puppy we had become a Springer Spaniel so we had to observe him at first as he become very bubbly and had to play with the cats all the time - after some swipes to the nostril from a cat claw nonetheless he discovered to bypass away them on my own! The final puppy we've been given become a miniature dachshund so he become smaller than the cats whilst we've been given him. After a week or so the cats many times occurring him and that all of them get alongside now. I actual have a Maine **** cat who's vast and him and the Dachshund play mutually, they only look truly humorous by using scale distinction! the only actual suggestion i could furnish is to make confident the widespread animal gets a great style of interest so as that they do no longer sense ignored as that's whilst skill hassle can start up (specially between canines) - as long as their recurring dosn't exchange too lots they often style it out truly with out delay and you would be wanting a harmonious companion and babies! reliable luck!

How long should it take a new cat to settle in?

2 Answers