Last Sunday we adopted an 8 week old kitten (Pearl ~ DSH/buff color) from the local humane society. She seemed to be very normal while at the shelter, but once we got her home, it was a WAY different story.
(background ~ we have another cat, Egger ~ DSH/male/4 years old, who has been with us since he was 6 months old. He also came from humane/shelter type situation. And last month our other cat, Rocky, ran away
He was DS's cat and once DS began saying he wanted another, we waited a bit. DS persisted, so we went and got Pearl last weekend ~ end of background info
)
I have had many cats in my life, most of which were strays or adopted from shelters. NEVER in my life have I seen a kitten (a kitten, not an adult cat) so afraid of humans. She has been hiding from the get-go. And she found some really interesting, hard to get-to-her places, too.
My sister, who does alot of work with feral cats/kittens (is that the right spelling?) says I just need to give her time ~ leave the food/water/litter box where she can get to it, and give her time to feel at home and safe ~ eventually she will start to trust us/like us and be a more "normal" kitten.
Its been a week, and she is still very, very skittish ~ bolting as soon as human movement is detected. She will now let us see her (ever so graciously
) and she has let me touch her, but that is all.
Egger wants NOTHING to do with her ~ literally! He acts as though she is going to hurt him ~ like he is afraid of her, its very odd. Pearl, of course, comes running as soon as she sees Egger even if I am holding him ~ as if to say: "Hey you! You're like me! What are these big loud things that control the food? I'm scared! Love me!"
I know if Egger was more welcoming, she would adjust easier and quicker, but there is nothing I can do about that. Egger went thru some saddness after Rocky left, but seemed to have gotten over it. Back when Rocky joined us, Egger took to him almost right away (I thought it was strange at the time ~ there was almost no "Who are you? I'm #1 cat around here, bub!" stuff between them) so I'm wondering why Egger isnt liking little Pearl
Is it because he still misses Rocky? Or because she is a girl kitty? Or was he happy to be rid of Rocky and back to being the one and only kitty in the house?
Anyway, do you guys think Pearl will come around and be "normal"? I know cats, and know they can be aloof as part of their nature and that is fine, but she just does not seem to like humans at all ~ so will that stop with time? I've never had a kitten react this way, so I'm a little thrown off.
The folks at the humane society did say she came from a stray litter and the mother was feral (fixed and released) ~ is this the source of her mis-trust? Is my sister right and we should just give her more time?
She needs to go in for her check-up (at adoption they said to take her in 7-10 days after we brought her home) soon and I can see that she has worms, so she really does need to be seen. I'm afraid that the small amount of progress we've made with her will be wiped out by me snatching her up and taking her to the vet, ya know?
Wow ~ this is really long ~ sorry! If you have any advice or words of wisdom, I would really appreciate it!
(background ~ we have another cat, Egger ~ DSH/male/4 years old, who has been with us since he was 6 months old. He also came from humane/shelter type situation. And last month our other cat, Rocky, ran away
I have had many cats in my life, most of which were strays or adopted from shelters. NEVER in my life have I seen a kitten (a kitten, not an adult cat) so afraid of humans. She has been hiding from the get-go. And she found some really interesting, hard to get-to-her places, too.
My sister, who does alot of work with feral cats/kittens (is that the right spelling?) says I just need to give her time ~ leave the food/water/litter box where she can get to it, and give her time to feel at home and safe ~ eventually she will start to trust us/like us and be a more "normal" kitten.
Its been a week, and she is still very, very skittish ~ bolting as soon as human movement is detected. She will now let us see her (ever so graciously
Egger wants NOTHING to do with her ~ literally! He acts as though she is going to hurt him ~ like he is afraid of her, its very odd. Pearl, of course, comes running as soon as she sees Egger even if I am holding him ~ as if to say: "Hey you! You're like me! What are these big loud things that control the food? I'm scared! Love me!"
I know if Egger was more welcoming, she would adjust easier and quicker, but there is nothing I can do about that. Egger went thru some saddness after Rocky left, but seemed to have gotten over it. Back when Rocky joined us, Egger took to him almost right away (I thought it was strange at the time ~ there was almost no "Who are you? I'm #1 cat around here, bub!" stuff between them) so I'm wondering why Egger isnt liking little Pearl
Anyway, do you guys think Pearl will come around and be "normal"? I know cats, and know they can be aloof as part of their nature and that is fine, but she just does not seem to like humans at all ~ so will that stop with time? I've never had a kitten react this way, so I'm a little thrown off.
The folks at the humane society did say she came from a stray litter and the mother was feral (fixed and released) ~ is this the source of her mis-trust? Is my sister right and we should just give her more time?
She needs to go in for her check-up (at adoption they said to take her in 7-10 days after we brought her home) soon and I can see that she has worms, so she really does need to be seen. I'm afraid that the small amount of progress we've made with her will be wiped out by me snatching her up and taking her to the vet, ya know?
Wow ~ this is really long ~ sorry! If you have any advice or words of wisdom, I would really appreciate it!