terrified ragdoll cat?
I have had a ragdoll kitten (approx 8 months) left with me. Apparently it was terrorised by the owners family and she then took it back to the pet shop after 5 months and told them it was "horrid" and she would not pay to have it put down. It is totally terrified and spends all its time under the lounge, or under anywhere it can hide. Once I manage to drag it out it lets you pat it and hold it. Does not fight with the other cats here but the minute you release your hold it bounces of the walls and doors to get away and hides again. It has been here for nearly 3 weeks (unfortunately my niece was working at the pet shop and when they said they were going to get it put down she asked could she take it to ME!) It is not desexed and I cannot afford to get it done and I really don’t know if that would be worthwhile as all it does is hide. It comes out to eat of a night (I presume as the food disappears) I have the side of my house enclosed and a cat house at the back which is connected by a wire mesh tunnel which the cats travel along I already have six cats and one kitten (black) which was put over my fence on Xmas Day in a box. Lucky my dogs did not harm it
Filed under: Cat Tunnel
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Awww, so very sorry to hear about your Ragdoll being so terrified. I have a PTSD cat myself. She hid for 2 months under the bed in the second bedroom when I first adopted her. Was eating and poo/pee-ing at night. I was concerned, but knowing she came from an abusive home, I stayed very patient. She slowly started coming out, head down and very fearful, and was trying to fight with my other (9) cats. With the infamous Caesar Milan’s "Tschhh" sound and then soft tones afterwords, saying "It’s okay, we just don’t do that here; I love you and am so glad you came into my life). After time passed, she became more and more friendly, even sleeps next to the other cats now, sleeps next to me purring at night and all is well.
Trauma is a longer process to get through for cats (just like people). With love, patience and loving tones, you will earn your Ragdoll’s trust – and you will be sooooo grateful that you hung in there.
Honest!
best to let it hide. give it a box in the back of a dark closet. put food water and litter box nearby. it could be months before it calms down.
i doubt it is a ragdoll. maybe a backyard breeders version of a ragdoll. unless you have the papers to prove pedigree.
Don’t know if getting it altered would be "worthwhile"?
Why did you take this kitten when you can’t afford to care for it? And why do you have SIX other cats? Are all of them spayed/neutered, up to date on shots or can you "not afford" that, either?
Surrender this poor kitten to a no-kill shelter so it can get spayed and put into a foster home that will socialize it. It’s probably absolutely terrified with th eother cats in your home plus you also have DOGS? How many? Geezus. You really should consider giving up any other pets you can’t afford to care for. You’re also probably breaking the law with the amount of animals in your home.
Give her some time it took a year for cat that I had that had been abused he wasn’t a hider but abuse made him mean. I have had other cats that hid though what worked best was 10-15 minute sessions involving food or play and catnip (you might start using a feather toy to start to lure her out) eventually they became less fearful and sat in my lap. Another thing to consider she may be a good companion to the other cats eventually and learn from them you are not mean. While we hope for self gratification as pet owners it can be gratifying to just save a cat. If she is happy hanging out with your cats is that a bad thing? Look up rescues for your area they can reccomend low cost spay or neuter. Give her a long time to see she is safe. A ragdoll rescue may take her if she doesn’t work out for you. I wouldn’t let the person knocking whether she is Ragdoll or not disturb you she could be a mix but what difference does it really make?