My new adopted cat growls and hisses at us. What should we do?

Question

I just adopted a cat from another family and he's acting kind of strange. When we first brought him home he hid in the kennel for about and hour or so, slowly peaking out to look around and eat. But now he's out roaming around and acting completely comfortable with his new environment so he doesn't seem scared anymore. He's actually napping on the living room couch out in the open. But he growls and hisses at my wife and i constantly. Even if we aren't near him or looking at him. Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 5 lbs

C. Rathjens, DVM · Accepted Answer

That actually sounds like very normal behavior for a cat who is adjusting to a major change. It sounds like Arlo is working on getting comfortable in his new environment but isn't so sure about the humans there yet. I would recommend giving him lots of space, not taking the growling personally, and giving him time (probably a week or two, maybe even months) to warm up. Let him be the one who chooses to interact with you, not the other way around. you can definitely use food and offerings of toys to try to entice him to come interact with you, but it should still be his choice. Congratulations on the new addition, I hope he settles in soon!

My new adopted cat growls and hisses at us. What should we do?

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