Sunday, August 2, 2009

Whats the best way to tame a cat?

I've been looking after a cat that was feral at one stage. Her kitten (the others were put down before I got them) is a very friendly kitten that has no problem demanding being patted and stroked by anyone and everyone.
She's progressed too. She spent a lot of time hiding under our bed apart from to come out to use the litter box (!) and now she comes out and eats with our other cats and sleeps in the sun around our home. I have picked her up before - but only when she's rubbing up against other cats and feels secure. I can approach her when she is sleeping on the bed, if i go very slow, and maybe one out of ten tries I can stroke her.
But progress has slowed down, I'd love to tame her down more, she's very soft and silky. She hasn't scratched once - she's a real gem. Does anyone have any tips?
Answers:
First of all, thanks for being patient! I am currently working on a feral mommy. One thing I found very useful was petting the kitty with a back scratcher. It got her use to being touched but she didn't feel like I was invading her space. Someone else suggested Tuna, great idea! Any type of strong smelling moist food is great. The kitty will smell it and come out to get some. When she does talk very softly to her and try to rub her. She will eventually associate petting with good feelings. Mostly just be patient. She may or may not come around. The important thing is that she doesn't sound aggressive!
leaving her alone in a room with out the socialization of the other cats, will make her crave the attention. than you come in and she will want the attention from you. just keep food, water and a litter box in there and that will help her get more friendly with people. it will probably take awhile, but it sounds like you are on a good path.
I've noticed that cats come to you when they need that affection or the other way around ( when they feel you really need it). Most of the time, I think they prefer to have their head messaged rather than the body. Give cats their space. Try to talk to them but not too much; they may begin to talk too much.
I would say you are on the right track. It sounds like she is beginning to trust you. She probably is still timid at times, but since she doesn't scratch, she is not afraid of you. By going slow you are doing the right thing. Cats are only going to do what they want to, you really can't speed up the process until she wants to. So, just hang in there, she sounds like a sweetie.
Just ignore her for a couple of days or weeks. Let her come to you. Finally she will get tired of being ignored, and be more secure and comfortable around you when she is ready.
use a stick, that'll teach her
yes!.here's a tip!....Don't try and tame her, just love her the way she is, cats have a mind of their own..i use to think they were evil and didn't care for them much, now i believe they choose who they get close to!
Wow! I've never really given any thought to untame pets, but you know, it really is more common then you'd think! Here are some tips you can try!
1. Whenever you approach her, make it slow and easy. I see you've been doing that, good job! Just don't scare her at all! Be slow, even talk a bit gently to get her accustomed to your voice.
2. Cats can be jealous creatures, and often you can use this to your benefit. When she's around, stroke and pet your other cats openly. She will get hungry for the attention and come around quickly.
3. Buy some treats or a can of tuna! The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and it's the same for a cat. First, put some of the food in her dish where only she will get if. After doing this for a few days (along with her other food) start offering the treats or tuna only from your hand, to the point where she'll have to eat out of your hand or at least approach you for the food. Don't give up, and if she doesn't come the first time, don't just go back to putting the treats in her bowl. Keep offering it to her at different times or before you feed her and when you know she'll be hungry.
4. Be supremely good to her. Talk to her whenever you're around her or see her, blink slowly when you meet eyes with her (it show's that you're relaxed and non-threatening) and treat her kittenly gently to her face. If she knows that her kitten will trust you, she will, too.
Remember, this all takes time! No matter what you do, she'll grow tamer and tamer just living in your house. Try to win her over with as many treats and good food as you can straight from your hand whenever possible.
Good luck to you!
P.S. Pet her for me!
This is a feral cat? You can not tame her.
Wait for her to come to you. Sit in a quiet room with her and read or eat or stare, just ignore her. Don't look for her under the bed or approach her. She'll eventually come to you when she knows that you're not a threat.
When she does come, don't make an effort to touch her. After a few times, you can hold out your hand and let her sniff it and rub against it, but don't move towards her. Then, after a while, she might let you come to her and pet her, and maybe pick her up, but keep in mind that some cats just won't tolerate being picked up and will never be lap cats.
She's got to do it on her terms, though, and you'll have to be patient.
Cats are strongly territorial. She needs three "territories" The first is an absolute safe area, it may be under a bed or in a closet, somewhere she feels completely un-threatened. Secondly, she will establish a range, usually the confines of a home or apartment. And finally, cats need a third area that they can explore while able to retreat to the first or second territory if threatened. In the case of a house cat, the third territory should be established with the use of toys and play time. The only way to further train a cat is to re-enforce observed behaviors. For instance, if you feed your cat when you perceive some behavior that you associate with hunger, the cat will reproduce that behavior to be fed. Likewise, if you give the cat affection/attention when she is docile and relaxed, she will gradually come to make a connection with that behavior which you are acknowledging

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