Very shy cat

bhamlaxy

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I recently got a new cat, and I've had problem with it being extremely shy. I have had it for about 3 months, and she runs away if you even slightly move. She usually runs and hides under a bed. If she is sitting on the couch when I come down, sometimes I can reach far enough to slightly pet her head, but then she runs away. I'm not sure exactly how old she is, but definitely under a year. Also, we have another much older cat who is very affectionate. Is she just naturally very shy and afraid of everything? Or could she still be adjusting to the new house? Is there any way that I can teach her to be more friendly?

Also, an interesting thing is that if I sit in the bathroom on the floor, she will walk in and get very affectionate. She will start rolling all over the ground and gets very cuddly. Any suggestions?
 

lsulover

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I would just keep trying, it could be that she had been abused or something before you got her. Our dog Opie was like that when he found our home.

Just keep sitting on the bathroom floor and giving her attention there, I think she will come around.

Keep us posted on how she is doing.
 

kuntrykitty

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I agree with LSULOVER. It could be that she was abused or that her previous owners scared her with loud noises and quicki movements, so even when you are gentle, she is anticipating a scary sound/movement, so she runs before it happens. Just be patient and try to think how she feels. Just keep sitting on the bathroom floor and loving on her; be very gentle and quiet and affectionate. Then you can start moving towards the doorway, so your a little closer to the outside each session. Hopefully she'll learn that you'll love on her outside the bathroom. Just give her some time. Good luck!
 

persi & alley

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Originally Posted by bhamlaxy

I recently got a new cat, and I've had problem with it being extremely shy. I have had it for about 3 months, and she runs away if you even slightly move. She usually runs and hides under a bed. If she is sitting on the couch when I come down, sometimes I can reach far enough to slightly pet her head, but then she runs away. I'm not sure exactly how old she is, but definitely under a year. Also, we have another much older cat who is very affectionate. Is she just naturally very shy and afraid of everything? Or could she still be adjusting to the new house? Is there any way that I can teach her to be more friendly?

Also, an interesting thing is that if I sit in the bathroom on the floor, she will walk in and get very affectionate. She will start rolling all over the ground and gets very cuddly. Any suggestions?
Three months is about how long I have had Alley. Your description of your new cat sounds just like Alley. But right now, Alley is on my lap while I am typing this. I am the only person in the world she does this with however. I work from home so I am home all day. DW works away from home and Alley never approaches her. A lot of things have changed about Alley's attitude towards Persi and humans in general, so I believe your cat will come around. Cats do those things.
 
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bhamlaxy

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Thanks for the help everyone. A couple hours ago she was chilling in the sunlight in my living room, and I was able to get her to calm down by sitting as far as I could from her and petting her, and she got quite cuddly. I think If I try to do this everyday, she will start to be much calmer.
 
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