SCARED CATS

Thank you

Thank you for giving scaredy cat or skitty kitty the chance that they deserve.  It is easier to go to the shelter to choose one of the friendly cats that greets you enthusiastically, but after a while in your home a Scaredy cat can be just as loving and are likely to be more loyal.  The cat or kitten that you are taking home has either come from a feral background (i.e. wild and not used to humans), has been a stray and is still mistrustful of humans, or perhaps may have come from a home where they have not had enough handling.  

A kitten needs to be handled as much as possible and encounter, many different noises and situations during the first 8 weeks of its life, so that it can confidently cope with our lifestyle (domestication).  These 8 weeks are the building blocks for the rest of its life and are called the socialising period.  However, even if a cat had adequate handling during this time, and they are then left to their own devices (as in the case of strays) they may still be nervous and could take different behaviours.  

Some cats will crouch wide eyed and still, others will run and hide from you.  When you do make physical contact they may hiss, spit or lash out at you.  This should not be taking personally: the cat is only trying to cope with this overwhelming situation, as it knows best.  Usually the cat you have taken home will have been through the stages of learning to trust, either at the shelter or with one of the fosterers.  It is always best to be aware that in moving into their new home they may take a step backwards.  If they do, there are some tried and tested suggestions on how to deal with it. 

When you get your cat home it is very important to confine the cat to one room, it is not cruel to restrict your cat, and it will actually give your cat more confidence, as a whole house can be overwhelming and too large to cope with.  Ideally the room should have no hiding places and certainly no chimneys to run up!  You can expect your cat to hide for the first few days.  Place their litter try in a quiet corner, they will probably only use it at night.  Don’t worry if they don’t use their tray or don’t eat on the first day, these things are always rather awkward when you’re in someone else’s house!  If they do, you’re halfway there already.  Over the next few days decrease the number of hiding places so that the cat has to face up to you.

The longer you allow your cat to hide, the longer it will take for them to trust you.
 

To encourage your cat out of their hiding place, feed them at set times, establish a routine.  Stroking them whilst they are eating may be a bit off putting some cats, but great if they accept it.  It is also a good idea to feed them small bits of cooked chicken before they are fed (when they are most hungry).  Keep the chicken  on your fingers/hand and encourage the cat to take the food from you, this way the cat gain confidence in having humans get closer to them and the reward for them being so brave, is the tasty piece of chicken.  

Tit bits and play are good attention grabbers.  By letting your cat win lots of games you will increase their confidence, so make that mouse move a little slower.  Playing at floor level is not as intimidating as towering over them, so get down on the ground!  Fishing rod toys are great for playing with the cat at a distance, then moving onto smaller toys like feathers to get the cat used to approaching you.  Sitting by a warm fire, radiator or sunny spot will make you appear more attractive to your new friend.

Don’t be timid about stroking your cat, most cats love a good back scratch rather than a gentle glide, and I find the back scratch gets rather more purring than a gentle tickle.  Grooming your cat will help you develop a bond, most cats love being groomed with slicker brushes.  While you are making a fuss of them, avoid too much eye contact with your cat at first, as this can seem threatening to some cats.  

Some nervous cats can thoroughly enjoy being stroked and will make a big fuss, then suddenly turn round and swipe you. From then on only stroke them for a short time.  Break off before they swipe you, gradually building up the time that they can tolerate being stroked.  

As your cat ventures out of their hidey-hole and appears confident in one room you can then start introducing them to the rest of the house.  If you do intend to let your cat out, it would be wise to wait longer than the recommended six weeks, until you’ve established a firm bond.  Cats that have been strays can sometime become virtually agoraphobic.  If this is the case you need to make sure that they have plenty of toys and games, scratching posts etc to occupy them indoors, as well as active play sessions with you.

As you’ve chosen a cat with a shy side you’re probably a patient person.  Above all the key to taming scaredy cats and skitty kitties is time and this does take patience.  The reward of your first purr is well worth the wait.