Have a shy kitty? Never fear, Darlene Arden, Certified Animal Behavior Consultant and author of “The Complete Cat’s Meow” & the coffee table book, “Beautiful Cats,” has some tips to help kitty overcome her social shyness.
#1 – Patience
Shy cats, like feral cats, require a great deal of patience. It will take as long as it takes. This can be weeks, months or years. These cats are often frightened in a new environment and will hide, hunch down to make themselves as tiny as possible, or they will freeze in place. Go slowly but let her meet new people who come to visit and caution them to let her come to them and to get down to kitty’s level, if possible.
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#2 – Watch Body Language
Learn to read your cat’s body language. Flicking the tail is indicative of an unhappy or angry cat, although some confident cats will wag their tail like a dog. Err on the side of caution. Hissing or swatting may be included and can lead to a bite.
#3 – Personal Space
Give kitty a place of her own, preferably without hiding places where you can’t find her without crawling around the floor looking under furniture. Try to block off hiding places using towels or blankets. Equip the room with a litterbox, scratching post, food and water. Keep kitty’s carrier in the room with the door open and soft bedding; it’s a place where she can feel safe. Keep a radio or tv on softly so she can hear the sounds of voices.
#4 – Non-threatening Interaction
Go into the room a few times a day and read aloud so kitty will get used to your voice and your smell and realize that you are non-threatening. Don’t reach for her. Cats prefer to come to you and this is especially important for a shy cat. If she comes to you to investigate, slowly put your hand down with your forefinger extended and let her sniff. If she back away from you at any point, don’t do anything. She is telling you that she has had enough. Don’t reach for her or try to pick her up. Slow and steady wins the race.
#5 – Treats
Bring special little food treats but only give them to her when you are in the room with her so she associates you with something positive.
#6 – Toys
Bring an interactive fishing pole toy so she’s not touching you but is interacting with you through the toy. Start by placing the toy near you and let her sniff it or bat at it. You don’t want to startle her. After a few play sessions, touch her with the toy over different parts of her body. Do it gently. All interactions should be slow and patient.
#7 – Short Intervals
Keep sessions short. Let kitty come to you and walk away from you. Don’t force yourself on her. Let her take the lead in this slow dance.
#8 – Professional Help
If kitty is an adult and especially fearful, consult an Applied Animal Behaviorist or a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist who can assess your kitty and, perhaps, prescribe anti-anxiety medication. Alternately, you can seek out a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant who can work with you, your cat and your veterinarian if anti-anxiety meds are deemed necessary or helpful to help get kitty through the worst of the fear.
