Shy Cats

phoenix1724 · #1 Mar 30, 2004, 11:29 AM

My girlfriend and her roommate just got two kittens. They are brothers and are about 7 or 8 months old. They were strays, their mother abandoned them at about 2 months and they were picked up at around 5 months. They aren't used to people and they try to hide any time they hear someone coming. The only way to get them out while in the room with them is to sit quietly and not move. The woman who we bought the cats from said not to let them hide because they would get into the habit of hiding. We have blocked off as many hiding places as we could. I'm just wondering about how long it will be before these kittens get comfortable around people and maybe let us pet them. Right now the only way to pet one is if it is backed into a corner and has nowhere else to go.

sammy · Apr 2, 2004, 07:59 AM

every cat needs space if they want to hide let them. Be patent when there ready they will come to u don,t force them use treats and toys to get them out of their shell ;D

koriani · Apr 4, 2004, 06:45 AM

Being young, it shouldn't be too long before they become used to you.

Be patient. Offer them some canned food (just a little as a treat) and pet them while they eat. Have some catnip toys available.

The big suggestion is to purchase some Feliway Comfort Zone which is a plug-in device filled with phermones. They make cats feel happy and less stressed. These phermones are naturally produced in a cat's facial glands and they use them to mark territory.

Feliway Comfort Zone is a little expensive but well worth the money.

If you can't afford it, go to your local health food store and purchase some Bach Flower Remedy: Rescue Remedy. Place a couple drops in their mouth or put some in the water. Rescue Remedy is a homeopathic anti-stess remedy for humans and animals.

You'll have to give either (or both) of these methods at least 2 weeks (up to 4 weeks) to start working. Used in conjuction with the other things I told you about, you should have happy kittens in no time.

Don't expect them to ever be completely friendly with anyone but you though. I had a stray rescued at 4 months and she was a one person cat. It took her almost 9 years to let my hubby touch her without having to trap her first but she would come to me with no problem.

Good luck!

Michelle :O



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