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The litter tray

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

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Original poster

New kitten - bit hissy

15 replies

lazzaroo · 07/09/2020 19:02

Hi! Have just welcomed 2 kittens to our house. They're farm kittens and one is better socialised than the other as it was caught earlier. The 'hissy' one is doing pretty well, apart from the occasional hissing and reluctance to be picked up. He's happy to be stroked while eating, he comes out to play, he will literally sit on top of us if we have something tasty to eat and when is on us for cuddles he's usually purring his head off within about 2 minutes. But, it's all on his terms at the moment! I know that pretty much sums cats up but we'd like to help him really settle in.
I know handling is key to improving this but do we just keep handling him as much as possible when he's happy too or should we be making him have cuddles even if he initially hisses!? It's only been 5 days so I know he needs time to settle, I just want to to the right thing.

OP posts:

AlCalavicci · 07/09/2020 19:45

My kitten hissed that much when I first got him my neighbour said I should call him Gas Tap ! ( I didnt )

He settled down after about a month and no longer hisses at all but he still doesnt like been stroked for more than a few minuets, he then very very gently puts his teeth against my finger . I don't doubt that if I persisted he would use more force but I don't think he would intentionally draw blood .

So I would say leave yours alone rather than forcing a cuddle / stroke , lets face it if someone tried to force you into a cuddle esp if they literally sweep you of your feet you are going to put up a bit of a fight.

( and before anyone jumps on me yes I know cats are not human but we still not force them into a situation that they are not comfortable with )

AlCalavicci · 07/09/2020 19:46

I should of made it clear , I have had him for just over a year , and he was 3 months old when I got him

Original poster

lazzaroo · 07/09/2020 20:10

Thank you for the reply. I think you're probably right. It's just so frustrating when he actually loves the cuddles when he let's himself! He has such a loud purr! But he's jumpy if you put your hand out to stroke him..... Unless he's eating!

OP posts:

viccat · 07/09/2020 20:11

I've volunteered for a cat rescue and fostered many hissy kittens. Our technique was always forced cuddles for the hissy little ones - it really pays off in the long term! Often it is almost like a switch has been flicked in their little heads - suddenly they realise getting fuss and cuddles is really, really nice. I kept my hissiest foster kitten and he's now the biggest snuggle bug (only with me though) who demands fuss.

Look up the "purrito technique" of wrapping them up. The Kitten Lady also has a good video on YouTube about this.

Original poster

lazzaroo · 07/09/2020 20:16

And I agree, the last thing I want is to make him more uncomfortable or stressed.

OP posts:

Original poster

lazzaroo · 07/09/2020 20:20

Ah, that's interesting viccat. I have watched a couple of videos which is why I was doubting if we needed to do more cuddles in our terms. He's not really at the point where he needs to be wrapped up as he does completely relax as soon as he's in my arms. It's just getting to that point!

The 2 replies so far show why I don't know which option to do for the best!

OP posts:

AlCalavicci · 07/09/2020 20:35

While I dont completely disagree with @lazzaroo I think it may be a bit soon for that method, you have only had him a few days , I'd give it a bit longer yet.

Mamawhoneedshelp · 07/09/2020 20:42

Oh good luck with this! I have had cats in the past who responded well to the forces cuddles. And some who did not. Good luck!

Original poster

lazzaroo · 07/09/2020 20:46

Oh bugger! No definitive answer then! Thanks for sharing your experiences though.

OP posts:

Fluffycloudland77 · 07/09/2020 20:49

I’ve read forced cuddles are best. How old are they?.

Original poster

lazzaroo · 07/09/2020 20:54

He's about 11 weeks

OP posts:

MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously · 07/09/2020 20:57

My cat is 2 and has never liked cuddles. She will sit close to me in the morning when she wants feeding. Other than that, her personality just isn't that way inclined. I only picked her up against her wishes, so that I would be able to get her to the vet if need be. Mostly I just respect her right to do as she wants.

Original poster

lazzaroo · 07/09/2020 21:08

I totally get he may not be a cuddly cat, that's fine. I just wondered if there's a 'best' way for him to be less 'skittish'. Maybe it will just be time, it is early days.

OP posts:

Fluffycloudland77 · 07/09/2020 21:15

Their outside the socialisation window so I’d cuddle like your life depends on it.

Think of it as a new part time job.

kristyluna · 07/09/2020 21:24

So we adopted 2 cats (older than yours). One hid for a few days then was exactly as you describe jumpy but could tell he wanted a fuss. As soon as I could I picked him up, carried him around like a baby etc. We've still not had him that long but he's in bed for cuddles etc. So personally I would cuddle him and carry him around. The other one was never hissy so didn't have to put in quite as much effort.

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