Kovu was a shy cat, he came from an abusive house hold where he was fed poorly and was not shown much positive attention.
when he first came to my house he hid, wouldnt let me pet him without pinning his ears back and swishing his tale, and he certainly was not about to seek me out and show me any love.
Ive had kovu for only two weeks now, and he is one happy kitty who now greets me , hops on my bed with me, purrs like a madman when i pet him, and just craves attention and love.
I've yet to get him to
*sleep with me
*sit on my lap
*completely trust me (he still is very jumpy with sudden movements and noises)
however, I have a social sweet heart and he is more than i couldve asked for. so heres what i did
1. shower them with love- get them yummy food/a comfy warm bed- its worth it!
2. when they are eyeing you, simply look at them with a calm expression walk slowly and give them a little scratch.
3. Make a big deal out of meal time- let them know who feeds them and cares for them
4. keep the litter box clean and also show them who is cleaning their crap up (literally)
5. dont force your cat to do anything- dont force it on the bed, dont force it to lay with you, dont hold it if it resists. this is mostly a trust thing! show the animal that you are moving at THEIR pace and you respect its privacy and wishes.
6. if your cat begins responding and seeking out attention- give it to them, but dont act desperate for it. show them that it is on a deeper level than you just being a petting machine!
Goodluck! <3
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Dealing with a "scaredycat"
How to deal with a cat who
*Seemed depressed
*wont eat or drink
*wont socialize
*hides
*marks your furniture
AND SO ON
We all want a social lap-pet, right? I mean we probably didn't get our little furchild with the hopes that it would hide from us, pee on our belongings, and acts depressed all of the time.
Something to understand...cats are different than dogs, they aren't crazy and excited and wanting to go for a walk or have their bellys rubbed 24/7. They are however great companion animals and yes, they do enjoy some attention and ear scratching.
Kovu (my cat) came from an animal shelter where he had been for roughly a year. He is BEAUTIFUL and had been adopted three times within that year... just to be returned within the week because he had a "displeasing disposition"...
When i said i wanted to adopt him the lady was very honest with me and actually tried to talk me out of choosing him and tried to show me the other cats in the shelter...but i had already fallen in love with Kovu and knew that he was the cat for me! At 3 1/2 years old i knew his chances of getting adopted (especially with the lady detouring people) were slim to none, and that cage was way to small and smelly and cold for such a pretty cat!
So, after some struggle and hissing, we got him home...when i let him out...he went RIGHT UNDER THE BED. I waited for him to come out (around 2 hours ...) and then i blocked under the bed and set up his litterbox and laid a blanket in a cardboard box for him. I checked on him a few times and he just ignored me and hissed if i came too close...
this went on for two days, then I knew it was time to change it!
here is what i did (and already, less than two weeks later, I have a cuddly cat who greets me, pees in appropriate places, loves to be pet, and loves me almost as much as i love him)
*I showed him love and comfort. I bought him a real pet bed, and a nice litterbox, provided him with wet food and fresh water, and scratched his neck every time i walked by him. The second he laid down in his new bed he started purring...its amazing how broken animals really just need a soft bed and some good food to make them feel comfortable and happy!
*I bought some "natures pet anti anxiety water additive" for cats and put the dosage in his water....I am raving about this product....RAVING!
*I let him pet me. I didnt force anything, i just put my hand out and let him show interest. also I avoided picking him up, and still keep that to a minimum.
* I didnt give up on him! I dont care what that lady said...hes a great cat and hes purrfect for my family and myself and I wouldnt have him any other way!
I just called the shelter and asked to speak with the lady and I told her we wouldnt be returning Kovu and that things were fine and he is an amazing companion. She sounded shocked, and when she asked what I did, i simply said "everything i could!"
Dont give up! Keep pushing, hopefully your kitty will come around soon <3
*Seemed depressed
*wont eat or drink
*wont socialize
*hides
*marks your furniture
AND SO ON
We all want a social lap-pet, right? I mean we probably didn't get our little furchild with the hopes that it would hide from us, pee on our belongings, and acts depressed all of the time.
Something to understand...cats are different than dogs, they aren't crazy and excited and wanting to go for a walk or have their bellys rubbed 24/7. They are however great companion animals and yes, they do enjoy some attention and ear scratching.
Kovu (my cat) came from an animal shelter where he had been for roughly a year. He is BEAUTIFUL and had been adopted three times within that year... just to be returned within the week because he had a "displeasing disposition"...
When i said i wanted to adopt him the lady was very honest with me and actually tried to talk me out of choosing him and tried to show me the other cats in the shelter...but i had already fallen in love with Kovu and knew that he was the cat for me! At 3 1/2 years old i knew his chances of getting adopted (especially with the lady detouring people) were slim to none, and that cage was way to small and smelly and cold for such a pretty cat!
So, after some struggle and hissing, we got him home...when i let him out...he went RIGHT UNDER THE BED. I waited for him to come out (around 2 hours ...) and then i blocked under the bed and set up his litterbox and laid a blanket in a cardboard box for him. I checked on him a few times and he just ignored me and hissed if i came too close...
this went on for two days, then I knew it was time to change it!
here is what i did (and already, less than two weeks later, I have a cuddly cat who greets me, pees in appropriate places, loves to be pet, and loves me almost as much as i love him)
*I showed him love and comfort. I bought him a real pet bed, and a nice litterbox, provided him with wet food and fresh water, and scratched his neck every time i walked by him. The second he laid down in his new bed he started purring...its amazing how broken animals really just need a soft bed and some good food to make them feel comfortable and happy!
*I bought some "natures pet anti anxiety water additive" for cats and put the dosage in his water....I am raving about this product....RAVING!
*I let him pet me. I didnt force anything, i just put my hand out and let him show interest. also I avoided picking him up, and still keep that to a minimum.
* I didnt give up on him! I dont care what that lady said...hes a great cat and hes purrfect for my family and myself and I wouldnt have him any other way!
I just called the shelter and asked to speak with the lady and I told her we wouldnt be returning Kovu and that things were fine and he is an amazing companion. She sounded shocked, and when she asked what I did, i simply said "everything i could!"
Dont give up! Keep pushing, hopefully your kitty will come around soon <3
How to talk your parents into getting a cat
Well...I guess that's how this blog should start out.
(if you dont care to read my backstory, skip down to the bold)
Now don't get me wrong, im not 12 and trying to talk my parents into caring for "my" cat...Just simply wanting their permission before bringing a potentially loud and slightly displeasing smelling creature into the house...
I have been asking for a cat since i was 11 years old (after my kitten ran away because my brother brought a dog into our home). My parents constantly told me i didnt do a good enough job taking care of my kitten before so i couldnt get one..( ill take the blame for not taking great care of an animal..but come on I was 9...what do you really expect me to do? be the worlds greatest cat owner? )
I thought it was ridiculous, because throughout the years my dad banned inside animals...
I'm almost 18 now, soon to be engaged, and I go to college and work graveyard shifts five time a week, so I would say I have embraced the "adult world" to an extent.
I recently went into an animal shelter (bad decision as i knew i would fall in love with all of the kitties) and that is where i met Kovu. I instantly fell in love with this cat and felt such a great bond that i knew he had to come home with me and get out of that disgusting shelter.
I asked me mom, who instantly said "Ask your dad". (who, may i mention, had banned any form of "inside pet" for the last 5-6 years. He said animals just dont belong in the house and theyre smelly, and moody, and entitled, and yada yada yada... ) so when she said that, i figured i was doomed.
I approached him that evening and just flat out said "dad...can i get a cat?"....what do you think he said...haha just a blunt "no"
I am now the proud owner of a beautiful 3 1/2 year old grey kitty I named Kovu...
_________________________________________________________________________________
1. Present reasons why you would love a companion animal.
2. Show that you can provide for the animal (for me it was having a constant income)
3. Show that you have a place for the animal that wont inconvenience the family.
4. If your parents are worried about the animal depositing around the house, maybe opt to get a CAT not a kitten that is already litter-box trained!
5. Explain that you would find great joy and responsibility in "rescuing" this animal from the shelter or foster home!
6. Present your parents with a specific cat that you feel you've already bonded with and explain why you really liked that particular animal.
7. Explain how great it would be to have a new member of the family to brighten up the household! Lap pets are GREAT and they really do bring new joy to family movie night!
8. Animals can just plain old be great fun! Tell them that!
9. If it is smell they are worried about, tell them you are willing to invest in a self cleaning litter-box (watch out, these are $100-150, so know what youre committing to!) and quality litter and food to reduce the displeasing smells.
10. Let them know that you value their approval and you respect their wishes...If they say no, DO NOT just bring one home..
11. Wait it out and pay your special kitty visits and maybe start volunteering at the shelter to show your parents that you are committed to this animal, and it is more than a phase.
GOODLUCK! <3
(if you dont care to read my backstory, skip down to the bold)
Now don't get me wrong, im not 12 and trying to talk my parents into caring for "my" cat...Just simply wanting their permission before bringing a potentially loud and slightly displeasing smelling creature into the house...
I have been asking for a cat since i was 11 years old (after my kitten ran away because my brother brought a dog into our home). My parents constantly told me i didnt do a good enough job taking care of my kitten before so i couldnt get one..( ill take the blame for not taking great care of an animal..but come on I was 9...what do you really expect me to do? be the worlds greatest cat owner? )
I thought it was ridiculous, because throughout the years my dad banned inside animals...
I'm almost 18 now, soon to be engaged, and I go to college and work graveyard shifts five time a week, so I would say I have embraced the "adult world" to an extent.
I recently went into an animal shelter (bad decision as i knew i would fall in love with all of the kitties) and that is where i met Kovu. I instantly fell in love with this cat and felt such a great bond that i knew he had to come home with me and get out of that disgusting shelter.
I asked me mom, who instantly said "Ask your dad". (who, may i mention, had banned any form of "inside pet" for the last 5-6 years. He said animals just dont belong in the house and theyre smelly, and moody, and entitled, and yada yada yada... ) so when she said that, i figured i was doomed.
I approached him that evening and just flat out said "dad...can i get a cat?"....what do you think he said...haha just a blunt "no"
I am now the proud owner of a beautiful 3 1/2 year old grey kitty I named Kovu...
_________________________________________________________________________________
1. Present reasons why you would love a companion animal.
2. Show that you can provide for the animal (for me it was having a constant income)
3. Show that you have a place for the animal that wont inconvenience the family.
4. If your parents are worried about the animal depositing around the house, maybe opt to get a CAT not a kitten that is already litter-box trained!
5. Explain that you would find great joy and responsibility in "rescuing" this animal from the shelter or foster home!
6. Present your parents with a specific cat that you feel you've already bonded with and explain why you really liked that particular animal.
7. Explain how great it would be to have a new member of the family to brighten up the household! Lap pets are GREAT and they really do bring new joy to family movie night!
8. Animals can just plain old be great fun! Tell them that!
9. If it is smell they are worried about, tell them you are willing to invest in a self cleaning litter-box (watch out, these are $100-150, so know what youre committing to!) and quality litter and food to reduce the displeasing smells.
10. Let them know that you value their approval and you respect their wishes...If they say no, DO NOT just bring one home..
11. Wait it out and pay your special kitty visits and maybe start volunteering at the shelter to show your parents that you are committed to this animal, and it is more than a phase.
GOODLUCK! <3
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