Kitten???

[marydaniellesantos]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

well if he's happy where he is - let him stay there!
but maybe at other times - when you both are doing stuff - aww I like the drawer bed! cute!

Lol. Thank you, I figured since he was trying to burrow into my covers, and I was afraid I would accidentally not realize exactly where he is, I would make him his bed in a drawer... It's only partly closed, so I can still seed him, but he likes it.

I've never had an unsocialized kitten before. So I don't know if it's normal for him not to want to play with anything...

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by marydaniellesantos

Lol. Thank you, I figured since he was trying to burrow into my covers, and I was afraid I would accidentally not realize exactly where he is, I would make him his bed in a drawer... It's only partly closed, so I can still seed him, but he likes it.

I've never had an unsocialized kitten before. So I don't know if it's normal for him not to want to play with anything...

awww - I can't say for certain of course, but I bet with a little time he will become playful - probably all rather scary for him right now - but it's great he seems to love his new family!

[Izzie]

Haven't looked to see if you've picked a name for him yet, but looking at those sweet pics, I thought of "Barnaby" or "Dartagnan"- you could call him Dart!

[Izzie]

Unsocialized cats can be a challenge.

Right now, don't force him to do anything. Don't make him put up with petting and loving if he doesn't want to. Just spend as much time in the same area as him as you can.
When you feed him, sit by his bowl, so he associates you with comfort. Talk to him gently if you want.
Put some of your worn shirts in his sleeping area to help with that as well. If you need to do a quiet "sit down" task, see if you can do it near him.

Certainly try to play with him, but be wary of using the kind of toys that you'd throw at him or tease him with because he may take it as more of a threat. Do something like wiggling your finger under a blanket, or dragging a strip of fleece along the floor. A strip of fleece on a pole was a favorite toy at my shelter.


And always remember the cardinal rule of kitties- if it's not their idea, they're not doing it.

[Izzie]

Mollie and now Posh both slept/sleep against my chest under the covers. Handy in the winter!
You might look for one of those flattish donut fleece beds, I have one on the corner of my bed, and I've never met a cat that didn't love them.
If I want Posh to sleep a certain place, I just put that bed there.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Izzie

Mollie and now Posh both slept/sleep against my chest under the covers. Handy in the winter!
You might look for one of those flattish donut fleece beds, I have one on the corner of my bed, and I've never met a cat that didn't love them.
If I want Posh to sleep a certain place, I just put that bed there.

hmm - maybe I should try the donut bed on my bed for Jack - he always wants to sleep on my face!
and I actually have one of those - just hasn't been used in sometime - need to get it out and wash it ...

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by marydaniellesantos

It was a sad thing, but at least he's getting interaction now.

I've tried food, and he's only eaten a tiny bit off a spoon in my hand. He's fine when he's near me, it's just his hissing and swatting when he's in a corner that concerns me...

Very very normal at this point. Don't be worried about it- it's his way of dealing with the overexposure of such a new life. Don't scold him for being scared, but if he attacks you (not to be confused with defending), then definitely let him know that is not tolerated. Rather than punishing, make whatever the undesired behavior is, very uncomfortable. (loud noises, exclamations)

If he gets a little over-zealous in play later on, for instance, doing rabbit kicks with his back feet and a little biting, stop moving, and keep a stuffed animal about his size next to you to replace with your mutilated limb- diversion psychology!
If you don't have a diversion, let him know that it hurts. He doesn't have his mother and siblings to teach him that- by all means, say OW!!! But stop moving your hand or whatever he's attached to- they're attracted to movement.


ETA: I should clarify, 90% of the time- ears and whiskers back, shrinking down, and being aggressive equals defense. ears and whiskers forward means an outright attack.
If he's freaking out in a corner, let him be. put his food and water over there and let him chill. Give him some space, and then start hanging out in his vicinity. But leave him a good bubble at first.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

hmm - maybe I should try the donut bed on my bed for Jack - he always wants to sleep on my face!
and I actually have one of those - just hasn't been used in sometime - need to get it out and wash it ...

Basically...try putting fleece anywhere that you'd prefer your cat to pass out.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by marydaniellesantos

Oh, I was trying to figure out what that 9 hour movie was.. Lol. But I'll check this one out.

9H movie!! wow... I think the longest I have ever seen is "Until the end of the world - director's cut" (Win Wender) - almost 5h!!

or when we did the marathons "Star Wars" or "Lord of the rings" all episodes in a row.... but those were actually several movies put together...

[fotofashion]

Mary: You say that he really relates to your DH but has trouble relating to you. Is there any possibility he was abused by a female in his former (what there was of it) life?
I know you want to cuddle with your new "baby" and that is normal and it might hurt a bit that he doesn't reciprocate. Give him time and also give him that small box he might feel safe in.
All my cats but the present one loved small, dark places. Closets, boxes, anywhere dark and cozy. There were times one would come up missing. "Where's Tiger, or Harry?" Then we would have to check all the closets and reach way back into the dark part and sure enough, there he would be. Got in when we weren't looking. When Tiger was young he liked to be put into a 9" cube carton and be shut in. He would stay there for a long time. Crazy critter!
Give "Mew" time, he will get civilized. Now, he may never be "your" cat exclusively but time will tell.

Beverly A.