Still scared of us 2 months down the line

[lyndyloo]

I got two ginger toms early Feb 2010 from the RSPCA they were apparently about 3 months old and siblings. They were rescued from an old guy in a caravan who had 23 cats!!

When we got them home we kept them in the spare room (with door open) to begin with so they could get familiar with their new family and surroundings. Everytime we went hear them got hissed at, they never tried to bite or scratch us. They slowly came around over a couple of weeks, exploring, playing runing and pouncing games with eachother.

They have got used to us, and will come and take treats out of our hands, they sleep on the foot of our bed and play with our toes under the blankets. but they still wont let us come near enough to even stroke them!!! We are devistated about this as my mom had two kittens and my boys (age 4 and 6) could pick them up, stroke them and carry them around. And they begged us to get cats which is why we got them, but its so frustrating not even being able to stroke them, let alone pick them up or have them sit on our laps while watching tv.

I dont know whether to pick them up and get them used to being handled or just let them come to us eventually on their owns. I feel they just get scared if I have to chase them around to catch them to stroke them. Its been a couple of months now.

What should we do??

Thanks.

[Elaine]

Souonds very much as though these poor youngsters had little to no human/cat socialisation.
It will take a long time and alot of patience to try to turn them around.
There are several people here with experience of ferals that may be able to give you much more help and advice than I can.

[lyndyloo]

the good news is I have been using the 'litter kwitter' and they are on the last stage and are actually using the toilet!!!

I do think they are older than i initially thought cause poor Ginger is now being humped by Panga. so Ive booked them into the vet for the 'snip'. Hopefully once they have been 'snipped' they might be more dosile enough to get used to being handled. or am I clutching at straws???

[dandysmom]

Elaine has said it; they are semi-feral still due to poor socialization as kittens. I definitely would not try to pick them up, etc. when they're obviously wary/uncomfortable with it. Time and patience will help, but I doubt if they will ever be cuddly lap cats. I hope those who are more familiar with ferals will have some good advice.

Edited" your post came as I was typing; neutering should definitely help!

[angieh]

I think you have come a long way with your boys if they will come and take food from your hands and sleep on your bed. I'd definitely not push it - I don't think they can be scared of you, but as the others have said they were not socialised at an early age. Having them neutered should help a lot, but I would still recommend a softly softly approach. Keep offering them food and speaking gently to them. They've had a rough start and I expect you are right, they may older than you originally thought.

[lyndyloo]

My friend is moving and is no longer able to keep her 4 year old girl cat.

We are thinking of adopting her for a couple of reasons. firstly she is a lovely very friendly cat and we want her to go to a good home. Secondly we think maybe she would be a good role model for our two boy cats who are still very nervous and unapproachable.

Should we decide to get her, we would of course introduce them and see what their reaction is to someone in 'their' house.

But then we think we are mad getting another cat considering we already have 2 and 2 rabbits.

Any thoughts?

[dandysmom]

I think it's a good idea; her friendliness might very well help your boys socialize better. Have they had the op yet?

[calismum]

Sounds like a good idea. It may be though that you gain a nice friendly female but it won't make a huge difference as to how your two boys relate to you.

I adopted two feral sisters and although one eventually came close enough to let me give her a chin tickle, the other wouldn't even take atreat from my hand. I think the fact your guys will do that shows how far they have come.

You never know love and patience can work wonders.

Good luck.

[lyndyloo]

Originally Posted by dandysmom

I think it's a good idea; her friendliness might very well help your boys socialize better. Have they had the op yet?

yes they both have been snipped about 3 weeks ago now, poor boys. It hasnt made much difference to their 'friendliness' but only time will tell.

They do love sleeping on the bottom of our bed though, and even if i push them over to the side as long as its under the blankets and dont show my hands they are quite happy. I wonder if they were abused prior to us getting them as they are petrified of sudden movements particularly with our hands, however loud and strange noises they go and investigate! I can get quite close to them with my face and they have even touched my nose with their noses, but thats only when they are on the bunk bed and cant see my hands.

[dandysmom]

They're improving! I'm certain they were never properly socialized as kittens, handled, etc., but it's really taking a while. I do hope the friendly female will help. What are the boys names?