Helping socialize our little part-feral

Lily is about 4 months old now, and I guess we've had her for about a month. She's definitely got feral characteristics in her, but is more social than a feral. She runs away whenever try to pat her, but if we do manage to get a hand on her, she purrs and rolls and loves the attention.

She loves our bedroom, and I think feels very safe there. She will often let me pat her there, but is still a bit scared of my husband. As soon as the lights are out she's a complete love bug, and is very smoochy, and has started demanding attention during the day IF we're on the bed (but she doesn't like anywhere else).

We have treats that she likes, and games that she enjoys, but can't have too many interactive type dangly toys, because our other cat eats them.

She's definitely getting better, but I think it's going to be a long process and would love some more tips about how to further socialize her. Strangers really scare her, and we're going away for 2 1/2 weeks in November/December, so would love her to be a little more calm by then so our neighbours can play with her while we're gone.

Would Feliway help calm her down do you think, or will it just take time and patience? I do think she trusts me, and she's a lot better with me than my husband because I spend a lot more time with her and am a lot more patient, but I do sometimes wonder if it's a losing battle.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by sarahp

Would Feliway help calm her down do you think, or will it just take time and patience? I do think she trusts me, and she's a lot better with me than my husband because I spend a lot more time with her and am a lot more patient,

Thanks!

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I think both. Patience and time is most important, but Feliway is a good fill in, and I think you should try it. It may be the tiny extra who do the trick...

It is often helpful if she becomes friend with the other homecats. Try to work on this too. But probably she had some help from them anyway.
She may be shy rest of her life (our RB Muskis is also shy), but she should be better socialized.

Husband yes. The trick may be he gives her food during a couple of weeks. Preferably small portions and often so they often do interact. Etc.

She adores our other kitty who is Miss Sociable. The two of them are best friends, so I always make sure I pat and cuddle Stumpy (our other cat) in front of Lily so she can see how wonderful cuddles are.