My roommate and I just got two kittens a boy and a girl. A week ago. They are 9 wks old. The boy is really playful. He'll let us hold him a little although he does try to run at first. The girl is really frightened. She doesnt really like us to get her, but once we do she'll let us pet her for a little while. And once we put them down they run away. We're really gentle and speak softly to them. They both run when we come around them. Is there any way to get them to stop being so frightened of us? Any good ideas?
2006-09-21 04:39:35 · 13 answers · asked by B U Tiful 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats have different personalities just like us, please be understanding.
2006-09-21 04:43:35 · answer #1 · answered by renhoez 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catnip isn't going to work here. Kittens don't usually respond to it, if at all, until they reach about a year in age.
I had two foster kittens who were left in a bag in a supermarket bin. They were shy and hissy., about six weeks old. The little boy really warmed up after a few days and the little girl was always hissy when I picked her up and then would settle right down to purr and snuggle.
So they will both come round with a little time and patience. A very good suggestion here is not to "pursue" the kittens, let them choose to come to you. Play with them from the distance of a cat dancer or feather toy for a while.
2006-09-21 08:03:42 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
keep doing what you're doing. Physical contact is the best thing to help your kittens learn that you are the good guys and good things happen when you're around. You might try putting out some especially good canned food near where you will be working. I do this in the kitchen while I cook. They will eventually come over for the food and will get used to you. Kittens naturally run away, so you have to catch them and pet them a lot.
2006-09-21 06:15:55 · answer #3 · answered by toomeymimi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is normal. Try to imagine this; you're livin' it up. Playing with your brothers and sisters, lovin' on your mom, just being a kid. Suddenly, you and one of your brothers are taken from your mom, your other siblings, your home, and all those familiar surroundings, and placed in a home with two people you don't even know. You'd be scared, too! But eventually, with patience and love on the part of your new "roommates", you'd relax and learn to get along just fine. Maybe even love this new person who's feeding you, playing with you, and petting you all the time.
Just give it time....and don't force yourself on either kitten. In my experience, male kittens are always more adventurous while the females tend to be a bit cautious and reserved in new situations. Just let her be. Continue talking to her calmly, offer her treats from your hand, play with her (with toys, not your hands!)....let her come to you. If you keep "going after" her, this will set her back because she won't be able to trust that you won't come after her every time you're around. She will feel like she can't relax and it could make her skittish.
2006-09-21 04:52:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd ask you, where did you get them from? Early socialization is critical when it comes to how comfortable kittens are with humans. If a kitten goes through its 3-6th week without interacting with humans at all, they need a little more work before they do become comfortable with people. Shelters who are attempting to place these kittens act in the best of interest and try to socialize the kitten as much as possible, but they do not have control over when they get the kitten. So if they rescue 8 week old kittens, they can only do their best. However backyard breeders and petstores often really don't care- and these kittens never really interact with people until they are home with them.
The first thing I'd advise you, is don't go after them to pick them up. Imagine if you were a 6 inch tall kitten and this tall human is looming over you. Even if the human spoke gently, or showed no signs of threatening you, the fact that he is bigger, is in itself scary if you have no experience of them. So, first thing, stop going after them and picking them up.
Secondly, associate yourself as much as possible with any kittens favorite activities- food and play. The natural curiosity of a kitten is a great ice breaker. Get a few toys like those birdie toys on sticks or a laser light (do not shine it in their eyes) or if nothing else roll up paper into a ball and just play with them everyday. Sit with them while they eat, and once they don't show too much fear stroke them gently. Stay until they finish. Get some slumber balls/beds and keep them next to you. If you ignore their presence, they will come and lie next to you. Keeping a used tee-shirt in their bedding is a good idea as well- they will get used to your smell. Do this consistently.
Then one day, you will find that instead of them scattering at your approach, they will seek *you* out.
Summary- give it time. associate yourself with their favorite activities., Do not go after them to pick them up and pet them only when they come to you. Do this everyday.
2006-09-21 05:02:25 · answer #5 · answered by imported_beer 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have two cats, a boy and a girl. The boy lets us play and pet him, the girl always runs. They are 3 and 2. I guess its just their personalities!
2006-09-21 04:43:19 · answer #6 · answered by apriljm76 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, think of this, little kittens that see you and your roomie as these big high objects, they are still getting used to you and your roomie. Give them time, they will become less afraid, they are going to be fine. Maybe sit on the floor with them and let them come to you, that worked for me. Best of luck.
2006-09-23 05:45:16 · answer #7 · answered by spiritcavegrl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's natural for the kittens to be afraid. Handle them gently and before you know it they will be begging you to pick them up. It does take time though. And remember, Cats are finicky, unlike dogs who want your attention all the time. So as they get older they get moody. That's why we love them, right?
2006-09-21 04:44:07 · answer #8 · answered by Stiletto ♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Time is all it takes-all animals are different and have different personalities, therefore they take different amounts of time to warm up to you..Cats, being very independent, sometimes take longer than other animals...Just be patient and your little girl will love you eventually..There's alot of good answers here-giving her catnip and treats and playing with her, with a toy, are all excellent ideas..Good luck!
2006-09-21 05:02:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
CATNIP!!!!! that drug will work wonders on their personality, lol.
But really when we got a new pup from the shelter she was frightened to death of males for some reason and couldnt stand my husband, But it took her about 3 months to actaully want to cuddle with him, Sometimes animals are just weird like that. She wasnt abused or anything but he just fed her a bunch of left over steak and now she loves him! but seriously for cts use catnip, they will love you and always come back to you lol.
2006-09-21 04:43:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
you have to let them get used to your smell go by them and let them smell your hand
2006-09-21 05:21:00 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋