Breeder describes kitten as "timid" - likely a permanent personality trait?

[LML]

Great post, Patti - thank you!

LML - if you would not want a shy or timid kitten/cat, despite all your best efforts, then please do not purchase this kitten...it would not be fair at all to the kitten...

No worries, I know and would not do that to a kitten... I know it's a big commitment! I'm sorry, I don't want to give the impression that I'm taking a chance to see if this cat fits into a cookie cutter idea of a companion :\

 

[admin]

No worries...we just see kittens and cats surrendered or rehomed for personality issues and want to help prevent it.

I did not get the impression you would do that...but...just making sure

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

This may be a silly question. I know it means it will take patience to gain the kitten's trust, but does it mean that there is probably no chance that the cat will be good with strangers in the future? Or is there some chance that given enough attention, love and cuddles, the kitten can be brought out of its shell and become more socialized in general? Kitten is 4-5 months, by the way.

Thanks!

So hard to know... kudos to the breeder for disclosing the issue though!

It may depend on the breeder and what they consider "timid"...for some that might mean it is not strongly outgoing and rambunctious and for others it means it is really freaky and antisocial. I think the suggestion of asking for a small video is a good one...if possible.

My personal feeling is that at 4-5 months, although I am sure with love and patience the kitten will come around with you, it may never be a social butterfly in terms of being able to take out and about and greet strangers happily. If being good with strangers is an important trait for you, then I would not recommend a kitten labeled as "timid". Although... some kittens totally blossom when away from the breeder and away from siblings! I think you need to be prepared for a kitty that may always be a loner if you take this on...and then with work might get a turnaround

 

[Marissa]

After a bunch of experiences, I have learned that I will always go with a breeder who has "highly socialized" kittens.. I've done the timid thing and I can't exactly say in our household it works. I do agree if the breeder could consider the cat timid, but doesn't mean it is... but Id prefer to go find another cat, I have a crazy hyper toddler (what toddler isn't) I've def learned that a kitten from a breeder who socializes kittens on a high level is the best bet in order to be able to tolerate certain situations.. That's my opinion, I've had enough disappointment, everyone wants the epitome of a savannah cat, but if not always going to happen if the breeder doesn't socialize(or other reasons).. Then again each cat is different, they are like people, some do amazing in their new homes and others can go different directions. We had a bengal who hated our home with other cats he was nasty, skittish and wouldn't even eat unless in a separate room that he couldn't even hear the cats in, we hated to do it but he went to a home with no other cats and he is doing Awesome. I'm just saying pretty much is that a cat can do better in a environment but also can go the other way. I guess it's up to you if you want to start with a cat that is already timid and hope it comes out of its shell(it's a possibility) but I will leave it that I personally wouldn't want to start with a cat that I know is very people friendly...def listen to the people on here, they really do know alot. I was stubborn and didnt always take some advice, and now let's say I've learned to do so.....

One more note, if you do decide to go with a timid kitten, just be prepared to take on some extra work, he could be or not the perfect kitty for you, you really won't ever know, just make sure going into it you are aware of that

 

[DocMac]

When we got our first Savannah, he was 12 weeks and very well socialized. As they say,"You can't have just one," so we then got a rescue Savannah named Zarina, who was described as shy. I had always considered myself to be a "cat whisperer", so I thought, no problem. We have had her about 4 years and we have never touched her. She lives in our house, gets her Revolution while she eats and her nails clipped by the vet. She participates in family life by remaining with us in whatever room. If you shuffle your feet or move your hands too fast, off she shoots. Last night another cat was getting into something and Zarina came and told me about the troublemaker. She no longer has that fearful look in her eyes, has developed a sense of trust...but only to a certain point. I will NEVER give up on Zarina, but worry that one day she will require pilling, and that may put us back to step one. Early socialization is VITAL.

 

[NikkiA]

We have three boys from the same breeder, an F3, F4 and F5. Our F5 boy is extremely social, to the point of begging to meet new people (we actually went to Petco to play last week and he made friends with 15 people- FIFTEEN).
Our F4 boy is shy at first, but extremely cuddly with Michael and me, and friendly with anyone who is in the house for more than about 5 hours.
On the other end of the spectrum is our F3 boy, Jarvis. He was described by the breeder as kooky and goofy. We bought him to be our F5 boy's friend, because it turns out I am highly allergic to housecats (but strangely not savannah's), and our rescue from the shelter needed to move out (I have reactive airway syndrome, and could not keep her, but thankfully my first kitty love, LeeLoo is happy in her new home). Jarvis arrived very young (8 weeks), and we, NOT the breeder, still had a lot to learn and did not do a great job socializing him. Today, Jarvis is a happy, healthy boy who enjoys being around us. He will never come up to a stranger and beg for attention, but he is happy to be around us, he sleeps in bed with us, follows us around the house, loves play time, and is a happy cat. Is he outgoing? No. Is he social with strangers? Nope. Is he a happy, healthy, wonderful member of or family that we adore? Yup. And if you adopt a kitten that is a bit goofy or kooky or shy, like we did, keep in mind that he will love you just as much as that outgoing kitten will- he just might express it in different ways, and that is just fine.

 

[Kiangagirl]

This may be a silly question. I know it means it will take patience to gain the kitten's trust, but does it mean that there is probably no chance that the cat will be good with strangers in the future? Or is there some chance that given enough attention, love and cuddles, the kitten can be brought out of its shell and become more socialized in general? Kitten is 4-5 months, by the way.

Thanks!

I have a Burmese cat whom I got from a rescue about six years ago. This poor guy (Mickey) had been badly abused so was terrified of everyone, including me. If he felt the least bit threatened he would bare his teeth and growl. He hid all the time, would only come out at night. People couldn't understand why I kept him but I was able to accept him where he was and not force him to be friends. He remained very aloof and skittish for the better part of two years but finally started coming around. Now he is just a sweetheart and demands my attention often--but in a very sweet way. He comes and places a paw on my arm or shoulder and just waits patiently for me to notice him. I'm so glad I didn't give up on him because he is a very sweet boy and a joy to have around.

 

[Trish Allearz]

I agree with B. If it was a younger kitten- they can turn around surprisingly well. For example, one of my first F2 kittens- around 5-6 weeks, I told someone that I didn't think he'd do good in a home with kids. He was just so very shy and had me concerned that he'd do better in an adult home. Well, little did I know- just spending time with him and loving him- he decided he was my best buddy ever and he blossomed. By 10-12 weeks, the same lady was still in love with him and after she heard my updates on his personality, she had to have him. He went home and is the household greeter, the most social bug ever!

BUT he was still very young when I was worried about his timidness. If he was timid at 4-5 months, I would have required a much different household.

 

[Wild Tafari]

Just as Trish said above, I had a kitten to be slightly shy around 6 weeks old also. This kitten was from one of our girls known for her loving, outgoing personality, with kittens having the same fantastic traits, but this particular kitten didn't blossom until 10 weeks of age when she was by herself without her rambunctious siblings. This kitten is awaiting shipping to Singapore, and I've thoroughly enjoyed spending time with this sweetheart over the past few months. She's nothing but outgoing and loving now, and she does wonderfully with other cats as well as people. We've never had a kitten that has been shy before, so this was a first for us, but now she's an absolute darling that loooves to be cuddled.

As for a 4-5 month old "timid" kitten, that kitten may never change, so you have to decide for yourself whether or not you can be happy if this kittens' personality were to remain the same. It's not that it's a bad kitten, but rather, it just has a different sort of outlook...

 

[Becki]

Nyah was described by her breeder as a shy girl. Though she is still skittish, and maybe always will be, the transformation over the last month has been tremendous. She is very attached to me,but loves the rest of the family too. Strangers not so much, but that's ok. She is vocal as heck, and just a clown. She is a cuddle bug at night, but not a lap cat. I don't want to say never as she is more social than I actually thought she would be, but if she isn't, that's ok too. She is an f2, so I didn't think I was getting a lap cat anyway. I am just so very thankful Michelle (Sanura Exotics) trusted me to take on a cat that would need a little more work. I can't imagine not having her at this point, she is quirky but so incredibly sweet. Being chosen by this kitten has been an awesome experience!

That said, I would not go into it thinking this kitty will change. I love Nyah for who she is, I view her coming out of her shell as a gift and not a expectation.