My kitten of 7 months and is finally getting used to roaming my house. I have had her for 5 weeks now from the shelter. She is bonded to my other kitten, but doesn't seem to like humans. Have you ever known a cat that doesn't want to be touched? She runs away from us when she looks at us, and even when we are just sitting around? Am I too impatient?
2006-09-28 10:49:07 · 20 answers · asked by Hedicat 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
I would agree that she may have missed out on some socialization with people or just be a bit shyer in general. Regardless of if she was shy, not socialized, or born to a feral mom you might want to try limiting her to a smaller area of the house at first. We did this when rehabilitating ferals partially because letting them loose in a large area can be overwhelming to them. She should have a place she can feel safe and watch the family (like a cat tree or tunnel), but you don’t want her to have hiding places that are completely inaccessible and allow her to totally avoid your family either.
I would not force attention on her yet if she isn’t ready, but you may speed things up by teaching her that being around you is a positive non threatening experience- put some smell moist food out as a treat (bribery!), don’t stare her in the eyes, and try dragging a wand toy along the ground at a distance. She might just start getting more curious and come over for play, which will help her learn to feel comfortable. Just give it time for her to trust you first and she will likely develop a close bond when she is ready.
The nice thing is you can actually use her bond to your other cat to your advantage. Many of the shyer or ferals I worked with would often start to “copy cat” the behavior of my more outgoing cats they had bonded with. So when one cat comes for treats and petting the other will learn to as well. With time your kitten will likely adjust and bond with you as well.
2006-09-28 12:20:51 · answer #1 · answered by the_bad_cats 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats go through several developmental phases. If this cat has not been around friendly people for the first part of her life, she may not know that people are safe.
Give her time, as much as your heart has for her.
Many cats take a year or more to decide people are OK if they have come from a life where they had limited positive contact with humans. She has bonded to your other cat, and thats a great thing. As she watcher you other cat love you, she may see that it is OK to love you too.
When cats are afraid, and they want to show you that they are no threat, they often look away from you. When she does this DO NOT rush to comfort her. Look away yourself.
A good way to win her trust would be to sit on the floor with treats and toys and play with your other cat, ignoring your new cat/ letting her watch. If she joins in, or sneaks close- do nothing other than place a treat on the floor near enough to her that she knows its for her, but not so close that you spook her.
The idea is that you want to make a low stress situation where she gets something positive from you.
Like I said, give her time and let her learn from your other cat as well.
2006-09-28 18:05:41 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. Max 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be a couple of things: I once had a cat (from a shelter) that had been abused by the previous owner (I know yours might be a little too young to have a pervious owner) and it took 2 years for it to warm up to us. It could also just be skittish and being young it will probably grow out of that so I wouldn't worry. Also do you have little ones in your house at all? When I used to babysit my kitten would freak out and go hiding until after they left and whenever we would walk into a room quickly he would freak. Other than that - my best bet is that it's young and skittish - they'll grow out of it most likely. Good luck
2006-09-28 17:55:10 · answer #3 · answered by Starting a Journey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cats are like this and you may not be able to change her basic nature. Because she is bonded to the other kitten she is happy and doesn't feel the need for your attentions.
It would be very cruel at this point to separate them. It is nothing you have done obviously as the other one is OK. Don't put a lot of energy into the situation -- what you put energy into INCREASES. Cats hate to be ignored. Trying ignoring her a little.
2006-09-28 17:58:15 · answer #4 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your kitten has bonded to your other cat but not you. It may take awhile for her to trust you. I had the same experience when I adopted my kitten. She would just follow my cat around but didn't want me to touch her. It has taken a few months but now she lets me pet her and pick her up and hold her. Just be patient and keep trying and your kitten will come around. It may take some time to socialize her.
2006-09-28 18:30:07 · answer #5 · answered by *Cara* 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She could have been a kitten from a feral mother which means a wild kitty. She will eventually get used to you it takes time thats all. Try and maybe feed her some tuna off your finger and let her see when you are putting food out this way she knows that you are the one feeding her and she will start to trust you more. At our shelter we have lots of kittens like that and really it just takes time, make sure you talk to your kitty in a very soft voice and get down at her level. Hold your hand out and she might sniff it but dont push it by trying to pat her when she sniffs it. talk to her all the time and never stare at her make sure to blink your eyes alot or turn away and fake yawn this way she knows you arnt a threat. Just be patient it will all work out. :)
2006-09-28 18:29:25 · answer #6 · answered by Confused 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It would appear that wherever she was b4 the shelter she was terribly abused by people & fears them because of it. Just keep showing her love & kindness. Give her treats to help her trust you (along with the other cat that she loves this will help her learn). Love & kindness should do the trick even if it takes a long time....depending on how bad the abuse was....Oh, do you know if she may have been ferral? That would tell a lot, too. Good luck!
2006-09-28 18:03:16 · answer #7 · answered by PAMELA G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have to give the kitten time if you got it from a shelter then it has obviously had a bad start to life hence the fact it is weary of humans. hopefully in time this will change but it may not my mother in law has a cat that hates being touched and it will scratch and bite you if try to touch it. good luck
2006-09-28 17:59:23 · answer #8 · answered by rosierotweiller 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My two kittens are just like this. One is friendly and loves to be petted the other doesn't want to be bothered with anyone, but his brother. Kittens are like that though only interested in playing and running around. Play with and pet the friendly one and leave the other one be, she'll warm up to you.
2006-09-28 18:21:36 · answer #9 · answered by sjoisanne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had my cat since birth. The first 6-9 months of her life she WAS NOT interested in human company. So, we named her Shy Moon, only to have her personality become very friendly and cuddly into her second year (she's 7 now). Be patient and persistant, allow her to come to you.
P.S. treats help!
2006-09-28 17:57:49 · answer #10 · answered by sleepy_puss 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋