I just got a new cat, she's about 4 months old. She still spends all day hiding under furniture, and shes only active at night- every time she sees someone, she'll run and hide.
I can pet her fine, under furniture, that is- she purrs and absolutely loves to be touched. She's really happy and sweet when touched.
What are some good things I can do to break the ice, to help her trust me and be open and less afraid?
2007-02-01 08:45:38 · 9 answers · asked by Yentl 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
i have a kitty the same way, i found the best way for me was to plug up all areas she was able to get under. i stuffed towels under the couch and put my bed on the floor and what not, i only left her places that i can clearly see her and easily get to her. i pick her up and hold her close to me and walk with her, then i make a smooch noise and give her a treat that i know she likes. keep doing this for a while and eventually you will find that all it takes to get her to come out is to make that noise and she will come to you where ever she is. make sure you have treats. you just have to spend time and give lots of love and invite people over and have them hold her close to them and have them give her treats and make the noise to and she will come around...good luck...this has worked for all six of my kittens
2007-02-01 08:56:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like she will come around in her own good time. If you go to www.spiritessence.com you can read about using flower essences with the kitty.
For $16.95 including shipping and handling you can get "Scaredy Cat" to use with the kitty. You can put drops on the fur between her ears about four times a day - AM, at supper and bedtime if you are away during the day. Right now you can put three to four drops on a small cloth and put it under the bed or wherever she is hiding out. When she comes out you can put it directly on her body.
It will help her overcome her fears and make the adjustment to your loving home proceed more rapidly.
2007-02-01 17:40:58 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She might not have been in a good place before you got her. She is in her comfort zone underneath the furniture. When you feed her, sit next to the bowl. When she's eating, slowly and gently pet her. REMEMBER food is ALWAYS key. Cats love the ones that feed them. Trust me on this. Find a treat that she likes. Carry some in your pocket or in a little pouch and have it on you at all times. She'll get used to getting treats from you so take advantage when she's getting the treats to love on her. It takes patience, love, and time.
2007-02-01 17:03:42 · answer #3 · answered by zumi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Patience, patience, patience. I have a cat like that -- she was part of a litter that I fostered. The litter had been found under a house when they were 4 weeks old and then socialized. But this one was extremely shy and I ended up keeping her. It took about a year for her to decide I was wonderful, and now I have trouble getting her to move off whatever I'm trying to read. I joke that she went from being unwilling to get out from under the bed to being unwilling to get off my book.
She's still skittish -- panics easily -- and I let her come to me. If I try to go to her, she panics. She likes to sit near me, she likes to watch me, she likes being petted or brushed -- she likes everything about me -- until I walk toward her, then instinct kicks in and she runs.
I found that hand-feeding her deli meat went a long way to winning her heart. Once she associated me with good things, she started coming to see me. It will take patience and a willingness to let her progress at her own pace. Besides offers of tasty bits of food, you can also try playing with her -- feather on a stick or piece of string, taht sort of thing. Catnip may also help -- put soem on the floor and let her roll around in it.
2007-02-01 17:26:27 · answer #4 · answered by Corinnique 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What i do with new cats is i set some food out for them and when they start to eat it ill try to pet them. Also I kind of just held them in my lap and petted them until they get used to me. Just constant petting and things like that. Eventually the cat will come around
2007-02-01 16:54:34 · answer #5 · answered by Becca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy a small papoos and strap her in it till she is used 2 u. I did this when i fell out with my 9 year old son and it worked a jimmeny charm.
2007-02-01 16:53:20 · answer #6 · answered by Fishfood! d 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
my cat was like that. i used to pick him up and stroke him and try and hold him near my chest. cats find this reassuring as your heartbeat that they hear reminds them of their mothers heartbeat that they would hear whilst feeding/cuddling up to their mums. give her some treats as you hold her. But be warned..... my cat now follows me EVERYWHERE i go. if i walk into another room he's right there behind me.... turned into a little stalker !!! good luck
2007-02-01 17:05:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
nothing give her time eveything is usually on cats terms..Remember she's new shes a bit afraid
2007-02-01 16:53:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
just let it have time to get use to everything and just try to hold it and pet it and let it no u wont hurt it
2007-02-01 17:07:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋