lap cats

[Brigitte Cowell]

I should add that Im looking into getting an F2 and am waiting for the babies to be born. Different breeder...good or bad idea? Since we have this issue.

I think that if your kitten was used to a lot of kitties around and then went to an only pet home, he might simply be unsure about this...in which case, another kitten will give him more confidence.

I don't think it will be a bad thing, either he will remain less social (and you will have the other kitten for that affection) or he will improve seeing your interactions with the hopefully more social kitten.

 

[Patti]

had to be kept in quarantine a long time because he also came with giardia and coccidia

I have seen in few instances when a kitten has required medication and is resistant to it he/she has developed a long-standing hesitation and/or mistrust of humans. Sometimes it's just directed at the one who was medicating him, other times it's at all humans. When I have to medicate cats/kittens I always follow it up with praise and play, but still there is that rare sensitive one who has a hard time getting over the 'trauma' of being medicated.

This is just one instance of why a kitten/cat may exhibit fear or nervousness toward humans. Each has its own story - if only our babies could talk!!

 

[Patti]

How do you know though if its the cat itself or the socialization.

At the end of the day it doesn't really matter what the underlying cause is, the approach to correct/modify the behavior is the same.

 

[Snookie]

Thats true Patti. In this case I do not have any answers as to the root of his issue, but at the end of the end, its about him and making sure hes happy and well adjusted. I know its not anything I have done, so I continue to search out any and all information on improving this. We are bonded but he does keep his wall up. Im not looking to get the F2 so I have a cat that is more affectionate. I thought perhaps it would help him have a little buddy, but im unsure and certainly do not want to make things worse. And its hard to know which way it would go.

 

[Carykd7kau]

I can tell you that if you spend some time patiently working with them, I bet you see results. I have one of Patti's retired breeders who was medicated and became distrusting of all humans. It took a while (almost a year) but she is now almost as friendly as my others. She still won't let me HOLD her, but I can pet her and she will head butt me. And she talks my ear off. She is a winner.

 

[Snookie]

I can pet him and he will allow me to briefly pick him up, like for a minute and then I gently put him down. Hes apprehensive in letting his guard down, I hope that makes sense? He used to hide constantly at the mere thought of anyone else in the house. Now he comes to see who and what is going on, and will interact at a minimal level. Im not trying to turn him into a lap cat, I just want him to know its ok to let himself be a bit more vulnerable. I know he wants too, I see it and feel it, but seems to hesitate at the last moment. Should I ignore him a bit when he rubs against me for pets? Ive been told to do that but I dont understand how that would benefit a cat that already is guarded. Any insight in that?

 

[Carykd7kau]

He sounds to me like he is making great progress. My Azidi will not come out of her room EVER. And she will NOT let the other kids even close. Your boy really sounds much MORE at ease than my Azidi is. SO in MY opinion, he will come around more as time goes on. He just needs to be shown he is not going to be threatened, or harmed. If you just allow him to call the shots and give hime lots of love and undertanding, I think he will become a friendly boy. MAYBE not a lap cat, but... ya never know.

 

[Snookie]

He calls all the shots, dont they all lol. Of course, he will do things at his own pace, and we respect that.

 

[Patti]

Ditto what Cary said - it sounds like you have made great strides already in helping him adjust and learn to trust. I am optimistic that he will eventually become your best buddy.

 

[Snookie]

How can you not love these cats with all your soul. That is impossible!!