Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   We've adopted a Kitten at around 3 Months old and took her home. When we first got her, she was very non-chalant about it. She didnt fight us when we tried to pick her up or anything, but she also didn't pur, okay no big deal because she just met us.

   Well the household has about 5 to occasionally 6 people living in it. At first when she was introduced to this she would immediately hide under the bed and never come out. She eventually got used to it but even then, whenever someone tried to pet her, she would hiss, pounce or bite, or engage in some kind of playfullness or run off. She would never LET you touch her or pick her up. Even when we feed her she still doesn't become fond of anyone. She doesnt seem to be shy of us anymore. She'll jump on the table and pounce my hands while I'm typing. She loves when I dangle things infront of her but if I get my hand to close, she'll shred it right up and grapple my arm into a whole kitty trap and grind its rear feet against my wrist while biting my arm.

   I understand some of this is just its playfull nature and I dont mind this, but I have NEVER beenable to pet it without it clawing at me, biting, hissing, or running away. I'd like to hear it purr atleast once... Does anyone have any suggestions?

   Posted 3 years ago by Mew #

2. 

   Mew, I have no advice for you but I am bumping up this thread so maybe others do. I am sorry you are having issues with this kitty. Maybe someone hurt her and now she is scared?

   Posted 3 years ago by cricketsmama #

3. 

   IT sound like you have a feral kitten on your hands! My old cat Noah was just like that as a kitten! We started feeding him baby food off our fingers and slowly touching him. we also stopped playing with him using our hands only toys! He slowly came around and turned into a lap cat! He lived a happy and purring 19 years!
   Best of luck
   Dorie

   Posted 3 years ago by 4 kits staff #

4. 

   Thanks for checking in. What's her name?

   With that many people handling this kitten, it's hard to say how to proceed. It sure sounds like she's been teased with hands, and/or possibly handled roughly.

   Everyone in the house/apartment needs to STOP playing with her with their hands. A Cat Dancer, toy on a string, or toy on a stick are all just fine. But hands are to be used for petting and treats only - not as a toy. Never use hands as a toy!!

   If the residents are unwilling to do this, I suspect she will continue to play roughly, and will remain aloof or somewhat hostile, and somewhat frightened.

   Please do everything you can to get everyone in the residence to stop playing with her with their hands, but use a toy instead. It will make all the difference in the world.

   Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

5. 

   My cat was semi feral and got more tolerant as she got older. But for a long time if I petted or scratched beyond her shoulders she'd go into the bite-scratch-attack mode.You could try scratching ears, chin, etc. for awhile first. I know it's hard to resist petting the whole cat!

   Posted 3 years ago by krazikat #

6. 

   I detect a problem--several times in the last paragraph you referred to the kitten as "it" and never by name. It seems she's overwhelmed by all the people and the "hand-playing". You might want to try to warm up to her a bit more with your attitude, and let her come to you when she's ready. Sorry if I sound a bit gruff but I feel bad for her.

   Posted 3 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #

7. 

   Suki was like that as a kitten too. She also doesn't like hands handling her. So I always let her rub her body on my head or my foot...she also is okay with the back of my hand. She was such a scared kitten and 3 years later she is still the same way. She has warmed up a bit to me because she knows me now. But the day I brought her home she hid for 3 days from me :o( and she was only 10 weeks old! I thought she would grow out of it but she didn't. She is a very skittish cat. Just give her tons of loving and she should warm up to you in her own way.

   Posted 3 years ago by summerjean #

8. 

   I'm assuming you all know the kitty basics in your house -- i.e. no sudden startling movements or noises, speak to her softly and gently always, don't tease her, don't stare at her, if she makes eye contact, avert your gaze or blink slowly (in kitty talk, this means: 'chill out; I'm chill'. Cats stare at each other as a challenge and possibly a prelude to fight). If she starts playing rough or in a way you don't like, don't scold her loudly or roughly, just move away. She'll soon learn that playing rough means she loses her favourite playmate -- i.e. you. Always touch her slowly and gently, don't be rough... Most cats like being rubbed gently behind their ears or stroked softly under their chin.

   I apologise if you already know all this but it's worth repeating just in case. I'm also a bit bothered that you don't refer to her by name and sometimes call her 'it'. She is only tiny and a baby and you are, as Anncetera once said on another thread, the size of King Kong to her. Try to imagine if you were only a wee one and you lived in a house with five or six King Kongs. You'd be forever skittering out of the way too...

   Posted 3 years ago by jcat #

9. 

   Hi Mew - Leela doesn't purr easily and often twists her head around to attack the hand that intends to pet her. Not knowing her background, we're assuming she's part ferel - and part classic crazy kitten. We just try to talk to her in a soothing, calming manner. The slow, calming blink gaze that Jcat mentioned also helps. If she doesn't calm down, we leave her alone for a bit. Or, if she's playing a bit to harshly, I stick a favorite toy between her and my arm that she's attached to.

   Posted 3 years ago by JoanfromNewJersey #

10. 

    I think you have received lots of good advice about the use of hands as toys but I thought maybe you would like some information I came across a long time ago about purring. Here is the scientific explanation which I think came from the Animal Planet which I found interesting:

    "laryngeal muscles are the likely source for the purr. Moreover, there is an absence of purring in a cat with laryngeal paralysis. The laryngeal muscles are responsible for the opening and closing of the glottis (space between the vocal chords), which results in a separation of the vocal chords, and thus the purr sound"

    It is also interesting to know that cats also purr when they are scared or injured. Have you ever noticed when you take a cat to the vet they often purr. It's not because they like the vet!

    I have the most affectionate cat - Toby and he doesn't purr. Not sure why, he did when he was a kitten but just stopped one day. I don't believe there is anything wrong with him physically, so I have just accepted he is a silent purrer :)

    Posted 3 years ago by petpntr #

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