Cat likes me and only me...

new kittenmom

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So I rescued a feral kitten a few months ago and nursed her back to health. Now that she is healthy, she is starting to play and I happily oblige her. She loves to get pets from me and play with me, but I live with three roomates that would also love to pet and play with her. She runs and hides from them though. I don't know what to do. Is she only going to be a "one person" kitty? Is there even such a thing?
 

woowoo

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Are your roommates different genders? She may have a bad experience with a man or a woman that would cause her to fear them. I know this may be a hard question, but are you sure your roommates don't mess around with her while your gone?
Is she in fear, or just ignores them?
Have one of your roommates come up to her, slowly approach her with an open hand and see if she flinches or cowers, this may be a sign of being abused by either someone on the streets or one of your roommates.
My baby is terrified of strangers because when someone came over, they stepped on her and traumatized her. Now my once people friendly kitty is in fear.
Have your roommates offer treats, toys and try to hold her.
 

mingking

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Have your roommates feed her so she associates food and good feelings with them as well. She has to literally see your roommates put her food bowl down. 

There are definitely one people cats. I have a friend whose cat will bolt or growl at the sight of any one but turn into a cute mush of love when my friend is nearby. 
 
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manemelissa

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The suggestions here are good ones. I would let your roommates know that they shouldn't try to force your cat to like them-- that'll only make it worse. Have them offer food/treats, have them be the ones to feed her instead of you if they're willing. It's only been a few months though, and it took her this long to warm up to you, someone who saved her and has cared for her; it just might take longer for her to trust the roommates.

Tell your roommates that your cat's behavior isn't because she doesn't like them, or because she's mean; she's just learning to trust people, and you were the first one!
 

thecatproblems

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The cat may be stressed for some reason. Try to be arounf in the same room when your roomates try to get friendly with the cat and see if she feels more secure. If she still refuses to get friendly, try giving her some more time to adjust to others. If she still refuses to mex, well she may be a one person cat as you suggested.
 

tammyp

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Good suggestions.  But not so much the roomates trying to hold her - this is too much if she is running from them.  Try loads of non contact and non-threatening contact affection moves, and teach these to your housemates.  I thought the comment about wondering if your roomates were messing with her is quite insightful - often if you don't know cats, you can be messing badly with inappropriate moves (assuming nothing wilfully evil is going on!), so teach them some cat affection moves:

http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/cat-affection-move-the-love-blanket/27331

(this writer has a whole array of affection moves - read through all her links.  Especially teach your roomates 'cat kisses' - slow blinks with both eyes while thinking 'I love you'...after a while, with trust, your cat will return that slow blink!)

And yes, there ARE one-person cats.  But that doesnt mean they run from other humans, especially others who live with them!  And it doesnt mean they wont have affection for other humans (just he super special affection is reserved for one super special human!):

http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/one-person-cats/1333
 
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new kittenmom

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These are very helpful suggestions. Thanks! Yeah, I have been trying to let my roomies give her treats since she is (understandably) food motivated. I think she sees it as a game though. She'll act like she's interested, come just within petting range and then scamper away just when they make a slight movement. I'm going to have them keep trying, because she does like to be in the same room with everyone when she's window watching, so I know she's not that timid.
 

di and bob

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Good food and fun toys, those are the two things needed to make friends.  Also no sudden movements and no loud voices, cats like neither. Something is scaring her to cause her to run, although it may be she just isn't used to them yet. My cats will both pile on my lap and completely ignore my husband. I feel sorry for him, but they only choose his lap when I am gone. 
 
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