@marriedwithkittens: Hello and welcome to TCS. Thanks for signing up to respond on this thread. I hope you stick around the site, and "formally" introduce yourself, and your kittens, in our New Cats on the Block forum.
What I found with our guys is that there are definite "play places." I think that this is a variation on having a safe room for the cats - its a place where they feel comfortable, confident and relaxed. For us, this spot is the front foyer - it has a rug and is fairly open - great for running around in.Aw, she looks so happy up there on her cat tree! I'm glad that's been a positive addition to her life. For us, Juniper's cat tree was a real key to building her confidence because she would eventually allow us to approach her and then even pet her while she was on it. To this day, she still jumps up there to ask for pets. As Maggie gets more confident and starts to feel ownership of her tree, maybe she will feel more comfortable allowing you to approach her while she's up there.
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FANTASTIC!!! GREAT work!!!Hello everyone!
I wanted to post an update since I have good news to share - we turned a real corner this week, and Maggie has started asking for pets!
I've been following a lot of the excellent advice here, and I cannot believe the progress she's made. She went from tentatively sniffing my hand and backing away to coming up and staring at me until I put my hand out to pet her! Her level of affection and courage have just astounded me. Now, when we have one of our "cuddle sessions," she'll rub her cheeks and back over everything - my hands, my arms, the coffee table, the couch, the doorways. I've even heard her purring! If I move too quickly she might skitter away, but usually comes back for my pets when I call her. She doesn't hesitate to eat treats out of my hand and lick my fingers, and she's starting to recognize the "treat sound" when I open the bag. She's more energized during play time, and has even rolled onto her back to show me her tummy.
I think she's also becoming more confident in the rest of the apartment, which is wonderful to see, although her cat tree is still her favourite place to be. But I've watched her explore the dining room and the kitchen, and even spend a few minutes in my bedroom again. Just last night, a very loud truck passed in the street a few times, and she took herself off to the bedroom to hide out until things were quiet again. Maybe this means she feels safe in the bedroom too?
We still have a lot to work on - I always let her approach me and not the other way around. She prefers to hide out in her spot behind the couch if I'm moving around a lot and making noise, and I haven't yet been able to walk up to her in the cat tree. I'm starting to notice a few of her quirks, too; she seems to feel more comfortable when I'm sitting on the couch rather than the floor, as it took me a while to coax her out to see me when I was sitting on her level. I would love to see her hop up on the couch or the bed with me, but we're not there yet.
It's only been a few days of this, but it's been so unbelievably rewarding to experience. It makes me so happy to see her feeling more comfortable, and I am very excited to watch my baby progress even more. We may have a few set backs (I need to vacuum soon), but the past few months have been so worth it just for this.
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A rubber brush does a great job and doesn't make noise. My supermarket has them in the pet section and the pet supply only has them in the dog section. I cover all tree levels and cat beds with baby receiving blankets and change them once or twice a week depending on the season. They are fairly cheap, $8-10 for a 3 pack. I've gotten most of mine from yard sales. I can't always manage a heavy vacuum cleaner so have sweeper. It does a decent job.My biggest concern right now is actually the vacuum - it's loud as hell, but her cat tree needs a cleaning something fierce.
Waffles I have decided is a "low cat." He does not like to be up high, he won't go high in the cat trees, only the lowest level. So I have a cat cave, and a plushy bed on a low shelf of an end table so he feels secure in there with the table above. Have a cat tree by the patio door so he can keep watch over the back yard from the lowest level.I think we definitely have a lot to work on with regards to confidence, since the cat tree is one of the only places she'll "go high," but we'll get there.
I had some friends over the other night, and she hid out for most of the next day. My biggest concern right now is actually the vacuum - it's loud as hell, but her cat tree needs a cleaning something fierce.
Interestingly, I think Maggie is pretty into the idea of coming up onto the couch - but every time she's tried, she gets her claws stuck in the fabric! I'll be petting her and luring her "up" a little, and she'll put her front paws on the couch and promptly get her claws stuck. Does anyone have any suggestions, or is this something she'll have to figure out on her own?
Thank you all again for your kind words!