I just got a new cat last night and I was wondering how can I get her to warm up to me without being so scared of me. Does anyone here know what I can do to help her feel at home.
Where you get it from? The streets is it a stray? The woods, is it a wild cat?
Pet shop? Have you no shame?! Animal shelter?
Is it a kitten or an adult?
How does it react to you when you try to approach?
I reckon you just put some milk and food in a bowl for it and then the cat should warm up to you pretty fast but you have to act slowly and act like it's all good. You might find it purring asleep on your stomach when you wake up.
Just have some patience dawg.
Peace out!
Most important: Make sure nothing happens that might scare her. Sudden, loud noise(s), someone or something chasing her, etc.
Also very important: Don't try to catch or chase her, if just to try and pet her. Just offer her some food, treats, milk, etc., and let her go to it on her own time. Try setting it in a spot where nothing is too close that might bother her. Once she goes to it regularly, start moving it to a spot closer to you slowly.
Make sure she has quiet secluded spots she can get to, to relax, sleep and feel comfortable. Not too far from where her food and drink is. Don't try to take her from those place(s)...try to let her come out when she's ready on her own terms.
Anytime she starts to come close, don't try to reach for her too fast, or grab her. Just slowly hold out your hand and see if she'll come close. Whenever she does, very slowly try to pet her back, AFTER she's tried sniffing your hand, if she still stays close afterwards. She may sniff and run away at first....wait until she starts to stay close, before trying to pet.
Pet her head gently, heck, under her chin, along her cheeks once she starts to let you pet her. If you're lucky and she starts to sit on your lap, make sure to let her come and go as she wants to....don't try to "make" her stay.
All of it will take a bit of time, perhaps days or even weeks. But if you are patient, and keep her in a safe, calm environment, and give her tome to start feeling comfortable, she should slowly start to "warm up" to you .
How long will depend on her past experiences. If she's used to being around people, was treated well (or not), always indoors vs. outdoors, etc. Thing to remember is cats like to do things on THEIR terms, and you have to try to let them do that until they become comfotable and accustomed to you, and her new home.
Mar 20th 2009, 10:03