Slowly introduce yourself Make sure that you move slowly and speak in a soft voice so you don't scare your kitten even more. Cute as your kitten is, and as much as everyone wants to play with them, try to ensure that only one person interacts with them for the first few days while they are adjusting.
Use a soft, reassuring tone of voice.
When you are with your cat, keep your voice gentle and encouraging. Sit down next to your pet, rather than standing over them which can feel threatening. Stroke their head or back and give them a treat or two to encourage them to sit down with you.
Put off loud chores or events like vacuuming, moving furniture, or dinner parties until later. It helps to play soft music and use calming scents to make the environment more comforting to the fearful cat. Talk softly and move slowly around your cat.
Tips for Socializing a Shy Cat
Keep a low profile, spend time with the cat while laying down, or under covers. Talk in a soft, soothing voice. Move slowly and predictably. Introduce feather wands and fleece padded sticks for the cats' inspection.
Please allow at least 3 months for your shy cat to adjust, but be mindful that others may need a little extra adjustment time. Your cat appreciates your patience. Know that with time, kitty will give you all the love they have!
Socializing Shy Cats
Each step will need at least 3-5 sessions before progressing to the next step, and make sure the cat is 100% comfortable before moving to the next level. The entire process can take anywhere from several weeks to more than a year…but it will all be worth it in the end!
Your cat may show the following behaviors when she is fearful: Hiding. Aggression (spitting, hissing, growling, piloerection [hair standing up], swatting, biting, scratching) Loss of control over bladder and/or bowels.
If your cat becomes anxious, increase the distance between the cat and the stranger until the cat is no longer fearful. At this distance, reward your cat for calm behavior, and then end the session. During the next session, start again at the distance with which the cat was comfortable in the previous session.
Fearful cats usually do best in relatively quiet homes. They are often not suitable for young children as children can easily scare them with loud noises or sudden movements. Many fearful cats slowly become more confident as they get used to their living space and daily routine.
If her tail is bushy or she gives you a hostile meow, don't pick her up in the first place. If she squirms or nips once she's in your arms, put her down immediately. When cats are held, they may feel like they aren't in control of the situation and will want to get away as soon as possible.
Other shy or fearful cats may be that way simply because they're genetically predisposed to higher levels of arousal. For these cats, it will take a long time to calm down and learn to trust new environments and people (which they may never fully do).
Strong odour: Cat's sense of smell is 14 times stronger than that of humans. Cats do not like strong odour, be it citrus, fruity, etc. Strong scented sprays can also be toxic for your pet. Avoid spraying them on your kitty's bedding or litter box.
Cats who have been exposed to different types of people may still feel afraid of certain kinds of people they haven't come across often, such as children. Timid personality. Fear is a natural characteristic in animals, and some cats may just be born with more fearful personalities. Loud noises.
When a cat is scared by something outside, they may hide indoors for a few hours to a couple of days, depending on their personality and the intensity of the fear. Providing a safe and quiet space for your cat to recover, along with gentle reassurance, can help them come out of hiding sooner.
The critical period for kitten socialization usually occurs during the early weeks of a cat's life starting between 2 to 7 weeks of age (early socialization occurs between 3-8 weeks, late socialization between 9 and 16 weeks).
Most literature on feral kitten socialization suggests that kittens older than 8 weeks up to 6-8 months old, or even adult cats, can still be socialized and adopted, but they need more time and experienced attention.
If you suspect your cat is suffering from a trauma, establishing a calm safe environment for them is critical. This can include pheromone or essential oil therapy in diffusers and playing calming music to muffle loud noises to create a peaceful atmosphere.
Signs of shock include rapid breathing (which may be noisy), rapid heart rate with a weak pulse, pale mucous membranes (gums, lips, under eyelids), severe depression (listlessness), and cool extremities (limbs and ears). Your cat may vomit.
The findings show that cats can remember traumatic experiences, and remembering such events can have a lasting effect on their physiology and behavior.
The cat should ideally always be the one who initiates contact. The best thing to do is to gently offer your hand to the cat and see if they choose to rub against it or not – always let the cat make the first move. If the cat doesn't rub against you, they might not want to be touched right now.