Expert: Dear Tabbi - 6/30/2008

Question
Hi, i just got a new kitten today it is an 8 week old male persian cross, i never saw the kitten before recieving him, as the people said they would meet me somewhere to drop him off, so i don't know what his personality is like, before today or with his litter mates. so when i brought him home he would not let me hold him, and his tail was underneath his back legs and claws out, and he constantly wants to get away from me and he hides, and when i go to interac with him when he is in the pet kennel he creeps down and backs away from me, i don't know what to do now, i have left him in a seperate room with food and water, and a litter box, and
i'am worried that he won't be a friendly cat when he gets older, why is he doing this?? is it because he is timid of people, is it his personality, or is he just not sure of everything? and how much should i interact with him so i don't overdo it and scare him even more.

Answer
Hayley,
His actions and reactions right now are more than likely the result of fear and confusion. Plus he is probably missing his kitty friends/littermates.  Go slowly. It will take time. Everything is new and different for him. Keep speaking gently to him and get him used to your voice and presence. But don't try to coax him out. He will come out when he feels comfortable and secure enough, though that may take awhile.

Ideally, you should confine the kitten in a large cage or carrier that has room for a small litterbox, food/water dishes, plus something to cuddle with or hide under, such as a towel or piece of your clothing...or in a  small room, blocking up everything he could crawl into, or under, until he no longer runs or hides from you. Then you can put him in a larger room. As he gets more courageous let him explore a room at the time. Sudden freedom in a whole house is too overwhelming.

When you get a kitten that young it's best to get 2 kittens. A kitty needs a friend to play kitty games with, to cuddle with, to groom, be company when he is alone, and to be a comfort to him when he's scared. It's not such a scary world when you have a friend there with you. He can get courage from watching another kitten. 2 cats are easier to take care of than one because a solitary kitty requires more of your attention and company to keep them amused. When they get older, a single kitty also gets bored easily and can be destructive as a result.

Food is the key to taming. Chicken flavored baby food is good bribe, but make sure it does not contain onion. The kitten may hesitate to eat in your presence at first, but be patient. Eventually the kitten will associate your presence with food. How soon you can begin handling the kitten depends on the kitten's age and temperament. The more often kittens are handled, the more likely they are to be socialable.

He will be fine but it will take some time, patience, and love. First let him acclimate to the new surroundings, the new sounds, the new smells, and new people. He will come around when he not so scared and gets used to things.

Tabbi