will not cuddle up and let you pat her. Any ideas for how to calm down a nervous cat?
2006-10-24 05:27:31 · 14 answers · asked by What_A_Gass 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Walk softly beside her and pet her as much as possible. Try not to startle her. Change into slippers when you come home from work, keep the TV & music volumes down until she gets used to your home. Gradually step up the volume while she is around. Speak softly to her.
Is she a shelter cat? She may have been mistreated. Go gently and patiently - she will come around - mine did after a month.
2006-10-24 05:38:29 · answer #1 · answered by Silver Foxx 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oh, my cat's the same. They're not so complicated as people of course but some of them just don't like too much physical contact and have more of a nervous disposition. You may never get your cat to sit in your lap, you might have to accept that's just the way she is.
One idea that might work is to sit down with your lap flat, and have a little bit of food that the cat likes on your lap. Don't put her on your lap or even entice her over, just let her smell the food and come up. Don't move and pretty much ignore her as she's there, just stay still and don't try to touch her. Do this a few times to let her know that she's safe in your lap. If she feels safe and in control, she'll stay if she's comfortable.
We think our cat had a bit of bad treatment when she was younger so she doesn't like to be picked up or put in a situation where she can't get out of, you just have to use a bit of cat psychology, so to speak.
Tips on how to calm her down: don't go near her, don't move after her, don't make any noise. Just lie down on the ground and keep your face at her level. She'll probably come over and just be curious, sniff your nose and the like. It's just a matter of getting her used to you.
2006-10-24 12:40:05 · answer #2 · answered by dm_cork 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it depends on her background. If she came from a place were she spent most of her time afraid this could be very difficult. I currently have a cat that I adopted from my dad's cat farm (it wasn't really a cat farm... he just never spay or neutered so they bred... and bred... and bred) and the cat I adopted was terrified of other cats. The other cats at my dad's house would beat up Lucy (my kitty) and chase and basically scared the wits out of her. When I brought her home she was terrified of every noise and all the other animals. What I did was I kept everything quiet around my house and made the other animals leave her alone and give her her space. I then spent as much quality time holding her and calmly talking to her... and of course feeding her. Never under estimate the power of food. If you feed an animal it will love you. So now Lucy is a well adjusted loving cat who loves her fellow cat and dog house mates. Also keep in mind that all cats are different... they are individuals. My other cat is now reaching full maturity at the age of 4 and is finally starting to calm down. He wasn't hyper... but he had a very prickly nature. He wasn't unfriendly to me or my boyfriend... but to strangers he would not acknowledge and would run, hiss, bite anyone who wanted to hold him. He is now getting to the point where he does not mind other people and actually comes around to be petted by them. He is becoming a rather affectionate cat. This could happen to your cat too, but your cat needs to feel loved, secure, and safe in its home. If you can provide these things then your cat will come around.
2006-10-24 12:48:07 · answer #3 · answered by Kamunyak 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could attempt bribery, but it rarely works. Be prepared to always give a treat everytime the cat is in your lap. You could also try brushing. Most cats love that, but some don't.
Cats have different personalities just like humans. Some are cuddly and some aren't. Mine only climbs on my lap when she wants attention. Then when she gets enough, she is off again. I had another who I could pick up and snuggle with anytime I wanted and another who never wanted to be touched by a human. Her only use for humans was to get food, water and a clean litter box.
If you have only had her a few weeks, give her time to warm up to you. Cats are sensitive to change. A change in their humans (cats own us, we don't own them) can cause one to be nervous and they may not like their new human. Hang in there and be prepared for a cat that may just not want to be cuddled.
2006-10-24 13:01:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
first of all provide a secluded, quiet spot that she can make her own, so that she has a refuge.
second, begin play very slowly and gently so that she begins to associate you with calm and well-being.
third, give her a little treat with one hand and gently stroke her with the other - but stop as soon as she seems to react badly.
fourth: recognize that not every cat will want to sit in your lap and cuddle; if you cannot get her to come to you she is likely one of those. that would mean that the only time she will want to be close to you will be when she is sick, so keep that in mind.
notice that i don't recommend catnip. this is because 30% of cats do not react at all to catnip - it is genetic - and catnip, if it does affect her, will probably only make her more terrified due to its action of heightening sensation and perception.
good luck!
2006-10-24 13:51:57 · answer #5 · answered by kerangoumar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bribe her with food.
After that, it's just a matter of being patient. Some cats take longer to warm up to people, and relax.
There are herbal supplements, but I've never seen any real results with them. Ark Naturals has a really good line of herbals. www.arknaturals.com. You can order directly from the site, or find a store near you.
Good luck
2006-10-24 12:33:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the cat nicely i a calming voice,sit in a place the cat likes and feels comfortable.Let the cat come to you don't try to force it,they don't like that.
2006-10-24 13:33:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat used to be like that - she still is sometimes, actually. She has gotten over it with time and patience, though. The trick is to sit still and let her decide that she wants to come close to you.
And if you have one of those fleece blankets on your lap, that helps a lot too. My kitties looooove those fleece blankets. I can't keep them off when I put that on my lap.
2006-10-24 13:18:08 · answer #8 · answered by triviatm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That might just be her personality. You don't say how long you have had her so hopefully with a great amount of love, time and patience she will trust you enough to feel safe on your lap.
You can try cat treats to lure her up there but if she doesn't feel safe she most likely won't stay.
2006-10-24 12:53:48 · answer #9 · answered by msnite1969 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rescue Remedy:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3550&N=2002+113757
That will help calm her down some. But you can't MAKE a cat sit in your lap. They either like to or they don't. Forcing will only make her detest it.
2006-10-24 12:39:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋