My Scared Baby Girl

[fidjet2]

Hi all,
(sorry in advance for the picture overload )
Well march last year i adopted a kitten from my local vet. The kitten was found in a car engine, The owner of the cars dog was going ballistic at the glove compartment, they lifted the lid of the Ute and there was this tiny black kitten wedged in there. Thank goodness they never turned the car on The vet estimated her to be 5 weeks at the time she was found and 6 weeks when i was aloud to take her home. Mum and i always thought she was younger as she was so tiny. Anyway, we got her home and she bonded with me nearly straight away she then got used to mum, dad and my brother. The problem is, every time we have a visitor, she runs upstairs and hides until they are gone. At first when we had visitors she went off her food for the night, it isn't that bad anymore. She has associated a knock on the door to strangers and bolts up the stairs. when i catch her and see if she will let them pet her, she goes crazy and i end up with a few scratches ( i have obviously learnt not to do that as it stressed her out more)

SOOOOOOO i was wondering if there is anything i could do so she isn't so scared of strangers. It makes me feel so bad because she is always hiding when other people are in the house and i would love to show her off
We have another cat, he is 11 years old. She is such a terror with him, she always wants to play but he is to old to put up with her we also have a dog and they get along wonderfuly

So sorry for the long story i would just love her to be a little less scared of strangers

First day home with my little Bella
http/i49.tinypic.com/jaay35.jpg

She loves exploring and is not scared of much (she got up there by herself)
http/i45.tinypic.com/10pt1eh.jpg

hanging around
http/i48.tinypic.com/2dgw1ow.jpg

Stalking poor snowy
http/tinypic.com/r/2wrou3c/6

Chilling with Brutus
http/i45.tinypic.com/3478y87.jpg

Playing
http/i46.tinypic.com/2cglyqp.jpg

perfect pair
http/i50.tinypic.com/1pbk1i.jpg

planing something
http/i46.tinypic.com/t6avi8.jpg

such a lady
http/i49.tinypic.com/2d9tppz.jpg

 

[Baccus]

Our cat Spook is a firm believer in stranger danger and bolts to her prefered hidey holes as soon as a new car pulls up out the front of our house. She is slowly getting better when my parents visit, but that is mostly because Dad lazes on the couch and quietly watches TV. I have been getting Spook used to coming out and sniffing Dad and then getting some pats off him before she bolts again. Giving Dad some of Spooks favourite treats for him to feed her also helps her accept him as being a friend.

 

[fidjet2]

I shall try thank you for your help

 

[Tolak]

While I don't do cats I have a very good friend who does. He's taken feral neighborhood cats & kittens, turned them into pleasant house pets. Much of the training is the same as dogs, conditioning to something seen as unpleasant to something pleasant. Start with some high octane kitty treats, a slight knock on the inside of the door & a treat. It takes time, measured in weeks, but they start to associate the door knock, or whatever previous thing they found undesirable to be desirable.

Once they are over the fear of knocking have guests treat when they arrive. You're basically associating the door knock & new people with good times, happy common events to be interested in rather than a fear of something unknown.

 

[fidjet2]

thanks a heap my brother brought a friend home today so will try with the treats thanks again

 

[Tolak]

I was by cat buddy's place yesterday afternoon, ran this past him. Just kicking back outside, with the one feral kitten turned housecat, Freeloader. He agreed with what I posted, takes time, patience, and a real laid back attitude. Freeloader acted like he was starving, as usual, rolling around by the door, let me in & feed me more! A hungry animal is an easy to train animal, not that you should starve them, but try to use food, even meal time to your advantage.

 

[fidjet2]

Hahaha Nawww our other cat acts like he is never fed as well thanks again for the advise