Any tips on helping scared cat relax?

[buckingfrolicks]

I'm fostering a very very timid cat, he's about a year old.

He spent 4 days totally hiding. Is now almost always on the top shelf of high bookcase.

Apart from feliway are there any tips for helping him?

He doesn't hiss or scratch, just seems intensely depressed. He came from a cat hoarders house so part of me wonders if he's lonely for cats? I don't have any - just foster him!

Or is he likely to stay timid? Has anyone successfully"brought out" a cats more confident side?

Feliway may indeed help - as a cat foster you probably have a permanent supply!

Make sure he has places to hide, and put yourself quite quietly nearby so he investigates you at his pace. Don't leap to stroke him as soon as he comes in reach. If you're okay with a cat in the bedroom, leave that door open to encourage him. It can take a cat a year to re-socialise so don't expect instant miracles.

Zylkene? Use alongside the feliway. Time, mainly. Good luck

I adopted a very nervous cat years ago. One tip is to limit the space he has access to to start with. Eg. Just let him be in one big room, with everything he needs, of course. Then, expand the space over time. This can help them to feel safe.

Also, make sure he's got places he can hide or go to, at different levels. (Sounds like you've got that covered.)

A feeding routine can also help - so he knows what's what.

I remember trying to play with mine - one of those sticks with a feathery toy on the end - she ran away at speed! She was utterly terrified! I might try a lazer pen though. Maybe try it at a distance for a little while and see if it helps. A catnip toy might help to cheer him up too?

Does he have a window he can look out?

Overall, he might just need some time. Go slowly with him.

Just some thoughts.

I forgot to say, my super-nervous cat ended up being absolutely fine and living a very happy, long life.

I had two very timid rescue cats. It took years for them to gain confidence. But we're ok with me after a few months. If I had visitors they would scarper. I used pet remedy and zyklene. But time was the main thing.

Thanks all. I think he must be on MN as by midnight he'd come down and let me stroke him. Waaaaahhh!

Purring and chirruping way. Still terrified of sudden movements but a different cat completely.

That was quick. I didn't see one of mine for 8 dats. She hid under the kitchen units.

I have an extremely timid cat who was a rescue. Agree with limiting space initially and also time. My cat has gradually become very loving towards us (including my small son). However if anyone new comes she leaves immediately

Mine hid up a chimney when she first came

When she did come out, I was firmly put in my place and she was most definitely in charge!

Oh, how lovely! Nice when they switch like that. Just don't hoover near him by surprise.

He spent 3 days in the fireplace staring doggedly at the floor
3 days on the bookcase eyeballing me
1 day playing with string with me arms length away and very very jumpy

1 day letting me stroke him in his room

Little sod slept on my bed and attacked my toes last night. He is now besotted with me and talks all the time. My friend says he's telling me his life story, which is a nice way to think of it. I agree the hoover may cause panic but I may have to keep him in order to justify never hoovering again

I think he has found his forever home and you have found your excuse not to Hoover your overlord, no?

Picture?

Currently sleeping it off on the heated blanket!

He's very ugly in a cute kind of way. Very.

Gorgeous. Bloody gorgeous.

He’s lovely. I’ve had fosters that took weeks to get to his stage, he’s doing brilliantly. Last Christmas I had a cat behind the tree that none of us could approach, he finally got adopted in March. He will never be a lap cat but has found his perfect home.

There was a poster on here a few years ago who had great success after adopting a couple of v. v. timid cats. If I remember rightly, she'd read aloud to them in a quiet voice and hand fed bits of chicken. Tried not to make any sudden sounds/movements.

Your cat is lovely! What a cute little inquisitive face!

I was going to give you the benefit of my 10 weeks experience with 2 extremely scared cats, but you've got further in one week than I got in 10 weeks so I'll just reverse out of the thread...

Rockbird I am lucky in that my house and area is incredibly quiet. Plus I have nothing better to do than sit on a floor cooing sweet nothings at him. Here he is now.

I've decided to adopt him and his name is now Beani and we love each other . He has nightmares poor baby and wakes up squeaking and miaowing

All of mine were terrified strays bar one. I just ignored them, made sure I was in the room reading or whatever and they just came to me when they felt less timid. Maybe a few food bribes too.

OMG Buckingfrolics - nightmares weeps