Shy kittens

[LadyIzzy]

Hi there. We've just adopted two three-month old female kittens, both seem very shy one particularly so (runs under the bed whenever we enter the room).

We've set them up with a little box each, food and water and left the carrier open with a blanket inside. The person we got them from also kindly gave us a small cat tree that the kittens liked to give a familiar scent.

We've been going in the room to feed them and change the litter and have sat down quietly while one showed a bit of interest it wasn't for long and the sister hides immediately.

Is there anything else we should be doing to make them feel more comfortable? I don't want to rush them but also don't want them not to be socialised.

Any advice welcome.

You don't say how long they've been with you? Can take days for cats to settle to a new place (or even weeks in some cases).

You could try spending some time in the room with them, not particularly paying attention to them but just reading a book or something, and chatting quietly. Or if there's a radio or TV in the room have that on & talk to them as thought you are watching/listening together. That way they get used to you, your scent and the sound of your voice.

I also find bribery is a good way to bring cats out of their shell!

Mine took a good 3-4 weeks to come out of her shell. We left her to it and, once she started exploring the house, she came to us…eventually. She did initially dart off if we moved, but was soon comfortable enough to stay in the room and then finally sit on my lap. Give them time.

Thank you both. They’ve only been with us a few days so hopefully they’ll become more comfortable with more time. The very shy one is extremely vocal at night. We’re currently watching them on the camera and they are playing with each other.