Cat help!

[Yuurei]

I know this is a weird place to ask for pet advice, but I've tried many other resources and getting pretty worn out.

A month ago I adopted two cats from a breeder (I needed a hypoallergenic breed for when my allergic sister comes to visit). They're both 2-year-old boys, and very cute! Before taking them to live with me, they had lived in the breeder's bedroom, and no where else. I kept them in my bedroom for a few days to get used to it before introducing them to the rest of the house. Now, a month later, they like to play with each other and run around the house, but when it comes to me and the other people living in my house, they still shy away or bolt to hide.

According to the breeder, they were very friendly with her and loving. When I spoke to other cat owners, they said their cats got adjusted within a week or so. I play with the boys and they let me sit near them if I move slowly, but they're still super spooked if I stand up or walk in their direction. I'm trying to be patient, but it's very discouraging!

On top of that, one (or both) of them won't poop in the litter box. I've dealt with cats before, and I can tell they're in good health, but for some reason they choose to poop right beside one of the litter boxes (there's two of them) instead in it. I'm very tired of cleaning up poop everyday, and I've tried every method the internet had to offer with no success. According to the breeder, they never had bathroom problems while living with her.

What should I do? Do you think I should give the boys more time, or perhaps just return them to the breeder where they can live how they're used to? I want to do what's best for them!

 

[SneezyHolmes]

Some cats are just finnicky like that. It might take a little while longer for them to adjust and accept you into the bond they share with each other. As far as the poop thing goes, you should have two litter boxes per one cat. So perhaps that would fix the issue?

[Vetinari]

It sounds to me as if they haven't been well socialised. There is a crucial period in the early weeks when it is ideal to get them used to different people and things. During that time period, they should ideally be introduced to as many different people and other animals and things as possible. Unfortunately it sounds like the exact opposite happened with these cats. They were shut in a bedroom and rarely had any contact outside of the breeder  and each other, from the sound of it. So now they perceive almost everything and everyone as frightening. It is also classic that they tolerate you sitting still, but as soon as you move to a different position, they perceive you again as a threat.

 

You can read a bit more about it here. http://www.cats.org.uk/uploads/documents/The_Cat_Mag_extracts/Kitten_socialisation.pdf

 

The litter tray issue might relate to the stress they are under or it may not. It might help to have more trays or change the litter type or have the tray in a different place or use a different kind of tray, but you may have tried all that already. Is the cat standing in the tray but pooping beside it, or is it standing on the ground? Does it think it's in the tray and just miss? 

 

It seems unusual to me anyway, for a breeder to be selling cats at that age. Is it possible they have been returned to her by a previous owner? Sorry you are in this position. It sounds as if the breeder has not done anyone any favours. All in all, if the breeder would have them back, it might be best for them as that is what they are used to and they are likely to feel less stressed in the environment and with the person where they grew up. Sorry if that is not the answer you would have preferred. I know it is all too easy to become attached.

 

If you do so, then next time you are considering a pet, then it is a good idea to check that the breeder has socialised it. It is much more difficult to socialise animals outside the critical period, so it is essential that you choose a reputable breeder who is aware.

 

[Yuurei]

Thanks very much for your help! I was concerned they weren't socialized well, in fact I assumed that was the reason they are so slow to adjust. They're sweet boys, and I hate the idea of them living in a single room the rest of their lives, but if that's what they're used to it may be better to return them. They were given away because they weren't producing "good quality" litters. That is, they were breeding to produce show cats (they are now neutered), and their kittens weren't up to par. The breeder is very knowledgable and takes good care of her cats, and she really wants to have it work out between me and them as well-- I think she knew it wasn't going to be easy. They'd never been with another owner before. She helped me out by giving me a lot of resources like toys and good food brands, etc but it's up to be to try and bond with them.

As for the litter box, they stand beside it and use it. They tend to poop in the same location every time, so I've started laying paper towels or newspaper on that part of the floor to make clean up easier (if I switch the litter box to that location they just poop on the floor space the box previously occupied).

5 hours ago, Vetinari said:

It sounds to me as if they haven't been well socialised. There is a crucial period in the early weeks when it is ideal to get them used to different people and things. During that time period, they should ideally be introduced to as many different people and other animals and things as possible. Unfortunately it sounds like the exact opposite happened with these cats. They were shut in a bedroom and rarely had any contact outside of the breeder  and each other, from the sound of it. So now they perceive almost everything and everyone as frightening. It is also classic that they tolerate you sitting still, but as soon as you move to a different position, they perceive you again as a threat.

 

You can read a bit more about it here. http://www.cats.org.uk/uploads/documents/The_Cat_Mag_extracts/Kitten_socialisation.pdf

 

The litter tray issue might relate to the stress they are under or it may not. It might help to have more trays or change the litter type or have the tray in a different place or use a different kind of tray, but you may have tried all that already. Is the cat standing in the tray but pooping beside it, or is it standing on the ground? Does it think it's in the tray and just miss? 

 

It seems unusual to me anyway, for a breeder to be selling cats at that age. Is it possible they have been returned to her by a previous owner? Sorry you are in this position. It sounds as if the breeder has not done anyone any favours. All in all, if the breeder would have them back, it might be best for them as that is what they are used to and they are likely to feel less stressed in the environment and with the person where they grew up. Sorry if that is not the answer you would have preferred. I know it is all too easy to become attached.

 

If you do so, then next time you are considering a pet, then it is a good idea to check that the breeder has socialised it. It is much more difficult to socialise animals outside the critical period, so it is essential that you choose a reputable breeder who is aware.

 

 

[Rather.Doubtful]

What if you tried to send one of them to another place for a week or so, and stay alone with the other? He would probably be "forced" to socialize with you and eventually trust you (I think?) Also giving him really nice food from time to time, like.. real fish idk.. from your hand, in your bedroom.. 

Then if he trusts you, you can bring the other one too. Or do the same thing with him too. I don't know that much about cats but that would work with other pets! 

[Rather.Doubtful]

5 hours ago, Rather.Doubtful said:

What if you tried to send one of them to another place for a week or so, and stay alone with the other? He would probably be "forced" to socialize with you and eventually trust you (I think?) Also giving him really nice food from time to time, like.. real fish idk.. from your hand, in your bedroom.. 

Then if he trusts you, you can bring the other one too. Or do the same thing with him too. I don't know that much about cats but that would work with other pets! 

I could be absolutely wrong.. if it were a dog I would suggest that 100000 times but idk if cats are sooo different it could be better to do what was said before my comment.  

Tough decision  

Could be helpful too: https://www.reddit.com/r/cats/

Good luck