I need help training my shy and stray kitten, he's not very friendly and i wanna get him to come by his name and to trust me more. Anyone have any advice?
2007-02-28 03:17:24 · 4 answers · asked by four_eyed_bandgeek 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Don't push the matter: Strays are often wary of strangers, and with reason. And some cats never come when called.
What you can do is put food out for him and sit nearby while he's eating. Gradually, he will associate you with food. Talk to him too, quietly. And use his name often so he will learn what his name is.
Once he has accepted that you are his friend, you can try giving him a few little pets. Again, don't push the matter. If he likes the attention, he will let you know and ask for more.
Good luck!
2007-02-28 03:24:12 · answer #1 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Former stray or feral cats do seem to take longer to come around.
That's probably because they have trust issues with humans.
They're so used to humans being unkind to them that they don't know what to do when someone shows them kindness.
Don't force the kitten, just take everything very slowly.
For instance if he's hiding in a room don't go in and try to force him out, go into the room where he is and do something else that has nothing to do with the kitten.
Then the next day go in and gently talk to the kitten, but again don't try to pick it up or make any move towards it.
With time the kitten will grow to trust you.
Good luck and bless you for giving this stray a home.
2007-02-28 12:24:29 · answer #2 · answered by gracieandlizzie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have him confined to one room? If he has free rein of the house, he may never acclimate to you. With kittens, especially strays, it's best to keep them in one room for a few weeks. That way you can just sit there and let the kitten see you, get to know you, etc. It takes time, trust is built
2007-02-28 11:27:40 · answer #3 · answered by gizmo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
along with the food advice "tigger" suggested, get him some kitty treats. that can help you train him to come when called, if you shake the treat box and call his name. he'll associate you calling him with food. gradually stop shaking his treat box and try just calling him, and give him a treat when he comes. that's what we did for my kitten and now she (usually) comes when we call her, but i don't think any cat will come to you every time - only if they feel like it! =) that's just how they are.
to get him to trust you, talk very softly and calmly to him when he's around you. don't make any fast or sudden movements - that will trigger his instinct to run, because in his mind you might be trying to chase him or hurt him. you don't know exactly what he went through as a stray, so it will probably take some time and patience to get him to trust you. he'll eventually come around and realize you're helping, not trying to hurt him.
good luck and thanks for rescuing him!
2007-02-28 13:36:58 · answer #4 · answered by amandajay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋