16/07/2021
Thank you for adopting a shy cat!
Your cat took a little bit longer to adjust here at the shelter and therefore has been going through behavior
modification for anywhere from 1 - 6 weeks. We expect they’ll need a similar amount of time to adjust in your
home. It could take a few weeks for them to show their true colors, but it will be worth the wait!
Preparation
Have the room where you’ll confine the cat ready before you bring them home. They’ll need food and water, a
litter box, plenty of space to climb, scratch, sleep, and hide. Bonus points: Invest in Feliway spray. The man-made
product mimics the pheromone that cats leave behind when they rub their cheeks on something. Right before
you come to pick up the cat, spray some Feliway on a pillow, blanket, or stuffed toy.
Confinement
This is very important. You cat should be confined to one
room or a small area of your house for 1-2 weeks or until
they’re feeling really comfortable. Bonus points: Re-apply
Feliway daily if your cat likes it, and consider playing classical
music or an audio book on a low volume for a few hours
per day to soothe your cat and drown out background
sounds like traffic, lawnmowers, or loud neighbors.
Feeding
Help your cat associate you with something great. Instead
of placing food in the room and leaving, sit on the floor
while your cat eats their favorite wet food. You could even toss them pieces of tuna or canned chicken.
FEARFULNESS IN CATS
Petting/Play
Do not force interaction. Let your cat make the first move. If they know they have a choice in the matter, they
are much more likely to open up.
a. Entice them to come toward you with treats.
b. Ask permission before petting by offering a fist. If they don’t lean in, check again later. If they lean in
to your fist or head butt, continue petting. Check back in every few strokes. Start small with head, chin,
or neck scratching before moving on to full body petting.
c. Encourage play with long wand toys. This way, they can engage in play without having to get too close
to you. And, we all know how stress-relieving play and exercise can be.