How To Stop Timidness?

I have had my cat for about 3 and a half months now and she became use to the house very quickly. Less than a month later she gave birth to a kitten and we put it in the basement so she could be alone with it. Ever since then she has been staying in the basement 24/7 and doesnt even come upstairs when the kitten comes up, she seems very hesitant.

Today i had to clean the basement so i brought her upstairs and closed the basement door and she ran upstairs to the bathroom but hasnt moved and shes been meowing CONSTANTLYYYY the whole time.

She was use to the house before .. Why is she acting so timid and scared now?
We have not done anything to her to make her act like this ... Any ideas?

I wish I had a good answer for you. All I can say is, you are definitely not alone. My Mickey seems to be terrified to stay inside now ... and this happened in the last 3 months, and seems flea-related. He will only sleep in the clothes hamper in the basement. This cat slept with me his entire life. Now, when I MAKE him come inside for the night, he meows and meows incessantly - after about a half hour of that pitiful crying, he'll go downstairs to his hamper.

I'd have to guess your kitty is associating your upstairs with something traumatic. In our case, the place apparently became flea-infested, because Mickey only wanted to be up high, and on hard surfaces. I am able to comb him - especially around the neck - and that is very calming for him. Maybe you could find something that is calming to your kitty, and do it upstairs, and often.

I hope someone more knowledgeable will come along to help you. I know it's nerve-wracking, believe me.

Make sure she's healthy and just give her time. You can't push her into doing anything at any pace other than her own. Chances are she'll eventually start wandering a bit at night when the house is quiet.

There hasn't been any changes at all that where not there months ago, were there? Some cats can be frighten by fans or appliances.

I have one shy cat too. Stays in her "safe zones" and rarely wanders out. I read an article below from petcentric on scaredy cats that mentions the critical time for a cat is 2-7 months old, and if not properly socialized, could remain a shy cat, and tech others (the new kitten) to be shy as well. Trauma can also make this worse.

With mine, I just make an effort to spend time with her where she feels safe so that she is at least sociable, and occasionally lure her into other rooms with treats and affections.


Here is the story:
http://www.petcentric.com/Stories/Ar...7-92e9e44b35f8