[Patty55]

Back in the day I adopted a rescue cat, also named Molly, also initially very shy. I kept saying her name when I spoke to her, because even the name was new to her. I spoke to her a lot, had whole conversations (LOL). When I ate I made her a little dish, never forced it, just put her food down. I always sing to my animals.

Before long I would hear her running through the house to greet me when she heard my key in the lock and she started waking me in the morning doing "happy feet".

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by Patty55

Back in the day I adopted a rescue cat, also named Molly, also initially very shy. I kept saying her name when I spoke to her, because even the name was new to her. I spoke to her a lot, had whole conversations (LOL). When I ate I made her a little dish, never forced it, just put her food down. I always sing to my animals.

Before long I would hear her running through the house to greet me when she heard my key in the lock and she started waking me in the morning doing "happy feet".

I love your post. I talk to Molly quite a bit as I often talked to Magic, my former kitty. I have also been playing classical music for Molly, especially when I am at work during the day.

Has anyone played music for their cats or dogs? If yes, did your cat or dog have a certain genre that made them more calm/content? And by now you must all think I am crazy

[carm310]

[quote=Schaumburger;692694]

Originally Posted by carm310

Carm, I adopted Molly from Animal House Shelter in Huntley which is about 25 miles of Schaumburg just north of I-90. She actually lived in a foster home in Crystal Lake from the end of April until I adopted her on June 1 as her foster mom did not think she would have done well in the cat room with 35+ other cats.

Hope your packing is going well for your move to TV next month. Have you been practicing your croaking? .

I thought maybe you were in my neighborhood! : D
Lots of prep and packing going on, 31 days to go! We are so excited to be moving to TV for good...finally frogs. We close on our home in IL on Friday and will continue living in our current home, but under our son's roof until we leave! Go figure...we keep saying we are having a big party in his home before we leave!

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by Schaumburger

I love your post. I talk to Molly quite a bit as I often talked to Magic, my former kitty. I have also been playing classical music for Molly, especially when I am at work during the day.

Has anyone played music for their cats or dogs? If yes, did your cat or dog have a certain genre that made them more calm/content? And by now you must all think I am crazy

Classical? Hardly, my singing to the animals is more like Andrew Lloyd Weber on crack- I compose my own songs.

[LynnDeb]

Congrats on your new addition to your home, I watch on animal planet my cat from hell..I have a black female cat I adopted from Petsmart yrs ago and she was always very skiddish with me too. Since I've watched that show, I've learned that they like to eat, prey, and sleep so by playing with them it helps their instincts of preying and also she will learn to trust you more. Its a great show if you can catch it

[Schaumburger]

I have started watching "My Cat From Hell" several weeks ago, and I have learned quite a few things from that show. Wow, some of those cats on that show are certainly not the friendliest to say the least. Thank goodness my only issue with Molly is her skittishness. Her foster mom said that Molly does not have a mean bone in her body so I count my blessings with that. I wish Jackson Galaxy from My Cat From Hell was based in the Chicago area so I could consult with him. Fortunately Molly will let me pet her, brush her, and she loves the laser pointer and the puff ball toy I bought for her. I am hoping to build up her confidence in the coming weeks. She is probably enjoying not being chased by two dachshunds which was happening in her original home.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Schaumburger

I have started watching "My Cat From Hell" several weeks ago, and I have learned quite a few things from that show. Wow, some of those cats on that show are certainly not the friendliest to say the least. Thank goodness my only issue with Molly is her skittishness. Her foster mom said that Molly does not have a mean bone in her body so I count my blessings with that. I wish Jackson Galaxy from My Cat From Hell was based in the Chicago area so I could consult with him. Fortunately Molly will let me pet her, brush her, and she loves the laser pointer and the puff ball toy I bought for her. I am hoping to build up her confidence in the coming weeks. She is probably enjoying not being chased by two dachshunds which was happening in her original home.

Molly is such a lucky kitty
To have such a great owner who cares
Soon she'll be demanding breakfast in bed
You'll be wishing she'd stayed downstairs.

[quirky3]

Please keep usposted on your progress with Molly! A few months can make a big difference!

[Bonnevie]

I don't have cats, but do have rescue dogs. I always liken them to foster children, worried that this home will be gone like the ones in their pasts. It just takes time for them to realize you're not going anywhere. and boy, don't know about cats, but my dogs get upset by changes in routine. They like consistency in their lives. so maybe once your cat starts realizing this will be a forever home and has some consistency in her life, she'll respond more.

[Parker]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Molly is such a lucky kitty
To have such a great owner who cares
Soon she'll be demanding breakfast in bed
You'll be wishing she'd stayed downstairs.

Very clever Barefoot! Made me chuckle

[kittygilchrist]

Laura, I just now realized YOU are the OP of this thread. way to go adopting a needy kitty. I spose giving the skitty kitty her space to feel insulated by being isolated is another thought I'd offer. I like my personal space and time to chill alone! Why am I still single??

You know already that I enjoy coming out and being very social when I want that, but I'm really an introvert at heart and require quiet time with little social and mental stimulation.

When can you come back to TV? I enjoyed getting to know you.
My cat Raul is a yowling, demanding, overly affectionate guy. I'd like to figure out how to stop him sleeping on my head, plucking my arm to pet him, and yelling at me for food.
Wanna swap cats?
Kitty

[Schaumburger]

Well as I write this post Molly is sleeping on the floor of my second bedroom about 2 feet from me. Watching me post on TOTV must be boring or sleep inducing for her .

I wonder if Molly has gotten the food vibe from my previous cat. For the past few mornings as soon as I wake up she has been following me around pestering me for food. Same thing when I return from work. I think Molly is getting used to me and my house after 18 days. My house is probably very quiet with no little doggies chasing her like her previous home.

Molly still won't jump on my bed, and I have only seen her jump on my sofa a couple of times. Well probably a month from now I won't be able to get her off of my bed or my sofa LOL.

[jblum315]

or your lap LOL

[duffysmom]

It appears that Molly is trusting you and relaxing. Thank you for the progress report.

[mainlander]

Schaumburger. it looks like you are doing the right things to calm kitty and build trust as 18 days have gone by and you do see an improvement. Cats have a very strong "fight or flight" reflex and as another poster pointed out they "hate" change of any sort. Watch when they enter a room and scan over the room to compare it to their recent mental picture of the room, if anything is moved or new they will go right to it. Constant reassurance and make "play" along with being the "food giver" will soon have her very relaxed I am sure. good luck. Adopting a older cat set in his/her ways is work/love but as most here will agree, you have done "good".