Transition period

[Bosskitty]

I'm soon to become a sphynx mum! I am adopting my friends Sphynx, Mouse.
I should be taking him home towards the end of the week, I'm so excited I can't wait!
He's a previous rescue that my friend saved from a place where the previous owner's dogs would pin him down and bite his ears and sadly he can no longer stay at my friends because he's simply not getting along with her other cats. He currently spends a lot of his time very anxious.

So, my question is what will be the easiest and best way for me to introduce him to my home. Is there anything I can do to make his transition as smooth as possible?

 

[Bailey21]

Tagging @Yoda mom as she always has the best advice! I would say nice and slow. Start off with a small room like your bedroom until he feels comfortable enough to explore his new home entirely!

 

[Lizanne]

There are so many things you can do to make it better for all. 1st of all, isolate in a small room, such as a bathroom or extra bedroom. Put all the necessities in that room, making sure the litter box isn't right smack dab next to the food or sleeping area. I put a crate with no door on it and warm blankets in a walk in shower, they feel safe in an enclosure. Then put the litter box as far away as I could and the food and water on a countertop. The concept is to let them get use to the sounds and smells of his new environment through the bottom of the door. It's hard, but so important to do this. You slowly open up other areas of the house to the kitty. Since I had another cat, I would get my new one and go into a spare bedroom to snuggle with him for 3 or 4 hours and then go back to my bed where my other baby was. If you don't have any other animals, this transition should be easier. I would visit often, pick him up and take him to other areas , but only with him in my arms. I did this for about 2 weeks. Every cat is different, I've heard of some letting them out in a couple of days. For me that wasn't possible because my other cat was so mad and upset

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[Lizanne]

 

[Bosskitty]

There are so many things you can do to make it better for all. 1st of all, isolate in a small room, such as a bathroom or extra bedroom. Put all the necessities in that room, making sure the litter box isn't right smack dab next to the food or sleeping area. I put a crate with no door on it and warm blankets in a walk in shower, they feel safe in an enclosure. Then put the litter box as far away as I could and the food and water on a countertop. The concept is to let them get use to the sounds and smells of his new environment through the bottom of the door. It's hard, but so important to do this. You slowly open up other areas of the house to the kitty. Since I had another cat, I would get my new one and go into a spare bedroom to snuggle with him for 3 or 4 hours and then go back to my bed where my other baby was. If you don't have any other animals, this transition should be easier. I would visit often, pick him up and take him to other areas , but only with him in my arms. I did this for about 2 weeks. Every cat is different, I've heard of some letting them out in a couple of days. For me that wasn't possible because my other cat was so mad and upset

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Thankyou very much for taking the time to reply I'm absorbing all these tips!

 

[Yoda mom]

@Bosskitty kudos to you for reaching out and researching for a smooth transition. Do you have other pets?
if so, I will chime in with some tips for multicat /dog intros.

agree with great advice given about setting up a kitty safe room with all necessities.
I have 4 adult adoptees that have transitioned wonderfully

I tend to do very slow to new home introduction. . I use a spare bathroom or bedroom.
with my last adoptees I set up a spare bathroom with the cat tree they came with along with the same food type of bowls, litterbox and litter.
I did not leave collars or use any shirts or clothing, and made sure toilet seat was down, razors etc removed.

Personally, I did not keep the food near the litterbox. I put it on the bathroom counter to begin with... so he would have a safe higher place to observe from. (later moved food bowls to a little raised double dog dish on the floor).

Batman was very shy... he mostly slept on his familiar cat tree he came with and his favorite blanket she gave me.
I spent alot of time with him gently talking and a warm blanket from the dryer on my lap.

I went at his comfort level. He was shy and I never saw him eat for a couple of days.
I just kept the door closed for a few days and kept visiting him reassuring him.

I closed all other doors in the house and left the bathroom door slightly open so he could peek out at his comfort level.
he did not come out for almost 10 days! that was okay I knew he would get there in his own time.

slowly he began to meow and peek out, then in a few more days he took a few steps out and ran back onto his cat tree.
I just let him go at his pace.
I set up a tall cat tree in the open area. he began to explore cautiously and did multiple retreats.
I used a dabird pole toy and lots of praise when he made further adventuring progress
when he saw the cat tree in the living room he began exploring to it each time he would venture out.
eventually he would come out and go straight to that cat tree.

then the rest was history now he is the most curious busy buddy velcro talkative kitty

so my best advice is to think of it as if you were parachuted into a strange land. Set Mouse up for success.

set up a kitty safe room with all things familiar to him that perhaps you can get from your friend.
let Mouse go at his own pace, give 110% dedicated time to him when he starts to venture at his own pace.

also watch hot stove tops, mine jumped right up on the counter when I was cooking!
also if you have live plants in your house you may need to move them and/or check to see if they are on the toxic list.
always open doors slowly with your foot at the bottom in case he is waiting there to bolt out. they are lightening fast.

If you have a big flat or multiple levels, set up an extra litter box and one on each level.
I have several 50x60 inch throw blankets with a sherpa side on the couch, chair, bed..
he would run over and cuddle nap in those. a favorite of many sphynx blankets

sending a big hug and positive vibes for a smooth transition

(some members use Feliaway plug in s but my Toby went up and growled at it !
so had to take them out.) . each kitty is different. )

members will surely chime in

 

[Toa and Ross]

Great tips already given. I plugged in a felliqay diffuser, it helped my crew to feel more relaxed.

 

[Lizanne]

Yes great idea

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[Sheldon13]

Do you have other cats? If not I’m guessing he will relax very quickly knowing he has the place to himself and it is peaceful.

Does he still have his ears?


Love and Sphynx ~ It’s all you need

 

[Bosskitty]

Thankyou to everyone who took the time to reply to my post. Today I went to collect Mouse from my friend's house and brought him home to our flat. I'm absolutely in love with him and he seems so happy.
I've kept him in the main room which is our lounge/kitchen area and he's been so happy. He's been adventuring and exploring the house. He's used his new litter tray and eaten his dinner. I'm just so pleased he seems calm and happy. He's even had a couple of naps in a blanker curled up on me and we only got him a few hours ago.
He's made today the best birthday I could have ever asked for!

The only thing I'm concerned about at the moment is that he hasn't drank anything since arriving. Should I worry yet?

 

[Yoda mom]

@Bosskitty AH!!! HAPPY MOUSE GOTCHA AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

How exciting he is settling in immediately in a just a few hours! so so happy for you and Mouse

when you get a chance would love to see this pic and tale in an official Gotcha introduction thread

Introductions!

Introduce your sphynx or yourself to the community!

sphynxlair.com

are you using the same type of water dish, cup etc he may be used to? he will probably drink when he is ready and done with his initial exploring

absolutely precious and so happy hearts aligned ... a very happy boy!

hugs and head smooches

Mouse is absolutely adorable!!!
look forward to lots of pics and tales!

 

[Toa and Ross]

@Bosskitty happy gotchay day! Congratulations with Mouse and your birthday. What a handsome cutie he is. Great to hear he'a settling in so well and already stole your heart. I so hope he has found a forver home at your place.

Cats don't drink much. It can help to place the water not close to the food. If you feed feed food also cats will drink even less cause the wet food contains moisture.
I won't worry for now about the water.

 

[Bosskitty]

@Bosskitty happy gotchay day! Congratulations with Mouse and your birthday. What a handsome cutie he is. Great to hear he'a settling in so well and already stole your heart. I so hope he has found a forver home at your place.

Cats don't drink much. It can help to place the water not close to the food. If you feed feed food also cats will drink even less cause the wet food contains moisture.
I won't worry for now about the water.

Thankyou, i was a little worried as he has had trouble with water infections in the past but i think they were mainly caused by stress at his previous home. I've bought cat litter that turns blue when he has wee'd as well so it'll help me to keep an eye on how much he's passing

 

[Sheldon13]

I would be stressed too if someone was chewing my ears off and generally using me as a chew toy.


Love and Sphynx ~ It’s all you need

 

[Sheldon13]

I really want to go punch the previous owner in the face. How hard would it have been to separate them?


Love and Sphynx ~ It’s all you need

 

[Bosskitty]

Thankyou, i was a little worried as he has had trouble with water infections in the past but i think they were mainly caused by stress at his previous home. I've bought cat litter that turns blue when he has wee'd as well so it'll help me to keep an eye on how much he's passing

Oh I know, it’s awful isn’t it. Just to clarify it wasn’t my friends dogs that were attacking him it was his first owner who she rescued him from (just incase you think my friend is a animal abuser)

 

[Yoda mom]

@Bosskitty hugs to your friend who rescued him from the dog situation and for your friend doing right by him with your hearts aligning

 

[Bosskitty]

@Bosskitty hugs to your friend who rescued him from the dog situation and for your friend doing right by him with your hearts aligning

thankyooou! She's so sad for him to go but he just wasn't happy around other animals (understandably). He's now curled up asleep on my boyfriend's chest. He's the cuddliest little bean!

 

[Bosskitty]

@Bosskitty happy gotchay day! Congratulations with Mouse and your birthday. What a handsome cutie he is. Great to hear he'a settling in so well and already stole your heart. I so hope he has found a forver home at your place.

Cats don't drink much. It can help to place the water not close to the food. If you feed feed food also cats will drink even less cause the wet food contains moisture.
I won't worry for now about the water.

ooh i can breathe a big sigh of relief then! thanks for the advice!

 

[Yoda mom]

@Bosskitty here is a pic I use as a reference to monitor pee out put
always watch for frequent one after the other in and out of box and check output.
my adult adoptee had a stress UTI when I got him.
some meds and all cleared up ..going on 10 never an issue again

will be watching for updates pics and tales with adorable Mouse

 

[Yoda mom]

@Bosskitty keep us updated , when I adopted my pair, I swear I never saw him drink in front of me but the bowl was getting emptied.
I also found mine hated a fountain.
preferring a raised double stainless small dog dish bowl with water on each side, and a round 6 inch corningware dish.
I change to fresh water twice a day to encourage more drinking water.

you will find Mouse's favorites

let us know how you like the color changing litter

 

[Sheldon13]

I’m so glad this little guy is allowed to relax now and not be so stressed!

I definitely need more piccies though


Love and Sphynx ~ It’s all you need

 

[Beckinboots]

Happy gotcha for Mouse and you. I'm sure he must be happy you took him in. He's such a gorgeous little peanut and his ears give him even more character (as if he needs it!). Really glad he's settling in well.