I just got a new kitten but it is scared of everybody and everything?

Question

When we got him at one of our friends house the kitten was just fine. But ever since we brought him home, he hides under the coffee table and hisses at everyone that comes by. I can't even touch the poor kitten. And the only way I can feed him is if I lay food by the table and leave the room. How can I get this kitten use to us?

Answer 1

Keep him in a smaller room such as the bathroom and sit with him often playing with a string or feather. Don't smother him, let him come to you on his terms. Food is always a good thing to entice him with. As he gets accustom to you, you can let him venture out to other parts of the house until he becomes familiar with you and your home.

Answer 2

Start your kitty out by letting him get used to one room, then gradually introduce him to other rooms and people. He should fell comfortable around you in 2 or 3 days. Trust me, I have an 8 year old male American Shorthair and a 5 month old Domestic Longhair female.

Answer 3

He just needs time. You should always start a cat out in a small room with food, water and litterbox (like a large bathroom or guest room). Make sure you can go in there are just spend time with him (you don't have to try to pet him, just sit and chat quietly or read) often. Get him used to you and the noise of the household before letting him out of that room. When HE is ready to go explore more, just give him a little more room (in my case, we closed all the bedroom doors - except the one she was in) and slowly expanded his area. This may take a few weeks, but you'll have a happier and more well-adjusted cat in the end.

Imagine yourself not being around anyone else ever, then being put in the middle of a busy mall with no idea of where you were or where to go - you'd be scared and full of anxiety. Please try this, it works for older cats and kittens.

Answer 4

Time. Cats should be introduced to new surrounding very slowly. My cat, Poppy is one of the most nervous cats around people she doesn't know. She hated us at first, hissed, growled scratched. She just needed time. Be patient and loving. Food is a great way to get love from your cat so you have the right idea. I would give him/her a tiny bit of chicken (kind of flick it toward her, edge closer and closer. I promise, your cat will come round. It will not be quick or all that easy but it will happen and it is well worth it. You sound very patient. He/she is very lucky.

P.S. She/he may never get used to other people (unless the cat sees them a lot).

Answer 5

Put him in a room alone with a couple toys, his litter box and food and water. Go in there and sit on the floor and just sit there. Don't try to touch him. Let him get used to you. He's just really scared with a new location and new smells.  

Answer 6

go to www.kittenwise.com

they helped me with all my problems and now my kitten loves everyone, uses the litterbox with no accidents...

Answer 7

The suggestions to keep the kitten in a nursery for a while are right on. With a kitten this scared, go one step further with this method. It's never failed me. Don't put any food in the room with the kitten. Instead go in with food at feeding time. Use a nice, smelly wet food. Place the food on the floor and quietly sit down a few feet away. If the kitten doesn't eat in a few minutes, take the food and leave. Try again in a bit. Each time the kitten eats, sit closer to the food next time. Eventually, you should be able to pet him while he eats. This way, he associates you with food and comfort and will warm up to you. It takes a couple of days for this to produce results so be patient.

Answer 8

Are you sure the kitten was OK before?  How old was he when you took him from his mother?  It may be advisable to check with your friend to see if the other kittens are having problems too...

Sadly not all kittens manage to settle into family life - that said we have only had two experiences out of one heck of a lot of cats and kittens...  Our last problem cat was one who had been abandoned, so we took it in - three months later we were forced to give up and took it to a vets for advice - the Animal Welfare Trust gave this cat a new home after their vet advised that the only other alternative would be a private roof terrace (he already had a cat living on his so knew what he was talking about)..

Our current cats are 11 years old but one still pretends to be afraid of me - unless, of course, I have something she likes.  I think she was hiding behind a sofa when we collected her and her brother - if this was the problems with your kitten try some treats!   Also my Mum moves a lot slower than I do and this cat has made it clear that Mum is her human - so try to move gently when the kitten is around, he may be afraid of being squashed.

My cats make a lot of noise in the car when travelling between home and our vets and we were advised to try a pheromone spray called Feliway, there is also a plug in version for the home - not sure if it does much for ours but your kitten is just a baby so this would be well worth checking out.  

Please make sure that he is indoors in plenty of time when the fireworks season starts and that he always has a outdoor shelter available..   There are also herbal sedatives available at good pet stores (Seren-Um, I believe from memory) or alternatives from your vet.  

While out shopping why not pop into your local Garden Centre - all cats love Cat Mint (Nepeta) and as he is so nervous it may be a good idea to keep him indoors for a while so a pot of grass will also help to keep him happy.

Whatever you decide to do it would be advisable to get in touch with a good local vet - an independent is always best where available.  Make an appointment and take your kitten along for professional advice.

GOOD LUCK - I hope your kitten gets over his nerves and that you have a happy life together

Answer 9

h**l grow on to you my cat was pretty muc the same way just wait