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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/scaredy cat
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Question
hi, we have adopted a female cat recently.shes 1 year old and has had all her
shots and is in good health.shes very submissive and doesnt bite but shes
terrified and runs and hides in the closet with the slightest noise.weve had
her for a month now and she only comes out to eat and use the kitty box in
the middle of the night when we are asleep.we have been bringing her out
and putting her on the bed and giving her love a few times a day but she
keeps running back and hiding in the closet,we know this will take alot of
time and effort, but whats the best way to let her know shes safe now?should
we do what we have been doing or should we let her come out when shes
ready? again shes been doing this for a month now. thanks charlie
Charile,
It sounds like she was a feral kitten, and they have an inbred distrust of humans. It may take quite a while for her to learn to trust you and get used to her surroundings.
The best thing is to get her a kitty friend. She needs the comfort and companionship of a another kitten about her age. She can learn from another cat, plus she has someone to cuddle with when she is scared, someone to play with, and relate to.
I would let her come around at her own pace as she feels comfortable. You need time, patience, and love. You can't force her. Try bribing her with kitty treats like tuna, tinned sardines in oil, etc. Food is a great icebreaker. Also sit near her and let her get used to your voice and movements.
Tabbi
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Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
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