Hello all!
I am happy to report that my kitten Suki, born feral, is warming up to me. She rubs against me purring a lot, and will come snuggle into my side when I'm laying in bed. That said, she is still very scared of hands. She accepts pets when she's eating and even a little after she's polished off her bowl, and remains purring until she looks back and realizes it is a hand that is touching her. We are still hand feeding and using treats to help her learn positive associations with hands. She is coming around!
BUT I have done a lot of reading and see that it is often beneficial for kittens to be adopted together, or to have a companion to grow up and play with. So I am planning on getting her a friend in the next couple days (we are planning a slow introduction, of course). It has dawned on me that this has a few possible outcomes, one meaning she may not be as interested in creating a bond with me. I've been told kitten I am planning on getting is very social, and a total sweetheart, and he is slightly younger than Suki. As I am planning a slow introduction, I will still be working with Suki on her own for a little bit before the new kitten and her are introduced. I'm wondering your thoughts on this? I have been concerned about Suki feeling lonely, as she was born feral and for the first weeks of her life was used to having companions. Thank you in advance!
I am happy to report that my kitten Suki, born feral, is warming up to me. She rubs against me purring a lot, and will come snuggle into my side when I'm laying in bed. That said, she is still very scared of hands. She accepts pets when she's eating and even a little after she's polished off her bowl, and remains purring until she looks back and realizes it is a hand that is touching her. We are still hand feeding and using treats to help her learn positive associations with hands. She is coming around!
BUT I have done a lot of reading and see that it is often beneficial for kittens to be adopted together, or to have a companion to grow up and play with. So I am planning on getting her a friend in the next couple days (we are planning a slow introduction, of course). It has dawned on me that this has a few possible outcomes, one meaning she may not be as interested in creating a bond with me. I've been told kitten I am planning on getting is very social, and a total sweetheart, and he is slightly younger than Suki. As I am planning a slow introduction, I will still be working with Suki on her own for a little bit before the new kitten and her are introduced. I'm wondering your thoughts on this? I have been concerned about Suki feeling lonely, as she was born feral and for the first weeks of her life was used to having companions. Thank you in advance!