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Getting a traumatized cat

A few suggestions. If you can get her to play with you then I think she will come out more. My wife's cat doesn't like to get to close while playing with me since I think she was abused by a man before my wife adopted her. Now I can get her to play with me a lot since I got a laser pointer. She goes nuts over the thing and she'll come up and sit right in front of me and beg for me to get it out. Also get her some treats cats love it. Try catnip as well. The more you can get her to play the more she'll trust you.

Also may I suggest the best litter-box in the whole world! I got one not to long ago and it's awesome! A little pricey but she may like a clean litter-box. Catgenie. Both of our cats love the clean box. Plus you'll like the clean box as well.

Hope things work out.

Nuc
 
mdntcallr said:
Cats=evil.

Try out a dog. they are wonderful

(i'm allergic to cats)
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I agree to a degree after having the pleasure of both.

Though depending on ones lifestyle, dogs can be more demanding. But they do give so much more love than most of the cats I have had. Maribella, my recently departed cat, gave love on her terms. My Chewey (a dog), gave me love anytime - even after a scolding.

Lee - give her time. Maribella was very sensitive to some of moves together. In the end she found her own space.

As long as Miss Kitka is finding the litter box and her food in your place, then you are doing well with her. She will come around to you personally in due time.

Give her lots of toys, and try to play with her where ever you find her.

Just don't expect her to be just like your other cat. You both need to find that happy space.

Regards,

Chip
 
It sounds like the poor cat was traumatized a lot, you did a good thing addopting her. Cats have a personality of their own, give her time, and just make her feel loved, in no time her own personality will blosom and you will have a new furry soul mate! ;)

ps.. were still waiting for teh pics! :D
 
We got our cat from a rescue place. She was less than 6 weeks old and was found chucked under a bonfire on bonfire night (thank f**k before it was lit - someone heard the meowing).

She was (and still is) incredibly nervous and timid. First 2 weeks we had her she pretty much didnt come out from behind the sofa. Eventually she started to explore, 6 years on she is still jumpy but I like to think pretty damn happy and very well loved. It takes time but they do come round.
 
Foggy said:
We got our cat from a rescue place. She was less than 6 weeks old and was found chucked under a bonfire on bonfire night (thank f**k before it was lit - someone heard the meowing).

She was (and still is) incredibly nervous and timid. First 2 weeks we had her she pretty much didnt come out from behind the sofa. Eventually she started to explore, 6 years on she is still jumpy but I like to think pretty damn happy and very well loved. It takes time but they do come round.
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<rant> That is just sick! I dont know if my im to much of a softy, but if I had the money and space and time I would addopt a lot of animals, if you dont want them to have kittens or puppies get them fixed... bloody hell </rant>
 
mdntcallr said:
Cats=evil.

Try out a dog. they are wonderful

(i'm allergic to cats)
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You know what? No animal is evil. If you don't like cats, then don't bother coming in here. I have no time for people who think any animal is inherently evil.

I'm trying to to get advice for helping out an animal that has been through a lot. If you have none, please take you and your attitude somewhere else.
 
Chip NoVaMac said:
I agree to a degree after having the pleasure of both.

Though depending on ones lifestyle, dogs can be more demanding. But they do give so much more love than most of the cats I have had. Maribella, my recently departed cat, gave love on her terms. My Chewey (a dog), gave me love anytime - even after a scolding.

Lee - give her time. Maribella was very sensitive to some of moves together. In the end she found her own space.

As long as Miss Kitka is finding the litter box and her food in your place, then you are doing well with her. She will come around to you personally in due time.

Give her lots of toys, and try to play with her where ever you find her.

Just don't expect her to be just like your other cat. You both need to find that happy space.

Regards,

Chip
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I know it's going to take her time. It's just hard to watch that's all. She's so convinced that something is going to jump out at her, you know?

And yeah, she's finding her litter box and such just fine.
 
I used to have a Siamese. They are very intelligent cats, active and very inquisitive. They are very people-orientated and many of them are one-person cats. When she settles down you will probably find her inspecting every cupboard or drawer you leave open and following you about. Most cats love to pounce on a bit of string being pulled along.

I would suggest getting a few cat 'treats' and giving them to her one at a time first on the floor, then a bit nearer until she will take them from your hand. You can build her confidence in you that way. Our cats love the fishy nibbles called Thomas' Treats but that's here in the UK. The 'treat' biscuits seem to be smellier than the pieces of dried cat food and cats love them. We put them in a small tin and they know the sound of it when it's shaken. Very useful for getting them in before bed on summer evenings! A few shakes and they come running, then it's shut and lock the door quickly and give them their treats for coming in.

I've always had cats. Moggies, Siamese and, currently, Burmese. If there's anything you want to ask, I'll be glad to help.
 
Ish said:
I used to have a Siamese. They are very intelligent cats, active and very inquisitive. They are very people-orientated and many of them are one-person cats. When she settles down you will probably find her inspecting every cupboard or drawer you leave open and following you about. Most cats love to pounce on a bit of string being pulled along.

I would suggest getting a few cat 'treats' and giving them to her one at a time first on the floor, then a bit nearer until she will take them from your hand. You can build her confidence in you that way. Our cats love the fishy nibbles called Thomas' Treats but that's here in the UK. The 'treat' biscuits seem to be smellier than the pieces of dried cat food and cats love them. We put them in a small tin and they know the sound of it when it's shaken. Very useful for getting them in before bed on summer evenings! A few shakes and they come running, then it's shut and lock the door quickly and give them their treats for coming in.

I've always had cats. Moggies, Siamese and, currently, Burmese. If there's anything you want to ask, I'll be glad to help.
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Thanks! I've been doing a lot of that. It's baby steps with her though. She really did go through a lot at her previous residence. I totally understand why this has been a huge change and shock for her. I guess I thought the fact that I've known her for so long would help more than it has.
 
leekohler said:
Thanks! I've been doing a lot of that. It's baby steps with her though. She really did go through a lot at her previous residence. I totally understand why this has been a huge change and shock for her. I guess I thought the fact that I've known her for so long would help more than it has.
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Get a good book... sit in a comfy position on a chair in the room where the cat hides or on the floor if need be... stay there for a while reading and see if the kitty decides you are nice and visits you. Just keep the area quiet.

I had a cat that was always skittish... new people in the house?? bye bye for a few days... then one day you would be sitting on the sofa reading or being quiet and suddenly he would jump on the new persons lap and they would be the new best friend from then on.
 
OK, update- she's getting slowly better. I came home and she was on top of the kitchen cabinets, but then later came down and went to the dining room for a look. She then ran back to my office. I thought she would hide there the rest of the night, but no. She went right back to the kitchen cabinets- where I got on top of a chair and brushed her. That made her really happy. She's gone down and gone back up a few times tonight. I can tell she really wants to come sit in the living room, but she's still just a bit too nervous. We're making progress! :) Thanks everybody!
 
leekohler said:
We're making progress!
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That is so good to hear. :D I'm so glad for you and her... she's found a new home and a safe buddy, and you've got a new companion, too. Don't worry, she definitely sounds like she's getting acclimated.
 
devilot said:
That is so good to hear. :D I'm so glad for you and her... she's found a new home and a safe buddy, and you've got a new companion, too. Don't worry, she definitely sounds like she's getting acclimated.
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I know. I just feel so bad for her. This is a huge adjustment for this cat. I've taken everyone's suggestions and they're helping. I just wish I could do more. I don't expect her to be like my last cat, I just want her to know that she's in a good place now. I don't want her to think she has to sit on the kitchen cabinets forever. :)
 
leekohler said:
I don't want her to think she has to sit on the kitchen cabinets forever.
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If she's still a feline, don't worry, she'll know. ;) They're such royalty... she'll make herself right at home sooner than you know it. Haha.
 
devilot said:
If she's still a feline, don't worry, she'll know. ;) They're such royalty... she'll make herself right at home sooner than you know it. Haha.
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Well, when I first met her she was a huge lap whore. ;) I'm sure she will be again. :) Plus, scem0 is coming for a visit next month, I want her to be comfortable by then.
 
I'm still trying to find good homes for 4 kittens 9 weeks old. FREE of course.

2 Black and 2 coon colored tabby, all semi-long hair.

I'm currently running an ad in the local paper, but any MR members in the Washington D.C. metro area can PM me.
 
FFTT said:
I'm still trying to find good homes for 4 kittens 9 weeks old. FREE of course.
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It's a good thing I don't live anywhere near there. :eek:

The bf refuses to allow me to visit rescue adopt-a-cat/kitty centers anymore... I end up having to be physically dragged away before I can sign papers and adopt more. :eek: They're so cute! And they just wanna be looooooved.
 
WARNING !!!

Do not start your cats on Fancy Feast - Cod, Sole & Shrimp Feast. You will regret it.

They will wake you up at 4:00AM to feed them. :eek:

129051.gif
 
The Mad Kiwi said:
You can promise pics and then not deliver, where's the pics I say.
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Ok look- I don't have a camera. Last weekend when a friend came over with his camera, she was hiding and we couldn't get a pic. Take it easy! :) I'll get you some. ;)
 
MACDRIVE said:
WARNING !!!

Do not start your cats on Fancy Feast - Cod, Sole & Shrimp Feast. You will regret it.

They will wake you up at 4:00AM to feed them. :eek:

129051.gif
Click to expand...

Why didn't you tell me this 4 months earlier? :eek:
 
leekohler said:
Ok look- I don't have a camera. Last weekend when a friend came over with his camera, she was hiding and we couldn't get a pic. Take it easy! :) I'll get you some. ;)
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I'll bet there's no cat! You've just been teasing us this whole time! ;) :p
 
This ain't getting Lee out of it, but he told me this cat was very close:

siamese5po7.jpg


Lee will get access to a camera soon, so don't worry :)

e
 
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