2006-10-27 06:31:45 · 10 answers · asked by marilyn c 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Being afraid of everything is not "normal" behavior for a 3 month old kitten, just as it's not normal for a 1 year old child to be afraid of everything. She is either genetically overly cautious or she was poorly socialized, or both.
Scientific studies show that the window for socialization closes at about 14 weeks, so you may have about two weeks to do tons of socialization with her. Expose her to many novel things (one at a time) in small doses. For instance, don't invite ten people over to handle your kitten; invite one friend over to sit by your kitten for five minutes. As soon as the new thing is introduced, begin to give her yummy treats, pet and praise her, or play with her. Stop rewarding her as soon as the new thing leaves. As the kitten gets more comfortable around the item/person she can be exposed to it for slightly longer periods of time. This should teach her that this thing is pleasant because good things happen when it's around. Doing this with many things helps her to generalize and not be afraid of other new things (if you only did this with people, she would be okay with people but not new noises, textures, smells, etc.).
If she is already older than 14 weeks, she can still improve using the above, but she will never be as comfortable as she would have been if socialized to these items before 14 weeks of age.
2006-10-27 07:40:35 · answer #1 · answered by melissa k 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your cat is black a common birth defect for female back cats is that they have bad vision. If so she will be come very attached to you feeling safe with you but pretty much hiding the rest of the time.
Otherwise she could just be a fear full cat, some creature are just born that way, for what ever reason, either way, in time, your presence should make her feel safe.
2006-10-27 13:59:52 · answer #2 · answered by Zanahade 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mini is correct; the absence of its mother plus new surroundings, sounds, and other sensory overloads is making it skittish. Quite often if a kitten/cat cannot see what is making a noise (for example, a car backfiring), they will hide. Also remember that a kitten is a baby and is still developing its senses such as sight, hearing, and touch. Do as Mini suggests; speak softly and stroke the kitten gently. Let it feel your heartbeat, that may help to calm it down.
2006-10-27 13:42:22 · answer #3 · answered by behrmark 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats are just like anything else,they have distinct personalities.Could be shes just very young still,if so don't be surprised if she comes out of her shell.You might miss that once quite little cat!Maybe shes just skittish by nature,if that's the case I'm sure she'll warm up to you ,but maybe no one else.
2006-10-27 14:20:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is normal for cats. That's why we have the expression "scaredy cat." It's one of their survival mechanisms to run and hide.
2006-10-27 13:40:58 · answer #5 · answered by robertspraguejr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's normal for most kittens to be skittish at that age, especially if their mothers are not around to teach them what to fear.
They're afraid of noise or anything coming at them suddenly. You must pick her up frequently and stroke her neck gently. She will begin to relax that way.
2006-10-27 13:37:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your cat is still little baby. I guess it's getting better soon.
2006-10-27 13:50:39 · answer #7 · answered by cat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because your cats secret ha pet
2006-10-27 13:40:05 · answer #8 · answered by leiland 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She needs a friend!
2006-10-27 15:13:03 · answer #9 · answered by kaysky1964 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe its still a baby.
2006-10-27 13:34:28 · answer #10 · answered by 『∴Ｐｅｔｅｒ∵』 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋