Dogs and cats

[GSD Woman]

I got a new cat last Monday. She's young, probably 5 or 6 months old. She had burned her face on a generator and is missing an eye and part of her upper right lip. So you would think that the cat would be happy and feel well loved. If you ask her about the dogs, the answer is yes. She plays with both of my dogs. She'll get behind a partial barrier and bat at the dogs. Freddie pokes Spike, the cat, with her nose and play bows and it is adorable. Rudy doesn't play as much but she's comfortable with him.
The issue with all of this is that I haven't been able to put my hands on her since she came home. Almost a week later the woman who runs the rescue told me that the two different fosters kept her in large cages at first. Fat lot of good that does me.
She's here though and she'll stay if for no other reason than that the dogs love her.

 

[meleeka]

How lovely, good on you for giving her a nice home. I’m sure she’ll come round in time when she trusts you.

 

[Nettle123]

We had a cat like that, it took months before we could handle her. It was always on her terms but she was a lovely little thing and was with us for 15 years.

 

[Scotsbadboy]

We used to foster for a cat charity and took on the 'ferals' that you knew werent true ferals and had once been pets. We kept them in the bathroom so they couldnt run and hide ... you force (wrong word i guess) them to understand you arent going to kill them and the key to that is that they cant run away from you. Once they start running/ hiding away they are pretty much confirming in there heads that you are going to kill them so we removed that option. We would break the day into several sessions slowly building confidence over however long it took and then gave more space as they adjusted back to being a pet cat. We loved it, very rewarding. Thats likely the reason they kept her in a large cage.

 

[SOS]

Cats don’t feel gratitude, a young cat that’s gone through a lot will be terrified and acting on instinct. The most important thing is for a cat to have somewhere safe to hide. Preferably up high.

One of my previous rescues was terrified of people and spent the first three months of her life with us on top of a wardrobe, we did not pressure or attempt to touch her. We just changed the litter tray and food and water and talked gently to her. After three months she started to come down when we were out during the day, and then would go back up when we appeared. Then one day she decided to come sit on the bed when a human was there. The rest is history and she’s now a completely normal cat who very very rarely seeks the comfort of the top of the wardrobe. Time is an amazing thing with these cats.

As for the dogs playing with her I’d be very cautious that they are definitely playing and not forcing her to react. That won’t help the situation if she feels stressed by the dogs. Despite most people’s perception that cats will be a**holes for no reason they are actually massive internal worriers and do have a body language code (much like dogs do)... it’s just harder to understand.

So time is your friend. And also an element of ‘I don’t care if you come near me’, if you want it too bad they know and they won’t give it.

From a cat lover.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

She no doubt associates people with all the medical interventions that she has had, so it's no wonder that she is wary. Give her time and she will come round. I would avoid flooding her though.

 

[GSD Woman]

I walked by her safe space just a few minutes ago and she didn't run. That's a step in the right direction at least. As far as the dogs go, she has plenty of places to hide if needed. Sometimes Spike and Freddie play for 20-30 minutes at a time and sometimes Spike leaves after a few minutes, so I'm not worried with her dog interactions.

 

[splashgirl45]

we dont seem to have any pictures

 

[GSD Woman]

splashgirl45,

I have one on my phone, I'll see if I can attach it.

I've tried to attach it but I get an oops we ran into a problem message.

 

[splashgirl45]

im sure there is someone techy on here who could tell you how to. i saw a card the other day which said the instructions could be carried out by a five year old and the older man said, well someone please find me one !!!! made me laugh as i know my nieces think all phones and computers are easy..while i struggle sometimes..