Cats are cautious.A kitten that is not socialized during her first 2 to 7 weeks of life can be very timid.If your kitten is timid, she will seek out places where she can hide.As you socialize her and encourage her to be a more confident kitten, be patient and loving towards her.
Step 1: There is a safe place for your kitten.
Your home is likely large and scary to a timid kitten.She will feel more comfortable if you put her in a small, confined space.If your kitten likes to run and hide, choose a space with no hiding places.The bathroom is a place where people usually go.This will allow your kitten to get used to people.If you don't have furniture in the small room, your kitten could easily hide under or behind it.Loud noises would startle your kitten.
Step 2: The safe space for your kitten should be comfortable.
Since this small area will be your kitten's world for a while, it should have everything she needs to feel comfortable.Place her food and water bowls in the room, along with some comfortable bedding, toys, and a box or shelter for her to hide in.She should put her litter box in the room.There is a cat pheromone diffuser that you could plug in.Pheromones are chemicals that animals use to communicate, and can have a calming effect.Cat pheromones can be purchased at your local pet store.Your kitten can feel less timid with the help of these pheromones.Your kitten needs regular veterinary visits so she needs to get used to her carrier.She should put her carrier in the room.She can explore the carrier whenever she chooses if the door is left open.
Step 3: Listen to the sounds of your kitten.
Your kitten can be soothed by soothing sounds.If your kitten is in a bathroom, place a portable radio in the room and listen to classical music or talk radio.If she is in a small bedroom, you can place a TV in the room and turn it to a station where people are talking calmly.news stationYour kitten will get used to human voices if you have a TV on.
Step 4: There is a small space where you can spend time with your kitten.
She will be helped to become less timid by this quiet time.Depending on how timid she is, how much time you spend with her will be different.Aim to spend about 15 to 20 minutes with your kitten, 3 to 5 times a day.Before entering your kitten's space, call out her name and knock lightly on the door.It's a good idea to talk to your kitten in a soothing voice.You could even sing her song.Slow blinking with your kitten.Slow blinking is friendly.She will feel safe around you when she blinks back at you.You could read a book, do another quiet activity around her, and talk quietly with her.Do not be surprised if your kitten doesn't want to be near you.
Step 5: Continue your normal activities.
You don't have to make major changes to your routine if your kitten is comfortable in her space.If you make your usual noises, your kitten will get used to the sounds in your home.She needs to be comfortable with the other noises in your home because she will come out of the small space eventually.
Step 6: Purchase gloves for gardening.
It's important to get your kitten used to being touched.If your kitten feels threatened by your hand, she will likely use her claws.As your kitten acclimates to your touch, you should wear a pair of gardening gloves.If you want your kitten to smell your scent when you touch her with the glove, you should rub your hand on the outside of the gloves.She has bedding that you can rub with that scent.
Step 7: Put your hand on the floor.
As you spend more time with your kitten, place your hand on the floor to let her explore.Give her soft verbal praise when she is bold enough to approach you.She may be too shy to explore your hand or not interested in doing so.Hold your hand away from her.She will react strongly to your hand.No matter what she does, keep your hand up.She will stop reacting this way eventually.It is possible to give your kitten treats when she explores your hand.Some treats could be placed by your hand to lure her to it.
Step 8: You should stroke your kitten.
When your kitten is comfortable with your hand, begin stroking her.She won't bite you if you start at the top of her head and ears.She will try to bite you at first, so don't touch her paws, tails, or underside.If you stroke her from behind, you may startle her.If your kitten wants to run away from you, let her.Don't try to grab her to keep her away from you.
Step 9: As you stroke your kitten, watch her body language.
She will have her ears up if she is relaxed or curious.tense muscles and hissing are part of nervous body language.She will have a wide-eyed stare if she is completely scared.If your kitten is frightened, stop stroking her and let her calm down.Work on stroking her cheeks if she is showing relaxed body language.When your kitten is more comfortable with your stroking, take your glove off and see how she handles it.She will need to get used to it.Try stroking her.She needs to be comfortable with you touching her so you can pick her up.
Step 10: Touch your kitten with a feather.
If your kitten isn't adjusting well to human touch, try stroking her lightly with a peacock feather.It will feel less threatening than your hand.To stroke her body from head to tail, she should set the feather on the ground first.If she likes it or not, watch her body language.You can find peacock feathers at your local pet store.After your kitten is used to the feather, try to use your hand again.
Step 11: Pick up your pet.
During her lifetime, you will inevitably have to pick up your cat.You will need to get used to picking her up.Lift her up by putting a bowl of food in front of her.Lift her by placing your hand under her chest.Put her close to your chest so she can feel the warmth of your body.Lift her up slowly.If your kitten lashes out at you, put her down and try again later.
Step 12: You can choose a delicious treat.
The tiny kittens have huge appetites.As you socialize your kitten, use this to your advantage.As you work with your kitten, food will be your most important tool.If you work with her, you should give her baby food without onion powder or garlic, as a treat, other than her regular kitten food.
Step 13: Food should be placed near your kitten.
Since your kitten is timid, don't expect her to come to you right away for food.She might want to stay back until she is comfortable with you.When you sit with her, gently toss a small piece of a treat towards her from a few feet away.Continue to toss more treats if she eats them, as you shorten the distance that you toss it.Place her food bowl a few feet away from you at first.You can shorten the distance between you and the food bowl by tossing the treats.If you can get her to climb into your lap, place the treats or food bowl in her lap.You can place food on her finger to see if she will eat it.
Step 14: Stay with your kitten as she eats.
If you give your kitten food, leave the area.When you leave, take the food away from her.Staying with her as she eats is another way for her to be more comfortable with you.It may take a few tries before your kitten eats in your presence.
Step 15: Praise your kitten.
It may be difficult for your kitten to overcome shyness.Reward her when she is close to you as she eats.stroke the top of her head and back as she eats.You can help your kitten develop a positive association with you and the food you serve her by stroking her as she eats.Praise your kitten by telling her how brave she is.
Step 16: You can choose interactive toys for your kitten.
It is important to play with your kitten.She can get some exercise and challenge herself mentally by playing.It is possible to build up your kitten's confidence with interactive playtime.Laser lights and wand toys with a small toy attached to the end are examples of interactive toys.You can roll the ping-pong balls around on the floor and watch your kitten chase them.There are a variety of interactive toys.
Step 17: Allow your kitten to play with the toys.
Set the toys on the floor and give her time to play with them.Pick up a toy and gently pet her as you did when you stroked her.This will allow her to get used to the toy before she starts playing with it.As you introduce her to new toys, repeat the acclimation process.
Step 18: When your kitten is playing with you, praise her.
It's important to be comfortable enough to play with your kitten.She can build up her confidence if you give her plenty of praise.She can make a positive association with playtime by being praised.As you play with your kitten, give her some treats.Keep the play sessions short by scheduling several sessions each day.