Need help with temperments of foster cats!!!

I am so confused; I have never dealt with this before.

I have two foster cats right now (sisters). These girls were brought in by their owner who told us that he was homeless. So, naturally we took them, fearing for their safety, and because they were both in heat and not fixed.

So, we spayed them and then they came home with me. Well, they were very unhappy at the vet's office, but we see that all the time (even in the nicest cats), so we weren't too worried.

Now, they have not gotton any better. One of them is semi-friendly, but she will occasionally hiss at me (from out of nowhere). The other one is almost like a feral. I can't get anywhere near her (even though she was "supposedly" raised from a kitten in this home).

Last night, I very slowly laid on the floor and started to pet her. After about 30 seconds, she darted at me and swiped me, then ran back to hide; all the while hissing and growling.

Now, I've had mean cats before; but I've always been able to get them to like me in time. I've been very patient with them. I often sit in their room and do not move a muscle for long periods of time just to get them to get used to me; but it seems hopeless.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to get these cats to trust me?

Karen

P.S. They are less than 2 years old

Those 2 cats really sound almost like feral to me . If you can , maybe play some classicle musik very soft in that room they are in . Also Felyway Plug-in will help to calm them some . As hissy always is saying : ignore them and don't try to go after them to pet them at all , only if they come to you pet them a little while . Sitting down on the floor and reading a book or magazine to them also help them to get to know you and your voice . Most important is patiance and all the time they need to open up to you .

Hi Karen,

Be patient with them, they have been through a lot, they have their homes changed on them several times, lost track of their mom, been to the scary vet's office and been hurt. Don't force yourself on them. Sit down on the floor, read out loud sprinkle some treats out around you while you read. If they come out from under the bed, don't stop reading, don't look them in the eyes, just ignore them. After 10 minutes get up and walk away. Don't lay on the floor and peer under the bed, let them hide, let them feel secure. As long as you know they are healthy, just ignore them. Don't pet them until they have come up and head bumped your several times, and then make one quick gentle rub on the head, or neck, wherever they tolerate and then leave them alone.

I know it sounds nuts but the easiest way to gain rescued cats trust is to ignore them. They have so much to get used to, and they are on edge waiting for that other shoe to drop on them and their life to change again. And because you foster, there life is going to change again in the near future.

Thanks guys.

I do go in and read for about 30 mintues a day and my husband goes in too at different times. They seem to be alot more comfortable with him too. Maybe it was their mom that wasn't nice to them and that is why their dad brought them in. but, who knows....who ever knows....

I've given them lots of hiding spaces to use (put the beds in the closet and behind furniture) so that when they are hiding at least they'll be comfortable. I guess only time will tell.

Thanks.

Also, does anyone know if them feliway works???

Karen

I remember when I got Snowball from my local shelter . He was afraid of me and did not wanted anything to do with me , but he was ok with my son and hubby . It took him the longest to trust me , so I also thought that he was hurt by a woman . Today he is the best sweetie boy and love to snuggle with me .
Feliway does work , I use it and have notice a lot of difference . Less fighting with each other and all are more calm . Moses and Raffael really don't like a lot of snuggles or being pet by us at all . Well the feliway plug-in made it possible that even Raffael (worse) come to me now and want to get some loving

Originally posted by fostermom28


Also, does anyone know if them feliway works???

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YES. It does work. It's not something that makes an active, aggressive-natured cat totally "gel" out. But it kind of moderates cats' attitudes enough that you don't get fighting and lashing out.

Karen, how long ago were the spays done? Because, part of what I'm reading you say -- the hissing particularly -- says to me that these cats COULD be in some pain. I might ask the vet to do another checkup on them, just to rule that out. Sometimes there are just little things that can make a kitty MISERABLE and they won't show it as we would, but they'll be more irritable than you'd expect.

Do not feel bad if you get a crate and cage one of the cats as part of re-socializing work. That's a useful and well-accepted technique for us feral rescue folk; and a cat can feel MUCH more secure if it has "its own" place, that is small, and safe, just at first.

When you lay on the floor, you were LOWER down than the cats heads! To a cat, this means, you are like prey, or like a kitten, or like a subordinate. So the lashing out, that was because that cat was showing you who was the boss. She was confused because of where you were in relation to her -- cats tend to pay a lot of attention, it seems, to things in VERTICAL planes. I know that lying down is a tactic often used with scared feral cats OUTSIDE (in taming a cat in a colony) but I have not heard of it being used indoors. So I would be careful of drawing many conclusions about behavior when you try it, okay?

I agree, these two cats may well be ferals, either somewhat socialized, or hardly socialized at all. Bear in mind, though, my organization has socialized quite a few such cats, and while it can take time, they are well worth some effort, too. I AM sorry the guy didn't seem to have been able to tell you more about their socialization when he turned them over, though, I realize it's a shock to get something different than what you're expecting! THANK YOU for working with these two ladies!!!!!

Originally posted by linda_of_pgff
When you lay on the floor, you were LOWER down than the cats heads! To a cat, this means, you are like prey, or like a kitten, or like a subordinate. So the lashing out, that was because that cat was showing you who was the boss. She was confused because of where you were in relation to her -- cats tend to pay a lot of attention, it seems, to things in VERTICAL planes. I know that lying down is a tactic often used with scared feral cats OUTSIDE (in taming a cat in a colony) but I have not heard of it being used indoors. So I would be careful of drawing many conclusions about behavior when you try it, okay?

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Just so you know I was actually above her. I was lying on my side with my head resting on my hand (kinda up on my elbow) and she was on the floor in front of me.

They were only spayed a week and a half ago, so it does stand to reason that they would be uncomfortable. They were checked by the vet last week and will go in on Monday too. You should see me try to check their sutures, it's hilarious. I practically stand on my hands to be able to see it without touching them.

You know, that is a big problem in this line of work because once I get them home; they are almost always freshly spay/neutered, so they immediatly associate me and Andy with administering meds, checking their owwies, getting them into the crates, driving to the vet's office, etc.

Just to clarify; these two are not at all agressive with eachother!! They are only with me and my husband (and less so with him). So, I would never seperate the two of them. I'm thinking of bringing in a kitty condo and leaving the door open, but covering it with sheets. So, they'll have a "hiding spot" that I really can't get into and is secluded for them both. Any thoughts?