I've had my cat since September and have rarely seen her. How can I find her and get her over her fear of me

Question

She was found in a trap before coming to the pound. She runs when she hears me coming. For awhile, she lived in my wall. I can't get near her much less pet her. Help

Answer 1

I used to help tame feral cats and find homes for them. The best thing you can do is be patient. Put out a can of tuna and sit down several feet away. Stay there and let the cat eat the food....Do not approach her. The next day, put out the food and sit a little closer. It will take time, but, eventually, she will come to the food with you very near. Feral cats are very fearful, so dont try to grab her or even pet her until she trusts you enough to be near you.

Answer 2

Shes feral and if you don't catch her soon, she may be beyond rehabilitation, if she isn't already. You may have to have a professional animal trapper come and get her. Or you could go and purchase a live trap, set her food and water dish inside of the cage and it will close behind her, without causing her any harm. Then I would suggest that you find a room in the house that she can't get into your walls and lock her in there. Then you will have to go into that room several times a day and talk and coax her. Walk into the room very quietly and sit down on a chair or the floor and then just watch the cat watching you. Try not to stare at her, just glance her way a few times. Eventually, if you go into the room a lot, she will get used to your presence and may even approach you. If she does approach you, be careful about grabbing for her. Just let her look you over and sniff you if she wants. If you are persistent and patient, you will eventually win her over and I bet she will be snuggling in your lab before long. Leave a clean litter pan, food and water in there for her at all times. It might not hurt to give her a few small toys that she can play with.

Answer 3

First seal off hiding space when you find it. Create a small space you can leave her in for a week or so.. Give her food, water, and litter box and visit every day--just sit nearby and read etc. IGNORE the cat.except for talking softly to her After about a week she stayed in room with me on her own when she was allowed run of house. Eventually she didn't notice that I was under the blanket asleep when she took her nap on blanket. She carefully came up to my face, sniffed and that was it. Now she is almost too friendly. She loves me to pet and cuddle her all the time.
I too got a feral cat that had been left in an inhumane trap. I got her to be a friend for the cat I already had who was the same age and very demanding. Willy the demanding cat looked after her even though I rarely saw her. I finally figured out that she was hiding in a wall in basement when I pretended to be asleep and Willy let her know the coast was clear to come out to eat and use litter box. I quickly sealed off her hideaway. She ran to my screened in porch.

Answer 4

Try luring her to you with treats and toys. Talk softly to her. I'm sure she's still scared after something as traumatic as being caught in a trap. I have a friend who was in a similar situation with a stray cat she took in and it took awhile but eventually the cat came around. It took a lot of coaxing though.

Answer 5

The poor thing needs to be tamed. She may have been abused and the trap must have traumatized her. Maybe you could keep her in a small room with her food and a litter box. Gradually get closer to her and offer her treats. Eventually she should come around.

Answer 6

if she's been living in your wall, she might not have access to food or water, and could be dying! you need to get an animal rescue team, or some construction workers in there to fish the cat out!

try enticing her with some food to get her to come out. when she does come out, come towards her very slowly, and stop where you are if she starts to move away from you. slowly inch your way towards her, and then try to hand-feed her some food when you get close enough. just keep repeating that until she learns that you = food = good things!

Answer 7

I used to have a cat who liked to hide for hours at a time. Opening a can of tuna brought her running every time. Good for you adopting a rescue. Be persistent. Eventually, you'll gain her trust.

Answer 8

I would try bribery, get some good cat treats..also what comes to mind is maybe lie on the floor below her level..so as not be a threat to her..above all be patient..when you win her over you will likely be friends for life..getting her used to guests will be another subject..

Answer 9

Sorry guy but once a cats been traumatized your kinda outta luck. You can try making sure the cat knows you feed it and just don't force him if he wants to be social he will but if you force him he'll just get more traumatized.

Answer 10

open a can of tuna. seriously, the cat may never become friendly.