Hank.. is he home yet? Where are the photos? :D

**Karol** · 24th January 2010, 10:00 AM

oh no poor you!! Maybe you can try to sleep a little during the day?

But I'm glad to hear that Hank is feeling a little more at home. Once he gets used to the new environment and the new sounds and smells, he'll surely start eating, drinking and using the toilet.

**Patty** · 24th January 2010, 03:15 PM

Nice to hear he's at home. It takes a lot of getting used to from both sides. He is only a baby and missing his known surroundings/family/canopeners, is making him insecure. He should start eating by now. It is very important for a cat to eat every day. Otherwise he can start having problems with his liver. Try playing with him and throw a bit to eat, when he eats that thrown another. In this way maybe you can tempt him to start eating. Do you have a catpate or other canned food? This smells nice, otherwise try to warm it just a little bit so the smell is irresistable for the little one (in microwave or by adding warm water). Stir a little water with the food so he gets his fluids aswell.

**RiaBoo** · 24th January 2010, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Patty

Nice to hear he's at home. It takes a lot of getting used to from both sides. He is only a baby and missing his known surroundings/family/canopeners, is making him insecure. He should start eating by now. It is very important for a cat to eat every day. Otherwise he can start having problems with his liver. Try playing with him and throw a bit to eat, when he eats that thrown another. In this way maybe you can tempt him to start eating. Do you have a catpate or other canned food? This smells nice, otherwise try to warm it just a little bit so the smell is irresistable for the little one (in microwave or by adding warm water). Stir a little water with the food so he gets his fluids aswell.

Thanks a lot Patty, he's eaten a little bit not much today (just a few morsels). I've tried him with kitten food and mince but with no joy, he sniffs it then just walks away, it seems like that he's still not comfortable. The last time he had anything was yesterday morning before we took him home. I will try what you have suggested and fingers crossed he'll eat something, as Im getting pretty worried now.

**Karena** · 24th January 2010, 09:16 PM

Poor you Ria, hope he starts eating soon it must be very worrying. I'm sure cats are different to dogs but when I brought Elsa home at 8 week old puppy she wouldn't eat either. I had to hand feed her for a week! She is still a fussy eater at a year old! I have to cook mince for her - she won't eat just dry biscuits. Let us know how he does tonight.

**IrishKitty** · 24th January 2010, 10:27 PM

Ria: Did the breeder give you some food to bring home and did you introduce him to the same food that he had at his old home? Our breeder gave us a small bag of Royal Canin "Babycat 34" which he just loves

I might suggest a small bit of tinned tuna (in spring water)? It's very tasty!
Winston just loves this and gets some along with his dried food every day. The only thing so far that he has refused is "kitten milk". He detests it.
My husband has already called him "a good grubber". We have been very lucky in that there was no problem with eating & food from the time we got him home. It was the one thing that would have worried me

I am sure it is just because of the settling in period.

**Karol** · 25th January 2010, 08:27 AM

How are things with Hank today? Has he eaten a little more and used the cat toilet? Is he feeling a little more at home?

**RiaBoo** · 25th January 2010, 10:38 AM

Hi guys, sorry for the lack of updates over the weekend. It has been a worrying few days, but things are looking up. Once I get 5 mins to myself I shall post some new pics and tell you all how things are going. But for now, I gotta sort out my house, toddler,kitty and work

Thank you all for your advice and concern!!

**dave** · 25th January 2010, 11:48 AM

Hank's log - stardate 25.01.10.10.46

Hey all, just seconding Ria's thanks for the concern and advice.
Hanks certainly a lot comfier in the house now, nice to see him having what I call the 'Mad 5 minutes' that cats do, where their eyes glaze over, pupils dilate and they suddenly spontaneously race off in a random direction, usually over the sofa or up someone's back as my old cat used to !
So that's nice to see, he's been coming a lot for cuddles and loves a stroke, actually he tends to pine swear loudly if we leave him in the room so he's never really without company.

He's also starting to be less causcious of our toddler, this morning (5am be it!!) I was sat down stairs next to our poorly son (Still got a cold) and Hank was laid across both our laps which was nice.

Thankfully he's using the toilet like it's never been alien to him, only thing is, not sure if it's as he rushed the ending but he's come out a couple of times with poop stuck to the back of his legs. Removed the most of it with a comb and tried wiping the residue away but theres still a little there which he's cleaned off himself but I hope that's not always the way with semi-long hairs? Don't want him getting sick.

As for food and drink, last night he had a very little water, and drank with his paw. This morning thankfully he had quite a good drink which between water and food has been my biggest concern.

He's had a few mouthfulls of mince this morning but nothing much, hopefully he'll have a proper feed today. I've got royal canin kitten food arriving in the post today so that will be available for him as well.

We've already got some lovely pics i'm sure Ria will be uploading soon for everyone to see.

**RiaBoo** · 25th January 2010, 06:36 PM

So here's some photos as promised of Hank... will upload more on my personal album. He's settling in very well, he has made our living room 'his' but still very wary about the kitchen. He panics when people are coming down the stairs, but were getting there, thank goodness!

He's a darling and the whole family already love him to bits! He's such a softie!!!!