Kitten doesn't like to be touched

oligeo

We have adopted 2 kittens, aged approx 5 months. Grace is on the left and Will is on the right.
We've had them for nearly 3 weeks now, they were from a re-homeing centre where they'd spent many months. Grace has settled in great, still quite timid if someone new comes into the house, or there's a loud noise, but will jump up onto my lap for a fuss, she loves a fuss! Will on the other hand won't be touched. He plays with his sister, eats & drinks well, and is general happy to wander about among us, unless there's a quick movement or loud noise. But he will not be touched, he runs away if you touch him. Is there anything we can do to encourage him?
We acted the same towards both of them - not rushing them, letting them settle in, not picking them up, holding out a hand if they came near for a smell, etc. Grace was quick to come to us, and soon figured out that a stroke under the chin is a great thing, but not Will. If he came near enough to smell us, then we'd try for a tickle under then chin, he'd dissappear. He watches us fuss Grace, he'll come over and watch, sitting right by us, so I'll talk to him and offer a hand out, but he won't come.

Any advice?

sabretoothtigger

If you click your fingers when its feeding time and do similar when you want to stroke the cat or have them come closer. It may get through that both are friendly events.
Cats only really respond to certain sound frequencies, generally high pitch I think

You could hand feed them dry biscuits, just the fact you have a food scent on your fingers helps. They really dislike anything sharp like lime orange, sounds like you need to give it time and be careful not to wear clothes that have been near a dog or something like that will spook them

Just sounds like a very cautious cat, some cats are more social then others and I count those as the more intelligent type but most cats are purely instinctive I doubt you did anything wrong. Maybe a bit of tuna would win Will over

podperson

It just sounds like he's the more cautious one. The fact that he'll happily sit next to you is a good sign so just be patient and am sure he will come round. 3 weeks isn't really that long for them to settle in and feel completely comfortable with you.

minimad1970

Sorry I can't offer any advice but they're really cute.

gettingready

Cute babies.... are they neutered?

At 5 months they soon can have ermmm an accident so if they are not neutered and you have male and female - please look into this.

scaredy_cat

http://www.celiahammond.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=29&MMN_position=50:50

there is some good advice on the section of feral kittens which you may apply to your new owners!

KxMx

No two cats are alike and I think personally 3 weeks is far too soon to be worrying about it to be honest.

He is telling you that he is not ready yet to be fussed. But he is approaching you, and spending time with you, which are encouraging signs.

Just give it more time and patience.

You could try hand feeding a treat or two, tuna etc, but honestly I would leave it a bit longer and let him go at his own pace. I'd probably recommend that after a few months, not weeks.

oligeo

Thanks for the advice, will carry on being patient.

Yes they will be neutered very soon.

oligeo

scaredy_cat wrote: »

http://www.celiahammond.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=29&MMN_position=50:50

there is some good advice on the section of feral kittens which you may apply to your new owners!

Thanks for that link

vervin

I have two they are like chalk and cheese ,like people we all like our own thing. Try ignoring him a little don't fuss too much ,the person who does not like cats is the one they choose to sit on it happens all the time .

Raksha

http:// http://en.tellington-ttouch.org/content/ttouch-feral-cats

Have a look at this link for techniques to use with feral cats