Adopted a shy senior cat

[Schaumburger]

On June 1 I adopted a 10 year old beautiful cat from a shelter near my home in suburban Chicago. Molly is much more shy and "skittish/nervous" than my former cat, Magic, who went to the Rainbow Bridge in April. For example, when I have the windows open in the living room, and a breeze blows the vertical blinds even slightly Molly will run downstairs to the lower level of my townhouse. I don't know a lot about Molly's former home life, only that her former owner left for college 2 years ago, and his parents recently lost their home in a foreclosure and gave Molly up for adoption. Two of her former family's dachshunds used to chase Molly. Molly is my only pet, so there are no dog chasing issues in my house.

Not realizing how skittish Molly is, I did make the mistake of trying to get her into the cat carrier last Saturday to go to the vet. After that unsuccessful attempt, Molly hid behind the sofa until the next day. Then two days ago, Chicago had terrible thunderstorms in the late afternoon/early evening, and when I came home from work, Molly was perched in the space between my kitchen cabinets and the ceiling, but she did come down a few minutes after I came home as the thunderstorms were over by then.

I understand that Molly is still adjusting to her home after being here for just under 2 weeks, and having me try to put her into the cat carrier last weekend and the thunderstorm a couple of days ago did not help matters at all. She now seems to spend a lot of time in the lower level of my townhouse sitting/laying on the carpet at the bottom of the stairs rather than wanting to spend a lot of time in the upper level where the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms are. She loves chasing the laser pointer when I use it downstairs to play with her. She enjoys being brushed for a short time. When I come home from work at night, or when I am home on the weekends, when Molly is downstairs, I will occasionally call down to her in a soft voice and tell her how pretty she is (this was suggested to me by my cat sitter).

My former cat, Magic, would spend 90% of his time in the same room with me.
Any suggestions on how I can encourage Molly to want to spend more time upstairs with me? I know 13 days is not a lot of time, but any suggestions are welcome. Or do some cats just prefer not to spend a lot of time in the same room with their caretakers? Magic was my first cat, and he was very social from the moment I adopted him in 1998 until he went to the Rainbow Bridge two months ago, so I guess I just got spoiled.

Any suggestions and ideas on bonding with my new fur kid are welcome.

[graciegirl]

On June 1 I adopted a 10 year old beautiful cat from a shelter near my home in suburban Chicago. Molly is much more shy and "skittish/nervous" than my former cat, Magic, who went to the Rainbow Bridge in April. For example, when I have the windows open in the living room, and a breeze blows the vertical blinds even slightly Molly will run downstairs to the lower level of my townhouse. I don't know a lot about Molly's former home life, only that her former owner left for college 2 years ago, and his parents recently lost their home in a foreclosure and gave Molly up for adoption. Two of her former family's dachshunds used to chase Molly. Molly is my only pet, so there are no dog chasing issues in my house.

Not realizing how skittish Molly is, I did make the mistake of trying to get her into the cat carrier last Saturday to go to the vet. After that unsuccessful attempt, Molly hid behind the sofa until the next day. Then two days ago, Chicago had terrible thunderstorms in the late afternoon/early evening, and when I came home from work, Molly was perched in the space between my kitchen cabinets and the ceiling, but she did come down a few minutes after I came home as the thunderstorms were over by then.

I understand that Molly is still adjusting to her home after being here for just under 2 weeks, and having me try to put her into the cat carrier last weekend and the thunderstorm a couple of days ago did not help matters at all. She now seems to spend a lot of time in the lower level of my townhouse sitting/laying on the carpet at the bottom of the stairs rather than wanting to spend a lot of time in the upper level where the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms are. She loves chasing the laser pointer when I use it downstairs to play with her. She enjoys being brushed for a short time. When I come home from work at night, or when I am home on the weekends, when Molly is downstairs, I will occasionally call down to her in a soft voice and tell her how pretty she is (this was suggested to me by my cat sitter).

My former cat, Magic, would spend 90% of his time in the same room with me.
Any suggestions on how I can encourage Molly to want to spend more time upstairs with me? I know 13 days is not a lot of time, but any suggestions are welcome. Or do some cats just prefer not to spend a lot of time in the same room with their caretakers? Magic was my first cat, and he was very social from the moment I adopted him in 1998 until he went to the Rainbow Bridge two months ago, so I guess I just got spoiled.

Any suggestions and ideas on bonding with my new fur kid are welcome.

It took four years for one of ours once and then she started running the house.

[DianeM]

It took four years for one of ours once and then she started running the house.

I don't know much about cats as I've always he dogs but I would guess love and patience. He's just feeling displaced I would think. Poor baby.

[jblum315]

Lot of changes for that poor kitty in a short time & cats do not like changes. Time and patience will do it, I think

[jnieman]

I would say spend as much time as possible with her downstairs until she trusts you completely. Brush her, love on her as much as possible. Also light massage is good especially around the ears. Hopefully she will want more and make her way upstairs. She probably needs to build trust. My kitty never did overcome the fear of thunderstorms and always hid under the bed so I made her a comfortable spot to lay in under the bed. If you do have to put her in the cat carrier try putting her in backwards then she won't know what you are doing until it is done. Good luck.

[Sable99]

I would say spend as much time as possible with her downstairs until she trusts you completely. Brush her, love on her as much as possible. Also light massage is good especially around the ears. Hopefully she will want more and make her way upstairs. She probably needs to build trust. My kitty never did overcome the fear of thunderstorms and always hid under the bed so I made her a comfortable spot to lay in under the bed. If you do have to put her in the cat carrier try putting her in backwards then she won't know what you are doing until it is done. Good luck.

I agree. Spend as much time with her as you can. Brush, massage, play and love on her and hopefully she will come around.

I travel a lot with my two cats but I adopted them through my vet when they were kittens. When I first got them I would take them for short rides (not to a vet) and give them a treat on the ride. I did this for several days in a row. I've done this to 4 cats now and they all traveled well. Two of the cats regularly visited nursing homes and one of them went on a daily basis to see my Dad when he was alive. Of course, I started when they were kittens.

A long time ago a friend gave me this sign "This house is maintained entirely for the comfort and convenience of our cat(s)!" It is so true at our house.

[duffysmom]

You warmed my heart when I read your note. I love that you've rescued a senior cat and are so loving and caring. She sounds traumatized with all the changes she's had to endure and she hasen't realized yet that she has won the Lotto and is living in paradise with someone who loves and cares for her well being. It's all been said (by you and others), only time will show her she is safe. Spending time with her on her terms is a great idea as well as playtime. Let us know how it goes.

[kittygilchrist]

Wonder if your kitty would be happier upstairs if the food was there? or maybe her favorite treats?

[Schaumburger]

Thank you for all of the suggestions and ideas. I have been going downstairs to play with her when I am home. I realize that she is spending a lot of time downstairs because she feels safe down there and doesn't entirely trust me yet.

Molly's food, water and treats are upstairs in my kitchen. She will venture upstairs to eat and she stays upstairs for maybe an hour or two at at time while I am home, but then Molly goes back downstairs. I am not sure if Molly is sleeping upstairs or downstairs. She has not jumped on my bed yet.

It's sometimes hard not to compare my former cat Magic with Molly. As my Dad would say, "Magic wasn't afraid of the Devil in He___." On the other hand, Molly does not want me to share my food with her like Magic did -- at least not yet. :).

[carm310]

[QUOTE=Schaumburger;691961]On June 1 I adopted a 10 year old beautiful cat from a shelter near my home in suburban Chicago.

Laura, Did you get it at the shelter in Lombard? If so you could have stopped by to see me! I hope little Molly adjusts. She has a good mom. : D

[jblum315]

My daughter has adopted 2 cats. One is perfectly friendly, bold even. The other, the girl, is seldom seen. She will come into the room where people are but if she notices anyone looking at her she vanishes. She is a little ghost cat.

[Phanatic Luvr]

We always had trouble getting our cat into her crate when it was time to visit the vet. As soon as she would see it come out, she would be under the bed.
The best way we found to get her in was to stand the crate on its end with the door facing the ceiling and open. Gently wrap your cat up in a soft towel or small blanket and slip her in, butt first. Worked like a charm every time.

[Barefoot]

Or do some cats just prefer not to spend a lot of time in the same room with their caretakers? Magic was my first cat, and he was very social from the moment I adopted him in 1998 until he went to the Rainbow Bridge two months ago, so I guess I just got spoiled. Any suggestions and ideas on bonding with my new fur kid are welcome.

Congratulations to Molly on winning the Owner Lottery. And bless you for adopting a senior cat. Molly may never be as social as Magic. But I think with time, patience, love and bribes, Molly will definitely build trust and want to spend more time with you. Have you tried catnip? Some cats go crazy for it.

[Schaumburger]

[QUOTE=Schaumburger;691961]On June 1 I adopted a 10 year old beautiful cat from a shelter near my home in suburban Chicago.

Laura, Did you get it at the shelter in Lombard? If so you could have stopped by to see me! I hope little Molly adjusts. She has a good mom. : D

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? :).

[Schaumburger]

Congratulations to Molly on winning the Owner Lottery. And bless you for adopting a senior cat. Molly may never be as social as Magic. But I think with time, patience, love and bribes, Molly will definitely build trust and want to spend more time with you. Have you tried catnip? Some cats go crazy for it.

Bare, thank you for the suggestion about catnip. I have been using catnip with Molly. She enjoys it!

[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]

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=carm310;692309]

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!:a040:

[Patty55]

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-:22yikes: 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]

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.
:mornincoffee:

[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]

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.
:mornincoffee:

Very clever Barefoot! Made me chuckle :thumbup:

[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??:laugh:

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. :a040:

[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". :)

[CFrance]

On a humorous note... Invite somebody to your house who doesn't like cats, and sit that person down in a first floor chair. That cat will be RIGHT there!

[Schaumburger]

On a humorous note... Invite somebody to your house who doesn't like cats, and sit that person down in a first floor chair. That cat will be RIGHT there!

My youngest sister is not a cat fan (she is a dog person). When she would come to visit, my former cat, Magic, would always jump in her lap which she did not like too much. I think my sister would like Molly, my new cat more. Molly has not jumped on my lap (yet). When I pick Molly up and put her on the sofa or on my bed, she will stay next to me for a couple of minutes, then jump back down again to lay on the floor.

[jblum315]

In my long life I have had dozens of cats. Some cats are lap cats, some are lap cats to the point that you can't sit down without the cat in your lap, Some cats just like to be near you, some just like to be near enough to keep an eye on you. Most all cats like to be petted, but some don't.
Always remember: Dogs have masters. Cats have servants.