Very Scared Cat

[Millie&Cairns]

Hi there,

This seems to be a really useful and very information full website, but so far I've not found anyone with the same case as me.

We adopted Cairns, a male feral cat, age 5 around 6 months ago, he's lovely, took him a while to understand that biting isn't good, went out no problem when we introduced him to his new garden and surroundings, but we felt it would be nice if he had a friend, so on 10th Dec I picked up Millie from the same place as Cairns, Female feral cat, age 3, I went to the pens and took her home after the woman eventually got her in the cat box. She was fine in the car on the way home and I'd kept Cairns in the bedroom so that she could get her bearings before we sorted out where we'd be putting each of them.
Well, as soon as I opened the cat box door, she bolted out towards our floor to ceiling windows trying to get out, our windows are in a sun lounge so there are windows on all 3 sides, she was bashing her head everytime she tried to get out of the window full force. I tried to get to her to pick her up but she kept running away, she then jumped up onto the kitchen worktop and was bashing her head to get out of the kitchen window, then the next window was the dining room where she was hanging from the wooden crosses on our windows...everytime I went to help her she was too scared and ran to the living room where she'd try to get out of the window full force...eventually, I managed to get her calmed down by closing the blinds and curtains. She eventually stayed behind the curtain. She was behind the curtain all the time until we went out of the house, we then found her hiding at the top of the stairs. We couldn't touch her as she was too scared and cower everytime we go to touch her. She improved slightly over the next few days but anytime she saw me or my boyfriend, she ran away.

As she was under the bed, we couldn't touch her, and she didn't come out when we were around. A few times she would come out only at night, and sniff around, but the whole time she's watching us to make sure we've not moved an inch.

In the whole time this is happening, Cairns is just sitting there and looking at her, we did get a few growls and they touched noses a few times, no proper fighting. Just once where Cairns has swiped for her and then the next time she headbutted him as he was sitting cleaning himself. He doesn't seem to have any problems with him. Neither she with him.

My only worry now is that we've had her for 5 weeks and she won't come out under the bed if anyone is around. She cries everynight, and it always seems to be when she's looking out of the window. We're not going to let her out until at least the end of the month, but even still, how will she manage to get out if we're standing at the door, there is no way she'll want to come near the door with us there.

On New Years Eve, there were fireworks in the neighbourhood, so cairns was under the bed with her, I put the radio on loud to dull out the fireworks and they were both ok, so I got some treats, which Cairns loves, and gave them one each, everytime I held a treat to Millie, she would put her nose out as if to sniff then cower back, so I'd throw the treat near her and she then eats it. This morning, she was under the bed and I bent down to say Hello and put my hand in rubbing my fingers and she took a swipe at me, she's done that only once before and never to my boyfriend. She has hissed at me a few times too.

We don't know any of the cats backgrounds, but my feels are that Millie was abandoned at a very early age, I do know that she was in the pen for 18 months prior to us adopting her.....Cairns was in the pens for 13 months before we took him home.

I did lots of reading about introducting new cats to existing cats, but I had no option but to let them in the same room as there was no way I could move Millie.

Any suggestions on how to stop her being scared and for us to show her we won't hurt her.

Thanks for your help in advance.

[Traci]

First, and most importantly, have both cats been to your vet for a full exam, testing for FELV/FIV and vaccinated accordingly? All newly adopted cats need an exam with your primary vet, if you haven't had them examined by your own, primary vet, now is the time to do so.

Are the cats neutered/spayed?

Second, provide a safe haven for Millie, meaning, a room all for herself. Put a scratching post or kitty tree, a kitty bed, her food and water dishes, a clean litterbox, and make sure the room doesn't have any obstacles or large furniture she can hide behind/beneath. Spend lots of time in this room with her, but don't force her to come to you, to be held, etc. This must be at her convenience, you have to earn her trust.

Get on the floor with her, at her level. Remain quiet and patient, talk softly to her, and make eye contact. Don't make sudden moves. If you make these attempts several times a day, she will eventually be curious and may warm up to you. Sit with her while she's eating, or during treats, and encourage her to play with her toys, drag a string across the room for her, etc so that she associates playtime and your presense with a good experience. When she does eventually approach you, remain still and only extend your hand to her so she can smell you....gradually, in the course of a few days, begin to pet her but if she's fearful or apprehensive, cease what you're doing and let her be. This will take several attempts but you have to be patient. In a few days time, you can start coaxing her out of the room so she can investigate her new surroundings, she has to do this at her own pace.

Keep the environment as calm, peaceful and as stress-free as possible, she has to feel secure and not threatened. Food, toys, and active playtime are the best methods in getting a cat to feel less apprehensive, but it takes time and patience on your part.

We strongly advocate Indoors ONLY, read the link in it's entirety, it's self explainatory. For the health, safety, longevity and welfare of your cats, keep them inside ONLY.

[Millie&Cairns]

Thank you Traci.

Both cats are neutered and both have been checked by our own vet and are in good condition.

I will set up one of the rooms in the house to make sure that Millie is comfortable and hopefully this will build up her trust in us.

Thanks again for your help and advice, will let you know how she progresses.

Lisa

[kiggityca]

yeah i would keep her in a small space at first until she gets used to it. my uncle's cat was terrified when they first got him, he would sit at the bottom of the steps cowering. i would sit on the top step one nite for a while. then the next day move a little closer. then one nite i sat a few feet from the cat with my hand out on the floor near him and waited a while. gradually over a few days i got closer and closer until i was close enuf to let him sniff me. then eventually he let me pet him. he's a couple years old now and isn't as friendly as the other cats but he is pretty normal. it takes time and you have to be patient and gentle and give the cat time to get used to its new environment. over time, it will learn that you won't hurt it and that it can depend on you for food, and will get comfortable in your home.

[chnkemunky40]

Hi. We had a similar issue; we brought in two strays, one was Ms. Personality and the other essentially lived under our bed for about six months. Every day, I would lay on the floor and talk to him and play with him with shoelaces or some other kind of toy, and eventually, one morning I woke up and there he was, curled up next to me on the bed. He's still really skittish, doesn't like sudden movements or loud noises, and won't very often come out if other people are around, but he loves me now. If I'm on the couch, he'll run up and sit on my lap, and he is just the sweetest boy, and could could have me pet him for hours. So, over time, if you give them their space and show them that you're okay, they should be just fine (hopefully).

[Millie&Cairns]

Thank you all for your comments.

We've seen an improvement already. At night when our other cat goes out for his daily wander, we let Millie out to get her bearings around the house when we're sleeping, my boyfriend told me that she slept at the bottom of the bed for a while...first time ever.

Can't wait until she's sitting on my knee.

She still doesn't seem to be a playful cat, when I play with string and toys she just looks at them and doesn't even watch them move...I'm sure she'll start to like them soon.

[Traci]

If you're letting your male cat outside, please don't and don't let Millie out either.

Again, we strongly advocate and encourage Indoors ONLY for cats. Read the link in full please, you will see the outdoor dangers are just to hazardous.