We just adopted a 10-month-old male cat yesterday. It has been over 24 hours and he is terrified of his new surroundings. He has been hiding and I don’t think he has eaten or used the litter box. We have two adult female cats who have not paid any attention to him. I have never had this experience and am worried he will become dehydrated and weak from hunger. Should we just wait and see what happens and let nature take its course?

Please do not just leave it. It may very well get sick if it dosen’t eat. Find the cat ASAP, and put her in a small room. (Preferably a room with a hard floor. No carpet) Put in food, water, and litter box in the room. Keep it in the room, and still let it know you love him. When you think he is ready, let him out. If it just runs and hides again you may have to go back and just keep it in the room. This shouldn’t take too long because usually cats wouldn’t take that long to adapt to new surroundings.

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I'm not "just leaving it" for Heaven's sake! He is in a small room by himself with litter box, food and water. He likes to hide under the bed and I go into see him many times during the day, lie down on the floor next to the bed he's hiding under, and talk to him in a calm voice, telling him everything's going to be OK. This afternoon he used the litter box and ate a little of his food, so I think he's beginning to acclimate himself. The other two cats are NOT in the room.

By: artsmomma   3

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Since hes 10 months old, he just might be un usedto that enviorment. Or maybe the female cats are scaring him some him so he lets them have the food.

as long as you are making sure he is eating and drinking, continue to visit in a low key loving way, he might just be traumatized by the changes, and is taking his time.
He might be timid by nature, and just needs the reassurance you are giving him to come out on his own time, thankfully your other 2 are ignoring him, which helps. He also knows that this is their territory, which can also contribute to his shyness. Be patient and loving and supportive, and the rewards will be worth it. Don’t push, reward him with special treats when he makes any moves toward you and you can adjust your reward times as he gets bolder.

If it is truely only ten monthes old he might be behind other cats by that i mean maybe he hasent learned to eat cat food or maybe he has but he likes milk beter if this is true you might be able to fix it by searving him cat cereal which is just cat food in milk! he will love it! All cats will but be carefull if you give him it too often he will become adicted and refuse any other food.

Or he may just be in love i know tha sounds funny but it could happen the female cats are ignoring him and he is trying to get their attentio by lettig them have the food.

also be carefull he might be going potty somewhere you havent noticed like behined a couch