I have a six month old kitten that I’ve had now for about 7 weeks. He had been at the shelter a long time because he was fearful and would hiss at anyone who came close. The first month at home he hid in the basement and made minimal progress getting to know the family. I finally got him corralled into a large cattery cage in my office. The last three weeks he’s started to come out of his shell and quit hiding all day every day. He comes out and eats when I’m in the room and eats treats from my hand but still isn’t interested in being touched and backs away if you make a move with your other hand. I’ve started letting him out into the room a couple of times a day and he still keeps his distance but participates in play sessions and seems fairly relaxed in the room.
On the weekends I’ve brought the whole cage out into our main living area and he hides a lot more out there but still will eat his food and stuff. I don’t think he’s quite ready yet but I’d like to let him out soon. His hiding spot in the cage is a carrier so I could take that out and put it in my office without the cage. But once I open the door of my office, our house is very open so I can’t really confine him to one room at a time. What I don’t want is for him to run back to the basement and hide forever again.
I don’t know if Harry will ever be a lap cat or want attention. Ive
Any tips on next steps?
On the weekends I’ve brought the whole cage out into our main living area and he hides a lot more out there but still will eat his food and stuff. I don’t think he’s quite ready yet but I’d like to let him out soon. His hiding spot in the cage is a carrier so I could take that out and put it in my office without the cage. But once I open the door of my office, our house is very open so I can’t really confine him to one room at a time. What I don’t want is for him to run back to the basement and hide forever again.
I don’t know if Harry will ever be a lap cat or want attention. Ive
Any tips on next steps?