Timid Rescue Cat

Question
Hello,

I have two cats that came from the same litter - both were trapped as a litter by a rescue group.  I adopted them both when they were 6 months old, living with a foster family.  They are now 2 years old.  

Elena is more curious and bold than her sister, Eldora.  I have 2 concerns about Eldora.

Eldora has become afraid of my father. Neither are enthused when I have company, but both were very comfortable with my father until recently. My dad visits often and helps me take them on vet trips, etc..  Both cats allowed him to pet and brush them.

My kitties had a run in with the neighbour kitties about a month ago and it terrified Eldora so badly she peed herself.  She also peed herself at the vet office on one other occasion (I think scared of the other pets in the waiting room).

Since this incident last month, Eldora has reverted to a much more timid state and is now totally afraid of my dad.  If she hears him near, she goes under the bed until he leaves.  If we are outside (on harnesses), she hides under a car and walks slowly with her belly to the ground to get there.  Eldora's interactions with me are the same.

It breaks my heart that she becomes so scared that she pees - is there anything I can do to calm her or work this out?  Also, can we do anything to rebuild her relationship with my dad?

Thank you for your help,

Jennifer

Answer
Jennifer,

A feral cat will not change it's basic personality. They will stay timid and scared of most things. To make things easier on you AND on them, don't force them into situations that upset them. It won't make them any better, and may make it worse. Let them hide if they want to so they will feel safe. Being out in the open is not a good thing mentally for them. I would not walk them on a harness unless it is somewhere like your backyard where they feel secure.

A feral cat is like a domesticated house cat and will not behave like one. They have an inherited distrust of humans. They usually bond to only one person, and that is generally their caregiver. They are also VERY sensitive. It is possible that your dad raised his voice and didn't realize or somehow scared Eldora so now her trust has been lost with him....and that is hard to regain.

I have some feral 'kittens' (now 2 years old) that I have had since birth. They are lovable with me, but do not like to be held or restrained. When one hears a knock on the door or a strange noise, she hides under the bed for HOURS. Another cat born in the wild that is recuperating from being spayed lets me hold and pet her briefly. The other day the vet came by that spayed her and I picked her up to show her and the cat peed all over me! Your cat's behavior is normal for a cat that had one or both parents as ferals. You need to accept that is the way they are.

For further info about ferals and their behavior search this site using the "find" box at the top of the page and put" Dear Tabbi Ferals

or for some additional feral behavior information go to this link and click on the feral articles:
               http://petplacestation.com/articles/?tag=carol-jacobi

I hope this helps.

Tabbi