Trauma Kitty

Question
Hi, I am NOT a cat person but somehow in a weak moment rescued a 6 mo. old kitten from the streets who had just given birth and was spayed. I have had her for 2 years now but she is still very 'scardy cat' and whines ALOT which makes me crazy. When I try to give her attention she won't come or she runs away. I have even tried Bach Flower Remedy in her water to calm her down. Short of Kitty Prozac what should I do? It's the whining that drives me nuts! I don't need her to be a lapcat. She is an indoor cat and an only pet. Should I get her a companion?
thanks!
joe

Answer
Joe,

Like people, cats have different personalities.  Your kitty is talkative and aloof.  I would ignore the talikng and not attribute it to whining (this is something people do).  Just because a cat is talking does not necessarily mean it wants something.

As far as being aloof.  You might want to try the following experiment:  Totally ignore your kitty except for meals.  Make pretend she does not exist.  Don't go after her to give her attention, make her want to come to you.

In some aloof cats, this seems to make them want attention.  Often cats will come for attention when they want to.  However, if you try to give them attention, it is not their idea, so they will tend to be more aloof.  The trick is to make craving attention seem like your kitty's idea, not yours.

Getting a companion may work out or it may have the exact opposite result you are after.  It is really a "crapshoot".

Best regards... Norm.