Still traumatized???

newcat · Oct 23, 2006

Hi,

I was hoping this would be a very active site. I am from So. Cal. Mom of 7 kids and assorted pets including a beautiful cat Luna, whom I have had for 7 yrs now, and I got a 6mo. ragdoll, and red Manx yesterday. I would REALLY appriciate anyone who KNOWS the manx breed getting in touch with me. I need advice on how to get her adjusted to our home. She seems to be just a scaredy cat, from what the last guy says, and if you get her from under the bed, she will sit in your lap for petting, but trembles, and I am wondering if she is in shock or somthing. She will try to leave to hide again as soon as she feels she is free and in the open. ( the Ragdoll runs right up and turns the motor on as loud as she can while trying to trip you and set the leg wrap record at the same time.) Supposidly, the manx was traumatised as a baby, and always hides, till you drag her out to pet her...I also wanted to talk w/ someone re: traits and personality.....e mail me @ dodgerbabe12yahoo.com .........thanks.

flisssweetpea · Oct 23, 2006

Hi there

we're so happy to welcome you and your family (fur and non-fur) to TCS. I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay with us - we're one great big family and you'll find loads of friends here. If I can help at all while you're finding your way around TCS just click on my username and send me a Personal Message - I'll do what I can to answer your questions

You might find this article and this thread helpful for integrating your nervous kitty into the household - the important thing is to give the little one time and space. Good luck

newcat · Oct 23, 2006

So should I NOT get her out from under stuff and pet her a couple of times a day?? I think the other guy had her for a few months and he said she is always that way.. Funny thing is, once she is out, she dosn't freak out, she is a little nervous, and trembles, but shows other signs of being a little relaxed, includind how she looks around the room......Supposedly, a raccoon ate ALL her littermates when they were tiny, but I don't know if that would make her SO shy at 6 mos. She is such a NICE girl....I at least want to get her to come when called for treats.... She has never been outside, but do you think she would be more comfy as a barn cat??.I am gonna try to get her comfy for a month or so and see what she wants to do.. She has the most WONDERFUl, medium, but tight, HAIRLIKE, rabbit soft, fur.... She is just dreamy to pet... I gotta think of a name for her. She is red, with yellow eyes, and about 3" of tail.....Do most cats like catnip??

flisssweetpea · Oct 23, 2006

Awww poor little kitty has been through a lot hasn't she. Keeping her in a space where she feels safe at the moment will be a good idea - you can spend some time sitting in the room and talking to her, without making eye contact. Or just reading a book out loud. That helped so much with the stray/feral that we took in. With patience the little one will be seeking you out for attention before long

You could try playing with some wand toys as well, those that have feathers and such like dangling a long way from the wand. That way, you can play with them around the place she is hiding, before long she will be coming out to play. It helps to build trust.

You might like to check out the Caring for Strays and Ferals forum too - it has great tips on socialising ferals that you might found helpful for you little kitty.

Don't worry, there is no need for her to be a barn kitty. She should do perfectly well inside

newcat · Oct 23, 2006

Well, I hope I can get her friendly. Would really like to see her lounging around the house. Oh, I wouldn't mind name suggestions.....1 friendly, motorized Ragdoll, and 1 silky, redhair, SHY Manx. Gotta get a COOL name for the Rag. Anyway, thanks for the suggestions, I really wanna try to get this kitten social.. I would post pics, but don't know how to here...

mooficat · Oct 23, 2006

Hello and a warm welcome from Spain.

Well as you can see, this is a great site, with lots of help, support and friendship. It looks like you´ve got loads of great ideas and help from Flissweetpea, so good luck with getting kitty settled.

Once you are more settled and got used to the forum, maybe you post some photos of your fur-family

We love photos here

Well enjoy the forums and good luck

dawnofsierra · Oct 24, 2006

So glad you and your family have joined us!

These are great threads Beth has recommended. I also encourage you to post the details of your situation in our Behavior Forum where experts specific to this area will be so happy to help out in any way possible. Please let me know if I may ever be of any assistance at all!

newcat · Oct 24, 2006

THANK you guys SO much for the warm welcome and being SO helpful. These are actually the first cats I have gotten for strictly pets. Also, this is my first cat board I have joined so please be gentle!! lol lol lol lol lol( most of my cats had been aquired for rodent patrol first) I LOVE animals, and have done parrot, chihuahua, and pony rescue for quite a few years, but have never really been a * cat* person . I think because of these 2 new girls, I will certainly have a different perspective on being owned by a cat. ( I have never had to WORK on getting a cat to like and trust me. I always had friendly enough cats.) And to think, I have KNOWN my Luna was the perfect cat, but never REALLY appriciated it!!. I am really looking forward to bringing this red cat out of her shell! I hope I can do it... I am not really used to pets that won't be bribed by food!

yosemite · Oct 24, 2006

Hi and welcome. I believe you will succeed with Luna as long as you are patient and loving with her. Patience will be the big key with her. Let her come to you in her own time - don't push or force her. We had one kitty that was raised in a cage until we got him at 6 months. He hid behind our head board for 4 full weeks and wouldn't come out if we were in the room. After sitting in the room as often as we could and crooning/talking to him gently he finally came out after 4 weeks and over the next week actually ventured downstairs so basically it took 5 weeks for him to come to us. After that he was the biggest lap cat, most affectionate sweetie we had ever had. He loved to be carried around on his back in our arms just like a baby.

newcat · Oct 24, 2006

I just got 2, 6 mo. old kittens. Both girls. The ragdoll is a complete lover, WANTS attention. That is what I am used to in a cat. The Manx, hides, and you never see her. The last owner said that is how she always is, and he had her at least 4 mos..He also said that ALL her littermates were born outside, and eaten by a racoon when they were tiny, and the guy said he thinks she is still traumatized by it. These girls have both been raised indoors only........Do you think I just have a extra shy cat, and should find a quieter home for her?? Or do I have good chance of getting her to be a happy, friendly pet ?? We are a family home with lots of kids and action going on, but it is quiet a good part of the day when everyone but me is gone. I have the kittens set up in my daughters room for a while, but the ragdoll wants to come out and explore. Think she will bring the manx out with her? The guy said they stayed together, But I never see the red one unless I LOOK for her and BRING her out for petting.... She is not feral, so I dont know how much attention she should be getting. I know if you leave a dog to its fears, it will stay afraid untill it faces whatever scares it and finds out the thing is not bad....I am not too great with cat psychology though. If they are used to being housecats, is it still nessary to avoid eye contact?? Should I just leave her alone?? That didn't seem to work for the last poeple... She trembles a little ( which I have never seen a cat do), but otherwise isn't FREAKED out when you get her and pet her, but she does want to go hide when you stop petting. She just seems uncomfortable **being out in the open**, not so much shy about actual people.........Everyone says to go slow, but should I be doing ANYTHING ??....Neither of these like catnip so far either.

yosemite · Oct 24, 2006

Originally Posted by newcat

I just got 2, 6 mo. old kittens. Both girls. The ragdoll is a complete lover, WANTS attention. That is what I am used to in a cat. The Manx, hides, and you never see her. The last owner said that is how she always is, and he had her at least 4 mos..He also said that ALL her littermates were born outside, and eaten by a racoon when they were tiny, and the guy said he thinks she is still traumatized by it. These girls have both been raised indoors only........Do you think I just have a extra shy cat, and should find a quieter home for her?? Or do I have good chance of getting her to be a happy, friendly pet ?? We are a family home with lots of kids and action going on, but it is quiet a good part of the day when everyone but me is gone. I have the kittens set up in my daughters room for a while, but the ragdoll wants to come out and explore. Think she will bring the manx out with her? The guy said they stayed together, But I never see the red one unless I LOOK for her and BRING her out for petting.... She is not feral, so I dont know how much attention she should be getting. I know if you leave a dog to its fears, it will stay afraid untill it faces whatever scares it and finds out the thing is not bad....I am not too great with cat psychology though. If they are used to being housecats, is it still nessary to avoid eye contact?? Should I just leave her alone?? That didn't seem to work for the last poeple... She trembles a little ( which I have never seen a cat do), but otherwise isn't FREAKED out when you get her and pet her, but she does want to go hide when you stop petting. She just seems uncomfortable **being out in the open**, not so much shy about actual people.........Everyone says to go slow, but should I be doing ANYTHING ??....Neither of these like catnip so far either.

I've merged your two threads on the same subject. I understand it can be frustrating not getting immediate answers but TCS is not a chat forum and thus doesn't work that way. I think the advice you've already gotten is the best - you just have to be patient with your kitty and go slow. Don't force her out of hiding or force her to sit with you. You just need to wait for her to come to you.

You can sit near her and read aloud or talk to her but don't look directly at her. Looking directly at a cat is considered a challenge by cats. Just keep talking to her. She'll figure out that you are not a threat. I just recently posted in another thread earlier about our beloved Simba. It took him 5 weeks to come out of hiding and all during that time we just spent time in the bedroom talking to him, watching TV, just getting him used to us. When he finally came out he was the biggest lap cat and baby you could ever imagine. During the first few weeks my husband wanted to return him to the breeder because the kitty was totally terrified of us. The great and knowledgeable folks here told me to be patient and do the talking, etc. It worked like a charm. But the important thing is PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

2dogmom · Oct 24, 2006

Well hi and welcome!

I am a cat newbie and have been trying to get a shy semi-feral to accept being spoiled. What worked for me was

gently putting cat treats right in front of him.
making sure he saw me fill his food bowl and set it down
brushing him
feeding him cheese

Maybe something from Brady's list will work for you?

juliekit · Oct 24, 2006

Welcome! Im new also, and im a first time cat owner. I own a beautiful little Calico moggie. Ive had her for about 3 weeks, and your situation is very familiar to me. After she was home for about a week I thought she hated my house and that she would never adjust. But I was told some cats can take at least 3 weeks to adjust.

She started out hiding all day, only coming out at night to eat and use the box. Then she started coming out a bit earlier and slinking around the house. She'd run off if I even turned over in bed. Then she'd run around the house (still not wanting cuddles) and I noticed her sleeping on the edge of my bed.

Now at 3 weeks and 3 days in her new home she still spends some time hidden, but she loves to run around and is spending more time laying around in plain site. Shes watchful if I walk near but shes allowing me to stoop down and pet her. Just yesterday morning I sat on the floor and she came up to me and rubbed against me.

Sorry for the long post but my point is this: Some cats take a very long time to adjust. Maybe she is just shy, like my Ceci. Maybe the more laid back they are the longer they take to adjust. Ceci is very laid back and even lets me clip her nails, rub her belly etc.

Just be patient! Owning a ragdoll (which is a naturally friendly and in your face breed) and then bringing a shy kitten in your home must be a shock! It will get better, I promise!

jennyr · Oct 24, 2006

Just wanted to say hi and welcome. Every cat has been through different experiences and needs a different approach, so let her take it at her own pace. Several people here have had to wait up to 6 months for that wonderful first headbutt. But it is an amazing moment when you first make real contact with a cat who has been scared and shy, and then decides you are to be trusted. Good luck.

Still traumatized???

newcat

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flisssweetpea

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newcat

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flisssweetpea

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newcat

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mooficat

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dawnofsierra

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newcat

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yosemite

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