Seeking advice on an antisocial kittycat

[latebloomer]

We were looking to adopt a kitten or two, so last week we took two 7-month-old cats from a woman who was fostering them. Both seemed skittish, but we figured they'd warm up when they got used to our house. Yesterday we gave one back to the woman because he seemed dangerous--was hissing and clawing, hurt my daughter and seemed to be very threatening towards our dog.

The second one is not hostile, but still spends most of his time under the bed-- occasionally he'll run into another room and then go skittering back. My husband is good with cats and has been reaching under the bed and petting him-- but the cat is resisting being picked up.

Probably doesn't help that after we returned the other cat we got an absolutely adorable friendly cuddly two-month-old ball of gray fluff-- I wish I could post his pic because you'd die oohing and ahhing at his terminal cuteness. . . And he is such a contrast to the other scaredy cat.

So my question is-- Do you think a cat like that can be socialized, or will he always be standoffish? I should add that he was feral till about 5 weeks old.

[Hog lover]

1. Be patient and not too aggressive

The cat may never be a lap-sitter, but it takes some time. You are right that the kitten doesn't help. I bet they'll end up being buddies. The kitten will help bring out the older cat in time, but they will have to adjust to each other on their own timetable.

[mongo]

2. He will probably calm down

We have a cat Pugslena who was quite anti-social. She is 5 now, and is not the most cuddly cat, but will come around on her terms for pets.

For the first year, Lena wouldn't let anyone near her.

[legally blonde]

3. I would wait and see what happens

7 months is pretty young, and I'm sure that he's still adjusting to you, your family, your new kitty and your dog. That's a lot of adjusting for a cat. Give him some more time to adjust and make sure to talk to him, pet him, etc. I wouldn't worry about the fact that he was feral for a while. My sister found a feral kitten a couple of months ago--my parents adopted him and he's the most affectionate, loving kitten I've ever seen. There's no reason to think that your new cat won't adjust just as well.
Edit: On another note--my cat (who is also a bit standoffish) and my parent's new kitten are best buddies--they love to play and take naps together.

[NJCher]

4. yes, definitely, give it more time

I would have even given the other kitty more time.

It can take awhile for a kitten to warm up. A kitten I got in February is only now enjoying being petted, held, etc.




Cher

[shadu]

5. Kitty game is always a hit.

Place some treats on a small paper plate several
feet from the cat. Say hello and back away.
Repeat several times a day.

[Dastard Stepchild]

6. We took on 6 month old sister kittens...

They were a real handful at first...hissing, spitting, attacking the dog and the other cats, clawing, biting.. the whole gamut of kitty actions. It takes at least a few weeks for them to feel comfortable and safe, and another month or so to really get into the routine of a household.

We've had them now for about 6 months, and they are still a little hand-shy when being picked up, but they are wonderful companions in other ways. We let them come to us, and we make it a point of picking them up and feeding them treats while they are in our hands. They're at the point now where they can be briefly picked up, though not held. They prolly won't be the kind of cats we can hold, but they do now snuggle up in bed and when we are sitting on the couch. One of the girls always sits in my lap, and the other is always very near by. So, it may be that even if your kitty cats are never very physically affectionate, they may be close in other ways. Give it a little time... it should be ok.

[latebloomer]

7. Thanks, everybody!!

I guess 8 days is a very short time, from what you're all saying-- I'll be patient and we'll all try to court him.

[GingerSnaps]

8. It takes time and patience

We rescued Randy Andy and he hid for a good 6 months after we brought him into the house. He still freaks out if you go near his tail.

Time, cat treats and plenty of effort will make them both warm up to you. One day you will wake up and they will be sleeping in your bed next to you.

[happynewyear]

9. I've got two cats

One was living under this guy's house and was very sick but semi-socialized (SEMI). She was 10 months old when adopted and hid for several weeks. Even now she is very afraid of other people and animals but now she is over 10 years old.

Cat #2 - adopted from an animal rescue at the age of 10 weeks along with another kitten (Tiny was his name). Both of these kittens were sick and sadly Tiny died after just a few days. The other kitten was very shy and did not like you to touch his head (they clipped a piece of his ear off at the shelter for ID reasons). This kitten has grown to be a huge 20 lb. Siamese and he is still very afraid of others and hides and he still does not like me to touch his head. He freaks out if I have to take him to the vet and oh yeah, if you mess with him he'll scratch the hell out of you.

Every cat is different. You are the one that requires patience. The kitten is traumatized from the adoption. It may take a very long time. I would have waited on the one you took back too. Oh well, I hope it finds a loving home.