Tips For Fostering Shy Cats

CASPCA's Pet Retention and Behavior Specialist offers tips on how to help shy, timid cats and kittens in a foster care environment.

[@sparkplugpeggy4910]

I'm like 8 seconds in and the sound of her calm voice has made me relax

[@notjustanotherguy739]

I just adopted a 6 year old little lady, found outside, and she's super shy... not that I expected anything else.

[@KittyParazzi]

Yeah, just like me adopted new kitty and I have to work extra to gain her love and trust, it's frustrating I posted the video on my channel tho.

[@adventurebasics]

Thank you, this is very reassuring and helpful. We've just adopted a 15 week old kitten in Beijing who seems terrified, it was heartbreaking to hear her crying. I'll take these great tips on board and work from home to help settle her in. Great video.

[@iamblessedgmailcom-zw2fc]

Hubby and I just adopted two month old twin female feral kittens, we put them in a spare bedroom with a kitty condo and a scratching post and lots of toys and two litter boxes. We take turns going into the nursery (that's what we call it). We leave dry food and water out for them and blankets to lay on in their kitty bed, when we check on them we take a treat we don't have anything in the room that they can hurt themselves with and nothing they can hide in or under. At first they stayed together in the corner when we came in the room and we would just sit on the floor quietly now they come up when we go in their room and play with us with the wand toys. I got to hear Bootz purr it was a good feeling we are still waiting on her sister Betsy she seems to follow Bootz so it won't be long now for her to purr. Good Luck to All!

[@sk-un5jq]

Excellent advice. She obviously has a lot of experience.

[@joec783]

What a great teacher.😁

[@damnthatmashlookstasty]

The kitten in your lap is so cute! I recently adopted an anxious cat and I honestly thought it would take her 2 weeks to get used to me and her new home but she surprisingly warmed up only after about 4 hours of hiding! They key is not to rush them and make them feel safe!

[@str33tb1k3r]

This was very helpful! Thank you!

[@Tavoous]

Great video! Thank you for getting to the point right away and without creating a drama like you if you speak to dumb people, as many similar videos do. Your calm voice and body language while having the cat on your lap make the audience to relax and listen. Thank you again and keep up with good work! I bring home my adapted stray adult cat next week.

[@TheChristellar]

Thank you for this video. It's reassuring to know that our new adopted kitty is behaving normally :)

[@inthegoldenrodhours333]

I just adopted a "spirit cat" named Frodo and still have not gotten a good look at him. He went from cowering in the corner of a high shelf at the shelter to going into a covered carrier to hiding in a long, narrow space in my bathroom. I adopted him because he'd been at the busy shelter for two months and he looked extremely anxious and scared. I hope he'll eventually come out of his shell, but even if he doesn't I am glad he now lives in a quiet, low-key environment.

[@bl3601]

Did he come around?

[@vgil1278]

The kitty on your lap is certainly loveable! And adorable.

[@KittyParazzi]

Yeah, just like me adopted new kitty and I have to work extra to gain her love and trust, it's frustrating I posted the video on my channel tho.

[@mansoryO]

out of all the videos on youtube about shy cats aand new cats, this is the best because it is so unscripted and is coming straight from her brain to us . thanks, i have a cat that i always under my desk when he doesnt drink water or eat food. occaisionally rub against me then stay in his hiding place for hours

[@mansoryO]

its only been 2 days so im sure it will be fine, just wanted to see this video to make sure im doing it right

[@clyar429]

The kitten on your lap is sure shy! Love it. Thanks for the tips. I've been socializing a very frightened kitten whose Mom was feral. It's taking a long time. I so wish I could just reach out and pet her and show her how good she has it now. But I know taking time is the best thing to do. I love SPCA's. Thanks for your work with them.

[@catherinea.b.7426]

I appreciate this video. My shy kitties go two steps forward, three steps back and it's very confusing. I'll keep your advice in mind. Thank you.

[@Heavenlyaniya]

Catherine Adam how about now any tips

[@superfuego4043]

I have a really shy kitten(5 months), I adopted her yesterday. She hides under couches and beds.. Once I got a fishing rod toy she went ballistic and started being really playful!! I was so surprised it was like I had a different cat lmao. She was clawing the shit out of the toy and I hope she learns not to claw furniture and people. She scratched my finger on accident because I was getting too close but other than that a really positive outcome for kitty day 2.

[@wanderingdruid6349]

Thank you, the best video I have found on the subject.

[@jaymimauk]

Adopted 2 13 week kittens 5 days ago. They were separated from mum at 5 weeks and have been at a fosterers for about 6 weeks. We have made a little progress, can play with them and they eat when we are in the room. But they are still very scared of us touching them, they run when we first enter the room and if we move too close to them they also run. This video makes me feel better as air know we are doing the right things.

[@levianderson2066]

Thanks. I'm going to try as much of this as possible.

[@GomezOrGoHome]

Thank you! I adopted a 10 year old tabby a week ago and he’s been hiding under the bed since then, he will come out whenever I’m not in the room. When I offer treats he’ll eat them off my hand. He uses the litter box and drinks his water sometimes even when he knows I’m in the room. I’ll stare and slowly blink for a solid 3 seconds, continuing to do my own thing. He’s a good cat, just needs to learn about his surroundings.

[@LydiannaBella]

How he is now ?

[@ibelievethesecret80]

Thank you! We’re getting a new kitten tonite and he’s apparently very skittish! What you’ve been saying about not bothering them and let them come to you is exactly what I thought I should do but just wanted to be sure! Lol

[@mayhemassault]

thanks so much :D just got 2 brother kittens, 1 normal, and 1 super tiny but super cute poor feisty little thing XD theyre both alright now. they chose the bathroom drawer as their safe spot btw :D

[@aoisjourney2495]

Thank you so much. I agree with your tips. Please keep making great Cat videos

[@kazbaz8645]

Our cat was so so timid and still can be.. But she's now great with us and such company. It's taken months. She plays with us with her Rod and a light layer. We don't know if to get her a little Kitty friend for her for company but not sure. Good luck people with new timid cats.

[@bl3601]

I’m new to this. Been six months and he’s still shy and runs away when I move. He plays and explores the house on his own but still timid. How long did it take for your cat to come around?

[@AJAJUSSHI]

Thank you so much! I will follow your advice.

[@0xeb-]

How long will they stay shy? My kitten plays with me but when we stop she goes and hide. It puzzles me.

[@christiancerbito4788]

Me too

[@Shirley-ts1jn]

great help... tnx

[@ndbao2019]

I had my cat yesterday, ever since i take her off from the traveller bag, she hide under my bag and refuse to eat... its this normal?

[@pedropinto5067]

+Nad Kim How is your cat now?

[@catherinea.b.7426]

+Nad Kim Yes, it's normal. Feed them wet food late at night and leave it overnight. They'll eat when you're not watching.

[@nicholsoucy]

nice video ty

[@dinas2369]

I am fostering a cat for over 2 months now and he is still behaving as if he has never seen me before. Runs away from me and hides all day long. Comes at night out to play. I'm getting very frustrated with him always running away from me and I think I want to give him back to shelter, as it upsets me so much. I know I shouldn't take it personally but it's so hard not too, when you invest so much time trying and working with them, and he still runs away. He is shedding my carpet up and I'm not able to catch him to trim his nails and I'm even wondering how am I going to get him to get to the vet as he needs to go if I cannot catch him and I cannot catch him.

[@havefunstaystylish5428]

I hope this ended well for both parties involved lol.

[@dinas2369]

@@havefunstaystylish5428 he has gone back to RSPCA to find him a permanent home. As much as it was hard at times to deal with the cat that scared, I have to say he did not have a single aggressive bone in his body, he was simply getting away and hiding. Never bit me, never scratched me. I hope will find home where he will have time to come out of his shell, cos when he would relax even a little, he was a very sweet kitty.

[@smk9320]

@@dinas2369 I have a similar kitten. He doesn't bite, doesn't scratch. Doesn't like to make eye contact. Doesn't hide a lot, but definitely hates being touched. We've had him for a month now so I'm still hoping he will eventually like cuddles but I doubt it.

[@blackiesun]

Look, I am in the same situation with my new cat who still won't come near us after a month now. You shouldn't take it personally. The cat has no idea about anything and feels scared and unsure. They need lots of time and patience to blossom when they are shy. I know it can feel disheartening because you think they will never change but just give them time. Honestly, time is what it takes. A rescue cat like yours and mine will be traumatised at some level so try and be understanding. Don't demand too much too soon. It's been 8 months from your comment and I hope you didn't give him up.

[@blackiesun]

@@dinas2369 Oh that's a shame. You really should have persisted IMO and be more patient. Like you said, he didn't do anything bad at all to deserve being sent back. They can take months sometimes to get over their fears. I know not everybody has that sort of patience but these cats who are shy really have it bad as people tend to want the sociable and cuddly cat from the start and they risk staying in a shelter unwanted. Your ex cat sounds exactly like my Luna who has been with us for a month now and living in our spare bedroom and avoiding us. The first day I actually managed to stroke her face briefly and she let me without issues. So she isn't aggressive and she has never hissed at any of us or scratched us. She is making slow progress and letting us watch her eat without running away immediately now and we decided we are not giving her away for any reason. Knowing she is here safe and looked after means more to me than some cuddles just to make me feel good. Those will come I am sure once she comes out of her shell and if not then so be it. I want her to be safe and loved no matter what. Anyway hopefully your ex cat found a loving home with patient people. Hopefully you can rescue next time a cat who is more suited to your personality then.

[@leeannmansfield5254]

I've just got a new cat and I didn't expect this..My other cat was so easy from day 1...This is quite upsetting..I feel helpless..Such a calm women...

[@courtneymishan4574]

How’s it going now? ❤️

[@blackiesun]

Nothing to be upset about. It takes time and patience and you need to not take it personally. My new cat is still not coming to us after a month by now and still so shy. Time will help her feel safe and confident.

[@arelifeassisters2495]

This is so helpful bc my family adopted a cat and she is very shy and she hides in the closet she just lays in there

[@biohazardjackson63]

Helpful but kind of have to break one of those rules which is pulling him out cause we have to clean his eye

[@cobrass8033]

I want that kitty on your lap

[@lealmontanodiaz1366]

When u said don’t pull them out of under beds I was like 👁👄👁

[@pandabear3323]

thanks that help but be truth that take time to learn deal with win i have drepression

[@lovelyA933]

Thank you for the tips! I just brought a 9 year old cat home and he is very scared and shy, he won't even come out to eat or drink water or go to the litter box and it's already been a day since he came home. I'm scared for him. His previous owner passed away and the relatives decided to either give him away or put him to sleep, so I had to rescue him. I already have 7 cats I've rescued so I know how to take care of them, but I've never adopted an older cat so I'm afraid he won't adapt and get ill. He is very sweet and not aggresive at all, hopefully he will feel safe and at home soon.

[@dinas2369]

How is your kitty now, did he adapt to your home?

[@Tweaky853]

Nothing works, she runs away, cats are stupid ,lol