This past November, we adopted 2 female kittens from the humane society. They didn't have any real info on the kittens. They guessed they were 3 months and 4 months old (not sisters). They were in the same kitten group when we picked them out (so they were like litter mates).
They adore each other, but only tolerate us humans (myself, hubby, 10yo + 12yo kids), and 2 dogs. I have to say, having had a wonderful cat when I was growing up, I'm really disappointed that they don't play w/ any of us, or show any affection, etc. Once in a while, in the middle of the night, one of them wakes me up for scratches and purrs for about 15 minutes. I try to wake up and scratch her, because I'll take any affection I can get from them, and I'm hoping it helps them to bond to me.
Is there anything we can do to let the cats know we're their family?? My sister-in-law suggested I crate them in a large cage to try to 'tame' them a bit, but I'd feel bad doing that. They're indoor-outdoor cats. We have a doggy door and a fenced yard for the dogs, and it's impossible to keep the cats in. Of course they climb the fence, but they do seem to mainly stay close to it on the outside. When I go outside to throw a ball to the dogs, one of the cats always comes and sort of runs after the ball too (but still won't come too close to me). She'll also follow me around the yard, but always stays about 20' away from me. If I try to go in her direction, she runs. It's sad!
In the house, they do lay down near us in 'their' spots (I have several blankets on chairs for them, cat beds all around, etc), but they won't lay with any of us, and if we pet them while they're laying down, they'll tolerate it a little, then want to go away. I always pet them for a minute, and leave as soon as they seem like they've enough.
Any tips would be very much appreciated! My kids keep saying they love the cats, but are sooooo sad about how they act towards us.
tia!
They adore each other, but only tolerate us humans (myself, hubby, 10yo + 12yo kids), and 2 dogs. I have to say, having had a wonderful cat when I was growing up, I'm really disappointed that they don't play w/ any of us, or show any affection, etc. Once in a while, in the middle of the night, one of them wakes me up for scratches and purrs for about 15 minutes. I try to wake up and scratch her, because I'll take any affection I can get from them, and I'm hoping it helps them to bond to me.
Is there anything we can do to let the cats know we're their family?? My sister-in-law suggested I crate them in a large cage to try to 'tame' them a bit, but I'd feel bad doing that. They're indoor-outdoor cats. We have a doggy door and a fenced yard for the dogs, and it's impossible to keep the cats in. Of course they climb the fence, but they do seem to mainly stay close to it on the outside. When I go outside to throw a ball to the dogs, one of the cats always comes and sort of runs after the ball too (but still won't come too close to me). She'll also follow me around the yard, but always stays about 20' away from me. If I try to go in her direction, she runs. It's sad!
In the house, they do lay down near us in 'their' spots (I have several blankets on chairs for them, cat beds all around, etc), but they won't lay with any of us, and if we pet them while they're laying down, they'll tolerate it a little, then want to go away. I always pet them for a minute, and leave as soon as they seem like they've enough.
Any tips would be very much appreciated! My kids keep saying they love the cats, but are sooooo sad about how they act towards us.
tia!
