Nervous new baby.....

[charliebubs]

My wonderful new bundle of joy, Red, is settling in quite well. The introductions with the others have been going slowly but surely. Abi has been the main problem, as I think she is jealous. She's a meezer and has always been quite "in my face" and he's a meezer and wants to do the same :?

Last night I was sat in the living room supervising introductions and a bit of play with a feather on a stick. Red and Abi were getting closer and closer and sniffing without any reaction from each other. Then after play time they both came and sat on my lap. Red came first and snuggled up and Abi wasn't far behind!! They weren't actually cuddling each other, or touching, but it's great progress!!

However, Red is a bit of a nervous baby. He was raised at the breeders house in just one room of the house. They had a lot of stimulation, play and cuddles, but never left this room. He was with his brother and sister. I don't think he has really been exposed to many of the usual household things - like the TV, hairdryer, hoover, washing machine. The first night I had him and put the telly on he nearly jumped out of his skin!! :shock:

The main problem is that when he was playing with Abi last night she got a bit over enthusiastic and chased him (in a playful way) but he just freaked, ran straight up the stairs, jumped on my bed and peed :oops: :roll: He must have been so frightened, but it was over nothing :shock:

How can I help him become more used to household stuff??? and how can I make him realise that Abi wants to play and is not a threat!?!?! :? :?

[Fran]

It's early days Charlie, perhaps seperating Abi from Red until he finds his feet a little more and grows in confidence?? This is the trouble with raising kittens in isolation. I know that a lot of breeders do it to protect the health of their kittens but I think their socialisation suffers as a result :? Good luck and do let us know how he settles in

[babycakes]

When I got Denis he was soooo nervous. He was feral born then in the rescue centre for 4 weeks so didn't have much contact with humans nor any household objects.
When we brought him home he hid ontop of a speaker under a table and wouldn't come out. I gradually allowed him to have more space.
He had his own bedroom which he was locked in of a night and the day and then given the living room for longer periods of time. I would spend hours alone with him in his room showing him various items and allowing him to approach them in his own time. He couldn't handle lots of space to begin with, he didn't feel safe as he didn't know where to run to.

I also introduced him to the hoover etc without reacting when he ran away. I found that if I shouted 'oh baby, it's ok', or any response it just made him more nervous but if I carried on as normal whilst using the hoover etc he would come to explore judging my reaction to him.
He is still a jumpy cat (he's 3) and has a particular dislike of men, just about tolerating my OH. and carrier bags, bin bags, tin foil. But he has come a long way and it has been worth the struggle.
Hope this helps a little.

[charliebubs]

Thanks Babycakes - that does help. Did you have other cats when you got Denis and how did he react to them??

I agree with Fran - that it's great that he was kept away from the other cats at the breeders in terms of health, but it means that he has no idea how to interact with new cats or household stuff :?

[babycakes]

No Denis is a loner I'm afraid. Wanted to introduce a cat to him but got to persude the OH....Took me 10 years to get him :D

Anyway, I think the turning point was went he went the cattery for a week. He came back so loving. He must have understood what he gets at home and he now asks for cuddles. He stands at the bottom of the stairs and cries and I follow him up the stairs into the bedroom, he jumps on the bed and he massages as I tickle his tummy then I rub the space between his eyes til he falls alseep, he really is a baby.
I work with children who are socially isolated and yes it is skills that we can only learn from each other, he peobably doesn't understand that he has to share, even you!!!

[charliebubs]

I work with children who are socially isolated and yes it is skills that we can only learn from each other, he peobably doesn't understand that he has to share, even you!!!



I don't think he does yet!!! lol :)

Does anyone else have any suggestions please????????? I know you're all engrossed in the irresponsible breeding debate - but can you help!?!?!??!?! :-D :-D :-D

[dinahsmum]

A CD with household noises - you start by playing it really really quiet then build up as fRed gets more used
Just found this on a quick google - you may find one specifically for cats but the household section on this would probably do you
http://www.petvetcare.co.uk/acatalog/FIREWORK_FEAR.html
Good luck

[charliebubs]

Thanks DM - that's a good idea! :) I did leave the radio on for him yesterday, but he had somehow managed to turn it off :roll:

[dinahsmum]

Thanks DM - that's a good idea! :) I did leave the radio on for him yesterday, but he had somehow managed to turn it off :roll:
Maybe he's a Radio 4 cat? - wanted to hear the afternoon play not Pussycat Dolls? :-D

[babycakes]

Ha ha maybe he don't like the station.....

[charliebubs]

Maybe he's a Radio 4 cat? - wanted to hear the afternoon play not Pussycat Dolls? :-D

Hmmmmmmmmmmm - maybe you're right!!!! lol

I'll try and find something more educational!!! :-D

[Jac]

Charlie, when Abi came she hid for three days. Only coming out for food and litter.
I found if I went after her it made her worse. She hated the hoover, ran a mile. I ignore her taking off and she's getting better. Will now toddle off to the bedroom when I'm doing the living room.
HOWEVER Caspurr who isnt afraid of anything now hides when I bring the hoover out!! I dont even have to turn it on Cats????

[charliebubs]

Thanks Jac.

I know it's early days. I'm just not sure whether it's better to leave him out with the others so that they can integrate and make their own pecking order; or whether to keep him apart until he's more confident, but that means that he's not getting used to the others :?

At the moment he spends a lot of time with me alone, which is great for our bonding, but he's not getting any more experienced with the other cats or the house. :?

[Jac]

I dont know if this is any help but I just gave Abi the run of the house along with Caspurr. Look at them now inseparable. They both come to me individually though for cuddles and there is no jealousy.

[dinahsmum]

You'll have to balance being aware of his sensitivities with not making him a total wuss, won't you CB? Remember the behaviouralist and the 'learned behaviour' warning - take care not to allow him to learn to be a scaredy-cat. :)

[charliebubs]

You'll have to balance being aware of his sensitivities with not making him a total wuss, won't you CB? Remember the behaviouralist and the 'learned behaviour' warning - take care not to allow him to learn to be a scaredy-cat. :)

That's exactly what I'm worried about DM :roll: The more I shut him away from them, I'm just wrapping him in cotton wool and not letting him see the "real world".

[Jac]

Id be inclined to plonk him down and let him get on with it. Leave a basket for him to retreat into and feel safe if he wants that.