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Guidance Sheet for Cats
Timid Cats
Your shy cat’s behaviour
You may notice that your cat’s pupils are dilated, that she is licking her lips and
that she is creeping about with her body close to the ground, her tail limp. She
may look upwards, trying to establish if there are safe, high-up places that she
can get to.
Do not be concerned if your new cat is hiding; hissing; spitting; or generally
showing signs of distress - these are all perfectly natural behaviours and should
subside as your cat becomes used to her new environment. It is not unusual
for her to go off her food for the first couple of days or to suffer from
diarrhoea. Again, this is stress related. However, if you are concerned about
your cat’s health, please consult your vet.
Here are some steps to try and help settle your shy cat into their new home
Stage one
Through your actions and body language, you can make your first encounters
with your shy cat less stressful for her.
To begin with, do not attempt to stroke her (unless your cat approaches you
for affection) or pick her up. Simply sit in the room softly talking or reading
aloud so she becomes used to the sound of your voice and your scent.
Try to resist the temptation to keep peering at your new pet if she is hiding in
her safe place. This will not reassure her: on the contrary it is likely to distress
her even further.
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Direct eye contact with your cat is very threatening but if you glance away and
blink slowly, this can help
comfort and relax her. After a while, you may find she will respond with her
own blinks.
Start out with slow movements and a quietly encouraging voice: yawn and look
away to show that you are no threat.
Offer delicious treats with a long handled spoon - little bits of warm
chicken/tuna are usually the favourites.
Help your cat to slowly get used to the activities in your home: play a radio
quietly so that she gets used to background noise, lie on the floor without
looking at her and talk to her so that she becomes accustomed to your
company.
Stage two
Use two wand toys or sticks with fleece or a feather at the end. Alternatively
you could use long-handled artists’ paint brushes.
Place one of them on the ground near to your cat’s paws and with the other
start to touch her gently and slowly around the cheeks. As her attention has
been divided by you having two wands, she will more readily accept the touch
of the wand on her body.
This may be all you are able to do for the first few days or even longer. As the
cat gets used to the cheek touching, continue rubbing with the wand and start
to move over more of the body slowly.
Be patient and build on each day's success gradually. This routine may be slow
going but it can’t be rushed. If your cat seems unhappy or stressed at any
point, go back a stage.
Stage three
When your cat is moving freely around the room with her tail erect, she may
try to follow you out as you leave, scratch at the door, or meow, letting you
know she wants to investigate her surroundings further. Allow her to
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do this but always leave the door to her room open so she can retreat to the
safety of what she knows should she become anxious.
Let your cat’s confidence be your guide. As she becomes more relaxed and
happy in your home, you can slowly increase the time you spend stroking her.
She may want to play or sit on your lap. Let her make all the first moves and
always end any contact with her on a positive note. If your cat particularly
enjoys her food, hand feeding rather than putting food in a bowl can be a good
way to establish a bond.
We advise keeping any rescue cat indoors for approximately four weeks. This
gives your cat time to bond with you and become used to her new home.
When she does begin to go outside, she can find her way home and will want
to return. Shy cats can take longer to settle and therefore it is advisable to
keep them indoors for a longer period of time. This could mean extending the
usual four weeks to six weeks or longer if you feel she is not sufficiently
settled.
And finally
There are no definite rules about how long it should take a cat to settle. Some
will settle in a matter of days, some will take weeks, others even longer.
It is important not to rush your cat: give her plenty of time, space, and
affection when she asks for it. Patience and understanding are the key. Shy
cats can be very rewarding pets as you see them slowly changing from an
unhappy, timid little ball of fur into a happy, relaxed and loving companion.
There is a product on the market called Feliway which is used to help reduce
stress/behavioural issues in cats. Feliway works by releasing pheromones into
the environment to make the cat feel more at ease. Please contact your vet if
you’re thinking about buying Feliway.
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