Many of our cats offered for adoption are fearful of humans. It then seems difficult to establish a link with them.
However, a few tips can help put your pet at ease, and thus make him less fearful.
The cats arriving in our shelter have lost their bearings: they have gone, for example, from a home to the street, then from the street to our shelter, then from our shelter… to your home! Enough to be disoriented and very stressed.
Here are some tips to reassure your cat.
One of the first reflexes of a fearful cat will be to hide. You can therefore provide shelter/hiding places for him, in a quiet place, where he can take refuge without being disturbed. It can also be high spaces, on which it can perch. If your cat feels like they are in a safe, welcoming and calm place, they will feel more comfortable.
Give him the opportunity to explore his new home. Your cat will need time to become familiar with the sounds, smells, and different elements that make up its new environment. Having patience is essential, as it will take time for your cat to become familiar with its new home and become less and less fearful.
A cat can adapt, but the time it takes will depend on various factors, such as its past experiences, its age, its temperament, its socialization… A cat which will have been very little accustomed to a human presence, or which will never have had the opportunity to have kind contact with humans, will have more difficulty letting themselves be approached.
So don’t force things. Let him gradually get used to your presence, gently initiate contact through games. The game actually releases positive emotions in the cat. Giving him food will also be a first step of contact, without you needing to caress him.
Once he starts to be less suspicious, you can initiate physical contact for the first time. To do this, place yourself at his height (squatting, sitting, kneeling, etc.), put your hand to the side and let him come to you. His curiosity can, little by little, take over his fears. In general, avoid sudden movements or cries that could frighten him again. Never force physical contact.
The presence of another cat in the home can help it feel more secure and disinhibited. But understanding between peers can sometimes take a little time.
Finally, observe his attitude and his meows. If its ears are erect, your cat is alert or curious. If his ears and/or tail are down, he is scared. If his tail is more or less horizontal, pointing downward and/or ruffled, he is tense or irritated. On the other hand, if the ears do not have a particular position, and if the tail is rather stretched upwards, then it feels calm, at rest, or in a welcoming mood.
Regarding the different sounds emitted by the cat, you can learn to identify them thanks to this website: https://www.fundacion-affinity.org/fr/chiens-chats-et-personnel/jai-un- pet/the-10-main-sounds-emitted-by-the-cat