Why are my 7 weeks old kittens scared of me? How can I make them feel safer?

Question

One kitten only comes to me the rest run away when I try to approach them. Is that normal?

Answer 1

yes that is normal don't worry! my cat does that too! Do u live with sons or if ur younger a baby brother? because little kids like to pick up kittens and they dont like that so maybe when u try to uproach him he thinks ur going to pick him up which hurts him! this is what i do! i get a bag or pouch of food and shake it he'll come to u. you can also try treats, anything ur cat likes. try playing with him more of the time, that mite help

Answer 2

Kittens are like little kids- they love to scare themselves, and it's so natural for them to run away- it's a 'baby' thing.

Also- cats are spies. They'd much rather spy on you than have you pay attention to them.

For timid cats, fearful cats, and kittens, the very best thing you can do is go about your business in a natural way: don't worry about noise, movement, or where they are.

They'll follow you around, and dart away if you look at them...it's a game.

Also- the more natural your movements, the quicker they'll get used to what's going on around them.

Kittens LOVE to watch you empty thier litterbox- without exception every kitten I've had watches in amazement as I dig through the boxes...it's really funny.

Another thing kittens can't help being attracted to is 'the changing of the sheets'. Don't know why, but it's a huge event!

7 week old kittens are mostly playing. They really like to scare themselves & dart off.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Your kittens are not socialized. Was their mother 'feral' or not socialized? In any event, they are reacting in a group.

You may or may not like this response, but it is definitely based on experience. I worked as a volunteer with a cat rescue group in NYC for a year, and I cat sat in the home of one of its founders, who had 68 rescues in cages, a number of them kittens. This group rescued cats from the mean streets of NYC, got them veterinary care, and then adopted them out.

The best way to socialize your kittens is to rent or borrow or buy or make a spacious cage. As it now stands, when your kittens see you coming, they go the opposite direction. As time passes, they will come around somewhat. But it very well can become a standard, group-reinforced response. If you want the little kitten who comes to you to be the one who teaches the others, put them all in a cage -- not forever, just for a week, until their behavior changes.

What they need to learn is this: That you are their new mommy, and that you are the bringer of all things good, and that they can trust you. You put them in a cage to break the habit of running when they see you coming. Once they cannot run, they will observe the little kitten who comes to you and how you treat him/her, and you will be very tender with that kitten. They will also learn that your hands and your feet and your smell means food and fun, because every time you open the door of the cage, you will bring them something good. Because the cage is on a table, they will be able to observe your movements in your space, learn your rhythms. As it is, they are living a parallel cat life in the same space as you; they are not sharing your life.

The behavior you will be looking for is all the kittens coming to the front of the cage when you enter the room, in expectation of something good, because you mean good things. After the first flicker of this behavior, give them a couple of days, then put the cage down on the floor, so they can return to it as they wish, but leave the door open.

I should have mentioned that of course, you put a little potty, plus food and water and a bed in the cage. They will walk in the food, spill the water and sleep in the litter pan, but that is just kittens. To help them feel very secure (a very, very important thing to cats and kittens) drape a towel or sheet over the cage, so only the door-side is not draped, and they feel like they are in a little burrow or cave.

This works. It absolutely, every time, no-matter-how-unsocialized, just plain works.

Promise.

Answer 4

Don't forget that animals were not always domestic. They were born in the wild so their nature is to be standoff-ish until they learn trust. Constant touching gently and relaxed atmosphere will bring them around.

Answer 5

Yes it is, especially with small kittens.

Just give them time: The rest will warm up to you eventually.

Answer 6

cats maybe scared of ppl cos they don't treat them well.
just be gentle with the others.