adopted a stray from the spca

Hello , I recently adopted a cat from an adoption fair.

The spca I adopted her from said she's about 2 and a half years old.

She was a stray...but not feral they said.

She was in the shelter for about 2 months before  I brought her home.

Its been about 2 weeks, and she's been  good about using her litter box from the start, she eats well and is very curious.

Ive got toys for her to play with and she seems to enjoy the toy on a stick, catching it in the air, biting and scratching it.

However, she doesn't let me pet her, every time I try she swats at me.

She attacks my legs every time I pass her, she's cut me deeply and bites at them too.

I finally took her to have her nails trimmed which has helped with the cuts, but Im afraid that she just doesn't like me.

I dont know if she's only playing?? or if she just doesn't like me and is trying to show her dominance??

I thought it would take a bit of time for her to get use to me, but  I'm starting to think she just wants to be free.

I try to give her her space, even cat-proofed my 15th floor balcony to give her some outdoor time and fresh air.

Im starting to get frustrated, and feel duped that Im not getting the affectionate loving pet I wanted to adopt.

Any advise of tales of adopted strays would be greatly appreciated...thank you.

inthemeanwhile said:

 
Hello

, I recently adopted a cat from an adoption fair.

The spca I adopted her from said she's about 2 and a half years old.

She was a stray...but not feral they said.

She was in the shelter for about 2 months before  I brought her home.

Its been about 2 weeks, and she's been  good about using her litter box from the start, she eats well and is very curious.

Ive got toys for her to play with and she seems to enjoy the toy on a stick, catching it in the air, biting and scratching it.

However, she doesn't let me pet her, every time I try she swats at me.

She attacks my legs every time I pass her, she's cut me deeply and bites at them too.

I finally took her to have her nails trimmed which has helped with the cuts, but Im afraid that she just doesn't like me.

I dont know if she's only playing?? or if she just doesn't like me and is trying to show her dominance??

I thought it would take a bit of time for her to get use to me, but  I'm starting to think she just wants to be free.

I try to give her her space, even cat-proofed my 15th floor balcony to give her some outdoor time and fresh air.

Im starting to get frustrated, and feel duped that Im not getting the affectionate loving pet I wanted to adopt.

Any advise of tales of adopted strays would be greatly appreciated...thank you.

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It cat time two weeks is not very long in adapting to a new living situation.

The attacking your legs is often called play aggression or misdirected aggression. If she is doing from under a table of piece of furniture block those off so she has no ambush lairs.

You cat may never have had the love and security of being a loved and cherished house pet.

I was a cat hater for most of my life. One little stray change my life. Cats are wonderful , smart, trainable and social. The bond you can forge with your cat is unique and will enrich your life. Aside from the Catsite there is no better online resource than the Jackson Galaxy shows who very often deal with the very issues you are having.

I agree with Kitten's Mom, two weeks is not long at all. It sounds as though this kitty has had a very rough life. She was once owned, then dumped outside to become a stray. Then she spent two months, most likely scared and depressed, in the equivalent of kitty "prison" (in her experience). Please, please be patient with her and take the time to win over her love and trust. She needs someone to hang in there with her now. Instead of regarding the situation as you having been duped, regard it as an opportunity for you to grow as a person in learning to love unconditionally and grow in selfless patience, and as an opportunity for this poor cat to find love in a forever home. All of the behaviors you've described will improve if you'll give her a chance. What is her name?

I would advise that you purchase a wand toy or two and spend at least 15 minutes a day with interactive play with her. I've socialized not only strays through "play therapy," but also feral kittens who were up to a year old. Purchase a laser toy--PetSmart sells them. I can promise you that if you have at least one (preferably a few) play sessions with her a day, she will start to bond with you. Also spend time just being in the same room as her, talking softly to her. Give her food treats that she enjoys. Please give her more than two weeks to adjust to yet another major change in her life. Try to imagine how scared she must feel right now.  

I've taken in several feral and stray cats over the years, and they all have required a few to several months to socialize. Not all of them became cuddly lap cats. If you're seeking a cuddly cat, would you be willing to consider adopting a second cat--one who can fulfill that need in you--and accept that progress with this current kitty may take some time? In my experience, strays and ferals often have an easier time initially bonding with another cat than with a human. I took in a feral 4-6 month old kitten four months ago and she immediately bonded with my four other cats. She's still uncomfortable with my touching her, but last night, she slept on my legs in my bed. She loves to play with me, and I know she is very, very happy in her new home. It has been taking a lot of time and patience. I am allowing her to bond with me in her own time and way.

I can promise you something else, too. Once you win over the love and trust of this stray, she will be your devoted and loyal friend for the rest of her life. Strays and ferals bond very deeply with the owner they adopt.  

I'm sure others will be along with good advice. I hope you will consider keeping this cat. God sent her to you for a reason. I don't believe anything in life is random.  Thank you for taking her in.   

She is still very unsure of everything and scared of all this change in her life. She will settle down eventually, try not to push her into anything she doesn't want to do. I think it will take up to 6 months before she is comfortable. Some cats have a low stimulation threshold and only allow so much interaction before striking out. I think she is overstimulated by all the change and that is why all the aggression. Don't try to hold her or stroke her for now, let her come to you. Never stare into her eyes, that is a challenge. Talk softly and offer tasty treats, get her to trust that you will not hurt her. Trust WILL come and it will be so gratifying. You may want to get tips on how to tame a feral, even though she is not, it gives some great tips  on gaining trust. Please be patient and she will be your best friend, you will be blessed for giving her a home, for that I thank you. Don't hesitate to ask for advise here, there are many who are willing to help. All the luck!

My cat was very much like yours. Everything everyone has said so far is good advice, but I'd like to add that some cats simply don't like to be petted. That's the way Mingo was, and still is to some extent. After several months, I slowly started scratching him under the chin and around the back of the neck. When he grew to like that, I stroked his back once or twice, but no more. Don't grab your cat, however enticing that may be, and don't try to force him. Mingo now enjoys a little petting (and also loves to be brushed), but he will never be a lap cat or enjoy being handled a lot.

As others have said it takes time to condition a cat to a new owner. Please stick with it and apply lots of patience.

You should go through the forum on this site located at :

Forums - Our Feline Companions - Cat Behavior

People in that forum dealing with issues like yours.

The rest of my comment is going to seem strange as it "appears" completely off topic and so far off base from your problem.

I got a 3 year old stray cat from the Humane Society my wife and I named Zoe, she is five and a half years old now.

My cats are allowed everywhere in my house. On top of everything, except the stove and counter tops in kitchen. There is no piece of furniture they are not allowed on. The person or people that had Zoe before me were the opposite. She would not get on anything. It took me several months to convince her she was allowed. I am probably one of the only people on the planet that had to teach a cat it was allowed on the furniture seeing most people would want the opposite.

It took Zoe time to realize that she was not going to get in trouble for laying on the couch just as it will take your cat time to adjust to you and your surroundings.

You seem like a caring person, I am sure the cat will learn that with time and grow to love you. Not knowing how the cat was treated before you makes it difficult. If you knew it was neglected or picked on it would probably make it easier to accept.

Be it good or bad it takes time and lots of patience. Sure wish you had my problem, a lot easier to accept than a cat that wants to ambush you.