Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: Feline Costumier on May 27, 2009, 10:05:43 AM
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So Bond and I are getting on fabulously and his trust is growing daily. I have discovered he really rather enjoys his food (reminds me of another young man I know :shify:). So today I got some chilled raw cat food you get here and it's a big hit. Much more so than Whiskas temptations, sacrilege I know!
So I have been feeding him it from my fingers as it is good little chunks. I wondered if anyone had any bright ideas for using this in some way to help interact with him more. So far i just slowly pull my hand away so he has to come closer to get the food but I'd like some other suggestions.
Off subject, he is turning into a right little character. His I'm so cute drop and rolls on the floor are hilarious. Because he is still skittish he does it really quickly so he looks a bit demented :evillaugh: He also did a rub against the lounge door earlier but the door moved and jumped a mile in fright :evillaugh: I know I shouldn't laugh but it is highly entertaining. He also thinks that every trip to the kitchen should involve feeding him, again reminds me of someone else I know ;)
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You can all laugh at me here, but when we first got Harry Piddle Pants he was so nervous I had to get him to trust us so I used to get a piece of ham and hold it between my teeth and get down on the floor to cat level and see if Harry would take the ham from my mouth, it took a while for him to come that close but when he did it was a major breakthough and now he loves kisses
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The food in mouth technique might be a bit dangerous though, our cat Doc will go for food with a swipe of his paw rather than take it off you with his mouth - even when I am holding something at his mouth - he doesn't like face rubs sadly so watch out for the claw if you try this one!
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I kneel on the floor and put treats on my thighs if Charlie is a bit anxious and he clambers up to get them usually :)
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I wouldnt use food too much to win him round, he will become too focused on it and risk getting grabby and stroppy when he doesnt get what he wants.
I would feed his meals by hand and cut back on treats, with nervous cats its down to time for them to socialise more than anything. A shoe lace is a great way of getting them to relax and play in your prescence, wouldnt suggest a da bird yet as more than likely will scare himself :evillaugh:
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Food used in the right way can train a cat to interact with you and a behaviourist was helping me use it with Sasa. But she wouldnt and still wont let me touch her but it also means no other food can be left out cos the only food they get is when its put out for them.
If you already have him eating out of your hand the next stage is to get him coming for it when the dish is on top of you,,,,,the whole idea is to get them to come ro you and ask for food by headbutting and stuff...........we got to the eating out of the hand but stopped it as it all became too upsetting for my other cat who free fed.
I agree with MM that maybe a toy or shoelace would be a good idea for interacive playing but it needs to be remembered that alll things have to be done very very slowly and you dont move to a new stage until the one you are on is totally successful for a while.