Bring your cat out of his shell. Shy cats often touch hearts. They appear helpless, confused, and needy. A cat´s shyness can be an inborn trait or a condition that has developed because of negative experiences. What can someone do to help a skittish cat overcome shyness?
Most shy cats eventually overcome their timidity, but not without special attention and necessary reconditioning from everyone in the family who has contact with the cat. If the shyness is the result of previous abuse, neglect, fearful provocations, or excessive teasing, then it´s going to take awhile to convince the cat that patterns can be changed for the positive.
Each of the following suggestions will show results only after much practice and patience until the cat is convinced that it is safe for him to interact with people or other household pets.
- A shy cat does not tolerate touching easily. A feather toy is a gentle way to introduce the concept of touch to the cat. As the cat begins to become briefly distracted, place your hand closer to his head so it knows that hands are not harmful.
- Hand-feed tuna treats or other tasty cat snacks so he can recognize that human contact can be beneficial and rewarding.
- If the cat allows you to briefly hold him, use a soft grooming glove to relax the cat while you pet and simultaneously get him used to a grooming session. Never force a cat to stay in your embrace.
- Use soft play balls without bells so the cat can play without being spooked from jingling sounds.
- Do not put a belled collar on your cat when there are other pets in the home. As the timid cat immerges from his hiding place, it will alert the other pets to investigate the noise, which will scare him back into his hiding place.
Remember that the shy cat needs time to adjust. There is no need to get rid of a shy animal. They only need a little tender loving care (TLC) during their transition. Success is achievable through gentle persuasion that all is okay. www.cheappetstore.com
