Please Help: Roscoe The Maine Coon Cat

[drgnldy]

I hope this is the appropriate place to post...it is health related; MENTAL health of both a kitty and of me! Roscoe is a 7-year-old neutered male. I adopted him into my home last Monday. He belonged to a co-worker since he was a kitten, a young woman and her husband. Roscoe had another cat in his prior household to keep him company, which took him a while to accept but he finally did. Then about two years ago, a baby was born to this young couple. Roscoe didn't like it much, but he adapted. Then five weeks ago, the second child was born and came home, and Roscoe began to exhibit his displeasure. His litter box was moved from a room in the house, now occupied by the baby, to the porch where he had to use a pet door to access it. He chose instead to make a mess in front of the pet door. His constant crying and restlessness prompted my friend to first adopt out his companion cat, then finally to seek a home for Roscoe. Knowing I was a cat lover, she asked me to take him and of course I did. I have seven other cats, six of which found me instead of the other way around. I never say no to a homeless kitty.

Well Roscoe isn't adapting so well. No sooner was he out of his carrier than he refused to let any of my family touch him. Lots of growling and hissing, and he popped both me and my 19-year-old son pretty violently on our arms and hands when we attempted to remove him from under the couch. He is in my spare bedroom now and has been all week. He has a litter box in there which he uses, thank heaven, and I give him food and water which he consumes. All my pleading and bribes with choice morsels of food and patience will not get him to come out from under the bed whenever I go in the room.

I am very concerned...the family that gave him to me cannot take him back, as the young mother had hernia surgery today and has lots of health issues as well as new baby and toddler issues! I am afraid that Roscoe is un-adoptable and would be destroyed elsewhere. Can anyone offer any helpful suggestions to get Roscoe to warm up to his new home?

[Traci]

It sounds like this is a situation in which you have to let Roscoe take it and play it by ear. Continue to keep him in your spare room, but do allow him access to the rest of the house. He is finding solace in this spare room, as a place for a safe haven until he feels comfortable with other areas of the home. He can't display outward signs of affection, love, bonding, or mellow behavior until he is well accustomed to his new environment, feels safe and secure, and has at least been introduced to his new siblings and has been able to tolerate them, become accustomed to them.

He's had a very stressful and eventful history, especially recently, so take it slow, one day at a time, and allow him to go at HIS own pace. Don't force him, and don't expect a miracle too soon. He simply needs to adjust on his own, just be there for him and let him know you are nearby, willing to cooperate, and start bonding at a safe distance. Sometimes, just being in the same room, not doing anything in particular, is enough for him to learn to trust you. Slow movements, soft voice, and of course, the keeper of food, is your advantage.

Being he is a Maine Coon, his personality and traits will eventually allow you both a bond eventually. I think you just need to give this more time, patience, and of course, a whole lot of love. Thank you for caring so much and taking him into your heart and home.....don't give up on him, he's depending on you...

[drgnldy]

Thanks Traci, for those words of encouragement! I needed to hear that, and we will have patience and not force ourselves on Roscoe. I speak for the humans in this household, but I cannot predict what the other cats will do! I am particularly concerned about my 8-month old purebred Maine Coon Cat, Sunny, who is absolutely fearless and nosy as all getout. Do you suppose this older cat might injure Sunny when I open that bedroom door and allow him access to the rest of the house? Sunny is the foundation cat for my future cattery, a retirement project that I hope to begin in a few years. Here's a picture of him, although he has grown quite a bit since this was taken!<br><img src="http://www.dragonbiz.com/pets/Sunny_by_MJ.jpg">

[Traci]

Oh my, what a beauty!! Well, I would expect some hissing, growling, and maybe a chase or two, but I don't know his personality to say for sure. I just think he is extremely stressed right now and needs time to adjust. The more secure, quiet, calm the environment is, the more likely he will quickly adapt, to both the environment, you, and the rest of the kitties.

I have 11, all have had to be introduced at some point or another. I don't rush things, I usually let them hash it out on their own, I only advise supervision at all times, and seperate them if they are not fast learners regarding chasing or terrorizing each other. The key is of course, patience and committment to the task....it sounds like you're a master at that, so just take it slow and give him the opportunity to show himself and his true colors. I'm sure he will come around soon enough, he simply needs time to feel safe, secure, and to understand he is not going to be shifted to yet another stressful environment.

Hang in there.....don't be afraid to update...others here can also add tips. MA could really give you some pointers, be patient, she's really having a tough time of it right now. In the meantime, you're doing the right things, just takes time.

[Jen]

Three of my cats would fall into the catagory of "scared, shy, tends to hide.......etc. TIME......... a LOT of time is all it takes.

Food is your best tool. Find something he will take from your finger, and then offer it to him regularly. Even if that means laying on the floor reaching under the bed. (believe me, I have gotten stiff in such postitions in the past, but they need to feel secure so pulling them out from their hiding place is NOT a good idea)

Be in the room with him , talking doing quiet tasks, just having your presence without trying to force anything on him, also helps.

Please update and I will post more suggestions as I think of them.

[drgnldy]

Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions! Here is an update. As of today, we are leaving the room's door open except at night when we go to bed, but Roscoe still has not come out. He lays on a lamp table that is even with the windowsill, looking out, most of the time. If there is too much activity in the room, he goes under the bed again. I have given him treats, a spoonful of wet catfood or a few morsels of roasted turkey or beef, on a small paper plate, and he will sniff the items while I hold them but he will not eat them until I leave it and go away. Only in the past few days has his "position" under the bed looked more relaxed when I look under there, and he even let me scratch his head briefly before he hissed at me yesterday, a real milestone! I do go in the room and do things while ignoring him in there, and sometimes he stays on the lamp table and sometimes he hides. This is going to take a LOT of time, I am afraid. But he is eating, drinking, and using the litter box and not making a mess for me so I guess he can have all the time he needs. Thanks everyone for your support!

[IGGYCAT]

You might try getting Feliway in a mister. It is a little pricy, about $30, but it helps with stress for cats. You could put it in the room he is in and see if it helps him relax.
BTW, 4 years ago I brought homea kitten who adored my 12 yr old cat Mous. He hated her. He went nuts, licked his back raw, snarled at her, avoided her, sulked and had fits. After 5 months of freaking out over it all and feeling massivly guilty, I came home and found them on the bed together, with Mous washing her face. It just takes time and it is wonderful of you to take in the kitty.