Sculd🏳️‍🌈

Honestly asking for advice.

I took up a cat three weeks ago from a friend who had to let go of her because she was being bullied by two other cats.

The cat is very very easily frightened. She is now living on top of a shelf in the storage room. A place that she chose.

She would not let me get anywhere close to her except last night when I offered snack.

Occasionally she would "meow" me to notify that she had peed.

Will she eventually come around? Anything I should do?

#Cats #CatsOfMastodon

Oct 1, 2023 at 5:38amWeb
Show threadGorobarOct 1, 2023
@sculd not an expert (aside from being a cat dad of 5, which are 4 ferals and one adopted from my brother at an old age), but: give her time and everything she needs, but don't press hard.
Perhaps sit nearby and talk softly, things like that.
It might take some weeks, but she will come. 😺
Show threadSculd🏳️‍🌈Oct 1, 2023
@gorobar
Thanks!
I have heard that talking works but haven't try it yet. Its something I plan to do.
Show threadGwen the Trans BalrogOct 1, 2023
@sculd
All you can do is continue to earn her trust and not force yourself on her. Keep offering contact from a respectful distance. Maybe sit nearby and do other things. Let her get used to you being nearby without looking at her. Don't worry if it's taking some time.
Show threadSculd🏳️‍🌈Oct 1, 2023
@YouShallNotPass
Thanks!
Looks like it would take some time. I am okay with that.
Show threadKelexynOct 1, 2023

@sculd try playing with wand toys, from a distance. That gives her a chance to associate good things with you and yet, you aren't forcing yourself on her.

Keep a routine going. Feed her at the same time every day, play at the same time, etc. Routines make cats feel safe.

Stay around her during feeding time. Let her associate you with good things.

Put a pillow or blanket with your scent on the shelf so you can start sharing scents.

Show threadKelexynOct 1, 2023

@sculd make sure that she has multiple escape routes. And if you can, use other shelves and cat trees to make a road so that she can move around and be safe at the same time.

Get Churu or Delectables squeezie tube treats. Most every cat goes nuts for them and they are a great thing for getting close to her while giving her good things.

Mostly, be patient and let her set the timetable.

And if you have Max or TubiTV, check out My Cat From Hell. Jackson Galaxy gives a TON of great helpful info.

Show threadSculd🏳️‍🌈Oct 1, 2023

@kelexyn1203
Thanks for the advice!
Multiple escape routes might be a bit difficult because the storage room is basically a dead end.

Letting her move around safely looks like a good idea.

I will be patient. Thanks for the programme recommendation.

Show threadCheshireOct 1, 2023
@sculd Speaking from a background in vet med, I'm going to agree with everyone else: It will take time. Cats do not handle stress nor change well. Like, at all. Offer food, water, toys. Provide comfy places that are both secluded from people and offer some near a place you might linger for a bit. Reading a book is a great idea because it essentially provides you in the area, but not acting as a forceful entity. Speaking tends to help, but mostly small chit chat. 8 months was the longest for me.
Show threadSculd🏳️‍🌈Oct 1, 2023
@cheshire_ge I am prepared for the long haul! Let’s hope it takes less than 8 months!
Show threadAluminumRoosterOct 1, 2023
@sculd I've only had two cats of my own, so I'm no expert, but I think that your cat will be running the house in no time. 😺
Show threadSculd🏳️‍🌈Oct 1, 2023
@AluminumRooster I hope you are right !!!!
Show threadSeverinoOct 1, 2023
@sculd
you seem to be doing a great job gentling the cat. give the cat time. make sure the cat has access to a litter box, you might want to try two or three litter boxes in different places and see which one the cat uses. as long as the cat has access to food and water and a litter box they should be okay and eventually come around if you continue to be gentle.
Show threadSculd🏳️‍🌈Oct 1, 2023

@Severino one thing she is great at is using the litter box. Have to thank previous owner for getting that right.

I also got her a fountain and feed twice a day.

She didn't eat much at first but is getting better.

Show threadAlfred & ToulouseOct 1, 2023
@sculd ooh boy I've been there with Brice. It's slow progress, but it can be done! The key here is to challenge the cat to get just a tiny bit out of her comfort zone:
- I don't know where you feed her, but it should not be on the shelf. She should have to leave the safe space in order to eat.
- if you can play with her, do so! It will relieve stress and give her more confidence in the space.
- give her items where she can put her scent: scratching post, cat bed (1/2)
Show threadAlfred & ToulouseOct 1, 2023
@sculd - in the beginning, it could be good to close the door of the room she is in (ofc you should put everything she needs in that room), so that she can explore and make hers the space, before giving her access progressively to the rest of the house.
- spend time with her! If you can't cuddle and play, sit on the floor and talk in a quiet voice. Do the visits at the same time everyday, in order to start establishing a routine.
Good luck!  (2/2)
Show threadAlfred & ToulouseOct 1, 2023
@sculd oh also! Feliway works quite well to calm cats. It's cat pheromones, with a diffuser, that you plug in an electrical socket
Show threadSculd🏳️‍🌈Oct 1, 2023

@littlemonsters Thanks for the advice! I am considering cat pheromones and is searching for a good one.

I found that she preferred the door to be closed. She is more likely to come down to eat when the door is closed. Otherwise she only eats when I go out or sleep.

Show threadSculd🏳️‍🌈Oct 1, 2023

@littlemonsters Thanks for the advice! I am considering cat pheromones and is searching for a good one.

She preferred the door to be closed. She is more likely to come down to eat when the door is closed. Otherwise she only eats when I go out or sleep.

I usually open the door because I am a bit worried that the ventilation in the room is not that good. But maybe that is not necessary for now.

Show threadRik D'huyvettersOct 1, 2023
@sculd my advice: patience. What you can' do is get a comfy chair in the storage room, sit down, read a book, let her come to you. Make sure you have her favorite snack to reward her. Repeat a couple of times, the go sit further and do the same, if it works sit in the living.room.witj her snack. Depending on how scared she is, it might go fast or slow. Let me know how it went.
Show threadSculd🏳️‍🌈Oct 2, 2023
@Rik_Dhuyvetters Thank you!!
Quite a few people recommended reading a book in the room. Looks like it is the way to go!