How to socialize two older feral (timid) kittens?

[Ryuichie]

I recently adopted to ~4 month old timid kittens. The girl acts pretty feral compared to the boy. The shelter said that it was still possible to socialize them, and I can see it too, but I’m not sure of the best way to approach this. They are a very bonded brother and sister.

The boy is more open to me petting him as he eats, and was even purring at my touch. He has started to hiss at me again though, and runs back to his sister when anything spooks him. He was the first to come out of hiding and look around the room I’m keeping them in, but now he’s back to hiding and cowers away from my touch.

The girl is very very fearful. Lots of hissing, and is hard to approach without leather gloves on. She’s food motivated (so is her brother), but as soon as the last bit of food is gone she hisses and hits me again. I’m worried that I might not be able to gain her trust at this rate.

I was thinking about separating the two, and taking time with each of them daily. Each room I have is small and has a spot for them to hide, and I plan to handfeed them soft food while petting them to get them acquainted to human touch. The only thing I’m worried about is stressing them out and making the problem worse.

Any advice on how to handle two older feral kittens who are bonded with each other?

 

[Norachan]

Hi R Ryuichie Welcome to TCS.



Personally I think it's easier to socialize kittens in pairs. There is always one that is friendlier than the other, but the shy kitten sees the friendly one being petted and fed and learns that people aren't so bad that way. The kittens will comfort each other if they're together, that makes handling them easier too.

I'm sure a lot of other people have advice for you too, but these videos might give you some tips.



4 months old isn't too old. Most of my feral rescues were at least that 4 months when they came to me. It takes time, but let the kittens pick the pace and don't try to rush things.

 

[di and bob]

It just takes time and a lot of it. I wouldn't separate them, stressing them by separation would just add to the problem since they are bonded. Females are naturally more hissy and fearful. Concentrate on the little boy and let her see how enjoyable it can be. Don't 'force' her to be friendly, respect her boundaries and she will be more apt to approach you eventually. Don't ever add to her fear by grabbing her or staring into her eyes. You are doing exactly right by trying to stroke her while she is eating. I have tamed many kittens using this method. Get a wand and try to engage them in play. she may in time not be able to resist when she sees her brother having fun. this will take months, not days or weeks, but it WILL happen. Bless you, for taking them in......

 

[shadowsrescue]

Here is a really good video that shows the rescue of feral kittens and continues to their socialization. There are some really good tips to be found in the video.

Tough Love Video - UrbanCatLeague

 

[Ryuichie]

It just takes time and a lot of it. I wouldn't separate them, stressing them by separation would just add to the problem since they are bonded. Females are naturally more hissy and fearful. Concentrate on the little boy and let her see how enjoyable it can be. Don't 'force' her to be friendly, respect her boundaries and she will be more apt to approach you eventually. Don't ever add to her fear by grabbing her or staring into her eyes. You are doing exactly right by trying to stroke her while she is eating. I have tamed many kittens using this method. Get a wand and try to engage them in play. she may in time not be able to resist when she sees her brother having fun. this will take months, not days or weeks, but it WILL happen. Bless you, for taking them in......

Thank you for the advice. Today was a little better with the boy, however now the girl is constantly resting on the boy and will not allow me to pet him as he is fed. She has gotten considerably more aggressive over the last day and I'm very worried about making progress with her. I don't know what to do, as the last thing I want to do is bring them back to the shelter. She doesn't seem to want to trust me at all.

 

[Jcatbird]

Did you watch the videos that the others posted? I have socialized a great many ferals from kittens to old Tom kitties. Please don’t give up. It just takes time and some creative tricks. Using food is huge with them! Placing small treats on your lap and sitting very still while they retrieve them works well to get started. Laying on your back and being still so they can come and investigate you can also stimulate interest and begins trust. Sleeping in the room with them is a super good way to allow them to observe you without feeling threatened. Using a wand toy to lure kitties close is another good starter trick. I found your post after a very long day but I will be checking back. I know lots of others here can offer you tips as well. You’ve done a wonderful thing by saving two little lives. Try not to get discouraged. I know progress can be slow but with persistence, it happens. I have an old feral who became a complete lap cat. The ones we save often form the greatest bonds with us.

 

[Norachan]

It takes a loooooong time Ryuichie. One of my feral rescue kittens hid in a closet and I didn't even see him for a month. 7 years later he will allow me to pet him and even comes to sit on my lap sometimes, but it's got to be on his terms.

I think when you adopted these two you were OK with the idea that they may never be snuggly lap cats, is that right? So even if the boy enjoys being petted and the girl remains stand offish you'll still be happy to give them a home? I think they'll be much better off with you than they will be if they end up getting returned to a shelter. Please give them a little more time.

Some things you could try;

Classical harp music played at low volume in their room.
A Feliway diffuser.
Sit on the floor with a big blanket covering your legs and part of the floor so you look much smaller. Use a wand toy to play with the kittens. They will focus on the toy rather than you and will come much closer if you are half hidden by a blanket.
Gerber's Stage 2 Baby food, plain chicken or meat flavours (No onions or garlic!) offered on a long wooden spoon.

Hang in there, working with feral cats is like a Zen exercise in patience, but it's worth it in the end.

 

[pearl99]

I have duck taped a soft small brush to a long solid wand and laid on the floor (not looking at hime) with the wand/brush reached out to the kitty to let one cat I adopted sniff and rub his cheek on and that way was able to "pet" him. He would associate me with the good feeling pet/brush on the cheek, and I went from there.
I also used the sleeping in the kitty room and I think that helped.
Good luck and I too think it will happen! It can take a looooong time so remember that. Please give updates!

 

[Ryuichie]

I thought I'd give an update as its been a few more days.

I think I've made a little more progress with them. I slept with them in the bathroom a few days, and finally moved them back into my bedroom. Most of the day is still spent hiding under the bed, but the hissing has calmed down a lot. I try luring them out from under the bed with food, but they are terrified of the open. The boy has started coming out from under my bed and eats on my lap, but as soon as the food is gone he sprints away. He still seems very unsure of my hands, and is frustrating me.

The girl has calmed down a little, lets me pet her while she eats, but still hisses quite a lot. I purchased a few Feliway products which I'm hoping will work to calm her down, so we will see when those arrive. They play and chase each other at night, but if I move they run away again.

It is really discouraging watching them run and hide from me under the bed. I know they are terrified, but I don't want to encourage hiding if I can train them to be more social. I'm not sure what else I can try except being patient, but with patience comes reinforcement of behavior that isn't okay... (swiping, hissing).

The videos that have been sent always show younger kittens, so whenever I try what they say I don't get very far.

 

[moxiewild]

Then don’t watch them run under the bed!

I and many others always suggest blocking under the bed, couches, dressers, in closets, etc when taming and socializing. Socialization is very difficult when they can access an area that essentially cuts you off from them entirely (and yes, it’s always a bummer when they’re still scared of you!)!

So block spaces like that and give them more appropriate hiding places like cat trees with cubbies, cat condos, small dog houses, etc. You can even make cheap cat caves out of cardboard or plastic storage totes by cutting a 6” hole in one or two sides (some cats feel safer with an exit) and then add some comfy bedding!

That way, you are still giving them a safe space, but it’s an appropriate hiding spot that also gently forces them to observe and interact with you and their new home more/better.

You didn’t mention - how long have you had them? I wouldn’t allow them access to other areas of the house until they’re farther along.

It’s very important to keep their world small and familiar right now (which means no more switching from bathroom to bedroom!). You don’t want to overwhelm them, you want to provide them with a sense of consistency, routine, and familiar territory right now so that they have enough energy to dedicate to bonding with you.

So long as they’re insecure in their environment, it will make progress with you very difficult. They need to develop confidence in their new territory because territory is absolutely everything to a cat.

When you say the female is aggressive, can you explain more explicitly what she’s doing?

Are you still wearing leather gloves? Is this all the time with them or only in certain instances?

I’m inclined to suggest that you not pet them right now. Especially the female, but the male too (do they have names yet, btw?). Just pull back for a bit and don’t force anything and see how that goes. When they eat, just sit as close to them as they’re comfortable with or up to the point where they are visibly just slightly uncomfortable (not enough that they won’t eat!).

While you’re sitting there, don’t look at them or pay attention to them. Just sit quietly and read a book or play on your phone. Either turn your side or your entire back to them. This is a significant sign of trust in cat language. By communicating that you trust them, it in turn communicates that the situation is non-threatening. So look away from them a lot, and never maintain direct eye contact (as in, look away quickly or blink slowly when you inevitably do).

Let them become consistently comfortable with you being as close as possible doing that. It may take a few days or more. That’s okay.

Once they’re comfortable with that, start softly singly or speaking in a low volume, but not directed at them. Continue to “ignore” them until they’re more comfortable with your close proximity + voice.

The next step would be talking more directly to them. Always avoid staring but turn your body more toward them and intentionally make brief eye contact periodically while gently speaking to them, but frequently break that eye contact with slow blinking and slowly turning your head away.

It’s all baby steps when it comes to socializing. Don’t be discouraged!

The next stage is what I refer to as “pet, lure, or play.”.

Petting is what you think, and what you’re probably doing now. Gentle petting while they (or just he) eats.

Luring is leaving them alone while they eat but using a really smelly/tasty treat to lure them to you (either before they eat or as a snack at other times during the day). Don’t give them the treat or show it to them, just hold it and let them approach you and investigate on their own terms.

It may take a few tries or finding the right treat to entice them. When they come to you, let them sniff and eat without bothering them, speaking to them, or obviously watching them.

Once they’re reliably comfortable with that, you can start interacting more by speaking to them, possibly petting them, or positioning your hand to where they have to walk on your lap to access the food. And once they’re comfortable walking on your lap, you can start very slowly moving your hand all over your lap (and your stomach and chest if you’re lying down). Just let them eat a bit, then start moving your hand slowly to see if they follow for more.

If they’re hesitant about eating from your hand, then just leave a trail of food along your lap/stomach.

The last one is play therapy - have you tried playing with them with an interactive wand toy yet?

This is going to be a much slower process than you were probably anticipating, but the patience pays off. Going as slow as I’ve outlined is more likely to result in having to deal with minimal hissing/swatting.

But keep in mind that hissing and swatting are not aggressive behaviors whatsoever. It’s simply their way of expressing discomfort and establishing their boundaries. It’s just them letting you know they want you to back up a bit and get out of their personal bubble, and that’s okay. It’s a polite warning. In my personal experience, you go much farther much faster if you respect those boundaries.

This process will be much easier on you if you can reframe and shift your perspective a bit and learn to appreciate the tiny baby steps.

These kittens were ripped from their Mom and likely other siblings and probably home too. I assume they were placed in a shelter/rescue, with all sorts of new and unfamiliar animals, smells, and noises. And with a bunch of different giant humans handling them, watching them, making noises at them, etc.

And then they were ripped from that home too, and brought to yours. And while your home may be much quieter, remember - territory is everything to a cat, and so far their life has been nothing but uncertainty and territorial insecurity. They’ve never had the chance to claim territory as their own, not truly.

And you - you are this giant monster. Yes, you bring food, but even a kitten knows you are more likely to be a predator than a friend, and here you are, towering over them and forcing touch in this new and unfamiliar environment.

This is frightening for any cat! Luckily, kittens are far more forgiving than adults, but it’s still going to take time and a heaping dose of patience!

Don’t think of the goal as trying to make them friendly or socialized, because in reality, it’s not.

Rather, the goal is to earn their trust. Allow them to see and process that you mean no harm, and that they are safe with you and in their new home.

Once they believe that, they can let down their guard enough to “be themselves”. It’s at that point that you’ll begin to observe their personalities quickly blooming before your eyes and a closer bond to you begin to form, and all your effort will be more than worth it to you, I promise

Thank you for taking in two poorly socialized siblings. Close to no one is ever willing to do that, and you are exceptional for even trying. Please don’t be discouraged, we’re here to help

 

[Ryuichie]

Then don’t watch them run under the bed!

I and many others always suggest blocking under the bed, couches, dressers, in closets, etc when taming and socializing. Socialization is very difficult when they can access an area that essentially cuts you off from them entirely (and yes, it’s always a bummer when they’re still scared of you!)!

So block spaces like that and give them more appropriate hiding places like cat trees with cubbies, cat condos, small dog houses, etc. You can even make cheap cat caves out of cardboard or plastic storage totes by cutting a 6” hole in one or two sides (some cats feel safer with an exit) and then add some comfy bedding!

That way, you are still giving them a safe space, but it’s an appropriate hiding spot that also gently forces them to observe and interact with you and their new home more/better.

You didn’t mention - how long have you had them? I wouldn’t allow them access to other areas of the house until they’re farther along.

It’s very important to keep their world small and familiar right now (which means no more switching from bathroom to bedroom!). You don’t want to overwhelm them, you want to provide them with a sense of consistency, routine, and familiar territory right now so that they have enough energy to dedicate to bonding with you.

So long as they’re insecure in their environment, it will make progress with you very difficult. They need to develop confidence in their new territory because territory is absolutely everything to a cat.

When you say the female is aggressive, can you explain more explicitly what she’s doing?

Are you still wearing leather gloves? Is this all the time with them or only in certain instances?

I’m inclined to suggest that you not pet them right now. Especially the female, but the male too (do they have names yet, btw?). Just pull back for a bit and don’t force anything and see how that goes. When they eat, just sit as close to them as they’re comfortable with or up to the point where they are visibly just slightly uncomfortable (not enough that they won’t eat!).

While you’re sitting there, don’t look at them or pay attention to them. Just sit quietly and read a book or play on your phone. Either turn your side or your entire back to them. This is a significant sign of trust in cat language. By communicating that you trust them, it in turn communicates that the situation is non-threatening. So look away from them a lot, and never maintain direct eye contact (as in, look away quickly or blink slowly when you inevitably do).

Let them become consistently comfortable with you being as close as possible doing that. It may take a few days or more. That’s okay.

Once they’re comfortable with that, start softly singly or speaking in a low volume, but not directed at them. Continue to “ignore” them until they’re more comfortable with your close proximity + voice.

The next step would be talking more directly to them. Always avoid staring but turn your body more toward them and intentionally make brief eye contact periodically while gently speaking to them, but frequently break that eye contact with slow blinking and slowly turning your head away.

It’s all baby steps when it comes to socializing. Don’t be discouraged!

The next stage is what I refer to as “pet, lure, or play.”.

Petting is what you think, and what you’re probably doing now. Gentle petting while they (or just he) eats.

Luring is leaving them alone while they eat but using a really smelly/tasty treat to lure them to you (either before they eat or as a snack at other times during the day). Don’t give them the treat or show it to them, just hold it and let them approach you and investigate on their own terms.

It may take a few tries or finding the right treat to entice them. When they come to you, let them sniff and eat without bothering them, speaking to them, or obviously watching them.

Once they’re reliably comfortable with that, you can start interacting more by speaking to them, possibly petting them, or positioning your hand to where they have to walk on your lap to access the food. And once they’re comfortable walking on your lap, you can start very slowly moving your hand all over your lap (and your stomach and chest if you’re lying down). Just let them eat a bit, then start moving your hand slowly to see if they follow for more.

If they’re hesitant about eating from your hand, then just leave a trail of food along your lap/stomach.

The last one is play therapy - have you tried playing with them with an interactive wand toy yet?

This is going to be a much slower process than you were probably anticipating, but the patience pays off. Going as slow as I’ve outlined is more likely to result in having to deal with minimal hissing/swatting.

But keep in mind that hissing and swatting are not aggressive behaviors whatsoever. It’s simply their way of expressing discomfort and establishing their boundaries. It’s just them letting you know they want you to back up a bit and get out of their personal bubble, and that’s okay. It’s a polite warning. In my personal experience, you go much farther much faster if you respect those boundaries.

This process will be much easier on you if you can reframe and shift your perspective a bit and learn to appreciate the tiny baby steps.

These kittens were ripped from their Mom and likely other siblings and probably home too. I assume they were placed in a shelter/rescue, with all sorts of new and unfamiliar animals, smells, and noises. And with a bunch of different giant humans handling them, watching them, making noises at them, etc.

And then they were ripped from that home too, and brought to yours. And while your home may be much quieter, remember - territory is everything to a cat, and so far their life has been nothing but uncertainty and territorial insecurity. They’ve never had the chance to claim territory as their own, not truly.

And you - you are this giant monster. Yes, you bring food, but even a kitten knows you are more likely to be a predator than a friend, and here you are, towering over them and forcing touch in this new and unfamiliar environment.

This is frightening for any cat! Luckily, kittens are far more forgiving than adults, but it’s still going to take time and a heaping dose of patience!

Don’t think of the goal as trying to make them friendly or socialized, because in reality, it’s not.

Rather, the goal is to earn their trust. Allow them to see and process that you mean no harm, and that they are safe with you and in their new home.

Once they believe that, they can let down their guard enough to “be themselves”. It’s at that point that you’ll begin to observe their personalities quickly blooming before your eyes and a closer bond to you begin to form, and all your effort will be more than worth it to you, I promise

Thank you for taking in two poorly socialized siblings. Close to no one is ever willing to do that, and you are exceptional for even trying. Please don’t be discouraged, we’re here to help

Thank you for the long post, it was helpful.

They have names, Kai and Coco. I've had them for a week, and I have kept their environment limited to my bathroom and my room, which are connected to each other.

Kai will let me pet him whenever, and usually purrs, but Coco is always next to him and will swat at me for petting him (which usually ends the purring unfortunately). Whats irritating is that it I always give Coco her space when I can tell shes upset. I don't need to wear gloves with her, as shes not biting at me, but I have to be careful for when she might swipe. I usually only pet her if she doesn't hiss at all, and its very gentle.

This is my first time raising kittens on my own, nonetheless timid ones. I have no intent on giving up on them, but I'm finding it hard to tell if I am gaining their trust. I'm not sure how to go about blocking off the bed. It is the last spot in my room that I couldn't block off due to the position (three entrances). I'm still able to interact with them, but I think it would be better if they were in a cat tree or something similar. I will try getting something like that and help them feel more comfortable in their home.

Is there anything I can do to help them feel more in control of their environment?

 

[moxiewild]

So when Kai walks around, does Coco just stay attached at the hip?

Does she ever try to approach you on her own?

Do you know if she will allow you to hand feed her?

As far as blocking off the bed, I believe a lot of people will temporarily keep their mattress on the floor, and I think that’s the easiest way to go about it for most people.

Either way, blocking that space will go a long, long way!

You can help them feel more in control by offering routine, a peaceful environment (no blasting TVs when you’re home, soft music when you’re away, allowing them space if they need it, etc), play therapy, and providing environmental enrichment and territory to claim.

Have you tried playing with them yet? This is a vital part of increasing a cat’s confidence. I have seen a lot of cats do a total 180 from this alone, and it’s great for socialization.

Territory to claim means cat trees, condos, beds, blankets, cat shelves, scratchers, toys, etc. Jackson Galaxy (famous cat behaviorist) often calls these “scent soakers” because it allows a cat to deposit their scent on an object in order to claim it, which in turn makes them feel more territorially secure.

Other environmental enrichment can include treat puzzles (home made or store bought), chew toys, roller ball tracks (this one is always a favorite among kittens - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DT2WL26/?tag=thecatsite ), things like that.

If you have a window, placing something by it that allows them to access it is always a favorite for cats and kittens, and it will also help occupy them whenever you’re away. Another thing I’d strongly recommend - especially for kittens - is a cat tunnel. These collapse and fold up for easy storage, and will give them another thing to do when you’re not there. It’s also endlessly fun to watch kittens play together in a tunnel!

You don’t have to do all of it! These are just some suggestions to give you a better idea.

 

[pearl99]

With a cat that I have now, who acted a lot like this, I did block under the bed with lots of boxes and pillows. Also a box on its side with towels in it and one over it to halfway cover the opening helped, and all the things above for them to hide in. I blocked under my dresser and night stand. Is the room they are in the one you sleep in? That helped Waffles too, he could come out when I was asleep- I had him in my bedroom with the door always closed. I let him approach me, luring with treats, stinky food, the brush on a wand, not forcing him.
This will take a long time, patience is your best tool.

 

[Ryuichie]

So when Kai walks around, does Coco just stay attached at the hip?

Does she ever try to approach you on her own?

Do you know if she will allow you to hand feed her?

As far as blocking off the bed, I believe a lot of people will temporarily keep their mattress on the floor, and I think that’s the easiest way to go about it for most people.

Either way, blocking that space will go a long, long way!

You can help them feel more in control by offering routine, a peaceful environment (no blasting TVs when you’re home, soft music when you’re away, allowing them space if they need it, etc), play therapy, and providing environmental enrichment and territory to claim.

Have you tried playing with them yet? This is a vital part of increasing a cat’s confidence. I have seen a lot of cats do a total 180 from this alone, and it’s great for socialization.

Territory to claim means cat trees, condos, beds, blankets, cat shelves, scratchers, toys, etc. Jackson Galaxy (famous cat behaviorist) often calls these “scent soakers” because it allows a cat to deposit their scent on an object in order to claim it, which in turn makes them feel more territorially secure.

Other environmental enrichment can include treat puzzles (home made or store bought), chew toys, roller ball tracks (this one is always a favorite among kittens - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DT2WL26/?tag=thecatsite ), things like that.

If you have a window, placing something by it that allows them to access it is always a favorite for cats and kittens, and it will also help occupy them whenever you’re away. Another thing I’d strongly recommend - especially for kittens - is a cat tunnel. These collapse and fold up for easy storage, and will give them another thing to do when you’re not there. It’s also endlessly fun to watch kittens play together in a tunnel!

You don’t have to do all of it! These are just some suggestions to give you a better idea.

Coco usually will follow Kai when he moves to sit somewhere else. But usually she sits around and waits for him to come back. Neither of them have ever approached me on their own terms, but I can hand feed them if they are calm and already in their hiding spot.

I've managed to block off most hiding spots except for a cat tree, and a few boxes.

Play time is hard, as usually they are not too engaged. But I tried again today and saw HUGE improvement in Coco's confidence. She actually was the first to jump out and explore the room to chase the wand toy. They still are very unsure about playing with it, but the engagement has gone up.

I've been with them almost 24/7 since the Corona outbreak began, does that have any negative effects?

 

[pearl99]

I don't think it would be negative, with them having hiding places. They have time to get used to you more and see you moving around etc.
The only thing is if they are more active and exploring when you are gone from the house, but that isn't the way it is now. But they could explore in the room they are in if you are not in there.
The play for Coco sounds great!! Wow!

 

[Ryuichie]

Hi everyone.

I've made some more progress with Kai. He always sits on my lap for meals and purrs when I touch him. I think if I keep working with him, he will be very friendly and social.

I'm a little worried about Coco still. While she has gotten a lot more comfortable, she still is very hissy with me (I almost never pet her and try to give her the distance she wants). Is it normal for 4 month old kittens to still be fearful after 2 weeks of socialization?
I'm being as patient as I can be, but she swipes at me when I try to feed her, and hasn't come out from hiding in over 12 hours...

 

[theyremine]

Since they are food motivated, I would try baby food. (Meat only such as Gerbers sitter 2nd foods ) At first offer it on a plastic spoon. If the kitten doesn't take to it readily, swipe some across its mouth. No kitten can resist. Once he/she eats readily from the spoon, make him/her came towards you to eat. After several times, smear some of the baby food on your finger and let the kitten lick it off. This should acclimate the kitten to your hands. This has worked well with my own feral (6 month) kittens, my fosters, and at the shelter.

 

[Norachan]

Two weeks isn't very long at all, it can take a lot longer than this with fearful feral cats. Keep giving Kai lots of attention and let her see that he's happy being close to you. She'll come round eventually.

To a cat an outstretched hand can look like claws coming to scratch them. Offer her a fist to sniff. This looks more like a cat's head and will be interpreted as an offer of a friendly head bump.

You could try petting her with a wooden spoon with one of your old t-shirts wrapped around it. Try petting her lower back, near the base of her tail rather than her head. Cat's prefer that.

 

[Ryuichie]

I thought I'd give another update:

The progress I've seen is really heartwarming these last two weeks. Kai will come visit me in the middle of the night and explore my bed. He loves to watch me do homework and play games, and sits with me after every meal for some pets. I'm trying to work on his instict to run away when I'm around. If anyone has tips for that, please let me know! He doesn't run to hide as much anymore, but I can't ever approach him without making him nervours.

As for Coco, today was a huge day. For the first time in weeks, she approached me for lunch and sat on my lap. I even got to pet her for a little bit! She is definitely still a little fearful and will hiss if I approach her too fast... but she has come so far!

They chase each other ALL THE TIME and love to play with wand toys. Coco has even started dragging it off my desk to hide it.

I attached some pictures too, so everyone can see them!

 

[pearl99]

I thought I'd give another update:

The progress I've seen is really heartwarming these last two weeks. Kai will come visit me in the middle of the night and explore my bed. He loves to watch me do homework and play games, and sits with me after every meal for some pets. I'm trying to work on his instict to run away when I'm around. If anyone has tips for that, please let me know! He doesn't run to hide as much anymore, but I can't ever approach him without making him nervours.
Isn't is
As for Coco, today was a huge day. For the first time in weeks, she approached me for lunch and sat on my lap. I even got to pet her for a little bit! She is definitely still a little fearful and will hiss if I approach her too fast... but she has come so far!

They chase each other ALL THE TIME and love to play with wand toys. Coco has even started dragging it off my desk to hide it.

I attached some pictures too, so everyone can see them!

Awww that's so cool! They are warming up and will continue, when they feel safe. Isn't it the greatest thing when they start to trust you? They just need to take their time deciding you are trustworthy (which you are, but they can take time to make sure.)
Just keep up any play with them you can do, can put treats down for them with them seeing you, be in a position to approach again to get on your lap...
Waffles was 2 months before getting on my lap and just recently (the last couple of months) I can approach him and lean down to pet him. He was fine approaching me, on his terms and loved pets and lap time, but me approaching him was too scary (I adopted him in August of 2016!)
So keep up the good work!