civvie possibly depressed

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j_o

Member Since 2012
We adopted Joni from a local shelter on Dec 22 and she had been there over a year. She spent the first 3 weeks of her time in her new home hiding under our bed. When she finally came out we discovered that she had a limp and was hoping on 3 legs. After some meds, xrays and 2 osteopath appointments Joni is walking fine!! The problem is in the last few days she doesn't seem to be the same cat that came out from under our bed. She won't play she runs and hides again (she had been coming into another room when we called her) now as soon as she sees us she runs and hides again. She also seems desperate for friendship she will run out and sit and look at Oscar longingly but he has no interest in her and walks right by. Any ideas on how to get Joni out of her shell again this sadness in her is breaking my heart I want her to be happy in her new home.
 
Aw, sounds like she has had a lot of change to deal with in the last few weeks. I bet she will come around! Does she have any particular toys that she likes? Maybe you could tempt her with one of those things that have the mousie or other "attraction" at the end of a stick? When we first got my cat Bo, she hid under the bed alot, but we could dangle that sort of toy at the end of the bed and she couldn't resist coming out to pounce on it!
 
She was playing with some mice and loved the laser pointer now she just walks away when ever we try and get her to play :sad:
 
She is eating and litter box use is normal but I am planning a vet visit just in case
 
Does she like to be brushed? Grooming sessions worked for bringing our little feral girl 'out of her shell'. She'd spent the first six weeks living with us hiding behind furniture, and only came out to eat and to use the litter tray - mostly at night... But I discovered that she loved to be brushed, and grooming sessions seemed to earn her trust. She is now a happy and loving little cat.

And have you tried a Feliway diffuser at all..? It has an effect on some cats but not all, I think...

Here's hoping she feels better soon...
 
doesn't really seem to like the brush she tolerated it for a minute or two but that's it. We actually have a feliway difuser in the room where she had been spending most of her time with 4 kitties all trying to get used to changes it seemed like a necessity.
 
Maybe try some gentle massage.

Place some larger boxes around to hang out in.

A bit of catnip may stimulate more activity.
 
Could one of the cats be bullying her? Chat to the vet would be good. You could also try prozac or something if all else fails.
 
Not sure if Hobbes is giving her a had time or not....I know he never bothers her while we are around but who knows about when we are gone.
 
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