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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Depressed Cat
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Question
We were given an adult cat from our daughters boss. She was moving and couldn't take him with her. Our daughter told us after we had the cat that he had been hiding under the bed for 6 years. Apparently he had gotten outside and was gone for 2 weeks. He has been like this ever since. We are keeping him in a large bathroom. Its the only way to keep him from hiding under the bed. He looks and acts depressed. He sits in one corner in the same position and doesn't like being approached. I pet him anyway. We don't know what to do for him.
Laurene,
Personally, I would let him hide under the bed if that is where he is happiest and feels the safest. Keep his 'necessities' in the room also (litterbox, food, water) so he doesn't have to go far for them. Putting him in the bathroom is only adding to his stress of a new home, new people, etc. Cats that unsure and frightened will be more so out in the open, as will petting him if he doesn't trust you yet or trying to make him sociable.
It may take you months of patience to get the cat to trust you. Hopefully it won't take that long....but it might.
He will come out from under the bed when he feels secure and safe, if ever. His basic personality won't come out for a while...and that may BE his basic personality.
Food is a great bribe. Try giving him some tuna or tinned sardines in oil. That is so he will associate you with something pleasant and not negative.
It is going to take a lot of time, patience, and gentleness around him to earn his trust.
Tabbi
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Answers by Expert:
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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