I jost got a 3 month old kitten form the humane society about 2 days ago and she will not come out to say hi , or anything .. not even at night.... i have tried ignoring her, coaxing her with yummy treats/food.. everyithing i can think of. Please help!!! I want to bond with her andfor her to not be scared i feel bad for her.
2006-09-16 13:46:35 · 46 answers · asked by Twinkles 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Just wait. If she got under there she'll get out. Cats like tight little spots like that...they feel safe and enclosed. So just let her be and when she is ready to come out she will.
2006-09-16 13:49:13 · answer #1 · answered by DreamingofU 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi there
I wouldn't worry too much as it's still very early days. If you got her from the Humane Society she may well have been in there because of some trauma with her previous owners but in any case she'll still be feeling very disoriented and may well be missing her mum/siblings.
The most important thing is to ensure that she is getting food and water, put it under the entertainment center with her if neccessary. Try to ensure there's no loud/sudden noises near her. Get down to her level and make eye contact if you can and talk to her softly. You could try encouraging her to play with a small soft toy or a little woolly pompom.
Also its a good idea to leave something that carries your scent close to her, maybe a tee-shirt you've worn a few times (nothing too valuable, of course!)
Being nocturnal creatures as they are, she may well be doing a bit of exploring at night time when you are all asleep, getting used to all the new smells and to where everything is. This will help gradually build up her confidence in both her new surroundings and her new people.
I once had a little kitten that was a rescue and she spent the first two weeks with us under the dresser! At first she only came out to eat and to visit her litter tray but gradually she began to let us stroke her and eventually we were able to pick her up for a cuddle.
I feel sure in a few weeks you new arrival will be happily bonding with you.
Good luck!
2006-09-17 05:42:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just leave her. She'll come out in her own time. You don't know what she has been through before you got her, she could have been badly treated. As soon as she realises your not a bad person or that she's not going to move house again she'll be out and about checking out her new home. It all takes time.
Remember she will probably want somewhere to hide out especially if things at home get busy etc.
My kitten hides on the bottom shelf of the book case and behind the t.v unit.
2006-09-16 17:35:13 · answer #3 · answered by wendywitch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She needs time to get used to her surroundings, shes going to be very scared at the moment. Be patient with her and she will come out in time. However if things don't improve in a few days you could try and pick her up (if that is possible) just for a couple of minutes each day, so that overtime she will become more accustomed to you. When I got my cat, he spent the first 3 days behind the sofa, after that he began to spend a little more time out from there each day, until after about 3 weeks he didn't feel he needed the cover. I actually gently forced him to interact with me after 4 days, just be sitting next to him and stroking him, then by giving him chicken by hand. By the end of the second week he was voluntarily sitting on my lap, but it took him probably 2 months to fully settle down, and 9 months later it is very much 'his' home!
2006-09-16 14:00:08 · answer #4 · answered by Emelia F 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kittens do need a few days to get adjusted to their new homes. But you can help them by carrying them and placing them against your heart. The sound of heartbeat is really soothing to kittens and you and your heart will soon be "mommy" to the kitten.
I would actually keep her in the bedroom the first week, clear out any clutter, give her her food, little box and one or two hiding spots( I like to get them used to the pet carrier this way) where you can still reach her. several times a day, pick her up, even if she hisses at you, put her on your lap, pet her, place her against your heart. If she tries to get away let her.
You should have a happy luving kitty in no time!
2006-09-16 14:24:49 · answer #5 · answered by Annie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think about preparing a kitten space for her. Extra bathrooms are ideal places and you still have to check everything out so there is no place to hide that might be dangerous for her. Water dish, litterbox, a soft rug or storage box lined with soft things, then you take in food for her.
She is a very little thing in a very big world. The smallest safe place you have for her is best.
When you know where you will put her then you have to be a meany and scare her out of her hiding. It may take another person to "capture" her so you can put her in her safe, small space. Wrapping in a towel is terrific as it will definitely be a "security blanket". You can stroke her firmly with your finger from the bridge of her nose up to the top of her forehead. That is calming for cats and kittens.
Be patient with this process. She needs to bond with you and come to trust you. Don't let her have the run of the house until you are sure she has confidence in you. Talk to her softly whenever you go in to see her. Any silly conversation is great. She will be soothed by your loving voice. Sing too, kitties like that.
Don't try to rush the process at all. Your loving patience will pay big dividends in the end.
Good luck to you. Don't feel bad for her. She will end up being perfectly happy in her new home!
2006-09-16 14:14:51 · answer #6 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do not scare her, but you probably know that just had to say it after the idiot wrote that. I had the same problem with a very wonderful cat I had many years ago, he climbed under the kitchen cabinets and we had to take them apart to get him out.
Obviously you can't take apart the entertainment center, but what I will suggest is making sure she has food water and access to a litter box right there. Put something with your scent on it under there with her, for her to get used to your smell, hopefully something soft that she can snuggle on.
Talk to her in a gentle high pitched voice as often as possible, cats prefer high pitched voices, I heard that somewhere a long time ago.
I have had several cats, even adopted feral cats who lived behind the washer dryer for a while, she will come around, just give her time. Everything will be fine.
2006-09-16 13:54:40 · answer #7 · answered by crct2004 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She doesn't even come out for food, huh? That was going to be my initial answer. Well, you can try this. I tried it many many years ago with my family's shy timid lilac point siamese kitten Tasha: get the softest, fuzziest towel you have and when you finally wrangle her into it (don't worry, you won't hurt her), wrap her, swaddle her in it tightly and bond with her that way. Leave a paw and her head out so she feels somewhat still in control. The wrapping will remind her of being safe in her mom's womb and she'll feel secure and she can't scratch you like she would if not for the blanket. Hope she comes around, I think she will, I really do.
2006-09-16 13:50:44 · answer #8 · answered by Sleek 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It will take time for your kitten to bond especially when the little thing is scared or nervous. This isnt your fault and it is happening because your kitten has been moved from his secure place such as from his mother or pet store where you bought him.
Best way to tempt the kitten out is with a piece of string, wool or something that the kitten can play with or failing that - food.
Spend a LOT of time with your kitten over the next few days. And I do mean a lot. Carry your kitten around with you in the house, play with her, feed her yourself etc and this will help you to gain your kittens trust.
2006-09-16 13:49:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
once she comes out to eat find a way to block that space up. I have one that I had to just capture and hold her for a while cooing and coaxing and reassuring her that I would be nice. She shoOK like a leaf. When I had held her several times she decided i was ok. She never goes out and hides from everyone else but she is dedicated to me now.
Did you try the old tie a sting to a paper wad trick? entice her to attack it. by slowly dragging it past her several times, jerking it away at the last second.
2006-09-16 13:51:24 · answer #10 · answered by Makemeaspark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem with my two kittens, they were treated bad by there previous owner.
I got them out by giving them our food, tuna ,chicken or ham. That is what worked for them.
Then when they got out fence it off.
And talk to her, I do all the time with mine.
I have four kittens age now about 4 months and one little boy at 3 months, and he has to have a operation soon on his eye.
2006-09-16 22:38:05 · answer #11 · answered by samleigh40@btinternet.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋