How to break a shy cat?

Question

We adopted a black 4mo black cat from the shelter about 1 month ago. He is not very social (easly spooked) will not come out to visit with us. However he does come out to play with the other cat. Is there any way to break in the cat so he can feel comfortable?

Answer 1

Socialize, socialize and socialize. I work with these kittens all the time being a foster parent. The best way to get them to come out is with toys! Try a laser pointer. I'm currently working with 3 feral kittens right now and they LOVE the laser pointer so much they let me pet them during play time!

The other trick is during feeding time. Feed the kitten a mix of hard and soft food (they won't be able to resist.) Stand really still when the kitten comes out to eat, then pet it while it eats!

Answer 2

I call myself a "cat whisperer". I've been around cats my whole life. I know how they think. What they react to. I've been told a time or two when I pick up someones cat and hold them. The owner says, nobody's ever done that before. They spook easily. Here's what works really well with most cats. Just hold your hand out. Let the cat come to you and smell your hand for a few seconds. Don't try to pet it or move closer. You'll know when it's done. Then it will give you permission to pet it. Even pick it up. It just needs to know you're ok and not out to harm it. Your case is a little different though. The cat is semi-afraid of people. You have to take baby steps with this cat. It could take many months. Don't force the issue by trying to pick it up or pet it. I've been working on a wild litter of kittens which appeared here a few months back. They would run when they saw me. I'm able to pet all 4 while they're eating now. Three let me pick them up for a few seconds. But this takes patience. I'm talking I'd move an inch closer and just watch them eat so they got used to me. In time I could touch one. Then it would run. Soon they got used to me touching them while they ate. You can see where I'm going. Your cat needs the same type of behavior from you. Tiny baby steps. In time it will be a normal cat. I promise. =)
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I just want to add that Sandy is right. The answer below me. The cats do learn by watching how the others react.

Answer 3

Socializing a kitten does take patience. And, how you go about it depends upon the mother they had. If the kitten's mother was feral or semi-feral (street cats) the kitten will be shy around humans, may even hiss and lay back ears, prefer to play only with other cats, and have no interest in playing with "store bought" toys.

A kitten born and raised by a domestic mom (who may have just been abandoned on the streets or a family pet who wasn't spayed) can be socialized much quicker.

Start by limiting your kitten to a small area with his food, water and litter box. Let him feel secure in his small space before opening up the house to him. Visit him often in his secure space and bring a treat when your visit isn't at meal time. Food is the way to a kitties heart--just don't overfeed.

No matter how your Kitty was raised by it's mamma, a human can make a connection with Kitty if you are patient. Move slowly around kitty, and talk in a soft, high voice. And remember to give a tiny treat when visiting.

The second thing I'd do, is allow your new family member to play with the resident cat, but limit their time together. You want Kitty to bond with you too.

You'll see a difference in Kitty if you try what I've suggested. Kitty needs to feel secure, and he needs to be balanced in his time with other cats and his human.

Kitty may always be shy by nature. So if he runs at the sound of the doorbell right after you're positive he's socialized, don't be concerned. Kitty may feel secure with his human family members, and other animals in the family, but always be shy around strangers.

And, if you want to do more socializing of Kitty around strangers, or neighbors, or the doorbell, you can do that, again, with patience and making Kitty secure.

Answer 4

Give him time. He will come around. He may never be the most social cat but the fact that he plays with your other cat is a great sign. You can try locking yourself in the room with the cat. Don't bother the cat just sit there and maybe watch tv. Do this every so often so the cat gets used to being around you in a small area. If it scares the cat however do not force it.

The best way to a cat's heart is through the stomach. Cats naturally love the people who take care of them.

Just give him time.

Answer 5

Cats have extremely good hearing and their eyesight is quite different than ours, so things that are loud and move quickly may be very scary. Whereas the other cat is a familiar object by sight and by smell.
They are also nocturnal by nature, they see better then.
We have 4 cats, all but one are rescues and originally shy. We also have 3 large dogs and 3 very active children.
We have provided our cats with a refuge, our bedroomand master bath, away from all the noise makers, where they eat and relax. (we have a litter box in the closet.)
We have found that in the evenings when the kids and the dogs have gone to bed all of the cats will join us in the living room for some quiet lap time. Then when we go to bed they all play together.
Just find times in your day when you can be still and quiet and allow her/him opportunity to join you. When things are hectic and noisy allow for a place to escape.

Answer 6

If you force the issue you could make him more spooked, the best thing to do is love him when he does come out and respect him when he decides to hide. A cat learns at a very young age how to socialize, when I got my 6 week old kitten, I held her constantly, called her name out when ever she would hide and get her to come out of hiding, only to reward her with a toy or treat, this was done so that she learned not to hide, and learned how to be part of the noise and commotion of a family. My cat has grown to be just what I wanted her to be, she is not afraid of the vacuum, blow dyer and she is always out and about, never hiding. It may be to late and you will have no choice but to accept you kitty personality. Good luck.

Answer 7

If you are a natural person you should try cognitive behavioral therapy. It was the only thing that has helped me with my horrible health anxiety. Read here https://tr.im/AnxietyTreatment

Your thinking determines your quality of life. Your thinking is what causes you these feelings:

Anxious, fearful, stressed or depressed
Constantly worried, or angry about something that is happening in your life
Struggling to overcome obsessive and negative thoughts.

If you change your thinking, you will change your life. This is the basic idea behind CBT for anxiety. The Cognitive part is where you learn nee methods and ways to change your same old habits and thinking patterns. If you keep thinking and expecting the worst – You will continue to suffer.

Answer 8

I actually have a cat that I have been given from the safeguard additionally. you have basically had this cat for each week. supply it of project. My cat did an identical element. only permit him on my own. Wait till he's able to return to you. do no longer rigidity him to do something. yet make constructive he knows you like him. he's only getting used to his surrroundings and perchance needs a sprint freedom considering he replaced into in a cage for awhile. i'm curious additionally. How did he get a broken leg? replaced into he abused? If he replaced into, then he would be afraid. He additionally would be an aloof cat. My cat needs my interest basically whilst she needs it. and that i will basically puppy her for a jiffy and that's adequate for her. She's no longer a lap cat,the two. yet she'll lay on the settee a quick distance from me. I only permit her be. She includes me whilst she appears like it. it is only the way cats are.I additionally had an older cat,sixteen years previous whilst she surpassed on. She constantly concealed from me and definitely everyone else. constantly stayed below the mattress or at the back of the settee all the years I had her. She basically got here out to consume or bypass to the bathing room and perchance as quickly as in awhile to take a seat down interior the window. the only time she somewhat needed my interest replaced into whilst she replaced into previous and not feeling properly. i think of she knew she replaced into no longer likely to final so she does no longer bypass away my component. yet besides, your cat only desires time,whether it takes a pair months. only shop loving him.

Answer 9

He'll come around. Sometimes it takes awhile. Throw treats to him and make them land closer and closer to you. Don't make any movements towards him even when he's within arms reach. Let him check you out first. My two boys took different amounts of time to come around. One of them was warming up to us at about 1 month and the other about 2-3 months. If there's a special spot he likes to sleep you can put a dirty sweatshirt of yours there to get him used to your scent. He could be stressed out so you could get the plug in pheromone dispenser thing at the pet store. But never fear...just don't force it.

Answer 10

I heard a great idea for getting a cat to associate pleasure with spending time with you. Warm a blanket or towel in the drier then put it on your lap along with the kitty and they relax and learn to enjoy your lap! Good luck!