How to tame a stray?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2004
How to tame a stray?
8
Fri, 06-25-2004 - 4:35am
Three months ago I adopted a stray cat who is about 1 year old. To the best of my knowledge, she was born and raised in the wild. Needless to say, it's been a V-E-R-Y interesting three months! Only in the last two weeks has she begun to interact with me rather than skulking about in the shadows. Her interaction with me begin with her gnawing on my feet in the middle of the night. :) She gradually became more bold and begin the "play with mommy's feet game" during the day as well. One day, I decided to see if she would be equally as willing to play with my hands as my feet. She was...and I have the claw and teeth marks to prove it! Her games with me seem to imitate play with other cats. She refuses to let me pet her...she wants nothing to do with affection. But she loves these games of aggression...she purrs while she is playing "conquer mommy's hand." She is a very hyper cat and seems to have zero interest in cuddle time...she wants to run and pounce and attack and play! Does she need a playmate...another cat?How do I teach her that I am human and not another cat? And how do I convince her to allow me to pet her?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 06-25-2004 - 6:35am

*WELCOME* to the board Elsophia!

Cat =^..^=
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Wed, 06-30-2004 - 1:56pm
If she truly was born in the wild, then she probably had no human contact at all until she found her way to you (or the shelter you adopted her from). Many experts say that kittens who are handled a lot become more affectionate, but of course there are exceptions to every rule.

Cat is right, many cats never do get into the cuddle thing. I had a cat briefly when I was 12 that NEVER wanted to cuddle.



Powered by CGISpy.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Wed, 06-30-2004 - 2:24pm
The others may know more so listen to them but I wanted to say good for you for giving her a home!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2004
Wed, 06-30-2004 - 2:41pm

Bless you for taking in the stray.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
Wed, 06-30-2004 - 3:53pm
I had posted before about a cat I caught and let loose in my bedroom/bathroom. He hid under the bed and in the closet for 7 days. Had the food and litter box on floor at the end of the bed. He is an inside cat only. He feels safer with boundaries. Tamed a stray cat that moved into my yard. Took me 2 years of feeding him to finally be allowed to pet him. He still would hiss in the middle of being pet. The idea from Patrick about the feather toy sounds great. Ask the shelter if thats where she came from-how she acted with other cats.

It just takes time. I'm just glad she found a safe, loving home.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2003
Wed, 06-30-2004 - 5:11pm
Elsophia,

Try posting your message on the "Think Like a Cat with Pam Johnson-Bennett" board, also on ivillage. Pam is a cat behaviorist who has worked with many, many cats over the years. I believe two of her own cats were feral. She will be able to give you detailed information about gradually developing a relationship with your cat.

Cynthia

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2004
Sun, 07-04-2004 - 4:48am
My dear little Elusive is such a smart kitty. :) She learned quite well from a bit of behaviour modification I worked on her. After several days of aggressive play, I notice another change in her behaviour...she started following me around the house and greeting me at the door when I would come home. (Ah, starting to like me, eh? :) ) So, figuring that she liked the attention she was getting from our play sessions, I would limit the time that we would play. If she wouldn't let me pet her, she got ignored. Gradually, she learned to limit the aggression, and accept the affection. She still gets pretty wild and crazy...I've been awakened many times in the middle of the night to find her "conquering" my hands and feet. But she is slowly becoming amazingly affectionate...she likes me to rub her tummy...which I've heard is a sign of great trust...true or not, I like to think so. :)

Thank you everyone for the great advice and encouragement.
Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 07-04-2004 - 10:59am
That's great you are making progress with Elusive.


Photobucket