Hi all, I'm brand new to the site and I have a few questions.
I have just adopted an abused kitten, she (Leia) will be around 8 weeks old now. She was found in a rubbish dump with cuts on her body at six weeks. She has been living in the rescue shelter for the last 1 1/2 weeks and then basically I came along.
I have purchased all the right things for her, booked her shots, given her her own room with a whole bunch of play things and most importantly giving her all the love that I can muster while giving her space and trying not to overwhelm her. I have read all sorts of information on how to care for abused animals and know what to expect. But it just kills me how she shys away expecting me to do something bad to her when I reach out.
At the moment I'm just sitting on the floor in her room with her and 'TRYING' to read so she gets used to my presence. I'm also speaking to her quietly and playing soft music.Unfortunately I work 8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri. Am I doing everything that I need to do?
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » General Chat
Am I on the right track?
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Posted 2 years ago by Elle & Leia NZ #
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Hi and welcome Elle. I have no experience with abused animals but we have a lot of knowledgeable people here that can advise you. Thank you for saving this precious soul and giving her a good home with love.
Posted 2 years ago by cricketsmama #
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Thanks for the thanks. Now I'll anxiously await the advice :-)
Posted 2 years ago by Elle & Leia NZ #
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Hello Elle. I personally have no experience with abused animals of any age but it sounds to me like you are doing well. It will take lots of patience and some time for your little kitten to learn to trust.
Hopefully others on the list will be able to offer some advice.
Does you kitten have a small stuffed animal to snuggle when you are away at work? That often is quite a comfort to small kittens. Also maybe leave a shirt or some soft item of clothing with your scent on it in her room near or on her bed for her to associate your smell with a safe, comfortable situation.
Kudos to you for adopting this kitty and giving it a loving home.
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Elle, you are doing exactly what you need to do. It's important that she comes to associate your presence with good things and learns that you will not do anything bad to her. Staying around her, while not trying to force attention or contact, is the best thing to do. Let her come to you when she is ready. Giving her her own room where she can have a "territory" and feel secure is also very good.
Maybe you could try getting some kitty treats and placing one on the floor, then sitting down at a distance from it. If she takes the treat, offer others and gradually sit down closer to them. This should be done over a span of several days, of course. Taking things slowly is important, and you don't want to overload her on kitty treats to the point where she becomes overweight.
I know that it's hard for you to see her pull away from you. It will take time, but I think she's young enough that she will eventually come to trust you and not shy away.
Welcome to TDK, and please keep us posted on Leia's progress.
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Hi Elle! Welcome to TDK!
I think you're doing the right thing. I haven't cared for abused cats, but I've spent a lot of time getting friendly with ferals. Definitely spend a lot of time in the kitten's vicinity and let her get used to your voice, scent etc. Try to let her come to you - her curiosity should take her there sooner or later.
She's still pretty young. I've seen it recommended here that you get her a teddy bear buddy to cuddle up with at night and when she's alone. Also, supposedly putting a ticking clock in her bed with her and Teddy to simulate her mother's heart beat will soothe her.Best of luck and please keep us posted on how she's doing.
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Hi Marnet,
I have given my kitten a big fluffy bunny rabbit that I used to sleep with when I was younger. And around her room there's some little fluffy soft toys that I've placed in 'non-menacing' positions. I just don't want her to be lonely while I'm away 8-9 hours Mon-Fri. I have feelings of guilt to leave her especially because the start of her life was so crappy, but I try to spend as much time with here before I go to work and when I get home. I guess I just don't want to upset or damage her mental well being anymore that it already has been, you know?.Posted 2 years ago by Elle & Leia NZ #
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Elle,you're doing great! I have fostered and adopted many abused and neglected kittens. If they are very shy and fearful like yours it takes a while but you're going about it just right. I would go into the room and talk kinda chatty style to myself letting the kitten know what I sound like. I would kind of let her know where the yummy food and treats come from by putting the treats down and sitting nearby but not reaching for her. Right now the only thing she knows about human hands is that mostly pain comes from them so she will take a little while but she will learn(bless you). Another member here who will hopefully pop in soon(Ann and others) gets unflavored yogurt and puts it on her fingers so the kitty will start associating something good that is coming from human hands.
I would take cues from her as she gets more used to you and less fearful,as she gets closer maybe just touch under her chin and then withdraw your hand and slowly start touching her more as she gets her confidence. It seems like some cats have a hard time with a hand held over them but slowly realize that many good things come from being touched. It will take time though but I've never had one not come around from persistence and patience.
I have an 11 year old persian that was abused and it has taken me about 4 months but older cats are harder to bring around than kittens. Now she comes to me when I go into her room and she arches her ack up to me to be petted and she gives me slow blinking "kitty kisses" and purrs very loudly when I come in.
Thanks so much for rescuing this baby,she will come around and she will be so grateful and lovely when she does. -
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Sounds like you are doing great Elle and getting excellent practiced advice from those with experience with abused and feral cats.
You certainly aren't neglecting your kitty or doing anything wrong by being gone to work. She is in a safe place where she can feel safe. Give it time. You are doing fine from the sound of it.
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Yep!
Elle, try to get the kitten some toys she can play with by herself to keep her entertained during the day. My boys' all-time favorite:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2755038I also, when Bob was a kitten and alone all day, got him a DVD wo watch and listen to. He loved it. It had birds, cats, butterflies etc. he could watch and listen to and it looped so he could watch it all day!
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Leeny - I'm going to try the treat method, but maybe next week.
I'm weaning her on to Iams kitten food at the moment. She didn't eat for the first day. But I made myself dinner and sat on the floor in her room and ate, I pulled her bowl to the other side of the room. And once I finished eating she walked over to the bowl and had a nibble - HOORAY!
I'm just educating myself on good nutrition for a kitten. This whole thing is quite new and I'm just feeling my way along.
Great Dane - I'm gonna chuck my little bedroom clock in her bed and give it a try. Never heard that one before but it sounds logical.
Thank-you both for your advice. I feel like a child with her first pet.Posted 2 years ago by Elle & Leia NZ #
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Time, time, time. That's what she needs and that's what you are giving her. When you sit in her room and read, do you read aloud? That would help her get use to your voice.
Eventually (in a week or two)you might want to keep her in your room at night. Even if she hasn't become super trusting yet, she would be getting use to another room, get use to the sounds and scents of you and she would probably start exploring you and your bed while you are sleeping. Some morning you will wake up with her curled into your neck and know that she has replaced all her bad memories with new good ones.
Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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Elle, if you want her to get used to the sound of the human voice, you could maybe put a radio on low in her room while you're at work. I'd put it on a mainly talk station where people don't get riled up (public radio works for me). But that's just a suggestion and you wouldn't have to do it every day. Everyone else has given you wonderful advice.
Otherwise I think you're doing fabulously. You're doing everything right! And you're wonderful for taking in this little kitty. I am sure she will repay you 100-fold with love. It just takes time and patience but she'll come around. You're both stars! (And eventually we'd love to see pix)
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I have a feeling this will be a relatively long process BUTTERCUP, CHEETAH BOYS MOMMY, JCAT, but I'm in it for the long haul. Anyway, I better go I am at work in New Zealand and I'm getting nothing done. But I am glad that I've joined up here and I will keep you all posted on my Leia's progress. Cheers everyone.
Kittens Kisses xx Elle.
PS. I'll post pictures as soon as I can find the cable for my digital camera.Posted 2 years ago by Elle & Leia NZ #
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Welcome! Sounds to me like you're doing an awesome job. First wonderful thing you have done, is open your heart, best gift ever.
I have taken in abused kitties....patience , love and more patience. It will be wonderful to hear how your kitty blossoms, it will happen.
In addition to the wonderful suggestions already given, how about leaving a TV on, something quiet like the weather channel, or just classical music on the radio. The kitty videos are a great idea.
Best wishes, would love to see pictures.Posted 2 years ago by Tigerlilly #
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Yay Elle, another Kiwi on the site! There are three and a half of us regularly on TDK, and one of us isn't even related to the other two (both redheads)! I'm in the Wairarapa, owned by two kitties, Jasper and Libby, both rescues and Libby was a feral kitten. The redheads are MS, who's in the Bay of Plenty and her sister, KK, is in Kapiti. MS's daughter, Airyshone, has just moved to LA, so she's the half!
Gidday, kia ora and welcome, this is a great place, we are all slightly nutty but we love our kitties. Oh and Kittenmaster, who set this place up, is also a Kiwi, but he lives in London (I think).
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Hi, Elle. Welcome to TDK! Thank you for taking in this kitty and giving her the first safe, secure home she's likely ever had. Everything you are doing sounds good to me. Kittens and cats in general sleep most of the day. She will be just fine when you are at work.
We seem to have a quite a group of kiwis here on TDK. Jcat, Moonshadow and Kapitikats all live in NZ.
Please click on my avatar to see more photos of my two kits, Digit and Furl. :)
Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
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Welcome Elle & Leia! Leia will come around, it just takes a wee bit of time. Don't be alarmed if she sleeps for 18 hrs a day, they do that....with bursts of energy in-between.
Posted 2 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #
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Elle, welcome, etc. I am sure you and Leia will be best buds before too long. One thing she might like, along with the ticking clock and the stuffed animal is a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. That will give her something soft and warm to cuddle with, but that won't be a hazard like a heating pad would be. I figure if they still make ticking clocks, they still make hot water bottles....
Posted 2 years ago by Ivory Bill #
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LOL @ IB
Posted 2 years ago by HuddysMama #
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Welcome to TDK Elle, what a lucky wee kitty Leia is for being rescued and now for finding you for a mum. You'll get lots of great advice here on any problem that may pop up. I can't add anything more to what has already been suggested. I'm MS that Jcat mentioned and live in the BOP.
Posted 2 years ago by Moonshadow_NZ #
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Hi Elle - welcome to TDK! Looks like you've gotten lots of advice. I guess now it's just lots of patience. I too, believe you and Leia will become great friends; she just needs time to learn to trust humans. Good luck and keep us posted!
Posted 2 years ago by JoanfromNewJersey #
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Welcome Elle and Leia!
Leia will come around! I have 3 kits my 2 girls were feral, It took about 3 month before Tess came around and decided she loved us. She is still a bit nervous when strangers come around and will run and hide! what worked for me and I'm not really sure which TDKer gave me the advice was I used plain yogurt on my fingers and fed her a little each day soon she realized my hands were for loving! She's now a mush with most of the household! Best of luck and welcome again!
Peace
Dorie
PS watch out for MS she is wicked(Ms Love Ya!!)Posted 2 years ago by 4 kits staff #
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Welcome to TDK Elle! I think you're so wonderful for taking this sweet kitten into your heart and home. I can't add anything to the great advice given already except to relax and be patient. Kitties can sense anxiety and the more relaxed and patient you can be the better. Did I say...You're Wonderful? Best of Luck..and keep looking for the digital cord..haha...we crave new kitty pics!! =)
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Ditto what Emma said ;-) Elle, when you're ready, you can set up a catster page (free) for Leia; then you can post her pictures and bio for all of us to share. If you click on our TDK name links it will take you to our info where some/most of us have linked our catster pages. Hope this helps! You are already a wonderful 'kittymom'!
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Hi again everyone, Just thought I'd update you.
Well.....I am tired. Leia just doesn't sleep at night. Why does she constantly meow? All night, bits and bursts. Last night she actually came onto the couch as I was having a Sunday snooze and sat right next to my ear and MEOWED...for ages! Now don't get me wrong it's awesome that she felt comfortable enough to sit by me,(she ate some biscuits out of my hand the other day-yay) but I just don't understand the meowing. She has food, she's pooing and peeing in her litter. She's got toys, I patiently talk and try to entertain her during the day, and there's nothing or no-one else around her to cause concern. Anyway, don't think I'm horrible but I put her back in her room at 3.30am this morning and gently closed the door (just to get some sleep), I made sure she had a little night light on though. (Her room and the lounge are the only rooms open to her but she stays mostly in her room during the day and only comes out for awhile at night - and she's a little noise maker!!! HELP - I need sleep because I just can't ignore the meowing it sounds like she meows OWWWWWW, like she's in pain but when I go to her she just looks at me waiting for me to do something?! She's around 9 weeks by the way and she has ringworm but I'm treating her and it will be gone in 3 weeks.Posted 2 years ago by Elle & Leia NZ #
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