Non-friendly behavior

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mickee

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I am just wondering about this and if anyone has a suggestion would love to hear it.

I posted about getting these 2 Russian Blue kittens. The long and short of it is this. They came from a home that did not care about their animals and rarely had a litter of kittens raised old enough to wean. They went off and left them without food and water and the mother moved them and my 2 babies got left behind. Children in the neigborhood carried them around playing with them, etc. and their mother would feed them but not give them water as she did not want them urinating in the house???? And that is a mother??? Then a neighbor took them in and nursed them to health for 3 weeks and then I received the.

Sorry so long, but now here is the question. One of them will let you hold her and pet her, etc. but the other is more stand offish and will let you hold her for like 5 seconds and then she is done. She wants to be near you but not exactly with you. Is there anything I can do to encourage her to be more warm? Or is this just her personality. Could it be her traumatic short life so far? Any suggestions on how to help her?

They also eat quite often I mean like every couple of hours they are meowing for food and seem to sleep quit a bit. The lady I got them from is estimating they are around 8 weeks old.

Also, if anyone is in Texas and knows of a low cost spay/neuter clinic I could use the information. The cheapest I found is $40 but I need it cheaper than that. We are getting shots on Saturday.

Thanks for any help,

Mickee
 
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larke

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Hi, and good for you for taking in the two babies! I've had a Russian blue for 12 ys, and have done some 'research'. They are by nature very skittish, and that will not change, though certainly will be loyal and loving to you, if not always all your friends, plus female cats in general are not always open to cuddling by female people as they might be with males, though again will still love you in their own way. It's a wonder they are not completely unapproachable after all they've been through though, so you're lucky there, but keep in mind their nature is also a gentle one, even if they go through 'terrible two's' for a few months when maturing... up to a year or so, as any kittens do. Your best bet with them will be consistency in your behaviour, their 'schedules' for feeding, playing, etc., and allowing them to come to you for love, rather than ever trying to force it on them. They are sensitive, so never discipline them physically (tho' holding by the scruff of their neck to keep them from danger is good, of course). Not being anywhere near Texas, I can't help with the spay clinics, but someone else may be able to. Good luck!
 
satai

satai

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I second Larke's advice generally - one thing you can try is to spend some time each day reading aloud to them - let them do what they like while you're reading to them - probably, eventually, they will start to approach you for cuddles while you do this.

When showing affection, don't clasp them in such a way that they can't get away if they want to. Just pet them while they are standing or whatever, rather than picking them up for cuddles. This may not be necessary forever, but it will help now, so that they don't associate affection with fear.

Buy or make an interactive toy (a toy that you have to play with as well as them - basically, that you make move for them) - that way, they will get to play with you, as well as with each other.

Good luck.

Re: clinics, try PMing TNR1 - I think she has a list of low cost clinics.
 
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mickee

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Thank you for the suggestions. I will continue doing this. We did get the first round of shots today and they did not like it one bit, but have been given a good bill of health and was told they were closer to 12 weeks not 8. So they are a bit older than we once believed.

Anyway, I will love them regardless but do love an affectionate cat.

Thanks,

Mickee
 
satai

satai

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Originally Posted by Mickee



Anyway, I will love them regardless but do love an affectionate cat.

Thanks,

Mickee
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Good for you - but don't give up yet - it will take time for them to settle down enough to decide if they are affectionate or not.

Bear in mind also that some cats, while not lap cats, are still very affectionate. My Molly is our only proper lap cat, but Bobby adores snuggling close by while sleeping - giving up chances to do other things if you decide to take a mid afternoon nap, Slayer doesn't know what a lap is for, but will happily sleep on your arm as you type, and Sláine, rarely a lap cat, will lie on the desk next to you for belly rubs and imprompto bunting.

Despite the fact that most people think Bobby is an unfriendly cat (he is aloof), in reality he's probably the most loving of them all once he gets to know and trust you.
 
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