Skittish Cat Help Needed
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Midwest
Posts: 996
I don't know how to help with the litterbox problem but I bet you can get a lot of expert help at the Cat Site, http://www.thecatsite.com/f/
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Long Island
Posts: 24,820
Patience, my princess on high ZOEY was a born ferrel, it took her about a year and a half to be normal, if there is normal for a kitty. so loving and compassionate she is, whenever i'm sick or on bed rest after surgery, she's with me. it took some time and being kind and patient, she finally trusts us, she's three now. she's indoor and enjoys the outdoors thru windows and her throne, (yes, she has 2 tiaras). I can't imagine life without her now. what a difference three yrs make.
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 4,961
I have 7 indoor cats now - all were feral and all were rescues. Only 3 will come out when other people are in the house. Four hide until everyone strange goes home. All have different personalities and all have decided they like living in the house and they love my husband and me. One who came in last year didn't let us get close to him outside but then he broke his tail and his leg, could hardly walk so came to us for help. Each cat in affectionate in their own way. It may take a while but this kitty will eventually come around. She may not be as outgoing as the other cat but that is ok.
#15
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Coastal Georgia
Posts: 41
Feliway can help with nervous cats and depending on what is causing the litter box issues, it might help with that. I'm assuming she is fixed, if not having her altered could help. If she was a true feral it will take a long time for her to ever get really comfortable with humans. Is she curious about you? Will she stay in the same room with you? Does she meow? If so, then she just needs time and a little pressure...she has to take treats from your hand or allow you to pet before she gets fed. As for the litter box, if she is spraying, it's territorial and she needs to feel safe and/or cats are spraying outside and she is marking her territory. If a cat goes to the litter box and it hurts, they will avoid in the future. If they can smell where a cat/dog/human has went before, they will cover which makes cleaning up with an oxy or enzyme cleaner vitally important. I currently have 7 cats, one of them has to have a covered box, the rest prefer open. A box must be big enough for the cat and if other cats attack one while using the box, they will avoid the box in the future. I have read about kenneling cats to retrain them to use a box, it takes about 2 weeks and if you think it might help, there is a lot of info on line. If I could determine which one uses the throw rug now and then, I might try it. I think I know and I truly wonder if he is developing a form of kitty Alzheimer's. Good luck.
#16
My sister had 2 part Persian cats she got as kittens, brother and sister. The male was very loving and friendly, the female very timid and ran away from everyone (except my sister & her husband). He was twice the size as her. They lived almost 20 years, she lost them both over the last few years. My cat I got at the Animal Rescue as a tiny kitty doesn't like to be held much, unless he wants to be. Was very shy as a kitten. But, he's not un-sociable.
#18
I'm hoping someone can give me some advice. We have a year old cat that we got when she was about 4 months old. Her mother and littermates were all feral. We took her sister and her. The sister has tamed up mostly but Mischief is still skittish and won't come to us. She will take treats from my hand occasionally though. Any thoughts on how to help tame her? She is very skittish and will take off if you get close to her. I've seen some medications in the pet store to help calm cats. Do any of these work/help and if so please share the names? They are indoor cats and I don't let them outside. TIA
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,490
My sister has the same problem as you. Took in a couple feral kitties from the same litter that found their way into her garage during the winter. The brother is tame as can be but the sister will not come near you. My mother after a couple of months has gotten her to enjoy being brushed but its hit and miss with her. Time is the only thing you've got going for you. In time she may feel comfortable enough to become one of the family.
#20
Thanks for all the replies. I guess patience is going to be what it takes. My DH can't understand why she won't tame up. He once had a feral cat that he tamed up in about a week so he thinks this one should too. I keep telling him all cats are different. Fluffy, the tamer one, follows me like a shadow and will rub up against my legs. Usually Mischief is trailing behind her a few feet. Since they are following me around I guess they will eventually become tamer. I'm wondering, Fluffy seems to be the alpha female if that affects anything.
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