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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

New rescue cat. Two steps forward and one step back!

16 replies

Tarrarra · 09/08/2020 11:42

So we have now had our darling Cat home for four weeks and every time I feel like we are making progress with her confidence something happens and she becomes skittish and nervous of me again. On Thursday she was the most affectionate cat following me around, letting me stroke her and asking for head scratches! She let me groom her and even stood on my lap for a few seconds. I really felt we had turned a corner and I was so happy! However on Friday I had to do her flea treatment from the vet and since then she has been really scared of me. I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong but I feel like I never quite get there. I know it’s early days and we have other small wins like going Outside and coming back again! Although no chance of using the cat flap! And the fact that she generally looks happier - tail in the air etc. I have the beophar plug ins but wondering whether to change to Feliway. I just want her to feel safe and happy. I’m trying to give her space and do her own thing but is there anything else I can do?

New rescue cat. Two steps forward and one step back!
OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 09/08/2020 11:52

Just be patient. Mine always took flea spot ons as a murder attempt and I’d had him from 17 weeks.

Tarrarra · 09/08/2020 12:21

Thanks, good to hear it’s not just me!

OP posts:
Toilenstripes · 09/08/2020 12:23

Oh yeah. I adopted

Toilenstripes · 09/08/2020 12:25

Let’s try this again. I adopted my little girl at the beginning of June and she’s only now really beginning to trust me. And I’ve made a lot of effort, playing with her in the garden, treats, grooming.

Tarrarra · 09/08/2020 12:37

I think I thought I had cracked it after being a perfect human for four weeks so good to remember that it’s the long haul I guess!

OP posts:
leolion1 · 09/08/2020 12:40

It's still early days. My rescue has never been anywhere near my knee in the 4 years I've had him so you're doing well!

Sarahbeans · 09/08/2020 12:42

My cat is a rescue. Had her 5 years now and she's generally fine. But she won't speak to me for a day or two after I've done her flea treatment.

It's part of the course, I think.

You're doing great though, and it does sound as though you're getting there!

Lonecatwithkitten · 09/08/2020 13:12

Even as a vet my cats regard certain spot on treatments as akin to amputating a leg. I have found bravecto ( medium cat 2.8 - 6.2 kg) is less bad as it is a smaller volume and it only has to be done every 3 months.
The worst one was broadline they would need to leave the building after that.

Toddlerteaplease · 09/08/2020 13:59

It took one of mine two years to sit on my knee. And four years for the other!

Fluffycloudland77 · 09/08/2020 14:02

Dh told ours off for biting once, didn’t speak to him for days. Didn’t even twitch an ear when he walked into a room. Totally blanked him.

Tarrarra · 09/08/2020 14:17

Thankfully it was Bravecto so at least I have a few months to win her round again. Grin

I’m going to make dh do it next time. Smile

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 09/08/2020 15:02

Good plan. You can come in looking surprised with roast chicken “he did what to you!”

Tarrarra · 09/08/2020 15:06

Brilliant Grin

OP posts:
Tarrarra · 09/08/2020 21:16

Good news though, Madam wanted to go in the garden this evening and I said no as it was getting dark. She promptly went to the kitchen and disappeared through the catflap that she has refused to use. Straight through, first time. I hope she comes back in that way but I suspect she will be miaowing at the door...

OP posts:
leolion1 · 09/08/2020 21:37

@Fluffycloudland77

Dh told ours off for biting once, didn’t speak to him for days. Didn’t even twitch an ear when he walked into a room. Totally blanked him.
Grin
Icequeen01 · 09/08/2020 21:59

I've had my two boys for 8 years and they have had monthly spot on flea treatment since I got them. On Thursday I did their treatment and they only came back in the house on Saturday morning. They hate me and run as soon as they see me. We are friends again now - well at least for the next 3 and a half weeks!

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