I am getting a preowned cat. What is the best way to approach her?

Question

So.. yeah, I'm getting a pre owned Persian cat, (apparently 8-12 months old) and I wanted to know what was the best way to approach her so she starts to like me.

I know at first it might bite or scratch me.. But it's gotta learn to get used to me.. And I'll have a water squirter at hand.

Thanks for the help guys, I'll make sure I do that stuff.

Oh, and I'm buying her over internet, so she'll have to be on a 3-4 hour trip, so she might be nervous when she gets here.

Eh...

o_o

<_<

>_>

Looks like she isnt 8-12 months old! She is 1 1/2 months old!
:D



:)



:|



:(

I am new to this cat thing, so I really couldn't tell from the photos.

Answer 1

IF you can meet her where she used to live, that would be good. Otherwise, give her some space, a few toys, when she gets used to your place (give her like 3 hrs of just checking around) approach with a toy and initiate playing. Then, make sure she sees YOU giving her food. Go to the bowls, call her name, and then put the food in.

Just be very kind, gentle, let her smell you, take it slow, don't force her to do anything.

Answer 2

NO WATER SQUIRTERS!!! Preowned Persian cats are extremely difficult to acclimate to their new owner and new surroundings. They are highly intelligent, but very sensitive cats. If you squirt them with water, you will NEVER get close to this cat, it will only fear you its whole life. Having gone through this same situation, the only thing you can do is to totally keep your hands off this cat at all times. Provide food, litter box only. It might take a long time (mine took almost a year) until this cat begins to accept you as the owner, but it will be worth all the time you have waited, because Persian cats are beautiful pets when they give their hearts to you, at long last. Please don't abuse this animal when it comes to your home and "ignores" you...just remember it needs to build up its love and trust for you. If you can't deal with an unaffectionate cat, for quite a while, please immediately try to find it a different home with an understanding cat owner!!! It is not the cat's fault.

Answer 3

As the cat is still young, I don't think it will be much of a problem. But my advice is just to leave her alone for a couple of days - have water and food available, but don't try to get her out of the hiding place she chooses. She needs to get acquainted with the house first, and then she can relax with you.

I got my cat about 6 months old; he hid under the bed, just drinking water and using the cat litter for three days. I think he only got out from under the bed at night - when I was there, but not making noises that scared him, etc. And he was looking for his previous owners (and his mother and sister) for a long time. He didn't eat the first three days at all, but that is OK (a cat can go that long without food without being harmed).

At the end of the three days, I started, being very careful not to make sharp or sudden or noisy movements, to reach a little in his hiding place and pet him a bit. Once I got him to purr, he would get out on his own even when I was wide awake. He is now very fond of me and we get along very nicely.

Good luck!

Answer 4

When I lived in Saudi Arabia, which is full of cats, because they kill all the dogs there, I used to go for walks and because there were no women there, I got friendly with cats. Well, I made it a challenge to befriend them. I discovered that they feel so much safer to approach you when you sit (or lie) down and face away from them. They prefer to approach from behind. Often they will rub you in back and then go around to your front.

Some cats became so friendly that they would follow me on my walks and some were positively stalkers and would try to walk in front of me and get me to stop so that I would give them some attention.

With pet cats, it often helps to just get on the phone with someone and then the cat will come and sit on your lap out of jealousy I think.

Persians shed a lot, so keep the vacuum cleaner handy.

Answer 5

You sound like you are going at this like it is a "preowned car". Don't expect alot from her at first. Let her get to know you. Forget the water squirt bottle. You will teach the cat to hate you. She is going to be afraid for a few days let her learn to like you. You supply the food and water everyday and she will see that. Then the getting to know you will start. Let her make up her mind about you at her own time

Answer 6

First of all bin that water squirter - you want her to be your friend!

Love her, talk to her... and don't scare her, she will be scared and maybe hide for the first few days.

Make her interested in you, play with something noisy like a ball of tin foil, get her interest in you up, so she wants to investigate what you are doing, play with her and stroke her....

Hope this helps, I've had a rescue cat, it just takes time, and 10 years on, she is still with me and is a fantastic cat.

Answer 7

Persians are usually pretty calm. I would have her in a room by herself and keep it as quiet as possible. Maybe go in the room and read a book while she checks things out. If you do not grab her and scare her she should not scratch you. Make her a little bed to lay in and be comfy. If you talk to her she will get used to your voice. She will let you know when she wants to be loved.

Answer 8

AprilRocksit said it right, don't forget to show her where the Kitty Litter is. Very important.

My preown cat only became friendly after the 1st night.

Answer 9

I got my dog at 7 months nd she came from people who never fed her tied her up, beat her etc.
When i first got her, don't force yourself on her, let her come to you.
They don't like it when you try to do that.
Thats all you have to remember and always be there for her, also get her into a routine the sooner you do that the sooner she will settle in.
Good Luck!

Answer 10

run up to it and yell really loud and say boo