I recently rescued an 8-10 month old ferrell cat. I took her to the vet and had her health checked, and now I have her in my spare bathroom. She lets me pet her, but she still hisses at first, and is very afraid of me. She also will not eat. I have tried to give her tuna, but she won't even eat that. Any advice?
2007-01-14 15:45:57 · 10 answers · asked by Ally 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
The best thing to do is give this poor cat TIME AND PATIENCE AND MORE PATIENCE. Whenever you can, go sit in the bathroom. Read a book, write a letter, etc. When the cat sees you are not a threat, you'll be pleasantly surprised ......... We just adopted a (big) Maine Coon. He was caught in a catch and release trap by our next door neighbour. We adopted him and he has turned out to be the best cat ever. All we had to do was be gentle, speak softly and not make any quick movements for the first couple of weeks. Now he comes to us all the time. He and our poodle are doing really well. The cat has gained 11lbs since moving in. He eats more than the poodle. Try giving your cat some roast beef bits, little pieces of hamburg, etc. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2007-01-14 16:08:52 · answer #1 · answered by truckermate 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A formerly feral cat of even that young age will be a difficult project for you to socialize. If you get an "outside" kitten at around eight to ten weeks the prospects are better.
You need to give her space to adjust to her small space. Going into her space and just talking softly or taking soft music and sitting reading a book in her presence will help her get used to you. At the San Francisco shelter we would actually read stories or from books to some of the "problem" cats.
You don't say how long you have had her and you can get some Rescue Remedy from a health foods store and treat her with that. You just shake the bottle well each time to activate the essences - at the start I would put three to four drops on a small cloth and just leave it in the room with her. Refresh the cloth with drops as many times a day as you go in to see her. You can also put drops in her water bowl. When you can touch her put the drops on the fur between her ears. Flower essences are used with many animals - cats, dogs, birds etc. to help them achieve a health state of emotional balance. They are utterly benign and cannot harm her in any way.
You can also use something like a feather duster or a Swifter duster to stroke her gently on her body without getting really close to her. This is pleasurable for her and will get her used to having her body touched. Be careful not to frighten her with the duster - you have to sneak that in very softly while you speak to her in soothing terms.
She will proably eat and she HAS to. Maybe when you are not present at first. You will have made progress when she starts eating in your presence. Patience, patience and patience. It won't be an easy task. Believe me the use of the RR will make things move along faster. Also take a lot of time before moving her out of the small space. Don't feel bad about confining her. She has everything she needs and too much freedom around the whole house will just be overwhelming for her now.
2007-01-14 17:06:09 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
firstly I am not a vet or even an expert, but a feral cat is a natural wild cat, a friend of mine has a farm and they have cats in the barns to keep the mice population down, now none of these cats despite the fact that they can come into the farmhouse don't, and hiss like mad if you go and try to pet them, they are inbred to be wild, and I think you will have difficulty ever making this cat into a domestic animal, it will always have a wild streak, now she is fit as the vet says, would it not be better to release her to where you found her, she will be used to hunting for her food and will not be grateful for fresh fish put in front of her, she has a natural hunting instinct, you may be making this cat very unhappy, leave all the doors open and if she goes let her go, she will always come back, cats are extremely intelligent animals, give her the freedom to come and go, perhaps put her basket by an open door and see what she does, if you really want a cat go and buy a kitten ot go to a rescue centre, I do not believe his cat is going to be happy.
2007-01-14 16:10:08 · answer #3 · answered by manx girl Isle of Man. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Approach slowly without direct eye contact. If she hisses, slowly sit down on the floor or crouch - a standing position is a threatening position to a cat or dog (predators prey on animals lower then their heads). Sit or crouch without facing cat directly. Slowly turn your face towards her and blink both eyes several times - slowly. In cat language, blinking is a sign saying "freinds - no threat." Offer your hand for her to smell - if she accepts, rub her "cheek" or behind ears breifly. Theh offer food. She may not eat in your presence, so slowly stand up and leave. Just keep doing this until you feel that the cat is comfy with you already.
When she's ready to investigate the rest of the house - allow her to do so only when the house is quiet so nothing will inadvertantly spook her and make her even more fearful.
2007-01-14 16:10:38 · answer #4 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Patience. Are you sure this cat is feral. Usually a feral cat will not let anyone touch them. The hissing is probably from fear as she doesn't know you yet and is most likely terrified right now.
It will take a couple of weeks for her to really settle down. Don't push it. She may come around eventually.
2007-01-14 18:30:26 · answer #5 · answered by felix 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Offer food, offer catnip. Hang out in the room with her while she gets used to the idea of eating there and having you around, too. The best advice is give her time. If she's ferall, then she prolly had no contact with people before you. Patience *or patients, if you're talking to some people on this forum.... the little english teacher in me rears her ugly head...* is the key.
2007-01-14 15:57:36 · answer #6 · answered by mandy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he's not any longer old in any respect. Cats can stay for as a lot as twenty+ years in the experience that they are kept interior and get accepted vet care. Your new kitty will warmth as a lot as you only tremendous. it truly is common for cats to be scared before each thing yet once he sees you want him and are going to protect him, he will commence to believe you and also you 2 can bond. ascertain you've him neutered if he's not. Cats who are not neutered are too attracted to creating kittens to be able to spotlight a courting with their proprietor. some cats do not favor to be held or cuddled so in the experience that your kitty tries to flee once you do, do not problem. only be sure out yet differently to be on the fringe of him. per chance play with him with a ball or feather toy and promises him treats as he sits next to you. between the sweetest cats I truly have is an grownup I rescued from a pound even as he grow to be 2 years old.
2016-10-31 03:17:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
all 3 of my cats are ferrell they take time. some never get used to being owned they stay skittish some adapt fine the cat will eat try wet food of any kind and it will help if you can take it out of the bathroom free access helps they will find their own spots they feel safe in and try to be arround them as much as possible but dont be force full with you affection let her come to you its going to take a long time i worked with my one cat over a year before i was able to let him inside comfortably. hopefully not that long for you move slow when you are around it try to avoid quick movements. good luck they are worth it when you are done
2007-01-14 16:22:14 · answer #8 · answered by colston5 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
leave food and water. When she gets hungry enough she will eat. Be patient. She know every emotion you have around her. She is trying to decide if you deserve her friendship or not.
2007-01-14 15:58:00 · answer #9 · answered by oldmanwitastick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of time a patience is what it will take.
2007-01-14 15:56:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋