Very Shy Cat?

Question

We have just got a 2 year old female cat from the Cat Resuce Centre who had been abandoned, she stays under my daughter's bed all day and doesnt come out till it's dark, she is very nervous and shy - anybody any suggestions as to how we can turn her sleeping pattern around so she is sleeping when we are.

Answer 1

Just be patient. If she was abandoned, she would have been nocturnal while living rough and it will take time for her to adjust.

You could try waking her when you get up in the morning and try to keep her awake for a while. Have you tried taking her to bed with you (or has your daughter tried?) I've never known a cat who didn't want to sleep on a nice bed with a human when the opportunity arose.

However, I would imagine that she will eventually adjust her own inner clock to match yours.

Good luck, and bless you for adopting a cat in need.

Answer 2

The first cat my parents got spent about two weeks hiding in the gap behind the washing machine in the kitchen - the poor little thing was traumatised by a bus journey (loooong story!!)

Just be patient with her. She's probably overwhelmed by the new smells and sounds in your house, and will take time to get used to them. As she was abandoned, she probably associates noise with danger or, possibly, pain. As long as she's eating and using her kitty litter, try not to worry too much at the moment. You can try moving her food a little bit further away from the bed each time, and when you are feeding her, keep talking aloud, so she gets used to your voice, and associates you with food. She'll probably spend a little while exploring at night - it'll be an opportunity for her to find her feet when she feels safe, because everything is quiet, and once that happens, she'll begin to creep into the rooms when you're there, too. Just try not to startle her, and let her make the moves on her terms - it'll feel like a long haul, but it will be worth it in the end, and you'll have a loyal and loving cat.

Answer 3

Cats generally are more active at night, tending to sleep during the day time. However, she is bound to be feeling nervous in a new home, with all it's new smells. It will take her a while to feel comfortable and get used to her new family. I don't know if you have any knowledge of her background or personality, as this will effect how long it takes her to settle in. Be patient and don't force her to come out from under the bed as this will make her feel more scared. Sit on the floor near to the bed, talking to her, to get her used to the sound of your voice and your scent. Place food treats near you, gradually moving them closer to you to see if she will approach you. The web article below offers helpful advice on helping nervous cats;

http://www.messybeast.com/nervous.htm

You could also try a Feliway plug-in diffuser as they emit a scent very similar to feline pheromones that is said to be soothing to cats. A cheaper version, if she will allow you to pet her, is to wipe a cloth against the scent glands on her cheeks and then wipe the cloth over the paintwork (at cat head height) on door frames. Cats rely very heavily on their sense of smell, and she will be reassured by being able to detect her own scent around the home.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Ahhh.... Poor little kitty..... I volunteer at an animal shelter and we see this all the time... In fact many people return their kitties for this reason (which I find sooo sad!). As the others have said here... time really is the only answer. As you have only just got her I would put her food, water and toys near her for the time being but not for too long because you really want her to come out. Also, if she does venture out on her own, don't suddenly rush to her. Just let her explore on her own. She will come to you when she is ready. Is she still using her kitty litter?

Answer 5

She's just plain scared.You will have to have lots of patience and leave her to adjust at her own time. Talk to her a lot but give her plenty of space and she will soon come round . When you put down her food stay back a little if she is scared and let her come to you when she is ready. I have a cat who was feral and in time she came round and is a super cat who at the moment is sitting on my lap making me stiff with the way I'm holding her.Good luck I'm sure she'll be fine.

Answer 6

Ctas are naturally nocturnal, and let her settle in for a while. Give her a month or so, you just got her so she is naturally frightened. How would you feel if someone took you to a strange home and they were 5 times your size and pet you all day long?

Answer 7

she sounds as if she's lost her faith in humans
and needs lots of gentle soothing input
ats usually go under the bed as its a safe spot for them
they are alrmed by human noises and so under the bed everything is muffled anda sanctuary
be patient
she'll come around
thankyou for adopting a furry friend

Answer 8

my boy sat under our kitchen table when we first got him she will come out and be more sociable once she settles in, and btw cats do sleep all day just more where u can see them once they know a place is home ( ie they dont hide just sleep) and at night for a cat its playtime...you wont hear her prowling around once you are used to her.. we sleep through ours mooching about..

Answer 9

Give her time to get used to you. Try handle her during the during the day to keep her awake - if she is comfortable with that.

How about blocking your daughter's bed up so she can't hide from everyone.

Answer 10

cats dont sleep at night. they never will. they play at night. they are night creatures. so they sleep in the day.