Even the most secure, confident cat is...well, skittish. Our feline friends are by nature sensitive to miniscule changes in the environment, and are programmed to react for their own protection. I noticed that when I approached to pet my boy kitty, Vespers, while he was napping, even the most gentle touch of my hand startled him.The answer was simple: Whiskers! A light brush against Kitty's whiskers let's him know that something is in his immediate proximity, without triggering the defense response. Now, when I want to pet my napping Vespers, I first brush my hand lightly against his whiskers (or sometimes the fine hairs of his longish coat). Then, when I stroke his back or give him a light neck massage, he's been properly prepared for contact and doesn't even open his eyes.
Posts
Another idea is whispering your resting cats name before you touch him or her. That seems to work for me.
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for a blog like this in forever! There's a charcoal stray here where I live and I've befriended it over the last week or so. He's very comfortable with me even picking him up, and I love the little guy so much that if I'm ever to move I'll probably take him with me. xD Do you have any thoughts on how I can get him used to having an owner again? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Brittany, I'm really glad you like the blog! I haven't posted anything new in a long time, but hopefully the info that's here is helpful.
ReplyDeleteHow great that you are befriending a stray! Here are my thoughts on helping him transition from being a stray to being your pet:
Get him neutered if he isn't already. This will go a long way toward changing his hormonal drive to rove far and wide to being more comfortable closer to home.
If you are truly committed to caring for him for life, then providing food for him at the same time every day can help him think of your place as "home base."
When you get him neutered, make sure he's also vaccinated. Once you know that he's not carrying disease, let him wander into your home. It will probably take several days for him to fully explore the place, but let him go at his own pace.
Get a cat brush if you don't already have one, and let him get used to it. Once he's into it, brushing is a great way to bond because to him, it feels like you are grooming him like his mama used to.
I hope these suggestions help! It sounds like you've already made a lot of progress, if he lets you pick him up. I'm an advocate of keeping cats indoors unless you live out in the country away from cars. Go gradually, and hopefully little by little he will let himself be tamed. Good luck!