We adopted Keegan from a cat rescue organization 2.5 months ago. He had been owned at one time but put out when his owner moved, I don't know how long he was on his own, but he was with other cats. He is a great cat, seems happy, loves the kittens we got after him, doesn't beg to go outside, just seems like he tolerates us. He will purr & let you pet him in the morning when he hears you get up, but thats it, the rest of the day he "tolerates" us. Am I expecting too much from him too quickly? Will he ever like us?
2007-06-10 11:49:07 · 12 answers · asked by alyssa 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
He will, just give him time. It sounds as though he's coming along. We have a cat that was completely feral from birth that we trapped and tamed when he was about 6 months old. It took about a year for him to totally come around. Yours shouldn't take as long. Keep in mind that some cats are just less social than others too. And he may be unsure that you are a forever thing. I don't care what other people say cat's have feelings and remember their hurts. Just be patient with him. Good luck and best wishes.
2007-06-10 19:11:39 · answer #1 · answered by Sniggle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd advise you to be extremely cautious with trying to pet them, as they are feral, just like any other wild animal, they will probably perceive you as a threat and make no doubt they will defend themselves if you reach out to them. A humane live trap would be the best way to capture them, and then you would best try kenneling them and sitting with them for long periods of time. You don't necessarily have to be paying attention to them while you sit with them, just sit and let them be in your presence. Treats and play things are options, although they probably won't take treats or play right away. It's unlikely they will ever be lap cats, and they will probably always be skittish, even at such a young age. I would recommend capturing them so that you can take them in and have them spayed and neutered. There are feral cat programs that do this. Capture feral cats, fix them and then release them back where they caught them. It's good for stopping the population from growing and impacting the native wildlife, as well as preventing the cats from living short dangerous lives in urban traffic.
2016-03-13 08:43:21 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can take a while but I think eventually you will be successful in making him more human-sociable. He's probably hasd some bad experiences.
The fact that he was once an owned pet is very much in your favor. The office cat at the vet hospital where I work, Roger, was also a cat that had once been a pet but had been on the streets on his own for probably five years. He was coming to the vet's back door and fighting his cats for their food. He was so unapproachable that the vet had tio capture him in a humane trap.
At the clinic he hissed and shrieked if anyone came near. After he had been neutered and vaccinated and gotten his fleas and earmites and bad teeth taken care of, we decided to try to tame him so he could be adopted. We kept talking to him whenever we were near his cage, and I noticed that despite all the ferocious noise he made, he never actually tried to bite or scratch. I started petting him just on the head between his ears, and eventually he warmed up to us.
He's now very friendly, sleeps in a basket on the front desk, and greets everyone who comes in. From the time he arrived until he was friendly and calm enough to leave out of his cage was about three months. It was another couple of months before he was confident enough to come out to the front office.
2007-06-10 13:11:17 · answer #3 · answered by Kayty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's great that he purrs and lets you pet him in the mornings! It's like he wants to say hello and welcome you back from your eight or so hours of nothingness!
I have a formerly feral kitty and it didn't take her too long, although she still exhibits behaviours that are obviously because of her past - like being ultra protective, has abandonment issues, etc.
Don't rush Keegan - he's probably still getting used to being with others! He greets you in the morning then goes off and does his own thing because he's so used to it. Try to spend more time with him (but don't pressure him or bug him!) - you could play with him, or give him his food separately to the other kittens so you can pat him as he eats or just sit with him so he gets used to you being there.
He's always going to remember what it was like to be alone, but it is a good sign that he does purr and is happy to see you when you wake up. He's lucky to have a new family who loves him.
2007-06-10 20:55:28 · answer #4 · answered by k.t. 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, my family adopted a stray about two years ago...her name is Summer. She was very scittish (she was about 1.5 yrs old) and she always hid from us. after a while she gave birth to kittens and then she quit "tolerating" us completely. She ran off and now and then we see her but she just doesn't want to be around...if your cat was a stray at some point then I think you are expecting a little too much. make the cat trust you more and show it that you care (like a baby almost). I hope this helps...
2007-06-10 11:59:02 · answer #5 · answered by Shianne 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the pleasure of sharing the last 20 years of my life with a former FERAL CAT. How long did it take her to trust me, almost a year to date I found her, but I never gave up. And I always left her come to me on her terms. GIVE HIM SPACE AND TIME TO ADJUST. But the rewards of knowing you made a difference in the life of even one feral or stray animal life is great.
Do not give up on him and give him time.
2007-06-13 09:17:43 · answer #6 · answered by Mirna T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
give him time & space. some cats just don't like alot of closeness. I took in a feral kitten. she's now 3 years old. it took about 2 years before she would sit in my lap. she is still skiddish with new people and if I move too fast towards her. she loves her kitty brothers & my dogs.
patience is best & let your kitty come to you.
good luck
2007-06-10 12:11:50 · answer #7 · answered by Magick Kitty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a rescue cat. She wouldn't eat unless I was asleep or gone for the first month. She wouldn't let me pet her for 3 months. I've had her for 7 years, and she lets me pet her sometimes, but I think it's in any cat's temperament to just "tolerate" people most of the time.
2007-06-10 11:57:54 · answer #8 · answered by DCFN 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any new pet takes time to get a bond, but you have to remember, cats are not dogs. They are solitary creatures usually, although each cat has its own personality. Cats like love, but prefer to go off on their own thing the majority of the time.
Give it time, bond with him, but don't push it. Like I said, most cats are solitary creatures, wanting to keep to themselves. It's not like he's just tolerating you, like "Oh, it's them. Whatever." He's probably just being... a cat.
2007-06-10 11:57:49 · answer #9 · answered by Mariah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is no way of ever knowing some cats in general are just like that.
you said he was owned at one time but what kind of owner did he have???
Just love him teh best you can and just let nature take it's course.
2007-06-10 11:56:49 · answer #10 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋