After trying many suggested ideas for a cat that is scared of hands, should I stop if it's not working?

Question

Update on my kitten, Heidi 8 months. She doesn't like human hands to be close to her, but will play with my other kitten and us only if we have a cat toy in our hands.

Got her from a shelter age 6 mo. before she was in another shelter. They were to put her to sleep, but a volunteer said, NO! and took her to another shelter that doesn't kill cats. She is the most beautiful Calico.

All you suggestions we have tried, fuzzy gloves, treats, favorite wet food on spoon, pretending to read or crumble something while on floor ignoring her, talking to her, letting her see how secure the other kitten is, etc. She seems to know we're trying to coax her and nothing is working.

I have put in an order for a holistic remedy, Spirit of Flower Essence, that I will try.

Question: I'm thinking about just chucking it all except for talking to her for the time being, what do you think?

Answer 1

you are sooo right to give her time (chucking it all).. sounds like she hasn't had a good start in life - until she met you, of course.. good luck.

Answer 2

Don't give up...I have a cat (also a shelter cat) who had been abused. She's pretty much recovered, but it took 2 years before she would let me hold her longer than a few seconds or she wouldn't completely freak out if something is moved over her.

Heidi obviously doesn't trust people in general, so she was probably traumatized. It will take time, a lot of patience and a lot of love.

Answer 3

Try putting your hand on the floor or furniture near her. Stay very still and give her the opportunity to come to you. Even if she does touch your hand, keep still and don't touch her. It might help if you put a bit of food in your hand for her to eat. Remember, don't move your hand while she is on it. Wait until she gets off to move your hand. (make sure you are comfortable) After a while, you can try to touch her with a finger. It will take a long time, but eventually she will learn that your hands are safe. It is called systematic desensitization.

Answer 4

have you tried giving her any catnip? that relaxes most cats, maybe she'd be more tolerant of hands.

if nothing has worked, i would probably let it be. if you were a huggy, affectionate person, and had a friend who really wasn't into hugging, would you still run up and hug them? probably not. the kitten is probably a little shy and fearful from previous treatment, and she may get over it, but maybe she won't. animals all have different personalities, just like people. i'd just let her be her.

Answer 5

there is this air thing called felaway. i have been told that it relieses feirmones into the air and calms cats down.