An adorable kitten showed up on our doorstep and has moved in with our adult cat. But she is terribly spooky and wont let us touch her. A few times we have been able to catch her and she calms immediately. She plays with us and the other cat, but when we reach out to her, she runs away. She's about 9 weeks old. Any suggestions?
2006-12-19 12:33:16 · 25 answers · asked by Lane W 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
she is probably just playing
2006-12-19 12:35:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds more like she is either playing a game or doesn't want to be held than that she is scared since she settles down as soon as you catch her. She's about the age that kittens really start to try to be more independent and she may just not want you to pick her up. Also some cats play games where they try to get you to chase them. From your description it sounds more like this is the case than her being afraid of you.
Of course it is possible that she's just afraid of people. That could be because she was mistreated or because she was a wild kitten and was taught to keep away from people by her mother. If her ears are back and her tail is tucked, she's afraid and it's best not to push her. Try getting low down on the ground as close to her level as possible (to seem less intimidating), lure her close with treats, and offer her your hand in a relaxed posture with your palm up (if she was abused, this will make you seem as little like her abuser as possible). It also may help to pet your other cat a lot when she's around so she can see her new feline friend is not afraid of you. Good Luck!
2006-12-19 13:14:12 · answer #2 · answered by CRF 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would surely get a $16 bottle of Rescue Remedy from a health foods store or go to www.spiritessence.com and get a bottle of Dr. Jean Hovfe's "Scaredy Cat" and treat her with that. If you catch her and can put three to four drops on the fur between her ears that would be best. If she hides out under a bed or another space you can put the drops on a small cloth and put it where she is hiding. "Refresh" the cloth three to four times a day.
I think I would prefer the Scaredy Cat as the essences in it would be more appropriate for her right now. It will, however, take a week or so to get to you from Colorado.
She is obviously more comfortable with cats than people. The touch of human hands and their smell are frightening for her right now. If you can catch her with a soft towel and hold her that way for a while it will make the transition to human bonding easier.
Also if you use the Swifter dusters on a pole in your house that is soft and stroking her from a distance with it will also help her acclimate to being touched. If you hold her in a towel you can also stroke firmly from the bridge of her nose up between her eyes to her forehead. That is soothing to cats too. Stroking her ears from the base out to the tips is also a good taming method.
2006-12-19 13:24:42 · answer #3 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possible that she was abused, but it might just be instinctual to run away. We have a lot of cats we've rescued and there are a couple that are very tricky when it comes to getting close to them. For instance, Heather, a little wisp of a tabby, will weave around the place meowing and looking cute and angelic and frail but the minute you so much as move, she's off. You essentially have to crouch on the ground very slowly and hold your arm out until she decides to go over and rub against it. Then she'll let you pet her and she'll weave all around you but the minute you shift your position she's out of there.
It's not that she was harmed as a kitten (we found her fairly young), she just was raised in an environment - the mass of overgrown trees on the unused lot behind my house - where she had to be wary of everything around her and be able to react in a split-second.
2006-12-19 13:15:00 · answer #4 · answered by Lucky Star 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got a good answer.
Because she is so young, get her, her own spot. Get a basket, blanket and some toys food and water and litter near by and let her be there for two weeks.
If you could let her into a room such as a laundry room or a bedroom that would be good.
When you go to pet her, shut the door and let her get used to you or one person in the family.
She is so young and afraid. Give her a space to get used to the common noises around the house, your voices and the other cat's senses.
If she keeps running away you must stop, she is not ready.
Let her play, but don't try to hold her or touch her now.
2006-12-19 12:46:30 · answer #5 · answered by Hedicat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on how long you've had her, she could still fear her new surroundings. It's important to keep playing with her and show her you can be trusted. I have a cat who acts the same way (and i've had him for over a year), but he will come to me when HE'S in the "mood for love". Then he purrs like an engine. As you may know, cats are very independent. Keep playing with her and let your kitten come to you when she is ready. Be patient, it could take months! (Especially if the kitten has been through a lot.)
2006-12-19 14:26:05 · answer #6 · answered by Sue A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is probably a wild cat. Which means she has never had human contact. Put food out, a mix of dry kitten and can. Maybe even put a bowl of milk out. Every day when you put the food out stay and watch. Each day get closer to the food. It might take some time, but eventually you might try to put food in your hand.
If you want to try and protect her during this time. Put out a box with some blankets in it. Give her someplace warm and dry.
2006-12-19 12:51:57 · answer #7 · answered by idgerow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe the kitten has been abused or got lost or wasn't taken away from it's mother too soon. Don't give kitten milk to make friends it could give it diarrhea. Just give it a little kitty food, and some milk, and love. Be patient, and give it love. Kittens come around pretty quick. They want love.
2006-12-19 12:50:02 · answer #8 · answered by Leigh V 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She probably grew up stray and doesn't trust people yet. She took to your adult cat before the rest of the family so it will take some time before she accepts you. I like to be around while my new kittens are eating so the tie you to a good experience after a while she will become more used to people and warm up to you.
2006-12-19 12:39:36 · answer #9 · answered by Jayme E 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well, she may just be playing a game, but its possible she has had an encounter with another human being in the past that has given her a reason not to trust human beings anymore. of course when you do catch her and she calms down, its because she realizes you are not going to hurt her. give her a few weeks and just show her that you won't hurt her and that you love her and she'll probably warm up.
2006-12-19 12:59:31 · answer #10 · answered by whoops :) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She probably is a feral kitten - born outside to a "wild" cat. She probably has not had much interaction with people I would recommend "forcing love" on her now - often! Pick her up as often as you can, love her, pet her, etc... The more love you show them when they are young, the easier it will be to tame them and get them to be people friendly. Also, as other posters have said - take her to the vet and get her tested for Feline Lekumia and FIV, which are both contageious to your cat. AND get her spayed! Good luck with the new baby.
2006-12-19 12:46:00 · answer #11 · answered by VeggieGal74 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋