Semi Feral Cats Making Progress Need Advice

kamitchell6

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 3, 2015
Messages
23
Purraise
3
I have adopted 3 semi feral cats about 5 weeks ago and have made huge progress from where I started. My first post here was about one that I couldn't get to come out of a drop ceiling for two days and now I am able to pet her.

The cats are from the same litter and were never socialized. They are just over a year old now. They are sweet but timid.

I play multiple times daily varying between wand toys and a laser pointer. They all enjoy the interaction.

I can sit next to them while they eat and they come when I call them. They are in a finished basement and I let them stay there for about a month before introducing them to my dog and the upstairs.

They stay in their room mostly but venture upstairs and enjoy lounging out in my sunny living room and looking outdoors. They also come upstairs with cute little squeaky meows to tell me it's time to eat.

So now I am able to pet two of them. I started by rubbing the wand stick on their backs and progressed to using my hand.

The third will not let me near her. As soon as I try to touch her with the wand she runs. She's fine with my presence but just doesn't want to be touched.

Would it be okay to ignore her and continue to play and pet the other two and she might see she's missing out and seek attention or is that mean and not the way cats think?

Are there any other methods to try getting a cat used to affection or should I keep trying with the wand and give it time?
 
Last edited:

shadowsrescue

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Messages
7,026
Purraise
5,099
Location
Ohio
She may always be timid and prefer not to be pet.  I would stop trying to "pet" her with the wand and instead just interact with her.  Find a toy she does like that maybe isn't a wand but instead she just chases.  Back away from it touching her and instead focus on just playing with her.  Playing with her is still interacting with her.  After a play session, reward her with a small meal or special treat.  This helps develop the hunt, kill, eat principal.  She hunts the toy, kills the toys, but cannot eat the toy! So instead you offer her something tasty to eat. 

Also instead of the wand toy, she might enjoy being brushed.  Have you brushed your other kitties?    Try a nice soft brush, but do not force it on her.  Allow her to see you interacting with them.  Make it so much fun and try to involve yummy food.  Reward your other cats too while she is watching. 

She may always just be very timid and that is ok.  Just be sure she is showered with love in other ways.  Keep trying new things, but try to make it focused on fun playtime rather than I must pet you!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

kamitchell6

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 3, 2015
Messages
23
Purraise
3
Thank you. I tried a human bath brush because it has a long wood handle on it but she ran from that too. I will back off for a bit and just continue playing.

I forgot to mention she follows me from room to room. It's funny. I just go about what I am doing. If I walk by her she scats to another room but comes back in a few minutes. I have no idea what she wants if anything at all or if she's just being curious but very cautious with me.
 
Top