adopted a stray kitten, need advice on her acclimation

[Anonymous]

A couple weeks ago, a friend got hold of a stray kitten (5-6 mos according to vet) who had lived outside through the winter (our friend had been feeding her some of that time). We wanted to welcome a cat into the family, so she brought the kitten to us to look after after a quick checkup at the vet. The kitten is understandably quite anxious, initially hiding in the closet all the time and now making more regular forays (avoids coming close for the most part - my spouse can get semi-close with a treat).
I'm looking for advice on a couple issues:
1. She seems pretty dissatisfied in general: she meows through much of the night when we've gone upstairs to bed (she can come upstairs if she wants, but prefers to just come up briefly and then run back downstairs when she's discovered). She also meows during much of the day if there aren't people on the first floor, her hangout zone; she recently started coming up to meow at me while I work (and then run away if I even look at her). She finds toys threatening, poor thing. The two issues I'm concerned about are that a. the all-night meowing, though slightly improving (or maybe we're sleeping through some of it in our exhaustion), is a bit tough two weeks in, and b. All this meowing makes me think something may be amiss for her, beyond the adjustment. But maybe it is just the adjustment? Vet said she's OK, though we haven't had her spayed yet. We're feeding her around half a cup to two thirds of a cup of dried food per day, plus some tuna off and on (that was a key part of her emerging from the closet - makes no difference to the meowing).
2. She isn't using the litter box. She uses the plant pots. I understand there's a learning process (and have been advised to use foil to cover the plant pots - but I'm worried that she will pee elsewhere in the house if we do that; once she peed in my kid's bed, not a fun night). But what can I do to help her? The food isn't near the litter box and I bought a "kitten attracting" brand of litter, no dice.
I'd appreciate any words of wisdom! (MEOOOOW says the kitten from the next room).

[Anonymous]

Does she have free roam of the house? It might be overwhelming her. I would keep her confined to 1 room where there are no plant pots and only her litter box so she gets used to using the litter box.

As for the meowing, if the vet has said there are no health issues, maybe she's just a very vocal cat. Or maybe she's still adjusting. It can take cats several months to adjust especially if they were strays.

[Anonymous]

Agree to shrink her world a lot. Put her in one room with no plants but one or two litter boxes (perhaps one covered and one uncovered). Go in frequently and just sit near her. Listen to music or an audiobook but don't try to pet her unless she comes up to you. You can also gently toss some crunchy treats towards wherever she hides when you come in...even a folding chair with a blanket thrown over it or something can be a good hiding place (and can be easily cleaned as needed).

As she chills out, spend some time with the door to wherever you're keeping her open and put a baby gate in the doorway (or two stacked if she's a climber). Then give her some supervised time in a wider range of the house.

You may also find that she does better with another cat, but I would try making a smaller space first and see how she does. Some cats are not super friendly with people and that's ok--you can still give her a nice life!

[Anonymous]

She could be "in heat." A quick internet search said at around 6 months is generally about the age a cat first goes into heat. That could explain the meowing perhaps and maybe even the urination.

I too suggest confining her to a smaller space until she gets more settled and is using her litter box. So many plants are poisonous to cats. I got rid of most of mine when we got cat (after years of not having a cat). Use a large, uncovered litter box. 2 if you can. You could even place one where there used to be a plant that she peed in.

[Anonymous]

She's crying at night bc she's in heat. You need to get her spayed ASAP.

[Anonymous]

She just sounds frightened and not acclimated to people yet. Shrink her world then become part of it. Save the tuna for human interaction time and go more slowly with her. Start by sitting on the floor and putting the treats next to you and don’t touch her or anything just let her eat. Eventually put your hand out and let her sniff then present the food. Then touch her head then present the food. Then pet her head and then present the food. Then pet her body and present the food. Go as slow as necessary. At some point she’ll start coming for pets just because.

[Anonymous]

1. Spay as soon as possible
2. Feed more, put one dish upstairs and one downstairs
3. Cover dirt in plant pots so she can’t use that. Put the litter box in one place and prepare to leave it there forever.
4. Be patient. Talk to kitten. It may take time.

[Anonymous]

If she's been feral, she's used to burying her waste in dirt. Put a thin dressing of potting mix over the litter in her box, along with any waste she leaves in your plants. Then hide your plants or cover the pots with tin foil. You want to say "here -- this is your new potty."

Get her to associate you with tasty things. Tuna, treats, even crunchy kibble -- it all gets dispensed by you (no free choice) in small amounts so that you have lots of positive interactions with her each day.

And spay her.

[Anonymous]

Congratulations on your new friend. Most all of the advise recommended is good, but also cats never do anything on our time frame, I am afraid. Just let her adjust at her own pace.

[Anonymous]

Agree to shrinking her world and spay her ASAP! The kitten attract litter is good and the advice to mid s little dirt is spot on. You may not be feeding h her enough, I recommend Smalls cat food - it is perfectly portioned and very high quality.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! Appreciate the advice.