my first step towards becoming a crazy cat lady

[kellinator]

I've been seriously thinking about getting a cat for a while. Though I'd been very taken with some kittens, after doing some research, I felt an adult cat that didn't mind being alone during the day would be the best bet, since I only had room for one. I looked at the listings on petfinder.com and found this cat named Heidi whose description sounded perfect for me, and whose picture I though was just really extraordinarily precious. Look at those eyes!

I met up with Heidi and her foster mom Wednesday night at a Petsmart. The foster mom had warned me that Heidi was shy and might not respond so much at first. Heidi was pregnant when the rescue people got her about two and a half years ago. Her kittens all got adopted, but she's been in foster care ever since. She's never had much space or a person of her own. The foster mom was talking about how Heidi and cats like her that aren't spectacular get overlooked in rescue work, and I'm sitting there petting this little cat that isn't responding to me at all and thinking, man, I'd kind of like a gorgeous kitty with a great personality.

But there she was. And I couldn't just leave her there. I know what it's like to be overlooked for being plain. The foster mom convinced me to take her home for a couple of weeks and see how it went. A hundred-dollar adoption fee and another hundred bucks of supplies later, I was on my way down 85, wondering exactly what the hell I had just gotten myself into.

Once I got Heidi inside, she immediately started looking for places to hide. In fact, she hid so well that I couldn't find her. I waited, and after a little while she came out, and I noticed all over again how cute she was. She let me comb her, and after a couple of hours she was comfortable enough to plop over and let me rub her belly. Foster mom was very impressed when I informed her over email.

So far, it's slow going. Heidi's really very timid -- loud noises startle her and send her running, and right now, everything seems to be a loud noise. I suspect she forgets who I am every time I leave the house. She did okay when she met my landlady yesterday, but is terrified by the barking of her dog (never mind that the dog is a Jack Russell not much bigger than her, Heidi doesn't know that). She's shown no interest in treats (I suppose I'll try tuna next) and very little in food. She's not shown much interest in most of her toys, but she played enthusiastically with the fishing pole with feathers last night. She REALLY likes catnip. She hid her catnip hedgehog the first night and I haven't seen it since. I think catnip is behind her weird running-across-the-apartment fits. Great. I have a stoner kitty.

But despite all my worrying, this morning I was woken not by the usual obnoxious alarm clock, but a soft nuzzle on the back of my neck. I think Heidi and I might do okay after all.

In the meantime, does anyone who's adopted a shy adult cat have any advice for me?

Comments

[polychromatic22.livejournal.com]

Everyone was very clear.

I have a good touch with cats, and always have. Haven't really found any that don't get along with me, even the super shy ones. What I mostly know is the same stuff repeated by everyone:

When meeting new cats make sure to stay low to the ground so that your size isn't a threat. Put your hands out to the cat in greetings (until they know you very well, about a month or more depending on the cat) below their mouth level with the hand palm down (otherwise it's a grabbing position and can be scary). Dogs and cats both appreciate this as they recognise people through smell.

Many cats (and some dogs) do not like having their belly scritched unless they are openly inviting you, and even then feel somewhat weird about it. It's threatening. Though highly domesticated, they are still somewhat wild beings, and their tummy is where are their bits are stored. Going for the stomach in a fight is going for the kill (same thing to a lesser degree on the underside of the neck, but most people don't try to scritch there, and many animals will take that as playing no matter what). When petting/scritching around the ears, back of the neck, side of the face, under the chin if it doesn't bother her, and the back to the tail. It will help a cat trust you much quicker if you avoid belly scratching/petting for a while, even if they seem to invite it.

Everyone says to give cats a safe place they can retreat to, and an overly institutionalized cat might be okay with that, but in general, I find that cats quickly find their own "safe place" in a living space. Find out what it is and make it more comfortable if it isn't horribly inconveinant. Nice soft blanket covering the bottom portion of it is good, and if she's remaining super skittish, give her something with which to drape over the area if possible, so she can really feel hid out and safe when she needs the comfort of that.

Do try to stick to dry foods because it can help to avoid kidney problems. Many wet food kitties don't drink enough water and end up having kidney issues. Dry food is also better on their teeth, keeps them sharp and the crunching helps to control tartar. Make sure to always have a supply of fresh cool water. Ceramic bowls for the food and water are the best, as they don't leave a metallic taste, and they don't leave a plastic-y taste that can put some cats off. No matter what I do, my cat is happiest to drink from human waterglasses. I have a glass between the two sinks in my bathroom that is always full just for that. She'll tip it over if it isn't full enough.

I wouldn't worry too much about the food, that will come around. Many cats have no desire for treats, don't feel bad. I've found that if I want to give a special treat, a small can of wet cat food about one a month is good for that. Put small amounts out, as the food might be getting stale to her taste. Eventually when you learn how much she eats, leaving a days supply will *most likely* keep her from overeating of undereating. A cat who has a constant supply of food tends to eat as much as they need whenever they need it, rather than having to either eat all of it cuz they don't know when more comes, or eat none, because they aren't hungry. There are some cats who are exceptions to this rule, but it works with most cats.

Catnip is a wacky thing. I've had cats who loved it and cats who thought it wasn't anything to get excited over. Lily is the first cat I've ever had who actually got addicted, though. If catnip was offered, she would do nothing but roll in catnip. She wouldn't eat, or bathe herself, or really anything, except roll in catnip. She'd stand over the container and meow and scratch at it trying to get it open. Finally, I got her in touch with her higher power, and decided that she just didn't need catnip to lead a full happy cat life.

Congratulations on Heidi. I think she's absolutely beautiful, actually. Shy cats can be quite rewarding, and it sounds like she's already warming up to you. Also, go you for the adoption of an adult kitty, especially one that had been so passed over by everyone! Poor thing! They obviously didn't see the regal beauty that was in her eyes.

For more info on how to tame a wild thing, read The Little Prince.

[polychromatic22.livejournal.com]

And for my next treatise.... ;)