*Updated again* Advice on adopting a very shy, little kitten! *Updated with pics*

Lancslass1982

Hi all, my boyfriend and I are looking to get a kitten. I would prefer to adopt a cat from a cat rescue, instead of buying from a breeder and we have found a very pretty, little kitten, in a local rescue.

The only problem is, she is incredibly shy. She is fine around other kittens and cats, but is very wary of humans. She backed away from my boyfriend's hand, when he (very slowly and gently) went to stroke her, but did allow him to stroke her and did not lash out.

Has anybody ever had any experience with shy/timid kittens. My boyfriend grew up with cats as pets and is sure that given time, the little kitten will come around, but I am a little hesitant...

walwin

Our girl was very timid as a kitten as she had been dumped and had been hiding in a car engine :mad:

She soon came round and we weren't experienced cat owners, we had only ever had dogs. We just took it slowly and let her do things at her own pace and she was absolutely fine. It didn't take her long to start getting us knocked into shape. She's 13 now and has us well trained

Well done to you for giving a rescue kitten a forever home :T

Pollycat

I would say it is probably just a trust issue.

You are strange to her and a man's human hand coming towards her must look very scary to a small kitten.

Did you ask the rescue centre what she was like with them as she will be more used to them?
If not, I'd do that - but I think your boyfriend is probably right that she'll come round as she gets to know and trust you.

As you say, she did allow a stange person to actually stroke her anyway.

Hope you decide to give her a chance.

Badger_Lady

My cat was incredibly shy when we found him. A worried neighbour had taken him in when he was 7 but he just hid behind chairs all the time and literally poo'ed himself with fear when he saw his new owner's four-year-old.

I took him in, just the two of us in my little flat, and we very quickly bonded. On the first day he shyly nuzzled up on my lap and within a few weeks he was comfortable with me picking him up and playing with him. Visitors still found him shy - he would just sneak off to another room - but as time went on he became more and more confident.

He eventually lost his fear of fireworks and thunderstorms and became very sociable with all human beings, very friendly and cuddly. At Christmas the family would take it in turns to have him sit on them. I could never have wished for a nicer cat

Fire_Fox

Thank you for considering a rescue - what is her history, was she born in rescue? You've only met her once and you are maybe fifty times bigger than she is! Some cats can take months to settle fully but then you'd never believe how unconfident they were, the worst thing you can do is be impatient and force the pace. Can you adopt two kittens? You may well find that helps her be more playful and confident.

Confine her to one quiet side room for the first week or more, use a Feliway diffuser, go into the room and sit quietly talking to her so she gets used to your scent and voice, even if she is hiding. Slowly introduce her to your home one room at a time, using the Feliway (one per floor of the house). Don't approach her, let her come to you when she is ready to be stroked don't even put your hand out slowly, don't make eye contact because cats can see that as a challenge or threat, lots of litter trays in quiet places and always keep access to the 'safe room' clear.

Once she comes out from the first room into a larger space and is nervously exploring, stay seated on the floor so you are closer to her height and not moving around. Then introduce toys that are known to moving in an irresistible fashion: feathers, real fur (recycled or food byproduct), leather, mylar (metallic crinkly Xmas stuff) are all very popular. Every cat loves Da Bird or the attachments Da Mouse, Da Sparker or Da Fur Thing, few can stay shy when that bad boy is flapping around. Don't be tempted to show her off for perhaps the first month, no house guests or you could set her back.

Lancslass1982

Thank-you very much for the answers. They have been very helpful.

She was born in the rescue. She did have a brother, who she was apparently very playful with. The rescue tried to re-home them together, but i think her shyness put people off taking both and I guess the rescue didn't want to risk the little boy not getting a home (he was apparently very confident; totally different to his sister).

Anyway, we have had a home visit today, signed the papers and we will be picking her up tomorrow evening.:D We have been out and bought a bed, toys, litter tray and food and treats so that we're all ready for her.

She is a grey/blue tabby and such a lovely little thing. The rescue named her Bluebell, but I think we will change it to Bella.

Thanks again for the help. Fire Fox, your post was really helpful!

marmiterulesok

When I got my two,one of them was extremely timid.I did wonder if she had been mistreated,it was so bad.I got them when they were three months old.With time and lots of patience she slowly came out of her shell.

I think what really made a difference was when I started brushing them regularly,she just loved it.She still remained a nervous cat,but used to bustle around the flat and demand attention.She became very chatty as well.

Sadly she died three years ago,but I still have her sister.

So yes,a timid little cat won't necessarily stay timid.I agree with your boyfriend.

scaredy_cat

don't forget the pics!!!!

spike7451

Not much I can apart from saying THANK YOU for adopting a rescue kittie!!!!...

OH,

and WE NEED PICTURES!!! Dem's da rules!! 8P

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi, I had two sisters (kittens) many years ago. Tiny, shy one and extrovert, lively one. Lively one sadly died at 15 yrs old and I never thought the shy one would cope, yet she lived a great life for a further 3 years.

Pics definitely needed

Tilly

Lancslass1982

I will definitely post pics when we bring her home!:D