The school my roommate went to had a Vet Tech program where it would find injured animals, have the the students in the program, in lack of a better term, fix them up, then find homes for them. Well, she got this cat that had apparently been hit by a car. It's "fine" now, but it acts so strangely.
She'll meow at you like she wants something, but as soon as you come near or lean down to pet her she'll dart off. I've actually spent twenty minutes crouched down waiting for her to come to me. When she finally did, I got to pet her for a few seconds then she darted off.
Well, my roommate moved out and left me the cat and I'd like to be able to play with her and treat her like the other cats. So, does anyone have any tips on getting her to trust me, or at the very least stop acting so afraid? Or is she going to be acting like this permanently?
2007-07-22 20:40:38 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Do exactly what u did ... crouch down and wait for her to come to you ... pet her but just a quick one then leave her and get up and walk away. Do this for about a week. Then the next week pet her just one stroke more for another week. Gradually build it up like that. Please remember this cat is afraid of you at the moment and doesn't trust you. You have to prove to the cat the she can trust you and this will take time especially since you don't know what happened to her before, and you don't know what her previous owners were like. When she "meows at you like she wants something" just talk to her like she was a kid even if u just tell her about the weather, just do it in a calm soothing voice. Also you can try giving her treats. If she sees you as a person that gives her yummy stuff to eat she will soon come round. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Be patient it will take time but you won't regret it!!!
2007-07-22 21:03:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cat needs to know your routine and regular actions before they calm down enough to know you're ALWAYS going to act in character. With extremely shy or afraid cats, it takes a lot longer.
You can stop some of the running by talking to her more. It's the same as body language, but words and voice tone can be heard even when the cat is facing away from you.
We've got a feral cat here who's finally learned we're 'ok' but if I do something too sudden, like take a half skip or a slight jump, he's 20 feet away before he'll stop and turn to look (I need to do that to get him away from the car when I back out in the morning). If I say his name, he stops instantly. He's adjusted to our normal routine and has calmed down considerably, but still is rather skittish.
Be consistent. Use a calm voice and talk to them a lot. This helps let them know exactly where you are and what your actions will always be. No grabbing or sudden moves. Once they get trust, they'll calm down even faster.
2007-07-23 20:59:53 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be patient, be kind, be open to when she does want to come to talk to you, even if she just chooses to meow while you listen. Dont make sudden movements.
For cats making eye contact is interpreted as threatening, so dont make eye contact and in time she will come to you. It will likely take a lot of time---but it is very rewarding.
2007-07-23 07:17:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat was like this as well when I first got her. Just give her some time she will come around. Keep reassuring her that you love her and want to take care of her.
2007-07-23 03:58:53 · answer #4 · answered by Danielle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Patience-it will take time for her to trust you. Give her the time and she will come to be like other cats you have known.
2007-07-23 03:58:22 · answer #5 · answered by barbara 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will take time
2007-07-23 04:14:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many problem...
2007-07-23 03:44:56 · answer #7 · answered by Hirai Okada H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋