schlieperk
Savannah Child
Hello everyone,
I'm looking for some good adjustment advice. I've read and read, but want to try to consolidate the information both for myself and for anyone else that ever has this problem.
So a week ago, I met a nice breeder and adopted a beautiful little F2B male. (Then approx 13 weeks old.) I met the mother and father. Mom was very tame and good to be around. Dad was agressive, but there were females in heat near by (easy to explain.) The kitten "Diego" seemed in good nature and was very playful with mom and his one remaining sister. He hissed when we first met, but seemed to get over that and did allow me to handle him without problem. We took him to the vet and had him microchipped and he was fine through all of that.
Leaving the vet, he was placed in my cat carrier and he bottled up quickly for the 3hr ride home. He showed no signs of agression, but I could tell he was upset.
Arriving home, I placed him in his quarrantine (small room) and proceeded to feed him his raw diet and water. He did not eat. He would not let me near him without hissing and if I attempted to pet him, he would spit and swat at me.
I gave him space by remaining in the room with him, but generally ignoring him. After 1.5 days of not eating or drinking, I did wrap him in a towel and give him water by syringe. Right after the forced water, I left the room and returned to him crying. He had eaten his entire meal! I was very happy at this point that he had water and food, but still would not let me near him. The next couple of days, he ate well and began to play with stick toys, but still no touching.
A week and 2 days have passed. He still hisses at my approach and will not allow me to touch him. I am getting frustrated. I love him so much and understand that he must be very scared. However, I watch him by camera when I am not in the room and he plays and explores just fine. When I return, he ducks into his *kitten or into a corner and must be coaxed out to play. If I try to touch him, he hisses and runs away.. Game over.
I'm sure time and patience is the answer, but what else can I do to show Diego that I mean him no harm? I don't make eye contact and I speak to him lovingly. Toys, food, money is no object. I sleep in the room with him and one night he curled up at my feet and I even woke up to him licking my toes. Since then, he has regressed and seems more nervous.
I still have a wife and 3 other cats for him to get used to, but I need him to bond with me first.
Thanks to anyone that has bothered to read my entire post. I appreciate any good advice that you all may have.
Kevin
I'm looking for some good adjustment advice. I've read and read, but want to try to consolidate the information both for myself and for anyone else that ever has this problem.
So a week ago, I met a nice breeder and adopted a beautiful little F2B male. (Then approx 13 weeks old.) I met the mother and father. Mom was very tame and good to be around. Dad was agressive, but there were females in heat near by (easy to explain.) The kitten "Diego" seemed in good nature and was very playful with mom and his one remaining sister. He hissed when we first met, but seemed to get over that and did allow me to handle him without problem. We took him to the vet and had him microchipped and he was fine through all of that.
Leaving the vet, he was placed in my cat carrier and he bottled up quickly for the 3hr ride home. He showed no signs of agression, but I could tell he was upset.
Arriving home, I placed him in his quarrantine (small room) and proceeded to feed him his raw diet and water. He did not eat. He would not let me near him without hissing and if I attempted to pet him, he would spit and swat at me.
I gave him space by remaining in the room with him, but generally ignoring him. After 1.5 days of not eating or drinking, I did wrap him in a towel and give him water by syringe. Right after the forced water, I left the room and returned to him crying. He had eaten his entire meal! I was very happy at this point that he had water and food, but still would not let me near him. The next couple of days, he ate well and began to play with stick toys, but still no touching.
A week and 2 days have passed. He still hisses at my approach and will not allow me to touch him. I am getting frustrated. I love him so much and understand that he must be very scared. However, I watch him by camera when I am not in the room and he plays and explores just fine. When I return, he ducks into his *kitten or into a corner and must be coaxed out to play. If I try to touch him, he hisses and runs away.. Game over.
I'm sure time and patience is the answer, but what else can I do to show Diego that I mean him no harm? I don't make eye contact and I speak to him lovingly. Toys, food, money is no object. I sleep in the room with him and one night he curled up at my feet and I even woke up to him licking my toes. Since then, he has regressed and seems more nervous.
I still have a wife and 3 other cats for him to get used to, but I need him to bond with me first.
Thanks to anyone that has bothered to read my entire post. I appreciate any good advice that you all may have.
Kevin
