My new shelter kitty Gypsy is extremely shy. I've had her for almost a week and understand I need to be patient while she gets used to her new surroundings.
For several days she would dissapear under furniture, beds, couch, etc. and stay there all day and not come out until after I was asleep.
So I decided it may be time to challenge her. So yesterday I blocked off the large couch so she could not crawl underneath. She could still go under the other furniture but the big couch was her mainstay.
I got her to follow me into the bedroom and on the bed where I petted and cooed at her for several minutes until she climbed into her little cat bed on top of my bed. We took a long afternoon nap. That evening when I was on "her couch" she jumped up and the rest of the evening sat next to me on the couch and later I was able to coax her back into the bedroom to sleep with me last night.
The change in her since I blocked off her couch has been huge. She is exploring a bit now but still very shy. I am staying close to her to pet her often and give her encouraging words.
She won't play with any toys I have for her so I think I will go and get a laser pointer toy. Her mouth is sore from her bad teeth. She has an appt next month to fix her teeth. Her mouth is too sore to play with mouse or bird type toys which actually covers a lot. So I think the laser toy will help her. If she plays with it I hope she may gain some confidence. I know play helps a cat gain confidence as much as encouragement.
Am looking for some other tips that may help her come out of her shell and be a more confident cat.
BTW-- she started eating more again once she spent the day with me instead of hiding all day. Yippee!
For several days she would dissapear under furniture, beds, couch, etc. and stay there all day and not come out until after I was asleep.
So I decided it may be time to challenge her. So yesterday I blocked off the large couch so she could not crawl underneath. She could still go under the other furniture but the big couch was her mainstay.
I got her to follow me into the bedroom and on the bed where I petted and cooed at her for several minutes until she climbed into her little cat bed on top of my bed. We took a long afternoon nap. That evening when I was on "her couch" she jumped up and the rest of the evening sat next to me on the couch and later I was able to coax her back into the bedroom to sleep with me last night.
The change in her since I blocked off her couch has been huge. She is exploring a bit now but still very shy. I am staying close to her to pet her often and give her encouraging words.
She won't play with any toys I have for her so I think I will go and get a laser pointer toy. Her mouth is sore from her bad teeth. She has an appt next month to fix her teeth. Her mouth is too sore to play with mouse or bird type toys which actually covers a lot. So I think the laser toy will help her. If she plays with it I hope she may gain some confidence. I know play helps a cat gain confidence as much as encouragement.
Am looking for some other tips that may help her come out of her shell and be a more confident cat.
BTW-- she started eating more again once she spent the day with me instead of hiding all day. Yippee!