Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: AnnaR on May 09, 2008, 12:53:56 PM
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Hi All
We bought two Siamese brothers 3 weeks ago now and ever since they arrived in our home they have been hiding and I am loosing hope that they'll ever come around.
I think they're "ok" physically as they're eating and using the litter tray but only when we're not at home or in the middle of the night. They have moved hiding places from behind the sofa to under a cabinet and are now in a (disused) fireplace. We have not touched them but tried taking to them a lot whilst offering Tuna which rarely even gets a reaction. We have not touched them at all since they arrived and have had a Feliway diffuser on for 2 weeks now.
Can someone please advise me on what we can do to get these two boys to trust and interact with us?!
Are we doing something wrong here?
Thanks all
Anna
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They could just be very very timid boys who have not been socialised a lot. Three weeks is still early days and they are functioning fine. I would just talk to them as much as you can and maybe sit quietly near where they are reading or something and just give them as much time as possibile to get familiar with your prescence. I am sure they will come round eventually!
I have had my rescue pair for ten weeks and even in the last two weeks I have noticed a massive difference in Oscar's interaction with me, he know will come actively seek me out in the house whereas before he wasn't intereested.
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I would suggest having a look at wizz's advice on bonding with your cat and timid cats : http://www.wizz-catz.co.uk/behavioural.html
Remember patience is a virture. I suggest simply sitting on the floor in the same room as them and ignoring them. Read a book or do something interesting and I'm sure in time curiosity will get the better of them and they will come out and explore what you are doing.
You could also try encouraging them to play .... I have never a met a cat yet that can't resist a long piece of string (the high tec toys always work the best! :rofl: ). This will let you and the boys play together without you having to get to close to them.
Good luck I'm sure they will come round in time.
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sounds to me like you are doing everything just right. As others have suggested, indirect play can help. But basically siamese and orientals can be like that. I had one once who did not emerge for several weeks, and even after that, she would hide at the slightest hint of vigourous activties or visitors. She did come around, and ended up being a real snuggle-bun, so you have that to look forward to. Siamese are human-oriented cats so it will all come right in the end. In the mean time, just keep doing what you are doing, don't look directly at them when you are 'enticing' them, and be patient. Sounds like you are doing a great job.
If there are vast expanses of open territory between pieces of furniture, you might also consider providing the odd 'cave' or 'covert' within the gaps. That way they can start to move around the place more confidently. Don't let them outside until you have their confidence though as you may never see them again!
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Patience and time, it took Misa about 6 weeks to stop hiding under the recliner and Sasa still wont let me near her after 2 and a half years!
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Thanks for all your messages and tips - they are very much appreciated.
A