- Joined
- Aug 3, 2002
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Not sure where this goes...
I adopted Bailey about a year ago, all I was able to find out was that she was a stray, and pregnant. She had 10 kittens, and was fostered by the director of the local SPCA, at her home, with other cats and dogs. And once the kittens were weaned and adopted, momma cat was put up for adoption. I am guessing that she had her kittens in about mid November 2002, (from her records), I got her early February 2003.
She seemed to be very social, when I picked her up, from the beginning, she would purr and cling to my shoulder. And she has good litter box habits. I thought that meant that she had been a pet that got out when she was in heat.
But I am wondering if she may have been a stray for a while, because I am finding that she is very very skittish, and easily spooked. She will not sit on my knee, even though she sits and stares at me as if she wants to. I put treats on my leg, and only after months and months of work, she will not kind of rest against my leg. She was very frightened of people walking, and for the first while, I had to crouch down to approach her. She is very very fearful or cautious around clothing, and will not go into my bedroom. SHe does love being brushed, and we have long grooming sessions, where she purrs and rubs and rubs against me.
It doesn't make a lot of difference, of course, but I am wondering if this is a typical stray cat behaviour, and if I continue to work with her, will she gain more trust and confidence. I used to think that is was just her ingrained nature, and some cats are "like that", but now that I can see the changes in her confidence, I am wondering if she may come around and be more trusting.
One funny thing, we had a cat staying with us for a few weeks, and the cat used to chase Bailey up and down the hallway. I thought that Bailey was scared, then realized that she started the chase sometimes. Now she runs up and down the hallway every day, I think she is playing. She stares at me with big eyes, and takes off when I get close, and I thought she was being spooked, but seeing as she comes back for more, I think she is finally learning how to play!
I adopted Bailey about a year ago, all I was able to find out was that she was a stray, and pregnant. She had 10 kittens, and was fostered by the director of the local SPCA, at her home, with other cats and dogs. And once the kittens were weaned and adopted, momma cat was put up for adoption. I am guessing that she had her kittens in about mid November 2002, (from her records), I got her early February 2003.
She seemed to be very social, when I picked her up, from the beginning, she would purr and cling to my shoulder. And she has good litter box habits. I thought that meant that she had been a pet that got out when she was in heat.
But I am wondering if she may have been a stray for a while, because I am finding that she is very very skittish, and easily spooked. She will not sit on my knee, even though she sits and stares at me as if she wants to. I put treats on my leg, and only after months and months of work, she will not kind of rest against my leg. She was very frightened of people walking, and for the first while, I had to crouch down to approach her. She is very very fearful or cautious around clothing, and will not go into my bedroom. SHe does love being brushed, and we have long grooming sessions, where she purrs and rubs and rubs against me.
It doesn't make a lot of difference, of course, but I am wondering if this is a typical stray cat behaviour, and if I continue to work with her, will she gain more trust and confidence. I used to think that is was just her ingrained nature, and some cats are "like that", but now that I can see the changes in her confidence, I am wondering if she may come around and be more trusting.
One funny thing, we had a cat staying with us for a few weeks, and the cat used to chase Bailey up and down the hallway. I thought that Bailey was scared, then realized that she started the chase sometimes. Now she runs up and down the hallway every day, I think she is playing. She stares at me with big eyes, and takes off when I get close, and I thought she was being spooked, but seeing as she comes back for more, I think she is finally learning how to play!