Read About Shy Cat

There is a difference between a shy kitten, a shy new cat, and a shy cat. ImageA kitten and a shy new cat may act shy for a few days up to a week just until they get familiar with there new surroundings. Where as, a shy cat is also known as a feral cat, which means they are not domesticated and not used to living with people. Shy cats (feral cats) are very timid and scared. They are the result of bad ownership. They are afraid of people. They are pets that strayed, bred or were abandoned. They usually were deprived of attention and they lived a life of hardship.

ImageYou need to have a lot of patients with a shy cat. It can take months to a year for them to get comfortable with you and their new surroundings. They prefer small areas and holes. They usually do not take well to strangers and they like to hide. They don’t like loud noises and quick movements. To make shy cats more comfortable in your home you can do the following:

1. They need to stay in a small room for quite some time, which is where they feel safe. They need to be introduced to larger spaces very gradually.

 2. They like covered baskets to sleep in and to watch what is going on.

3. Start with slow movements, a quiet voice, have eye contact but continue to blink your eyes and don't stare and then look away to show you are no threat

4. Be predictable and establish a routine

5. Read a book out loud so the cat gets used to your voice

 6. Play a radio quietly so the cat gets used to background noise

7. Lay on the floor and talk to them so the cat gets used to your company

 8. Show the cat any new thing as they are curious

9. To make life pleasurable for the cat, offer delicious treats with a long handled spoon - little bits of tuna or other irresistible smelly foods.

10. Start to touch by using a wand toy or a stick with fleece at the end. Let the cat see the pet wand. Start to touch the cat gently and slowly around the cheeks. Perhaps that is enough for the first few days or even longer. As the cat gets used to the cheek touching, continue rubbing with the pet wand and start to move over more of the body slowly. This routine will be slow going but it can’t be rushed.

11. After a few weeks you can try to pet it, if it is still scared continue back with the wand for a few more weeks.