Behaviour query

Suné Serfontein

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Hi, I rescued a kitten from a friend's extremely hot shed 6 days ago. I am not a cat expert, but I am quessing she may be around 4 to 6 weeks old.

I managed to start to gain her trust and she started purring 2 days ago when she is on my shoulder and I stroke her. She even falls asleep as I stroke her and sometimes licks my cheek or neck. She lets me stroke her ears and touch the inside of them with no twitching or anything, as well as with her tail. She also just started to play with some toys I bought her.

I just want to know why she is so calm when I am holding her, but when she is on the floor, she hisses at me when I come closer (she does it a tiny bit less every day) and try to hide when I am too close. Am I maybe doing something wrong?
 

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It could just be that when she's on the floor you look soooo big to her. And she's enjoying being close to you when she's held your warm and the stroking reminds her of Mama grooming her. It sounds like she's beginning to release that you won't step on her or hurt her that's why the hissing is lessoning when you are walking near. Your not doing anything wrong she just is afraid most kittens are. Give her time to settle into her new home she will come round in no time. You could try sitting on the floor with her and let her come to you, your smaller in her little cat head if you are low down and still.
 
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Suné Serfontein

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It could just be that when she's on the floor you look soooo big to her. And she's enjoying being close to you when she's held your warm and the stroking reminds her of Mama grooming her. It sounds like she's beginning to release that you won't step on her or hurt her that's why the hissing is lessoning when you are walking near. Your not doing anything wrong she just is afraid most kittens are. Give her time to settle into her new home she will come round in no time. You could try sitting on the floor with her and let her come to you, your smaller in her little cat head if you are low down and still.
Thanks a lot! I appreciate it🐱
 

fionasmom

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Welcome to The Cat Site and thank you for helping this kitten. Does she seem physically recovered from the ordeal? I completely agree with the above advice. Such a young kitten will easily bond to you, and seemingly has already. I have seen lots of young rescue kittens feel the need to defend themselves by hissing until they know that they are completely safe. Fiona herself was a tiny kitten who was rescued from a huge park early one Sunday morning as my huge GSD took a walk. I still remember her puffing herself up and hissing at him as we approached.....all 2 pounds of her versus all 126 pounds of him.
 
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Suné Serfontein

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Welcome to The Cat Site and thank you for helping this kitten. Does she seem physically recovered from the ordeal? I completely agree with the above advice. Such a young kitten will easily bond to you, and seemingly has already. I have seen lots of young rescue kittens feel the need to defend themselves by hissing until they know that they are completely safe. Fiona herself was a tiny kitten who was rescued from a huge park early one Sunday morning as my huge GSD took a walk. I still remember her puffing herself up and hissing at him as we approached.....all 2 pounds of her versus all 126 pounds of him.
Wow, I can only imagine what went through Fiona's head when that big dog came towards her! Yes she is 100%. I even gave her a thorough check to see if she had any scars or bruises once she was confident enough to let me hold her, and luckily she had none. She is much better today in connection to the hissing. I woke up twice last night with a stiff neck and her cuddling behind it.

I have another question (sorry for the constant questions, I have never had a cat before, nevermind a stray kitten), but when will I be able to let her outside? How will I know when she is ready? I am so scared that when I let her outside, that she will run away and never come back...
 

fionasmom

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Please no apologies for questions! I am glad that she is okay and already so loving toward you. The position of most cat behaviorists and specialists is that cats are safer inside. Having said that, this might depend on where you live, how safe it is for a cat to go outside, predators in the area, cars, etc. A catio can be an option.

If you are going to let her outside, you need to keep her inside for quite a while so that she understands that this is her home. I would say not to even consider letting her out for a couple months, depending on how young she is. Taking her out on a leash and harness is also something that you could consider.

All of my personal cats are indoor only. Only true ferals are outside and, sadly, eventually they all go missing. My avatar lost her mother, sister, and father to coyotes.

How To Help A New Cat Adjust To Your Home – TheCatSite Articles
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First-time Cat Owner’s Guide – TheCatSite Articles
 
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Suné Serfontein

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Please no apologies for questions! I am glad that she is okay and already so loving toward you. The position of most cat behaviorists and specialists is that cats are safer inside. Having said that, this might depend on where you live, how safe it is for a cat to go outside, predators in the area, cars, etc. A catio can be an option.

If you are going to let her outside, you need to keep her inside for quite a while so that she understands that this is her home. I would say not to even consider letting her out for a couple months, depending on how young she is. Taking her out on a leash and harness is also something that you could consider.

All of my personal cats are indoor only. Only true ferals are outside and, sadly, eventually they all go missing. My avatar lost her mother, sister, and father to coyotes.

How To Help A New Cat Adjust To Your Home – TheCatSite Articles
New Cat Checklist: What You Need To Get Before Bringing Kitty Home – TheCatSite Articles
Bringing Home A New Cat – The Complete Guide – TheCatSite Articles
How To Train Kittens To Use The Litter Box – TheCatSite Articles
Kitten Proofing Your Home: 13 Practical Tips – TheCatSite Articles
First-time Cat Owner’s Guide – TheCatSite Articles
Thanks a lot for the advice and the suggestions!! I live in a small town and as far as I know, all the cats (those that are pets) are allowed outside and wander around. I am definitely considering getting a harness and leash to begin with, so that I can walk with her and let her get used to the idea of being outside and going home afterwards (but only in at least a month, so that she can grow some more).
 

Meowmee

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Wow, I can only imagine what went through Fiona's head when that big dog came towards her! Yes she is 100%. I even gave her a thorough check to see if she had any scars or bruises once she was confident enough to let me hold her, and luckily she had none. She is much better today in connection to the hissing. I woke up twice last night with a stiff neck and her cuddling behind it.

I have another question (sorry for the constant questions, I have never had a cat before, nevermind a stray kitten), but when will I be able to let her outside? How will I know when she is ready? I am so scared that when I let her outside, that she will run away and never come back...
Thanks for saving her❤ She seems to be doing very well.

I would say do not let her outside at all unattended,there are two many dangers. It is not worth the risk- I say that as someone who had mostly indoor/ outdoor cats years ago. I have heard many heart breaking stories from heart broken cat people about their cats who were killed outside, run over, predators, went missing, stolen/ lost, poisoned and more- even abused by crazies. They can get into fights with other cats as well and be injured. Get parasites, fleas, cat diseases and so on.

The good options are to harness train her, and take for walks, still not completely without risk and or to build a safe catio she can access to get outside without the risk. Whatever you do don’t leave her unattended. Unless in a secure catio. She is a kitten and can easily adapt to indoors and have a wonderful, long life.
 
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Suné Serfontein

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Thanks for saving her❤ She seems to be doing very well.

I would say do not let her outside at all unattended,there are two many dangers. It is not worth the risk- I say that as someone who had mostly indoor/ outdoor cats years ago. I have heard many heart breaking stories from heart broken cat people about their cats who were killed outside, run over, predators, went missing, stolen/ lost, poisoned and more- even abused by crazies. They can get into fights with other cats as well and be injured. Get parasites, fleas, cat diseases and so on.

The good options are to harness train her, and take for walks, still not completely without risk and or to build a safe catio she can access to get outside without the risk. Whatever you do don’t leave her unattended. Unless in a secure catio. She is a kitten and can easily adapt to indoors and have a wonderful, long life.
She is such a sweetie!! She is definitely coming out of her shell now. I will consider all my options while factoring all positives and negatives.

Thanks for helping me!!
 
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