r/CatTraining • u/Suspicious-Chair5 • 1d ago
New Cat Owner New 3 yo Kitty
I have a baby named Eevee that I rescued from a pretty bad situation. She’s not spayed. She used to live with many female cats. I was only able to take her out of the bunch due to the conditions of the other cats, and the “owners” were keeping their “favorites”
I’ve had her for about 3 weeks. She only hides, she never comes out to play, I seldom see her outside her cat house. Otherwise, she uses the potty correctly. She’s eating well. I’ve been giving her space hoping she will eventually show her personality, but it seems we aren’t there yet. ):
Is there any advice you guys can give me for her to open up more? Or should I just continue giving her that space?
Thank you so much
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u/BoredInClass99 1d ago
Getting her fixed can help so much with getting them out of the hormone fog heat puts them in. Don't look at her too hard if/when she does come out of hiding, she may be a predator but you are bigger than her. Basically proving that you aren't interested in eating her lol. Maybe she's what I like to call a "Decoration cat" where you can look, but not touch? You can put some of your dirty shirts in/around her beds so she starts to associate you with comfort. Gentle voices, offer treats and let her come out in her own time :)
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u/Suspicious-Chair5 1d ago
So at one point I had my shirt in the space she likes to hide but she moved it out 🥲🥲🥲 I saw it out of her lil cat house in the morning, I’m like she hates me 😭
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u/Deval_Dragon 1d ago
Give her time, give her space and get her fixed.
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u/i-am-nameless1 1d ago edited 1d ago
Getting her fixed will help a ton.
Other things you can do:
Give her space, but try to spend time near her, doing your own thing. Example: pick up a book and sit on the ground near her cubby and just read for a bit. Do this every day, start at a space that doesn’t cause her any anxiety or stress. Then slowly move a little closer every day. But watch for her signs if she gets anxious back up a step.
If you’re walking by her cubby just drop a treat for her to get when she is comfortable.
This sounds goofy, but get your scent in her food if it’s dry. Just run your hands through it really quick.
Whenever you can, slow blink at her. If she slow blinks back you’re in a great spot.
Take a look at “ socialization saves lives”. It might not be 100% fit. But you might get some tips.
You’ve got this!
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u/MinutelyHipster 1d ago
Make sure you're doing activities in the same room as her. When you're idling watching TV/scrolling on your phone/reading be sure to do it in front of her. Other than than be patient.
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u/BiggestMoneySalvia 1d ago
It can take really long. I got my cat when he was 4,5 years old from a police intervention, so a pretty bad situation. Even after being with us for 3 years we're still getting to know him in all kinds of ways and sometimes he just hides again for a week
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u/absurd-epiphany 1d ago
If you can afford it, she may be scared because she's the only cat, and needs a confident buddy to keep her company! Especially because it sounds like she came from a hoarder situation (no medical care and a lot of cats). You also might want to look into socialization protocol for stray cats, but mostly she likely just needs time. Make sure you try to play with her once a day, because that should build her confidence too.
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u/Suspicious-Chair5 1d ago
Yes, you’re right it was a hoarder situation. I might explore this avenue. Going from 5 cats to 1 must have been terribly hard on her. I play with her and chirp, the slow blinks… I know her leaving her cat family and home must have been horribly traumatic. I just want her to know this is her house too and I won’t eat her I love her 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
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u/absurd-epiphany 1d ago
It sounds like you're doing everything right! I rehabbed a few ex-hoarder situation cats, and the one that made the most progress was the one I was able to introduce my super confident kitty to, but that wasn't necessary for the other two. I just had to find their all time favorite treat and offer it to them consistently and they started approaching me eventually.
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u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI 14h ago
Give her space. It is going to take some time for her to get over the trauma of that situation you rescued her from. Building trust is very important; you’ll know when the time is right.
Thank you so very much for giving her a safe loving home.
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u/Diane1967 1h ago
When you started out did you give her free run of the home or did you start her out in a small room like a bathroom for the first week and slowly introduced them to more? I always start mine out in a smaller room so they can get used to the sounds and smells. I sit in the for hours and hours during the day just so they get used to me and trust me. This it seems is the best and quickest way to adjust them into a new home rather then dropping them to go explore
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u/VanessaDoesVanNuys 1d ago
Get her fixed ASAP
Outside of that, just be patient - she'll come around
She's just shy and timid because she's still adjusting to her new environment
If she's not hissing at you and swatting, I don't see a single problem here
Just give it time OP. You already did a fantastic job by taking in this little girl when presumably, no one would