Nervous cat

[ms1502]

Hello,

I have a young cat who i recued after his feral mother dropped him and could not go back for him as she would have had no way out (nature is cruel) he was about 2 - 3 weeks old. he is just over a year now and fixed. When he wants cuddles he is very affectionate... will wake me up. But if i walk into a room too quickly he gets really startled and runs for cover. is this just breeding (wildness) or can i do anything to help him. he really enjos the other cats and is always looking to play with them.

thanks

maura

[Litchick]

Our kitty is much younger, six months -- also rescured from feral family -- and is very very affectionate but sometimes she will also be startled. There really is not much you can do other than to maybe just say out loud (but not TOO loudly) "it's okay (Pet's Name)...it's just me; if you'd like to come out" or something of that sort. If she does, praise her but continue to go slowly...if she doesn't just give her time. Eventually she will come around. A year is still young...

:)

[CheekyChops]

My cat is two, has lived with me since 12 weeks old and with his mother and her owner before that. He is exactly the same as yours, easily startled although very affectionate.

He loves sitting in the bathroom with me whilst I am in there but if I flush the toilet, he jumps a mile and runs off as though his a*#e is on fire! You would think he had got used to the sound of the flush by now ;-)

Even if he's sitting on my knee whilst I am watching telly, if i make a sudden movement or he hears a loud noise from outside, he will shoot upstairs and hide under the bed.

I don;t remember him being like this when i first had him, I wondered if someone had maybe scared him whilst he was outside one time.

[irishlyn]

our cat was rescued from the wild when she was 3 weeks old. She is now eight and gets more nervous as the years go on. She runs and hides if anyone comes into the house, yet she is affectionate to the people she knows, often thought she needs a psychiatrist.

[hollyzero]

Since your cat was so young when he was seperated from his mother, he is likely to have problems since this is the most crucial stage in his development. I have a cat which I obtained at 5 weeks and she is certainly the most nervous of my 3 cats. Ensure he has lots of safe havens where he can go and hide when he feels insecure and just allow him to come to you when he chooses. I agree with Litchick that you should announce your approach so that he is aware that you are coming and maybe have a little piece of food to give him so that he knows you are a positive thing and nothing to be afraid of. You can contact me at [email protected] for more info.