Kitty Corner
Keep your feline fine: Kerrie McKeon, Bideawee's Feline Behavior Coordinator shows you how!
Building Kitty's Confidence!Suppose that the "kitty wallflower" at your local shelter has completely won your heart. You would love to bring her home, but are concerned that she might just disappear under your bed, rarely to be seen again.
Let's be honest. No one sets out to purposely adopt an "invisible cat", yet many a compassionate feline lover specifically seeks out the shyest, most fearful, or least likely to be adopted cat. What, then, can they do to help this scare-dy cat feel comfortable and secure in her new home?
Set Up a Safe Room
The first step should be to set up a "safe room" where your new friend can settle in your home without feeling overwhelmed. Cats are creatures of habit and familiarity. They continually rub their own scent on their surroundings, using their paw pads, foreheads, and cheeks. This creates a comfort zone for the cat, so you can imagine that a brand new home, where nothing smells familiar, might stress the cat quite a bit. The "safe room" is an especially important step if you have other pets, as a very gradual introduction process will be necessary to assure a successful integration.
To set up your "safe room," place your new cat's litter box, bed, food, water, and a toy or two in the smallest room in your house. The bathroom may be the best option for apartment dwellers. You may also include a radio, tuned to a classical station, in the room. The cat's food and water should be as far away from the litter box as possible, as most cat's refuse to eliminate near their food source. A cardboard box with a soft towel inside will provide a cozy hiding space for your new pet. This room should be completely set up in advance so that she can be taken straight in to it as soon as you bring her home.
Spend time each day just sitting quietly and talking to your cat, maybe even throwing her a treat or two. Remember that slow and steady wins the race. Don't force handling on your cat: let her set the pace. Extend your finger gently towards her; if she sniffs at it, try gently stroking the side of her face, which will mark you with her scent, and make her feel more at ease.
The duration of kitty's stay in her "safe room" will depend upon how quickly she adjusts to you, and to her new home. When you decide the time is right, be sure to give her short periods out, preferably one room at a time, and be sure to give her access to the "safe room" at all times. Her supplies should also remain there until she has comfortably settled into the rest of the house.
Make Sure You Are Ready for the Commitment
Sadly, cats like these are often returned to shelters. Please make sure you are truly ready for the commitment and patience before getting a cat like this. It could take a week or up to a month (depending on the cat, it could be more) for the cat to acclimate to your home. We've experienced many sad cases where people think they can handle it but end up returning the cat within a week because the cat wasn't a social butterfly. They don't realize the damage they can do to a cat by providing this instable and confusing move.
The above information also applies when you move to a new home. Some cats aren't fazed by a move but others may take a month or so to get used to new surroundings. Depending on the cat's personality, she might hide or she might get edgy and aggressive when approached and not seem like herself. The latter usually improves within a couple of days. . This is also a time to be extra careful that your cat, confused by her new environment, does not sneak out of the house. The "safe room" helps to prevent this possibility. No matter what, give her space and let her adjust as she feels fit. Cats, like people, have the right to be scared, confused and moody.
If you make the commitment, whether you are adopting from a shelter or taking in a stray cat, make the commitment for the rest of that cat's life. They depend 100% on their human caretakers to live a long, happy and healthy life. Most shelters care for thousands of cats annually and not all make it out alive. Give a cat (or two or three!) a fighting chance for life by making a commitment to them through the good and the bad.
MORE KITTY CORNER COLUMNS:
Building Kitty's Confidence!
Kerrie's Gift List for Good Kitties!
Play Nice
Play Therapy
The Verticle Scratcher
What to do with Kitty while on vacation
Let's Talk Litter!
Let's Talk Litter, Part Two
Getting Kitty Ready for Baby
Moving With Your Cat
How to Get Some Sleep If You Have a Noisy Cat
Playtime for Seniors! Older Cats Are Frisky Too!
Ideas for Inexpensive, Homemade Cat Toys
Sew Velcro strips into the sock opening so it can be closed up and easily reopened. Next, fill the sock with batting, scrap fabric, or dried catnip, and seal shut. In no time, your kitty will have a new favorite plaything!
