ive been taking care of a stray cat that comes around. the cats around here dont cause any problems. they actually help the kill the rodents. ive come to like this cat and its a very pretty cat. its quite skiddish, but after about 2 months or so its becoming more comfortable around me. ive been able to get closer and closer to it, but its still a little bit afraid. what can i do to befriend this cat?
2007-02-13 14:36:36 · 29 answers · asked by cparkmi331 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
i do talk to it alot. and i have meow conversations with it. ive tried to get it to take food out of my hands. earlier tonight, she was really thinking about taking food out of my hands, but it was just a little bit too afraid. ive named in Vo, short for vocal, because she is always meowing when i come out. is that a good name?
2007-02-13 14:45:55 · update #1
Keep giving it food. Spend time w/ the cat. Obviously the poor thing has been abused by other humans so it could take some time. But give it a name and talk to it in soothing tones. Give it tuna and milk (cats LOVE that) and try to pet it while it eats. Good luck to you.
2007-02-13 14:40:29 · answer #1 · answered by Lucky Me 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
That is a wonderful name. And you should continue what you are doing-but instead you should feed it from a bowl first - maybe leave the bowl outside. Then slowly start holding the bowl as the cat eats, then holding the food all together. Also let the cat sniff your hands when ever it can. Let the cat come to you, not the other way around. To try to get it to come to you , you should put your hand out and move your fingers up n down while making clicking noises. It usually works. Good Luck!
2007-02-19 01:41:50 · answer #2 · answered by ~Grace~ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with everything Bess2002 recommends. The best thing to do is sit beside it while it eats a couple of times. Put the food out and sit down by it. If you normally feed it hard food, you might even try tempting it with a can of cat food for extra incentive. DO NOT touch the cat while it eats. It will prob take it awhile to start eating and it might eat, stop, walk away and continue to do that. Since it is a little bit used to you anyway, its natural need for food will over ride its wariness. Also, talk to it in a gentle, soft voice as you are sitting there. When you get to the point the cat will eat and not eye you a whole bunch or wonder off then come back (basically when it is not so wary of you), try SLOWLY petting it, if it runs off, just wait for it to come back, cause it will. Repeat until you can pet it while eating. That is half the battle won once you get past this point in my experience. After that, just take it slow and get it used to being petted for QUITE awhile before attempting to pick it up. Also, I have some once wild tame cats that still to this day do not really liked to be picked up; others I can pick up and hold like a baby. Some tips might be to sit down to pet it, you towering above it bc of the difference in height might intimidate it even though you are not trying to scare it. Also, when you put food out, if you don't already, try the "hear kitty, kitty kitty" call; this will help it associate you with food. After awhile the cat will think you=food, food=good, so you=good. Good luck and God Bless You for taking care of an animal that needs it. We have 3 outside cats that along with two of our neighbors we all put food out and provide shelter for and take turn splitting vet bills, and 2 of them started out so wild if they saw you even looking at them, they would hiss and run. If it has been abused for some reason, it might be harder to earn its trust, but once you do, you will have a friend for life.
2007-02-20 17:01:41 · answer #3 · answered by Brandi A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me like you're already on the right track. Just keep feeding the cat, and sit quietly nearby as it eats. Gradually move closer and closer (this may take weeks or months). Eventually you should be able to reach out & touch the cat. When you do, don't go for its head - just stroke it softly along the back. That may cause the cat to jump away for a moment, but it will feel good, and the cat should eventually let you pet it again. It's a slow process, just be patient.
If this cat isn't spayed or neutered, you should try to catch it and take it to the vet to be spayed/neutered. You can rent or borrow a trap from the vet or your local shelter for this purpose. Be sure to let the vet know the cat is wild. It may set the cat's trust in you back a bit, but it's better than ending up with kittens or a spraying male. The cat will forgive you and you can still gain its trust.
2007-02-13 15:03:34 · answer #4 · answered by Bess2002 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The name is perfect, because you picked a name for her personality. I have 4 cats. Each one adopted me. The oldest of the 4 was the same situation as yours. It took me 3 months to befriend her. She was ferol. She use to hiss at me and run away. Be very patient. She now lives in my house and sleeps on top of me. She licks me all the time. She will lie on her back exposing her stomach which if you've ever read anything about cats that is the ultimate sign of love. Like I said don't give up. Sit outside with the stray. Continue talking to this kitty it shouldn't be much longer. Good luck and kuddo's to you. It is my passion to help these defenseless creatures.
2007-02-21 07:29:48 · answer #5 · answered by Deborah S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All cats are the same. They love food. Try putting some strong smelly tuna fish in your hand and slowly put your hand towards the cat. The cat should slowly approach your hand. If not, it's still nervous. After attempting this, put the tuna in a small bowl out side you door and leave. Do this every day. The cat will eventually put good food and you together and let you pet it.
2007-02-18 08:41:11 · answer #6 · answered by animal luva 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vo is a cute name! It sounds like you are doing quite well on befriending this cat. Are you able to keep a bowl of water outside for it? As for food, still skittish-offer from your hand, and if not yet willing to take it from your hand, (you are probably already doing this) put it on the ground in front of it, see if it will eat it then. You may need to at least pull your hand slowly, gently back to show "space" for the cat to feel free to eat. Take care.
2007-02-13 15:03:48 · answer #7 · answered by SAK 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I had a situation like this, and now my cat is extremely loving. you just have to earn their trust. It took me 6 months before I could pet him, and another two before I could pick him up. I would only feed her when you are there, and start out with the food a few feet away from you, and slowly bring it closer. if she is worried about your hand, try a bowl that is right next to you. when she is ok with that, put your hand beside the bowl, or put the bowl in your lap.
just take your time. if you rush it she might run off, and you will have to earn her trust all over again.
also keep talking to her.
2007-02-13 15:17:51 · answer #8 · answered by radio_flyer_04 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like you are doing great on trying to get closer to this cat. You really can't put a time limit on something like this tho. Continue to do what you have been doing with kitty and eventually it will surprise you one day and let you pet him or her as the case may be. That is so great that you take the time out to help an unwanted cat. There should be more nice people in this world like you.
2007-02-13 14:46:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Try sitting outside by her and ignoring her.
She will become the curious cat. You might try leaving a little food right by your side so she has to come closer each time she trys for it. I have an abused cat that I took in and just let her come to me like I've told you and now she sleeps in my arms every chance she gets
2007-02-21 05:57:25 · answer #10 · answered by crazypetsitter 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋