We adopted an abused cat - it took about 2 years for him to finally realise that we were not terrifying monsters, but that he was safe and could relax. He still jumps at loud noises, but he's blossomed into the most loving, darling little buddy ever. Patience and care and undoing all that damage really pays off! Also - your shirt! OMG! I need that.
Mine's an abused rescue too! I still choke up thinking about what bad shape he was in at the beginning. I've fostered kittens/walked dogs for the SPCA for years but Geordie's my only foster-fail. By the time I'd got him over the worst of his trauma he'd been with me for nearly a year and was so bonded that I didn't think he'd adjust to a new home. He's my little shadow now, hardly ever leaves my side. I love him SO MUCH. It's all about patience and care. Gaining his trust and giving him a loving home has been so incredibly rewarding. So worth it.
Mine too...two years later she is happy with me but still soooo difficult. She is afraid of everything, loud noises, new people, even new food! Taking her to the vet is an ordeal for both of us...giving her medicine? Forget it, she goes feral. I haven’t found a way to convince her to accept touches other than just a gentle pat.
Mine too! I don't know if she was abused, though she's afraid of everything. She was a feral for the first three months of her life, then adopted by us. She's still very fearful of general movements and all, but is generally in the open. It's like a weird mix in between curious and fearful. I try to get her to use her cat three and scratch pad without much success :/
@@indiababydoll Same here, I adopted my kitty and she will fins any hiding place she can. It's been 3 weeks and she still hasn't gotten used to us. I need to buy wood to block under our bed, just need the correct measurements and then block her from hiding. Hoping we will see progress after thats done.
My cat is definitely a wallflower, or at least she was when I adopted her. Like he said it wasn't an advantage. The shelter waived the adoption fee because she was so painfully shy that she was being overlooked and considered low likelihood of being adopted, also she was 4 years old which is past the prime for some reason. I was in the store weekly for work as a brand ambassador and spent time looking at the cats who were available and reading their biographies (after work). This tiny cat spent all of her time sitting in the litter tray hiding from view. Every now and then she would peek over the edge with giant green eyes and promptly disappear again. I eventually figured out that the rest of her was tuxedo print and that her previous owner had left the country for foreign exchange study and the boyfriend she left behind dropped the cat off at the pound. I had a feeling that if someone just gave her a chance and was patient that she would come out of her proverbial shell. She warmed up to having a living space that only had 2 people occupying it very quickly. That was 10 years ago last September and she is still with me today. And at the ripe age of 14 she is more splendid than ever. She is still timid on first meeting people but is monumentally more willing to venture out of her safe place and explore or say hi to someone new than she was when I got her.
a lot like our cat. adopted her month ago, she is 7 years old. started to live behind our fridge at first, but we blocked it. she protested with marking her territory on our couch. now shes more around us but still dont trust us and let us near. got to get her to vet on tuesday, because her vaccination is overdue and we havent gotten her a parasite pill. i think this trip might be a downgrade to our bonding with her, but we must do it. feeling hopeless sometimes, but this comment gives us hope.
Shane Ashby I have a male, 8 month old kitty-pistol who rocks my 7 year old female's world in a not so good way. She walks always with her tail perpendicular to the floor. Yet now she caves most of the time. Our house is super catified. We do need to close off the hide a ways. Any other tips?
Treats, a lot of treats and cocoons are a winner for sure. I started with a coccoon for my cat and would lure him in with treats to get him associating it with positive things. He has h8s cat tree in the kitchen and loves sitting there to 1 watch the neighbourhood cats and 2 watch me cook the food he will try and convince me to give him later. It took months but my cat came a long way from hiding everywhere he wasnt supposed to to sleeping beside me on the couch when i play video games. Except for 1, final fantasy he will always try and chase my character on the screen. Pretty much whatever you can do to get your cat asssosociating out and about with good things do it. My cat gets pets brushes and sometimes the rare treat either in his cat tree or on the couch so he loves those spots when im home. Also just know your cat if i have guests mine wont be out much if at all but i will give him a treat comming out to say hi when people are around or if my guests want i will let them give him the treat. That way its not forced but hey theres perks so maybe saying hi to some new people isnt so bad after all. Also just know your cat and their history. Life experience does not have to define your cat but knowing their personality and history will go a long way to understanding their needs and stressors. .... sorry i couldnt help im not a expert but i try and help maybe too much most of the time.
Me and my wife adopted a one year old stray. She was not doing well in the shelter and was initially very shy and skiddish so we knew we wanted her instantly. After almost a year she sleeps on the bed with us and on my wife. She comes up to us to take food from the hand (sometimes) or she just sits and watches us and has a sniff, she demands bedtime when shes ready and loves to follow my wife if she goes into a room. She still gets skiddish if we move to fast sometimes and don't realise she's there and she does not like other people at all she will go to hide in her drawer. Oh she also trys to meow quiet often now. These videos are helping me try and find ways to get her more confident and I am grateful to the creator for his awesome advice!!. She loves to play with our hands at times too but gets really excited at times then has to go calm herself down i think. I want to understand and learn more. I'd love a cat guru to message me so I can make sure we're giving our little cat the best possible life she can have :)
I miss my wallflower cat! After we got him, it took about 6 weeks until he let us touch him. Then he turned into the best cat ever - he had the sweetest soul. Never give up on the shy ones!
My first cat, Norman aka. Stormin' Norman Bates, was the same. I rescued him from a terrible situation (he was living in a small bathroom in an apartment) and the woman who had him, who had no intention of keeping him, had him declawed! Terribly inhumane!! It took Norman (affectionately called Normy) just over a month before he would come out from under my bed. When he finally started feeling safe enough to come out he would only walk the perimeter of the room. After living together for almost 4 months, Normy finally felt comfortable and secure. His personality seemed to change over night. He and I were inseparable. He went everywhere with me. He would stand on my back and give me massages and when I had cramps he would massage my belly. He became so playful and loving. He loved to zip around the apartment making cute little trilling sounds or hide behind doors and watch us through the crack (think Jack Nicholson in The Shining). I think about Norman every day and I miss him dearly. Normy lived to the ripe age of 20 yrs old. I know he's at The Rainbow Bridge right now playing with his animal friends. I love you Normy! Kissies, Kissies. 😚😚😚 😻
@@evirareid1500 So... I'm having this issue with two rescue cats; they were a bonded pair. Both were very shy; especially one of the pair who was almost "wild" but has gotten better about that and really come out of her shell, so to speak. But neither seem really interested in cuddling and/or interacting with me much outside of playtime ( which they get daily! ), food, treats; I've done everything you're _supposed_ to do and they still just "tolerate" me. Help?!? My last cat was a cuddler like none other; and he died not long before I adopted these; but I still had ample time to grieve. That said, I miss my sleep buddy and my cuddles; and I feel bad because what if this is just my cats' _personalities_ and I'm expecting too much?? Can anyone help, has anyone had a similar issue they've been able to successfully address? Thanks. I love these little guys; but I'm also still heartbroken... 😿💔 ( And I'm not real sure they love me _back_ lol! And yes, I already know cats don't act like humans; and thank God for that!! LOL! I've had cats all my life; and I'm no "spring chicken." Haha. But after my last cat, it's kinda hard to be in this weird "limbo" place of not knowing what the relationship is ...I guess). Thank you to anyone who can help. I would be deeply grateful. *ETA* One last question. You guys seem very knowledgeable; could it be because they _are_ bonded to each other; so they won't bond as well with _me_ ?? My last cat was my "only" for a long time... 😿 They don't sleep in my bed with me (but with one another), even tho' I encourage that. Any and all tips are greatly appreciated.
I just adopted a cat off death row. I was definitely a butler service for him. Everything was under my bed. I was once a wallflower human, I have PTSD and I still have my moments. I can’t believe I didn’t realize that I was enabling my cats fear by never asking for him to come out of his comfort zone. Thank you Jackson.
My brothers drive me crazy - mind you, we're all adults (20+), but it's like everytime they walk into the room and see one of the cats they think they need to go over and touch it! It's like I'm trying to tell a child that it's not a toy. Just let the cat chill! They're running away because they're being bothered, they're growling and nipping because their desire to be left alone isn't being respected. I've never used squirt gun diplomacy on cats, but I'm very tempted to do it to my brothers.
I deal with the exact same thing from my adult kids. I tell them that if she comes to them, they can pick her up but when she's sleeping, playing or otherwise involved in something they are to leave her alone. Being cute and fluffy (and patient) does not give them the right to use her as a toy
Whoa your brothers are... uhm... bad. I also love to pet cats but if they run away (or growl, hiss, etc.) I'll just look around for a while and then it's okay.
I had to very slowly block the unders and realized my shy fearful calico cat was okay when I was laying down or sitting-she was scared of people standing at their full height. Very slowly I had her acclimate to the rest of the house (even with another not shy dominant cat!). Now she is the sweetest bravest cat ever! Everyone loves her personality and she even goes outside for walks! Definitely worth it-please take the time to do this for your shy wallflower kitty. 😻
Just got a very traumatized scared little baby rescue who’s just 6 months old. This video helps a lot with understanding him and how to get him to go out into the world :)
My kitty Sevyn was so shy while at the shelter. I got him when he was 5 months 🫶🏾 The shelter said he was shy and they raved about him sitting on one of their laps like ONCE but now??? Oh he is roaming around a house with a dog and three other people and greets new people willingly. Sometimes it really is about just nurturing them 🥰❤️ he’s 1 year and 3 months now ! 😄😄
What about a cat that is only a wallflower when you have guests over? Like, she's perfectly confident when it's just me and my live-in boyfriend, but when there are others, she hides.
Yes! I want to know that too!? Do you have to force them out then aswell? Mine is scared of other people. It depends though. Sometimes she comes out to see who's there and let them even pet her real quick. But with other people she hides and only comes out after those people have long gone. I always think it's an energy thing. And that I should let her hide. We had a difficult start. She was away from her mom too soon and I think she was played with as a small kitten too soon. So I was already very happy when I earned her trust.
@@moordt Yeah, she usually comes out as soon as the people leave. There are some people that she lets pet her, but mostly it's just me and my boyfriend. I think it's partly my fault, as she was raised not to go into the main part of the house I lived in at the time because I didn't trust the people that came over not to hurt her. But now she hides from the people that come over, especially small children.
My boy is the same way! I think he was abused before I met him, he's older now and whenever I bring most people (who are loud) he flees under the bed, minutes after the people leave, he comes out to hang with me. It took him hours to get used to my bf when HE visited.
I did exactly this to my new rescue. She was a feral living in a cat population. First she wanted to be under the bed and i ended up removing the legs from my bed. Then she was under the couch so i used tape to block the under of the couch. I placed beds and little cottages in different levels on the bookshelf. First she was so scared she had to see me and she would stare at me eyes wide. But now, after 3 months of getting used to everything, she sits up on her scratching post and looks around like a queen ruling her underlings. She still gets worried and wants to hide a lot, but I see the confident cat appear more frequently. And she has let me even pet her a few times! We're getting there.
I got my cat 5 months ago, and after having had him for 2 months, I got to touch him every time when he ate, and after 3 months, I could pet him when he was lying down and was relaxed. Now after 5 months he has come up to me a few times and actually wants to be petted. It has been a slow process, and we still have a long way to go, but it''s going faster than me and my boyfriend expected! He is still very shy tho and often runs away when we approach him (or just have to walk past him). And he still lies under the bed sometimes and always hides there when guests come over.
Well done it takes a lot of patience with a feral cat. I have 4 siblings living with me right now and momma is fully feral but comes once a day for food. She had two litters of two and after around 7 weeks left them in my garden. I got a small kennel and a big fluffy blanket and fed them. They all sleep in my kitchen now and are almost fully tame. I even got one to sit on my knee and watch tv.
I just adopted a young cat that hid for 3 days and didn’t eat or drink. I followed your advice and has worked beautifully. Today is day 6 and he has emerged for boops and snuggles….happy days ahead
My cat wants me to chase him across the apartment, from the bedroom through the hall to the kitchen and back, about ten times every day. Then he places himself on the sofa and looks very pleased. He didn't do this before the lockdown. We once had a cat whom other kids wanted to put on a plank and send down the river. Daughter saved him and brought him home. It took five years for him to let us come to him from behind and caress his neck and head without suddenly turning and biting the hand. Five years. He was the brightest cat I have ever seen, used "cat sentences", melodious structures of various length to talk to us. He lived to be 16.
I think cats fantasize chases just like kids play cowboys and indians , One of mine deliberately provokes the other cat in to chasing it around the house as a game. Its generally too fast to be caught but if it does it regrets it. Its not a game to the other cat. A previous cat used to claw something to get attention and get ready to run even before i react, it would repeat until i chased it.
I view the "chase" game as my cat being so happy I'm out of bed she wants to give me exercise, but then if I DO run away from her she's like "WTF are you doing? Are you okay?"
@@redf7209 my cats are just as weird. I have two cats and one is definitely a wallflower when people come over and with loud noises and stuff, even when I walk inside with my shoes on she's scared. But she likes to provoke the other cat too but when she gets caught she doens't wanna play anymore and start hissing at my other cat and I really think he doens't understands it he just continues chasing her and she's freaking out more and more. It breaks my heart everytime it happens and that's around one, two times a day.
One of my cats is afraid of all my guests at first, but once they fall asleep in the guest room she smacks their feet and jumps on them in their sleep. That's how she introduces herself.
A request for Jackson's fans: if you leave a comment, it helps him with the TH-cam algorithm that gives him a higher placement in the stream. Let's face the truth. We love the Jackson Galaxy channel, and so do our fur children! 😸😸😻😻
I have a cat that growls if she hears strangers she can't see talking (and then she runs and hides). She doesn't do this with videos but weirdly she started doing it when I was listening to a conference call on speaker. I'm impressed she's able to differentiate to that degree
2 weeks ago a momma cat abandoned her 2 kittens in my backyard. Now they're just a month old. One of them is very social, mischievous and playful. The other is very loving and gentle, but also very shy. This will help me out as a new cat owner, thank you!
My cat comes out but she’s scared of EVERYTHING. Everything makes her run, if we move too fast, if we cook and the put the cookware down too loud, definitely if we have guests.
Mine is the same way. With my cat it´s because she use to be a stray and has slowly but surely moved in but she still gets scared of everything. It´s just so deeply rooted in her.
My fiance's dad's kitty is the same. When she first came home, she ran for even the smallest of noises. It was so sad that I used to sit on the floor in the kitchen at night after everyone had gone to bed. I would just sit and watch her, talking calmly and sweetly to her. I would inch myself closer as she started to get comfortable with me being there and eventually she let me pet her. I did this every night for a few weeks, and she got better. It was the only thing I could think of to let her know that she was safe, that everything was okay. She still runs from pretty much everything, but she's usually the first to come out and investigate when we have guests.
My 4 year old male nurtured cat has the same issue but his skittishness has come on recently. He wasn’t a scaredy-cat before but about 6 months ago he became afraid of any little sound. I live alone with my 2 cats so nobody bothering, in fact he is very curious when I have guest having to check out purses, bags, etc. But i can open a bottle of pepsi and the sssshhhhh sound makes him run and hide. I wonder if he’s possibly developed a neurological issue. Anyone have the same issue with their cat?
my first cat who was a stray we took in, was never scared. First time we found him he came straight up to us. We did research around the neighboorhood to make sure he was a stray and we found out he was being fed by another lady. So he was never scared. We had him for 7 years and he died last year. 3 weeks ago we got a 2 year old female calico. She was found outside with her kittens and the rescue had her for a few months . She is super skittish and hides all the time.. She made progress tho and she can walk around when im there. The first few weeks shed hides under the bed (we blocked the access) and she went under the dresser. Then under the couch. It's a hassle but im working on it
I never realized I was enabling my cat’s hiding and anxiousness :( I put a bed and litterbox in the closet for her and even fed her there because she seemed SO much more comfortable in the closet. I thought it was cruel to force her out in the open if she was so scared of it, you know? She comes out into the main area sometimes but mostly stays against walls/on the fridge. I realize now I’ve been making it worse over the last couple years. Now that I know, I’m going to take steps to help her get her mojo :) she will probably be a bit unhappy with me for a little while but hopefully the cocoon thing mentioned will help her have a “safe” spot that’s more out in the house. Last year I eliminated “unders” because she was SO bad about hiding under things and I worried about a fire. Didn’t occur to me that the very back of the closet behind things... is just as dangerous :( I want her to have a long, happy, confident life
Emily Burns yes actually! That day I moved all her stuff out of the closet and kept the door shut. She still walked close to walls, slept in corners, etc for... maybe a month or so? But now she is totally different it’s AMAZING. She will lay in the middle of a room. Climb right on your lap. She drags toys across the house to you and asks to play. She uses the litter box thats out in the open and is even SUPER excited to see new people sometimes. It’s a total 180!
@@harmonys965 Hey I know this is a year old comment but your situation is so similar to mine! My little 9 week old baby is still so shy and skittish, but hes been exploring a little more. My girlfriend and I set up his home base in the bathroom when we got him (only a week ago) , and we’re really concerned about how we ease him out of the bathroom. I hope your little baby is doing well after a year, and if you could offer any advice please do!
I don't feed mine in their hiding place(s) nor do I put the litter box in there but like you, I felt it was cruel to force them out -- and the shelter that hosted them told me to leave them be and they'd come around on their own time. Now I'm not so sure.
One thing that we did is we started moving his food bowls. The mojito cat in the house wasn't very pleased but the wallflower saw it as a game and got to explore his surroundings much more. Though he's still skittish he definitely has gained more courage to come out.
I use this technique of moving food and water bowls with my newly adopted cats and it always work so well. I even put them on top of the things or close doors to make them feel encouraged to explore more
I know this video is older, however, I recently adopted a 5-7 yr old cat and she is so loving but super skittish and always on guard. I tried the “cocoon method” and WOW! I can not thank you enough. Day 0 she got stuck trying to hide under an end table. Saw your video, got a sac, we are currently on day 5. She is a whole new cat. She is still spooked here and there but she went from hiding to going to her cocoon no matter where it is placed. Tonight was the first time she ventured past the main floor. She doesnt run from my kids anymore. Just overall, thank you!!! I knew she had potential and you helped me make it happen. She came from an extreme hoarding situation and because of you and your advice. She is settling in very well with her new life long family. Thank you for everything.
The emergency situation: My partner and I had our first one when we were living in an apartment building and we've taken it very seriously ever since. We have 2 cats, and storage was tight so we had a cat carriers deconstructed in the top corner of the wardrobe. One day when I was not home, the building alarm went off. The cats scattered and my partner, on his own, had to scurry to put the carriers together, find the cats and get out (top floor btw). He couldn't find one of the cats. He was the last one out of the building, and he was beside himself at the thought that he left our cat in the apartment to possibly die. We've taken it very seriously to have emergency plans and prep ever since. It's easy to not think about, that it'll never happen. But that one time is all it takes.
I wish I saw this video a few months ago! - We adopted a 'wallflower cat' back in January and she hid under the bed, until we finally blocked off her hiding spots since we've been home in quarantine since March. We weren't sure if it was the right thing to do! Beside our couch, we laid down a comfy 'clamshell' and cat house, complete with a scratching post (which she loves). We've really noticed in the last few weeks that at night while we're watching tv, she'll finally come out and eat her food in front of us, then use her litter (which is a bit more off to the side). She never did this before and always waited until we went to bed and were out of sight. During the day, she sleeps out on an entry bench while we work from home on our computers (we're in a condo, so it's a smaller space) and every day, she stays there a bit longer. As long as we continue to respect her, give her space, talk softly and friendly to her and throw her treats every so often, she seems to slowly trust us more. Thank you for this video! Anymore advice is always welcome, these cats always need our love and trust :)
Jackson. Your advice over the years has helped my wall flower cat. Now. She is a mojito cat. She was so afraid of guests in the house! I’ve noticed now she will hide but she hides in the room. I got her lots of tunnel things. She loves those. She will hang there now in the middle of the room where as before she would hide under the futon now she comes out when it gets quiet like after we eat and family settles in. I was so proud of her. My stepsister had her baby’s last time and she was soooo sweet to them. This advise really helped!
We two adopted cats. We picked them in the shelter because they were both wallflowers and we desperately wanted to help them. When we brought them home they both slept in the middle of our bed the very first night and have been like little dogs following us around all the time, 😊
We adopted a cat who was on the streets for two years. For the first month, he was a wallflower and my mom was worried he was a ferrel who would never come out of his shell. Took a bit of work, but he's sleeping right next to me on the bed and is the sweetest boy! We lost our first cat at the beginning of the pandemic, so this little joy has been a blessing!
This sounds great! I adopted a terrified cat several years ago that turned out to have been abused. Between years of watching your show and some tips from a big cat rescue (reading to him) he is now slightly shy (mostly around strangers) but doing well. I can't wait to watch this and see what else I can do for him. He's not the one pictured with me, that's his TN(R) "brother." He failed the release.
3 months into providing the third home to a wallflower cat (excluding her original owner or the year she spent at a shelter). My intention is not to give up, but it’s been a discouraging time during lockdown. This video is the glimmer of hope I needed. She’s not going back no matter what though. Thank you.
Jackson!!! This helped me SO MUCH! I just adopted an 8 year old Maine Coon cat from my local rescue shelter; and boy is he skittish.. I don’t want to assume, but from the way he was acting in his carrier, the poor thing wasn’t great in small spaces. Oatmeal (that’s his name) refused to leave under my sister’s bed for the whole first day, I had to gently get him out with food and water. He only left to use the litter box or to eat/drink. I was heartbroken. I thought I was doing something wrong and almost broke down because I was about to think I wasn’t doing the right things. So I watched this. As a cat lover I couldn’t give up on my baby Oatmeal. Now, he’s doing amazing!! We started leaving open my door (closing/opening was scaring him), and we introduced him to the whole house including my dog, Bella! He’s doing great! He still goes under the bed sometimes, but now he has no problem walking around and even lets others pet him now too!!
Hey Jackson Just a quick message from the UK I love my cat and as a cat Guardian who adopted a cat I just want to say how important your videos have been and how happy our cat home is Thank you, keep doing what you do! X
I used your advice to help my dad's friend's wallflower cat. We were catsitting for a week and in that week little miss wallflower went from shy and terrified to confident and happy. I'm actually adopting my own wallflower kitten whose coming home this week. I think wallflower cats are my favorite to work with. I love the feeling of helping a shy scared cat get their confidence.
I just wanted to say thank you. I recently brought in a stray cat and he was incredibly shy and scared. He got under the couch and wouldnt leave unless I was gone from the apartment. I watched your video and went to work the next day. I blocked underneath the couch and other tucked away spots. I put his house on a tall table near a window and gave him some space. Within only 1 day, he was letting me pet him, and purring. The next day he was cautiously exploring the open areas of the room. Thank you so much, its exactly what we needed!
This video is so validating! My partner and I just bought two sibling kitties (Dipper and Mabel). Both were incredibly shy at first but Dipper confident and food motivated so now he’s a snuggly little bug who thinks he owns the house. However, Mabel has been hiding under the bed for weeks. She leaves the bedroom to use the litter box and eat (thankfully) but when she makes eye contact with us she runs away. Last night, we finally said “that’s it!” And we coaxed her to the edge of the bed picked up up and popped her in the hallway with her brother and shut the bedroom door. She was PISSED at first (even growled and hissed once) but within a matter of minutes she was snuggling us both. It was so sweet! Her brother came and sat next to her which helped as well. I think he’s been waiting for her to come out. He always meows at her to come play. This video is motivating us to dismember our bed frame and to keep on the lookout for little cat huts.
I know this comment is 2 years after the video post. But I'm literally using these instructions today. The world is truly a better place because of Jackson Galaxy. Guy is amazing.
This video is so helpful. I just adopted a Tabby yesterday. This morning I found her hiding in my closet, when I fell asleep last night she was hiding under my bed. I created some hiding spaces for her this morning so she isn't in the closet lol. I turned a cardboard box upside down and leaned it against a wall with her blanket inside and underneath and she also had a hooded bed. Hopefully, when I come home she has eaten (she didn't eat last night :( ) and hopefully she isn't in the closet.
OMG! You are a GOD! I did everything you said and within an hour she was out and about! We are moving forward at lightning speed now! We all love you and your advice! A Cat God!!!! Thank you!!!
Yesterday, I adopted a little darling 2y.o. tabby from a shelter. She was very timid, yet responsive and submissive in the cage--she was just precious! Upon bringing her home, I left the doors open to the carrier to give her freedom and time, but noticed she stayed an unusually long time in this "safe space." It wasn't long before I realized I had adopted a wallflower kitty, and I had no idea what to do! To cater, or not to cater to this fear and anxiety...that was the question. And then, behold, there was this awesome dude, Jackson, who will probably change the future of our lives together. Jackson, you have evidently changed millions of lives (feline and human). At this point in the journey with my girl, you have given me hope! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! I will follow all of your advice. I cannot wait to see the metamorphosis! :)
One of our cats is usually fine just sitting out like the rest, but if he hears a noise (cough, sneeze, door, plastic bags, doesn't have to be loud) he will disappear in a flash. Very easily startled, even by quick movements. I don't know why he is like that. I've had him since very young and he is 10 now. He is even distrustful of treats at first. I can't think of anything traumatic that he has gone through that might explain it, and all of our other 3 cats are not like this. If you have any advice Jackson, I'd welcome it. Thank you for making us all better cat butlers. Light and Love, brother.
ShroomyK I have a 13 year old who is exactly the same way. He's lovely when it's just our family, but the slightest noise, even a knock at the door, sends him running. I have no idea what happened to him before I got him at 5 months old. Whatever it was, he has never gotten over it. PTSD I think.
I've adopted a cat when he was 5 years old that behaved the same way, the vet identified a deep untreated infection on both of his ears and told me he got scared of sounds because it hurt his ears a lot. He was treated for that and only doesn't like loud music now, which we avoid when he's around. My boyfriends cat used to love the sounds of running water and such but suddenly she became very scared of sounds of plain rain and thunder and we still have no idea why, probably one day she say a visual that scared her with the sound of thunder and now started to associate normal things to it.
@@wendytimms4515 one of Your other cats is bullying the cat, probably when you are gone or you mistake a cat being stalked as play, I say this because it happened to us, play was actually 1 cat stalking the other when we thought they where playing until the one cat straight out attacked the other.
Last year I adopted two 14 year old sisters. They spent one year in the shelter & were extremely scared out of their minds. Both are getting better & off of their anxiety meds. Been a work in progress but it’s so great meeting their sweet personalities every day. Don’t give up on your wall flowers.
I just adopted a shelter cat, owner was hospitalized so they sent her to the shelter. The volunteer told me she would be fine as soon as we get home but it’s day 6 and she rarely comes out under the couch until I put her to the restroom so she can eat. She also seems like she has severe anxiety because even if we pick her up she will hide into my arm to burrow
@@zepp3793 Oh bless both of your hearts. Thank you for adopting her. Give her time. Every kitty is different. It took my kitties about six months to figure out this was their new forever home. I did give them lots of time by themselves and they’d run and hide but eventually they found their way out of their shell. Enjoy your new baby❣
I totally relate to this video, for myself. I remember when I moved to my now current apartment, I was agoraphobic. I wouldn’t leave my apartment. Then as bad as this sounds, when they changed to the non smoking rule in our building, i had to start going outside. And i also had bad social anxiety. So when i started going outside i kept to myself and try to stay hidden. Then gradually started coming out in the open once i started getting used to seeing the same people. Started to socialize and so on ...and even though i still have some anxiety issues here and there...im now like a “popular” resident that my neighbors care deeply for and im now confident but not cocky and im the youngest person here, but people are so comfortable talking with me because im so genuine and kind and great with helping and advice. I also have to thank my kitties for helping me too! And thank you too!
I just brought home a super shy 6-month-old kitten from the shelter. Not sure of her history or what made her like this but we are taking all the advice we can get to help bring her out if her “shell”. I will definitely be heading the advise given here! Great video!
@@K4113B4113 thanks for asking! She is really coming along! I made this comment three weeks ago. Since then we have blocked all the unders. She also uses her cat carrier as her cave when she feels the need to hide but we keep it in a high traffic area of the home. I also play with her a lot and I’m convinced it’s been very instrumental in helping her build confidence. I can’t tell you how helpful Jackson Galaxy’s videos have been for my cat “Jazzy“ and myself
Thank you! Loud construction started happening right outside of my apartment a few days after adoption and she hid in this hole under my cabinet. I cried and hung up missing posters until I heard a lil meow at night. I’m a new cat owner and haven’t heard of caving.
I have a wallflower cat named Jazz that somehow managed to cave himself past two electric garage gates with a broken leg when I found him. I've always had a really strong connection with him, around me he has all of his mojo, but if I'm not around he is the biggest wallflower and a master ninja (I still can't find some of his caves after 6 years!) I've worked on getting him out of his shy and alert shell more as he's very insecure (No closets!!!). I found out that he absolutely adores being brushed, and I've used it both on his physio therapy for that broken leg (which had to have part of the bone cut in surgery), and to promote his confidence by getting him to hang around higher places. He still absolutely cannot tolerate strangers, and he only accepts my lap, but he isn't aggressive. Strangely he improved a lot when we got a second kitten two years ago, who is the polar opposite of him. It's taught him a lot of the things he SHOULD feel comfortable doing (and a lot of the ones he shouldn't...but that's just their nature). patience and letting them lead the scene have been my best friends with this lil' guy, and I don't think getting another cat is the answer for most situations, I just lucked out on mine. Despite him being this massively shy cat, I'll crush any theories that they can't be social and lovable pets, I haven't had a pet I felt as connected to as this one, and I've had quite a few pets by now.
Hi, can I ask for advice on how long you introduced Jazz to the new kitten? I'm trying to introduce my first cat (Baby) to a stray kitten (Cali) I brought back in hopes of socializing my first cat more (she becomes a wallflower cat around strangers and family members who are noisy and havent made a consistent effort to spend time with her). I'm trying to follow all the tips Jackson and other feline websites give on introducing cats. But just yesterday the stray kitten (Cali) got out of the isolation room and chased my first cat (Baby) for about half a min. Baby was near the isolation room because she's curious but hissed when she saw Cali. I managed to stop Cali during the chase before anything bad happened. But I was horrified that that's was their first physical meeting cause I know that cats are single event learners. TL;DR I need encouragement because introducing my 2 cats is taking quite long and I've been having setbacks.
@@lemonsgalore93 um, well, its good that you started that technique, hissing isnt all bad. Its their way of saying "back off". Most of the time they might even slap each other. As long as no bitting or serious attacks happen. If you go in that situation all scared and tense, your older cat is going to feed on that and further cement the idea the kitten is bad. At most act non challant, dont make a big deal out of it if you have to separate them. You can also use toys if theyre too focused on each other to snap their attention to something positive. I know my kitten roddy was a terrible kitten, he bit a lot, he was super invasive and feared nothing. Which pushed my wallflower jazz to assert himself and put him in his place. Sometimes this meant play wrestling or slapping the kitten off his favourite perch. But as long as no serious fighting happens, it should be fine. Cats need ways to establish hierarchies. Might wanna trim ur cats nails every once in a while just in case.
Hi Jackson! I just watched your delightful video on bringing a wallflower cat out of their shell. I recently got a spayed orange female from the local Humane Society. Butterbean was a bit retiring but not terrified. While my grown son and I were selecting her, he fell in love with a Tomcat who "helped out in the office" at the H.S. and was shortly due to be neutered. So we applied for Duke and picked him up a few days later. Duke is a delight. He's long and lanky and so loving and he really owns his space, lounging languorously all over the place. But he harbored hidden fires that came to light when he met Butterbean. Duke doesn't scent mark, he's more of a fisticuffs kinda guy. Butterbean made feeble attempts to stand her ground, but just didn't have enough mojo. Getting out the fishing toys last night to distract them only made Duke more aggressive on this occasion . The situation was not improving and I was almost in tears. I hopped online and ordered some Feliway but it won't arrive for two days (we live in the sticks of Ohio) so my son took Duke to his room and I took Butterbean to my room to quell the hostility for a while. We have two huge litter boxes so that I can switch them out for cleaning (my mistake). So I put both into cervice in the middle of the night. My two sweeties are not arguing today...maybe two litter boxes is helping. The Feliway may or may not help. I'll let you know if I detect any change in behavior that seems related to it. The "kids" have both retreated today to their high places: a tall hutch on one end of the living room and a tall wardrobe on the other end. So all is quiet right now. By the way, my son blocked up all the hidey-holes after we couldn't find Butterbean the first night. At 75 I'm not real good at crawling under beds to retrieve reluctant pets. Thank you so much for wonderful advice! Catch you later.
Jackson my family and I recently adopted a 1y old cat that use to live with 17 other cats until their owner passed. Frankie is a gorgeous cat but has high anxiety and is definitely a wallflower we are hoping your guidance and videos will help our new addition to our family feel more comfortable and adjust to his surroundings and also help him get along with his new brother Loki. Hope to let you know how things turn out thank you so much for the guidance!!
This was a super helpful video. I've had 9 cats in my life, always adopted and usually from abusive households. Within a year, every one of them has come around to liking me and interacting with me and other people. Except for one. We've had her for 5 years and she won't ever come out from the closet / bed. Vets recommended prozac but that hasn't done anything. This gives me a different way of thinking of things to try to help her be comfortable while still giving her space. Its interesting though--she was probably the only one not from an abusive or neglectful household. She wound up being born in a shelter though, so maybe thats why. She loves other cats but even after 5 years of caring for her, she'll still hiss and hide when I come into the room. Same with anyone else. I have 3 other cats right now and she gets along super well with all of them. Not sure why she's still so timid around the family after all this time though. One of the other three I currently have was rescued from a hoarding house that had over 50 cats. The other too were ferals I rescued. They're all way more socialized than her with humans. At this point, I'm at my wits end. If anyone has any advice, I'd gratefully take it.
My cat started acting scared of me and everyone. And it’s been so frustrating. You should definitely make more videos with tips on dealing with this issue:)
My oldest cat is a wallflower but only when people come over. She's a rescue so I have no clue what her background is but she's terrified of people. When it's just my kids and me at home, she owns the place but not when strangers come over. The other cats we've had since kittens love interacting with anyone who walks through our door but definitely not our little wallflower. We did have problems with her when we first got her, she was always hiding, never came out. So we did exactly what you said here in this video. Food and litter were in an open area where she had to come out for. After a while she got the message. Also blocking under beds and couches. Once they go under those things they're impossible to get out. These are great videos, so grateful for your wisdom in trying to help the world of kitties
Definitely struggling with my cat... rehomed her from a rescue 3 years ago and she is still scared of anyone who comes into the home, scared of me when I even just get up out of bed, or walk around the flat, or do anything unexpected like cough or sneeze, goes through major setbacks emotionally any time I am away for any length of time. I personally feel like I wasn't given her full history before rehoming or the shelter didn't know, but she almost presents as a cat who has suffered trauma or maltreatment. We've only recently had a breakthrough with her actually chasing a toy that I am moving around, previously she would not play with me at all! It's really tough when you just want to be a good cat parent but you keep unintentionally causing your cat fear every single day :(
That is so sad, three years is a long time when all you want to do is give your cat a hug or cuddle with her. She must have formed some sort of attachment though, if your absence bothers her. Have you tried playing soft music, a Feliway plugin, giving her a treat every time you approach her? I hope you won't give up on her, poor kitty... you're probably right about there being some sort of past trauma. We adopted a neighborhood stray 3 years ago. He loves my husband, but still doesn't trust me at all. I figure he must have had bad experiences with women.
I applaud both of you for all of your dedication & love to your purrry friends. It’s not easy but they are in such great hands being with you! I’m sorry at times you feel set back or failure but you’re not! You are a blessing! You are their world & they love you! Remember too, they like to be up high, reward with treats & don’t hover over them to play, get down on their level. I use spray cat nip on some toys, she loves it! Makes me laugh too! 😻😻😻Best Wishes!
I just adopted my 4.5 year old cat from a rescue. He was found on a prison yard weighing 1.8lbs… and he has lived at the rescue in a small room by himself with no windows ever since. He wasn’t with the general cat population because it seemed to stress him more. It sucks trying to show him affection and him seeming as if he hates it. We are working on it though and hoping in time he will come around. Good luck on your journey. I think we just need to slowly give them time. I try to remember it took 4 years of him developing his now personality I try to realize it could take that long for him to embrace his new life
Glad I remembered to look up your channel. I just adopted a 1yo rescue. Our animal shelter got like 30 cats all at once from this crazy cat lady. They were taken away from her. but luckily it only took a couple of months for a majority of them to be adopted. Thing is with the cats, most of them are fairly young 1-3 yo, and none of them properly socialized. I picked out ViVi (my cat) from the group because as I sat on the floor trying to get them to play with me, all the other cats were too on guard. Hiding. One of the hissing cats eventually came out of curiosity but refused to go near me. But ViVi had climbed down her perch. She was interested in the toy and didn’t hiss or show fear just wariness. ViVi is very cute and adorable, but I figured she was a brave girl for climbing down to play. I know she’s scared. This is the first time she’s been somewhere without her siblings, and she’s never had human attention before. She has one eye on me at all times, and either hides or flees from the room when she sees me. It’s been about a week now and she sometimes sits in the opposite side of the room watching me. She’s non aggressive, rarely hisses but the hisses aren’t angry. She doesn’t growl either. She simply tries to make herself as small as possible or flees. She’s very sweet and sometimes lets me hold her but she would rather escape. Sometimes she lets me pet her head but she looks like she rather I didn’t. She doesn’t claw at me either, the only time is when she desperately doesn’t want me to hold her. Sometimes I pick her up a little hold her and then sit her down in a more comfortable spot. Sometimes I ignore her so she know I won’t immediately go after her every time she sees me. I’m making sure I keep her litter box clean and her meals healthy. I also have a tall cat perch she refused to leave from in the beginning. But she prefers hidden places like the couch cushions. I think I’ll look for a box or a cat bed similar to one for her. I’m use to hanging around animals that need some time to warm up to you (I’ve taken care of a cockatoo and a dog like this) but I’ve never done this with a cat before. It’s easy to get the bird or dog to warm up to you because you can take the dog someplace they love and you can sing songs to the bird. But ViVi? No matter how long I try to play with her now she refuses to take her eyes off me. She’s not interested in treats either it seems 😮💨 I wanna cuddle her so badly lol
The work you put in for this kind of kitty is so rewarding. After a year of work I walked in to feed mine and found her sitting. It occurred to me I had never seen her sit before. She always was laying down usually hiding. You would of thought I climbed everest.
I looked up this video because I just rescued a cat and she LIVES under the bed! I’ve never had a shy cat and I thought it didn’t feel right because my other cats are always out in the open and never hide. Thank you for this video 🐱💕
Thank you so much for the tips! I just adopted a shy siamese and he loves to hide up on a cabinet. I put his bed up there and food (was scared he wasn't eating enough) but I was really worried he was going to learn to live up there. He's extremely friendly nevertheless, loves to pet stroked under his chin. Only been a few days but would love for him to slowly come down.
Thank you so much for all your excellent videos. I have had cats for decades and thought I knew everything there was to know but I have now begun adopting extremely timid and scared cats and the game has changed. I want to do the very best for them so find your content extremely valuable. Many thanks.
I once spent 20 minutes looking for one of my cats; upstairs, downstairs, upstairs and downstairs again, even outside just in case. Eventually I found him in the bath, laying on the cool plastic because of the summer heat.
I have a wallflower rescue cat who I’ve had about 2 weeks now. His name is Blaze and he’s a flame point Siamese. He’s about 5-6 months old. I adopted him FROM a rescue that picked him up off the street. The rescue thought he was feral because he’s so insecure. He was on his way to be a barn cat but he is so beautiful I couldn’t stand the thought of it, and since I’ve worked with cats all my life, I decided to add him to my little cat family. With him, I now have 3 indoor cats… and I just figured out his biggest issue… he’s deaf! Poor little guy! He would never have survived very long on his own outdoors. He’s beginning to gain a bit of confidence now and is venturing out of his hidey hole more and more. I’ve never had a deaf cat before so this will be a learning experience for both of us. We have plenty of time to get it all figured out together.
I had a deaf elderly cat. I used sign language to communicate with her. Simple signs that you build that only you and your cat can understand. Eg. patting your thigh to say "come". It's been almost 3 years now since my beautiful cat died at the grand age of 20, so I don't remember the signs I'd invented, but you can invent your own. The thigh petting, however, works very well to catch his attention and then go on from there. Best of luck.
I need more videos about this my new cat is 13 and a major wallflower. She is under a bed as we speak I blocked it off but not well enough and she mana hard to get under it. This is the 4th time in the last 2 days 😩
Recently adopted a very shy kitty from a shelter. Thank you for all your tips. He has his cat mojo in high gear now and is exploring the whole house and giving me head butts when he thinks he isn't getting enough attention.
Jackson u don't knw how much u really help cats. Ur a amazing person we need more of. My aley hates people unless it's me. And my mom wants to meet her. Ima try this. I need our family to get along and love
Oh yeah I need this!! My hair came down when I was playing with my cat and the hair on his back went up and he ended up hiding behind the couch. 👀 Edit - once he got under the base board of my kitchen counter. I think that's further than wallflower. 😔
I've had the love, and joy of pets all my life, but where I'm living now no pets allowed, I'm moving! I really enjoy your videos, and I'm going to get a friend at the shelter as soon as possible after I get settled in my new place. Love your videos, really enjoy them.
I have a British shorthair. She is so awfully cute and we love her but she likes her distance except at night when she’ll climb onto the bed. She will never sit near us during the day or on our lap. She will sit nearby in same room etc.
ʕ⁎̯͡⁎ʔ༄. Keep him in! Nothing about the outdoors is good for cats, and cats are terrible for the ecosystem...they’re an invasive species. Outdoor cats live an average of 2-5 years, while indoor cats can live 15-20, or more!
@ʕ⁎̯͡⁎ʔ༄. Think of your cat as a person. You have to learn to understand her language, what she wants, and what she does not, then start a relationship on her terms. It's like the ultimate blind date. Great cat companions come from years of paying attention, paying respect, and a lot of unconditional giving. Kind of like great marriages. If you put in the time, the reward will be beyond your imagination, I promise.
I have a shy cat during the day but she's a different animal at night. I suspect that it could be that my 10 yr old son has gone to bed. He loves her so much he tries to give a little bit too much attention.
We adopted a 4mo kitten from the shelter and she was a complete wallflower hiding in her covered home, and behind the toilet, and shying away from everyone. My husband found your videos and, thanks to your amazing advice, we're 3 days in to having her and she is out and about in her safe space and is playing with us with toys and letting us pet her. We had to block off the back of the toilet, but, after we did that, she has been more open to us sitting with her and has even begun to approach us! I think we still have a long way to go before we let her into the rest of the house, but she has made leaps and bounds of progress from when we first got her when even the shelter told us she probably wouldn't be the kitten that wanted to be loved on.
I worry about the emergency hiding issue. My cat is not a wallflower, but he did run and hide when the smoke detector went off once and it made me worry about what to do if there actually was an emergency situation. Is there any advice for making an emergency rescue plan that includes pets? I remember practicing as a child, but I don't ever remember it including how to rescue animals.
stick the carrier right near the edge of under the bed and block off the rest so when they get scared they run in their carrier instead and eventually you should be able to move it because they will want to go to their carrier when they're scared now instead of under the bed. if the carrier thing doesn't work try a bed stand that goes down to the ground fully to avoid it all around.
I played loud music alot when my cat was a kitten for like 6 months straight. I wasn't trying to but by doing that I desensitized my cat to loud sounds/noises in general. She doesn't react to loud music or if the tvs loud. At most she does airplane ears and walks off at noises like a smoke detector
We took your advice from a previous video and adopted two kitties, instead of one, they were in the open cat room together at the shelter. They not related, but get along great & sleep together. After the first night, Ford (Orange tabby), is confident and will come straight up to get pets. But Aaron (domestic short hair) seems to have gotten more shy & stand off-ish, the second day. At the shelter he slowly came up from be hind me and let me give him pets (that's when I feel in love with him). The first night at home he had the same behavior as at the shelter. But today (day 2), he became much more shy and stand off-ish, he spent most of his day under the bed, but has came out a few times to get food, water, and use their litter box, but then it straight under the bed again. My question is how long should I wait to block off under the bed to discourage the behavior? (Am making sure to move slowly around him & not making sudden move.) Also ordered him a cat tent too.
As soon as possible. I have a wallflower cat as well, she was very feral...after 9 months she will finally approach us....but we started blocking beds, etc right away...otherwise she'd still be in there.
i want to thank you immensely for your brilliant insight into the behavior of cats. this video, along with your books, have helped my BF and i to bring our newly adopted shy little cat out of her very hard shell. she has improved ten-fold, and although she is a cat's cat, she doesnt mind hanging around us and playing at the drop of a hat!
I spent over an hour looking for and calling my cat yesterday... she was on top of the kitchen cabinet watching me look the whole time thinking "you dummy lol"
I have just adopted a 6.5yo wallflower. She has been through a lot in the last 7 months (which is a long time for her short little life). In the last 4 months, since being taken from pound to rescue organisation, she has had two fosters and two failed adoptions. I first met her just before the second failed adoption, and was disappointed that she was going elsewhere. The second failed adoption lasted barely six days, she was an emotional wreck after being returned to the shelter. I described her as "not an entry level cat" (putting it mildly). Fairly certain she had been in a DV household, and she is 'over sensitive' to being yelled at, told off (for just existing), etc. Luckily I am fairly chill for her, and will let her blossom into her best self, gradually. It is working well, she feels safe with me (we hit mutual love and trust at our third or fourth meeting at the shelter, and it was an eternity waiting that three more days before I could take her home). Even on the first night, she slept on the bed with me, and took a number of days to find her best spot on the bed (for both of us really). She is fairly okay (relatively normal) when I am with her at home, but she does retreat into her cardboard box if I go out (we will work on that in time). I think she has made remarkable progress in just nine days, and I think she will eventually deal better when I go to work, which is the only main issue at the moment. I think she just has to feel that here is now her domain, she is safe, she owns it, and it is her place, not just mine. I realised she has come a long way when new people are heard or seen outside, and she is afraid. At the same time I am gradually transitioning her from the dreaded kibble (and free feeding) to a more sensible diet, and will get to set meal times, we are part way there. For noise de-sensitisation, I was very quiet here in the first few days, but gradually I deliberately made more usual household sounds, and she copes well with that. And no vacuum cleaner, obviously, you just know those things have been the death of a billion cats! I realise now that her 'thing' of biting/attacking hands was more of an (unconscious) test, like "can I do this and not be told off?". I dealt with this in two ways, the first, no reaction, and the second to slowly withdraw the hand/arm. She does not do it any more. It was the reason for her first failed adoption (she got told off, then distrusted new human). Trauma cats are the most rewarding to turn around. My previous boy was the most loyal, loving and protective Maine Coon ever. Another was less outwardly trauma, but I knew from the backstory that was her situation. It's okay to fuss over them for the first days, but gradually shift to 'everything normal' tone of voice.
I have a rescue cat that we adopted 3 weeks ago. She is 5 years old and is under the bed all day! She is coming out slowly but as soon as she heres a noise, back under. She does adventure out at night though...progress?
Yes, progress! I adopted a 3 yr old 4 months ago that did the same thing. Now she's great except for when strangers come over. Then she hides behind the couch for a bit. I entice her to come out with a couple treats and her fav cat nip toy. And when she does come out we just let her do her thing and dont bombard her. If she wants to approach people she can. If she doesn't that's okay too. As long as she knows she doesn't have to feel scared and she gets her reward for coming out. It took mine about a month to get acclimated to my whole apartment. She was in just my room for the first week - mostly under the bed and would do most of the exploring at night. They're nocturnal after all. After that she would check out one room and run back to my room. Then the next room then mine. Etc. It was funny. Now she's totally comfy and confident (with the strangers exception) sleeps with me and all. Hang in there. Be patient. There will be milestones every week. Reward progress. It will be so worth it.
Omg what you did in the beginning is a perfect description of my rescue cat Destiny. She must have been traumatized in her past because she’s frightened of strangers
Thanks for this! I’ve been dealing with a neurotic, wallflower house panther. Bless her heart, I can get her belly-up beside me in bed. And then she’s trying to cave again...
Awwh this is such a great video, thanks so much for sharing this. It's so important for owners to know how to help their kitties have the best life possible. Thanks for sharing this!
This video is amazing, my cat really is afraid of our living room but is super comfortable in my room (where he was put when we adopted him and kept him cuz we own a dog and have been training them to get along, which has gone really well and now we need to let him explore the house) but hes afraid of our living room and basically every where else so this video just is amazing i cant express how thankful I am for it!
Thank you for all of these !!! I adopted an 8 year old cat from family who were moving. They described a cat that I really wasn't sure I could manage, but I didn't wanna see Tigger go to a shelter. I used your information from day 1. This cat has absolutely blossomed! He's amazing and I'm so glad he was destined to be part of our family ❤ I can't thank you enough xoxoxoxoxo
Same with my cat, I honestly believe he has anxiety. He is fine most of the time, but he is still so scared by small noises or anything or anyone that does not love in my house. When we watch baseball he gets scared when we holler out about a call or a home run. We try not to scare him. My poor Castiel. I do not know how to help him.
We adopted an abused cat - it took about 2 years for him to finally realise that we were not terrifying monsters, but that he was safe and could relax. He still jumps at loud noises, but he's blossomed into the most loving, darling little buddy ever. Patience and care and undoing all that damage really pays off!
Also - your shirt! OMG! I need that.
Mine's an abused rescue too! I still choke up thinking about what bad shape he was in at the beginning. I've fostered kittens/walked dogs for the SPCA for years but Geordie's my only foster-fail. By the time I'd got him over the worst of his trauma he'd been with me for nearly a year and was so bonded that I didn't think he'd adjust to a new home. He's my little shadow now, hardly ever leaves my side. I love him SO MUCH. It's all about patience and care. Gaining his trust and giving him a loving home has been so incredibly rewarding. So worth it.
Ur awesome.
Mine too...two years later she is happy with me but still soooo difficult. She is afraid of everything, loud noises, new people, even new food! Taking her to the vet is an ordeal for both of us...giving her medicine? Forget it, she goes feral. I haven’t found a way to convince her to accept touches other than just a gentle pat.
Love this information Jackson Galaxy indeed the 🐈 Daddy 💓. 😎 Awesome pawsome always. Thanks for the MOJO
Mine too! I don't know if she was abused, though she's afraid of everything. She was a feral for the first three months of her life, then adopted by us. She's still very fearful of general movements and all, but is generally in the open. It's like a weird mix in between curious and fearful. I try to get her to use her cat three and scratch pad without much success :/
Shy cats are the most loving cats when you gain their trust, I got one myself.
Same. She a shy baby. But when she come out to cuddle it's amazing.
I hope so , I got a12 yo from the shelter 4 days ago and just found out she is a wallflower.
Naw dawg, my cat won’t leave me alone, she was the runt.
I just got the sweetest kitten from the shelter and she ran straight under my bed
@@indiababydoll Same here, I adopted my kitty and she will fins any hiding place she can. It's been 3 weeks and she still hasn't gotten used to us. I need to buy wood to block under our bed, just need the correct measurements and then block her from hiding. Hoping we will see progress after thats done.
My cat is definitely a wallflower, or at least she was when I adopted her. Like he said it wasn't an advantage. The shelter waived the adoption fee because she was so painfully shy that she was being overlooked and considered low likelihood of being adopted, also she was 4 years old which is past the prime for some reason. I was in the store weekly for work as a brand ambassador and spent time looking at the cats who were available and reading their biographies (after work). This tiny cat spent all of her time sitting in the litter tray hiding from view. Every now and then she would peek over the edge with giant green eyes and promptly disappear again. I eventually figured out that the rest of her was tuxedo print and that her previous owner had left the country for foreign exchange study and the boyfriend she left behind dropped the cat off at the pound. I had a feeling that if someone just gave her a chance and was patient that she would come out of her proverbial shell.
She warmed up to having a living space that only had 2 people occupying it very quickly. That was 10 years ago last September and she is still with me today. And at the ripe age of 14 she is more splendid than ever. She is still timid on first meeting people but is monumentally more willing to venture out of her safe place and explore or say hi to someone new than she was when I got her.
🥰🥰
Thanks for sharing that's so lovely 🥰
what a wonderful story thanks for sharing
Heartwarming ❤
a lot like our cat. adopted her month ago, she is 7 years old. started to live behind our fridge at first, but we blocked it. she protested with marking her territory on our couch. now shes more around us but still dont trust us and let us near. got to get her to vet on tuesday, because her vaccination is overdue and we havent gotten her a parasite pill. i think this trip might be a downgrade to our bonding with her, but we must do it. feeling hopeless sometimes, but this comment gives us hope.
"they can't control their nerves when they go out." my cat and i have more in common than i thought
Jackson, shy & scared cat is my biggest problem. It would awesome if you could do even more videos on this topic. Cheers mate!
Shane Ashby I have a male, 8 month old kitty-pistol who rocks my 7 year old female's world in a not so good way. She walks always with her tail perpendicular to the floor. Yet now she caves most of the time. Our house is super catified. We do need to close off the hide a ways. Any other tips?
Agreed!!! My cat has been rehomed 3 times and is very timid. Would love more videos on this topic, as well
Yeah, just like me adopted new kitty and I have to work extra to gain her love and trust, it's frustrating I posted the video on my channel tho.
Treats, a lot of treats and cocoons are a winner for sure. I started with a coccoon for my cat and would lure him in with treats to get him associating it with positive things. He has h8s cat tree in the kitchen and loves sitting there to 1 watch the neighbourhood cats and 2 watch me cook the food he will try and convince me to give him later. It took months but my cat came a long way from hiding everywhere he wasnt supposed to to sleeping beside me on the couch when i play video games. Except for 1, final fantasy he will always try and chase my character on the screen. Pretty much whatever you can do to get your cat asssosociating out and about with good things do it. My cat gets pets brushes and sometimes the rare treat either in his cat tree or on the couch so he loves those spots when im home. Also just know your cat if i have guests mine wont be out much if at all but i will give him a treat comming out to say hi when people are around or if my guests want i will let them give him the treat. That way its not forced but hey theres perks so maybe saying hi to some new people isnt so bad after all.
Also just know your cat and their history. Life experience does not have to define your cat but knowing their personality and history will go a long way to understanding their needs and stressors. .... sorry i couldnt help im not a expert but i try and help maybe too much most of the time.
Me and my wife adopted a one year old stray. She was not doing well in the shelter and was initially very shy and skiddish so we knew we wanted her instantly. After almost a year she sleeps on the bed with us and on my wife. She comes up to us to take food from the hand (sometimes) or she just sits and watches us and has a sniff, she demands bedtime when shes ready and loves to follow my wife if she goes into a room. She still gets skiddish if we move to fast sometimes and don't realise she's there and she does not like other people at all she will go to hide in her drawer. Oh she also trys to meow quiet often now.
These videos are helping me try and find ways to get her more confident and I am grateful to the creator for his awesome advice!!.
She loves to play with our hands at times too but gets really excited at times then has to go calm herself down i think. I want to understand and learn more. I'd love a cat guru to message me so I can make sure we're giving our little cat the best possible life she can have :)
this guy is cat god, he is protected in the afterlife.
He actually has 9 lives
Deffo!
@@fayehikaru َ فخ؛ لي مج
you mean pro-cat-ted?
The Egyptians will make sure of that
I miss my wallflower cat! After we got him, it took about 6 weeks until he let us touch him. Then he turned into the best cat ever - he had the sweetest soul. Never give up on the shy ones!
What did u do to convince him to let you touch him
My first cat, Norman aka. Stormin' Norman Bates, was the same. I rescued him from a terrible situation (he was living in a small bathroom in an apartment) and the woman who had him, who had no intention of keeping him, had him declawed! Terribly inhumane!! It took Norman (affectionately called Normy) just over a month before he would come out from under my bed. When he finally started feeling safe enough to come out he would only walk the perimeter of the room. After living together for almost 4 months, Normy finally felt comfortable and secure. His personality seemed to change over night. He and I were inseparable. He went everywhere with me. He would stand on my back and give me massages and when I had cramps he would massage my belly. He became so playful and loving. He loved to zip around the apartment making cute little trilling sounds or hide behind doors and watch us through the crack (think Jack Nicholson in The Shining).
I think about Norman every day and I miss him dearly. Normy lived to the ripe age of 20 yrs old. I know he's at The Rainbow Bridge right now playing with his animal friends.
I love you Normy! Kissies, Kissies. 😚😚😚 😻
I have one cat, Bubbles who didn't interact with us. One day she cuddled with me in bed. It's been Jackson Galaxy from then on.
@@evirareid1500 So... I'm having this issue with two rescue cats; they were a bonded pair. Both were very shy; especially one of the pair who was almost "wild" but has gotten better about that and really come out of her shell, so to speak. But neither seem really interested in cuddling and/or interacting with me much outside of playtime ( which they get daily! ), food, treats; I've done everything you're _supposed_ to do and they still just "tolerate" me. Help?!? My last cat was a cuddler like none other; and he died not long before I adopted these; but I still had ample time to grieve. That said, I miss my sleep buddy and my cuddles; and I feel bad because what if this is just my cats' _personalities_ and I'm expecting too much?? Can anyone help, has anyone had a similar issue they've been able to successfully address? Thanks. I love these little guys; but I'm also still heartbroken... 😿💔 ( And I'm not real sure they love me _back_ lol! And yes, I already know cats don't act like humans; and thank God for that!! LOL! I've had cats all my life; and I'm no "spring chicken." Haha. But after my last cat, it's kinda hard to be in this weird "limbo" place of not knowing what the relationship is ...I guess). Thank you to anyone who can help. I would be deeply grateful.
*ETA* One last question. You guys seem very knowledgeable; could it be because they _are_ bonded to each other; so they won't bond as well with _me_ ?? My last cat was my "only" for a long time... 😿 They don't sleep in my bed with me (but with one another), even tho' I encourage that. Any and all tips are greatly appreciated.
I just adopted a cat off death row. I was definitely a butler service for him. Everything was under my bed. I was once a wallflower human, I have PTSD and I still have my moments. I can’t believe I didn’t realize that I was enabling my cats fear by never asking for him to come out of his comfort zone.
Thank you Jackson.
My brothers drive me crazy - mind you, we're all adults (20+), but it's like everytime they walk into the room and see one of the cats they think they need to go over and touch it! It's like I'm trying to tell a child that it's not a toy. Just let the cat chill! They're running away because they're being bothered, they're growling and nipping because their desire to be left alone isn't being respected. I've never used squirt gun diplomacy on cats, but I'm very tempted to do it to my brothers.
Lmao, bad brothers.
If language solves nothing, squirt guns are justified imho
Me too with my 39 year old cousin. Annoying!
I deal with the exact same thing from my adult kids. I tell them that if she comes to them, they can pick her up but when she's sleeping, playing or otherwise involved in something they are to leave her alone. Being cute and fluffy (and patient) does not give them the right to use her as a toy
Whoa your brothers are... uhm... bad. I also love to pet cats but if they run away (or growl, hiss, etc.) I'll just look around for a while and then it's okay.
I had to very slowly block the unders and realized my shy fearful calico cat was okay when I was laying down or sitting-she was scared of people standing at their full height. Very slowly I had her acclimate to the rest of the house (even with another not shy dominant cat!). Now she is the sweetest bravest cat ever! Everyone loves her personality and she even goes outside for walks! Definitely worth it-please take the time to do this for your shy wallflower kitty. 😻
This is my cat right now, any tips?
Just got a very traumatized scared little baby rescue who’s just 6 months old. This video helps a lot with understanding him and how to get him to go out into the world :)
My kitty Sevyn was so shy while at the shelter. I got him when he was 5 months 🫶🏾 The shelter said he was shy and they raved about him sitting on one of their laps like ONCE but now??? Oh he is roaming around a house with a dog and three other people and greets new people willingly. Sometimes it really is about just nurturing them 🥰❤️ he’s 1 year and 3 months now ! 😄😄
I"m fostering two 5-month-old kittens who are super shy, hiding in the cat cave. Poor things. I hope I can help them like you helped your kitty!
What about a cat that is only a wallflower when you have guests over? Like, she's perfectly confident when it's just me and my live-in boyfriend, but when there are others, she hides.
Yes! I want to know that too!? Do you have to force them out then aswell? Mine is scared of other people. It depends though. Sometimes she comes out to see who's there and let them even pet her real quick. But with other people she hides and only comes out after those people have long gone. I always think it's an energy thing. And that I should let her hide.
We had a difficult start. She was away from her mom too soon and I think she was played with as a small kitten too soon. So I was already very happy when I earned her trust.
@@moordt Yeah, she usually comes out as soon as the people leave. There are some people that she lets pet her, but mostly it's just me and my boyfriend. I think it's partly my fault, as she was raised not to go into the main part of the house I lived in at the time because I didn't trust the people that came over not to hurt her. But now she hides from the people that come over, especially small children.
My boy is the same way! I think he was abused before I met him, he's older now and whenever I bring most people (who are loud) he flees under the bed, minutes after the people leave, he comes out to hang with me. It took him hours to get used to my bf when HE visited.
Sounds like you need to socialize more to gain confidence, have them play and feed
So does my 1yo Henry....
However quite confident and happy at home with me....
3:56 overcoming wallflowerism with environmental enrichment
4:02 block the unders
5:04 cocoons
5:16 caving
I did exactly this to my new rescue. She was a feral living in a cat population. First she wanted to be under the bed and i ended up removing the legs from my bed. Then she was under the couch so i used tape to block the under of the couch. I placed beds and little cottages in different levels on the bookshelf. First she was so scared she had to see me and she would stare at me eyes wide. But now, after 3 months of getting used to everything, she sits up on her scratching post and looks around like a queen ruling her underlings. She still gets worried and wants to hide a lot, but I see the confident cat appear more frequently. And she has let me even pet her a few times! We're getting there.
💐💐
I got my cat 5 months ago, and after having had him for 2 months, I got to touch him every time when he ate, and after 3 months, I could pet him when he was lying down and was relaxed. Now after 5 months he has come up to me a few times and actually wants to be petted. It has been a slow process, and we still have a long way to go, but it''s going faster than me and my boyfriend expected! He is still very shy tho and often runs away when we approach him (or just have to walk past him). And he still lies under the bed sometimes and always hides there when guests come over.
My one took 2 months to not hide, now is sitting on the window looking out, and then sleeping there. Sleeps on the bed, not under it as well.
Well done it takes a lot of patience with a feral cat. I have 4 siblings living with me right now and momma is fully feral but comes once a day for food. She had two litters of two and after around 7 weeks left them in my garden. I got a small kennel and a big fluffy blanket and fed them. They all sleep in my kitchen now and are almost fully tame. I even got one to sit on my knee and watch tv.
@@born_confused Hopefully you will be able to take her in as well and spay her.
I just adopted a young cat that hid for 3 days and didn’t eat or drink. I followed your advice and has worked beautifully. Today is day 6 and he has emerged for boops and snuggles….happy days ahead
Thank you... my cat has been hiding for 2 days now and I can't find her. Your message gives me hope.
@@kandihoarding7395same -
@@kandihoarding7395 did u find her???
My cat wants me to chase him across the apartment, from the bedroom through the hall to the kitchen and back, about ten times every day. Then he places himself on the sofa and looks very pleased. He didn't do this before the lockdown.
We once had a cat whom other kids wanted to put on a plank and send down the river. Daughter saved him and brought him home. It took five years for him to let us come to him from behind and caress his neck and head without suddenly turning and biting the hand. Five years. He was the brightest cat I have ever seen, used "cat sentences", melodious structures of various length to talk to us. He lived to be 16.
Brsljanka N. I play chase with my cat too, he loves it.
I think cats fantasize chases just like kids play cowboys and indians , One of mine deliberately provokes the other cat in to chasing it around the house as a game. Its generally too fast to be caught but if it does it regrets it. Its not a game to the other cat. A previous cat used to claw something to get attention and get ready to run even before i react, it would repeat until i chased it.
I view the "chase" game as my cat being so happy I'm out of bed she wants to give me exercise, but then if I DO run away from her she's like "WTF are you doing? Are you okay?"
@@redf7209 my cats are just as weird. I have two cats and one is definitely a wallflower when people come over and with loud noises and stuff, even when I walk inside with my shoes on she's scared. But she likes to provoke the other cat too but when she gets caught she doens't wanna play anymore and start hissing at my other cat and I really think he doens't understands it he just continues chasing her and she's freaking out more and more. It breaks my heart everytime it happens and that's around one, two times a day.
@@pommiebears I do too 😂
One of my cats is afraid of all my guests at first, but once they fall asleep in the guest room she smacks their feet and jumps on them in their sleep. That's how she introduces herself.
😂😂
“I hate people....”
Yeah, me too-Oh wait, we’re talking about cats?
Lol
i was thinking the same thing XD
Same❤
This video is me my partner and our cat lol. The biggest introvert house ever.
Hahaha yep.
A request for Jackson's fans: if you leave a comment, it helps him with the TH-cam algorithm that gives him a higher placement in the stream.
Let's face the truth. We love the Jackson Galaxy channel, and so do our fur children! 😸😸😻😻
I have a cat that growls if she hears strangers she can't see talking (and then she runs and hides). She doesn't do this with videos but weirdly she started doing it when I was listening to a conference call on speaker. I'm impressed she's able to differentiate to that degree
2 weeks ago a momma cat abandoned her 2 kittens in my backyard. Now they're just a month old. One of them is very social, mischievous and playful. The other is very loving and gentle, but also very shy. This will help me out as a new cat owner, thank you!
My cat comes out but she’s scared of EVERYTHING. Everything makes her run, if we move too fast, if we cook and the put the cookware down too loud, definitely if we have guests.
Mine is the same way. With my cat it´s because she use to be a stray and has slowly but surely moved in but she still gets scared of everything. It´s just so deeply rooted in her.
My fiance's dad's kitty is the same. When she first came home, she ran for even the smallest of noises. It was so sad that I used to sit on the floor in the kitchen at night after everyone had gone to bed. I would just sit and watch her, talking calmly and sweetly to her. I would inch myself closer as she started to get comfortable with me being there and eventually she let me pet her. I did this every night for a few weeks, and she got better. It was the only thing I could think of to let her know that she was safe, that everything was okay. She still runs from pretty much everything, but she's usually the first to come out and investigate when we have guests.
My 4 year old male nurtured cat has the same issue but his skittishness has come on recently. He wasn’t a scaredy-cat before but about 6 months ago he became afraid of any little sound. I live alone with my 2 cats so nobody bothering, in fact he is very curious when I have guest having to check out purses, bags, etc. But i can open a bottle of pepsi and the sssshhhhh sound makes him run and hide. I wonder if he’s possibly developed a neurological issue. Anyone have the same issue with their cat?
my first cat who was a stray we took in, was never scared. First time we found him he came straight up to us. We did research around the neighboorhood to make sure he was a stray and we found out he was being fed by another lady. So he was never scared. We had him for 7 years and he died last year. 3 weeks ago we got a 2 year old female calico. She was found outside with her kittens and the rescue had her for a few months . She is super skittish and hides all the time.. She made progress tho and she can walk around when im there. The first few weeks shed hides under the bed (we blocked the access) and she went under the dresser. Then under the couch. It's a hassle but im working on it
Nancy Peuraharju ha
I never realized I was enabling my cat’s hiding and anxiousness :( I put a bed and litterbox in the closet for her and even fed her there because she seemed SO much more comfortable in the closet. I thought it was cruel to force her out in the open if she was so scared of it, you know? She comes out into the main area sometimes but mostly stays against walls/on the fridge. I realize now I’ve been making it worse over the last couple years. Now that I know, I’m going to take steps to help her get her mojo :) she will probably be a bit unhappy with me for a little while but hopefully the cocoon thing mentioned will help her have a “safe” spot that’s more out in the house. Last year I eliminated “unders” because she was SO bad about hiding under things and I worried about a fire. Didn’t occur to me that the very back of the closet behind things... is just as dangerous :( I want her to have a long, happy, confident life
Any luck?
Emily Burns yes actually! That day I moved all her stuff out of the closet and kept the door shut. She still walked close to walls, slept in corners, etc for... maybe a month or so? But now she is totally different it’s AMAZING. She will lay in the middle of a room. Climb right on your lap. She drags toys across the house to you and asks to play. She uses the litter box thats out in the open and is even SUPER excited to see new people sometimes. It’s a total 180!
Yay!!! 💜 I'm very happy to hear that!
@@harmonys965 Hey I know this is a year old comment but your situation is so similar to mine! My little 9 week old baby is still so shy and skittish, but hes been exploring a little more. My girlfriend and I set up his home base in the bathroom when we got him (only a week ago) , and we’re really concerned about how we ease him out of the bathroom. I hope your little baby is doing well after a year, and if you could offer any advice please do!
I don't feed mine in their hiding place(s) nor do I put the litter box in there but like you, I felt it was cruel to force them out -- and the shelter that hosted them told me to leave them be and they'd come around on their own time. Now I'm not so sure.
One thing that we did is we started moving his food bowls. The mojito cat in the house wasn't very pleased but the wallflower saw it as a game and got to explore his surroundings much more. Though he's still skittish he definitely has gained more courage to come out.
I use this technique of moving food and water bowls with my newly adopted cats and it always work so well. I even put them on top of the things or close doors to make them feel encouraged to explore more
What a great idea! Thank you for sharing this.
I know this video is older, however, I recently adopted a 5-7 yr old cat and she is so loving but super skittish and always on guard. I tried the “cocoon method” and WOW! I can not thank you enough. Day 0 she got stuck trying to hide under an end table. Saw your video, got a sac, we are currently on day 5. She is a whole new cat. She is still spooked here and there but she went from hiding to going to her cocoon no matter where it is placed. Tonight was the first time she ventured past the main floor. She doesnt run from my kids anymore. Just overall, thank you!!! I knew she had potential and you helped me make it happen. She came from an extreme hoarding situation and because of you and your advice. She is settling in very well with her new life long family. Thank you for everything.
The emergency situation: My partner and I had our first one when we were living in an apartment building and we've taken it very seriously ever since. We have 2 cats, and storage was tight so we had a cat carriers deconstructed in the top corner of the wardrobe. One day when I was not home, the building alarm went off. The cats scattered and my partner, on his own, had to scurry to put the carriers together, find the cats and get out (top floor btw). He couldn't find one of the cats. He was the last one out of the building, and he was beside himself at the thought that he left our cat in the apartment to possibly die. We've taken it very seriously to have emergency plans and prep ever since. It's easy to not think about, that it'll never happen. But that one time is all it takes.
I wish I saw this video a few months ago! - We adopted a 'wallflower cat' back in January and she hid under the bed, until we finally blocked off her hiding spots since we've been home in quarantine since March. We weren't sure if it was the right thing to do! Beside our couch, we laid down a comfy 'clamshell' and cat house, complete with a scratching post (which she loves). We've really noticed in the last few weeks that at night while we're watching tv, she'll finally come out and eat her food in front of us, then use her litter (which is a bit more off to the side). She never did this before and always waited until we went to bed and were out of sight. During the day, she sleeps out on an entry bench while we work from home on our computers (we're in a condo, so it's a smaller space) and every day, she stays there a bit longer. As long as we continue to respect her, give her space, talk softly and friendly to her and throw her treats every so often, she seems to slowly trust us more. Thank you for this video! Anymore advice is always welcome, these cats always need our love and trust :)
Jackson, when I opened this video I laughed so hard at your t- shirt that I spilled my coffee. Thank you for your wisdom. I have applied it often!
Sending love and light to everyone seeing this right now 😘 may your cup run it over with nothing but blessings today and always
Jackson. Your advice over the years has helped my wall flower cat. Now. She is a mojito cat. She was so afraid of guests in the house! I’ve noticed now she will hide but she hides in the room. I got her lots of tunnel things. She loves those. She will hang there now in the middle of the room where as before she would hide under the futon now she comes out when it gets quiet like after we eat and family settles in. I was so proud of her. My stepsister had her baby’s last time and she was soooo sweet to them. This advise really helped!
We two adopted cats. We picked them in the shelter because they were both wallflowers and we desperately wanted to help them. When we brought them home they both slept in the middle of our bed the very first night and have been like little dogs following us around all the time, 😊
I watched Jackson Galaxy on marathon mode before I got my kitten. She's like ten months now and she's all MOJO baby! Thank you JG!
We adopted a cat who was on the streets for two years. For the first month, he was a wallflower and my mom was worried he was a ferrel who would never come out of his shell. Took a bit of work, but he's sleeping right next to me on the bed and is the sweetest boy! We lost our first cat at the beginning of the pandemic, so this little joy has been a blessing!
This sounds great! I adopted a terrified cat several years ago that turned out to have been abused. Between years of watching your show and some tips from a big cat rescue (reading to him) he is now slightly shy (mostly around strangers) but doing well. I can't wait to watch this and see what else I can do for him.
He's not the one pictured with me, that's his TN(R) "brother." He failed the release.
3 months into providing the third home to a wallflower cat (excluding her original owner or the year she spent at a shelter). My intention is not to give up, but it’s been a discouraging time during lockdown. This video is the glimmer of hope I needed. She’s not going back no matter what though. Thank you.
Jackson!!! This helped me SO MUCH! I just adopted an 8 year old Maine Coon cat from my local rescue shelter; and boy is he skittish.. I don’t want to assume, but from the way he was acting in his carrier, the poor thing wasn’t great in small spaces. Oatmeal (that’s his name) refused to leave under my sister’s bed for the whole first day, I had to gently get him out with food and water. He only left to use the litter box or to eat/drink.
I was heartbroken. I thought I was doing something wrong and almost broke down because I was about to think I wasn’t doing the right things. So I watched this. As a cat lover I couldn’t give up on my baby Oatmeal. Now, he’s doing amazing!! We started leaving open my door (closing/opening was scaring him), and we introduced him to the whole house including my dog, Bella! He’s doing great! He still goes under the bed sometimes, but now he has no problem walking around and even lets others pet him now too!!
I AM SHIRAKAHN! I AM A BUTTERFLY!
You are also an educational cutie, little star! Thank you for this helpfill video, Jackson!
Hey Jackson
Just a quick message from the UK
I love my cat and as a cat Guardian who adopted a cat I just want to say how important your videos have been and how happy our cat home is
Thank you, keep doing what you do! X
I used your advice to help my dad's friend's wallflower cat. We were catsitting for a week and in that week little miss wallflower went from shy and terrified to confident and happy. I'm actually adopting my own wallflower kitten whose coming home this week. I think wallflower cats are my favorite to work with. I love the feeling of helping a shy scared cat get their confidence.
I just wanted to say thank you. I recently brought in a stray cat and he was incredibly shy and scared. He got under the couch and wouldnt leave unless I was gone from the apartment. I watched your video and went to work the next day. I blocked underneath the couch and other tucked away spots. I put his house on a tall table near a window and gave him some space. Within only 1 day, he was letting me pet him, and purring. The next day he was cautiously exploring the open areas of the room. Thank you so much, its exactly what we needed!
This video is so validating! My partner and I just bought two sibling kitties (Dipper and Mabel). Both were incredibly shy at first but Dipper confident and food motivated so now he’s a snuggly little bug who thinks he owns the house. However, Mabel has been hiding under the bed for weeks. She leaves the bedroom to use the litter box and eat (thankfully) but when she makes eye contact with us she runs away. Last night, we finally said “that’s it!” And we coaxed her to the edge of the bed picked up up and popped her in the hallway with her brother and shut the bedroom door. She was PISSED at first (even growled and hissed once) but within a matter of minutes she was snuggling us both. It was so sweet! Her brother came and sat next to her which helped as well. I think he’s been waiting for her to come out. He always meows at her to come play. This video is motivating us to dismember our bed frame and to keep on the lookout for little cat huts.
I know this comment is 2 years after the video post. But I'm literally using these instructions today. The world is truly a better place because of Jackson Galaxy. Guy is amazing.
This video is so helpful. I just adopted a Tabby yesterday. This morning I found her hiding in my closet, when I fell asleep last night she was hiding under my bed. I created some hiding spaces for her this morning so she isn't in the closet lol. I turned a cardboard box upside down and leaned it against a wall with her blanket inside and underneath and she also had a hooded bed. Hopefully, when I come home she has eaten (she didn't eat last night :( ) and hopefully she isn't in the closet.
OMG! You are a GOD! I did everything you said and within an hour she was out and about! We are moving forward at lightning speed
now! We all love you and your advice! A Cat God!!!! Thank you!!!
I just love it when wallflower cats ‘bloom’ and show you their true purrsonalities!
Yesterday, I adopted a little darling 2y.o. tabby from a shelter. She was very timid, yet responsive and submissive in the cage--she was just precious! Upon bringing her home, I left the doors open to the carrier to give her freedom and time, but noticed she stayed an unusually long time in this "safe space." It wasn't long before I realized I had adopted a wallflower kitty, and I had no idea what to do! To cater, or not to cater to this fear and anxiety...that was the question. And then, behold, there was this awesome dude, Jackson, who will probably change the future of our lives together.
Jackson, you have evidently changed millions of lives (feline and human). At this point in the journey with my girl, you have given me hope! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
I will follow all of your advice. I cannot wait to see the metamorphosis! :)
One of our cats is usually fine just sitting out like the rest, but if he hears a noise (cough, sneeze, door, plastic bags, doesn't have to be loud) he will disappear in a flash. Very easily startled, even by quick movements. I don't know why he is like that. I've had him since very young and he is 10 now. He is even distrustful of treats at first. I can't think of anything traumatic that he has gone through that might explain it, and all of our other 3 cats are not like this. If you have any advice Jackson, I'd welcome it. Thank you for making us all better cat butlers. Light and Love, brother.
ShroomyK I have a 13 year old who is exactly the same way. He's lovely when it's just our family, but the slightest noise, even a knock at the door, sends him running. I have no idea what happened to him before I got him at 5 months old. Whatever it was, he has never gotten over it. PTSD I think.
I've adopted a cat when he was 5 years old that behaved the same way, the vet identified a deep untreated infection on both of his ears and told me he got scared of sounds because it hurt his ears a lot. He was treated for that and only doesn't like loud music now, which we avoid when he's around.
My boyfriends cat used to love the sounds of running water and such but suddenly she became very scared of sounds of plain rain and thunder and we still have no idea why, probably one day she say a visual that scared her with the sound of thunder and now started to associate normal things to it.
@@wendytimms4515 one of Your other cats is bullying the cat, probably when you are gone or you mistake a cat being stalked as play, I say this because it happened to us, play was actually 1 cat stalking the other when we thought they where playing until the one cat straight out attacked the other.
??? Was your cat from a shelter?
@@icemule may I ask if you found a solution for this?
Last year I adopted two 14 year old sisters. They spent one year in the shelter & were extremely scared out of their minds. Both are getting better & off of their anxiety meds. Been a work in progress but it’s so great meeting their sweet personalities every day. Don’t give up on your wall flowers.
I just adopted a shelter cat, owner was hospitalized so they sent her to the shelter. The volunteer told me she would be fine as soon as we get home but it’s day 6 and she rarely comes out under the couch until I put her to the restroom so she can eat. She also seems like she has severe anxiety because even if we pick her up she will hide into my arm to burrow
@@zepp3793 Oh bless both of your hearts. Thank you for adopting her. Give her time. Every kitty is different. It took my kitties about six months to figure out this was their new forever home. I did give them lots of time by themselves and they’d run and hide but eventually they found their way out of their shell. Enjoy your new baby❣
@@snookerb6777 of course and thank you ❤️ it is difficult but it’s a good journey to finally have her in a calm environment where she will be safe
Thank you. I've got an extreme wallflower :( it's soooo sad. I adopted her last week. This was so very helpful!
How's it going now? Same situation :)
I totally relate to this video, for myself. I remember when I moved to my now current apartment, I was agoraphobic. I wouldn’t leave my apartment. Then as bad as this sounds, when they changed to the non smoking rule in our building, i had to start going outside. And i also had bad social anxiety. So when i started going outside i kept to myself and try to stay hidden. Then gradually started coming out in the open once i started getting used to seeing the same people. Started to socialize and so on ...and even though i still have some anxiety issues here and there...im now like a “popular” resident that my neighbors care deeply for and im now confident but not cocky and im the youngest person here, but people are so comfortable talking with me because im so genuine and kind and great with helping and advice. I also have to thank my kitties for helping me too! And thank you too!
I just brought home a super shy 6-month-old kitten from the shelter. Not sure of her history or what made her like this but we are taking all the advice we can get to help bring her out if her “shell”. I will definitely be heading the advise given here! Great video!
How did it go so far?
@@K4113B4113 thanks for asking! She is really coming along! I made this comment three weeks ago. Since then we have blocked all the unders. She also uses her cat carrier as her cave when she feels the need to hide but we keep it in a high traffic area of the home. I also play with her a lot and I’m convinced it’s been very instrumental in helping her build confidence. I can’t tell you how helpful Jackson Galaxy’s videos have been for my cat “Jazzy“ and myself
Thank you! Loud construction started happening right outside of my apartment a few days after adoption and she hid in this hole under my cabinet. I cried and hung up missing posters until I heard a lil meow at night. I’m a new cat owner and haven’t heard of caving.
I have a wallflower cat named Jazz that somehow managed to cave himself past two electric garage gates with a broken leg when I found him.
I've always had a really strong connection with him, around me he has all of his mojo, but if I'm not around he is the biggest wallflower and a master ninja (I still can't find some of his caves after 6 years!)
I've worked on getting him out of his shy and alert shell more as he's very insecure (No closets!!!).
I found out that he absolutely adores being brushed, and I've used it both on his physio therapy for that broken leg (which had to have part of the bone cut in surgery), and to promote his confidence by getting him to hang around higher places.
He still absolutely cannot tolerate strangers, and he only accepts my lap, but he isn't aggressive.
Strangely he improved a lot when we got a second kitten two years ago, who is the polar opposite of him. It's taught him a lot of the things he SHOULD feel comfortable doing (and a lot of the ones he shouldn't...but that's just their nature).
patience and letting them lead the scene have been my best friends with this lil' guy, and I don't think getting another cat is the answer for most situations, I just lucked out on mine.
Despite him being this massively shy cat, I'll crush any theories that they can't be social and lovable pets, I haven't had a pet I felt as connected to as this one, and I've had quite a few pets by now.
Hi, can I ask for advice on how long you introduced Jazz to the new kitten? I'm trying to introduce my first cat (Baby) to a stray kitten (Cali) I brought back in hopes of socializing my first cat more (she becomes a wallflower cat around strangers and family members who are noisy and havent made a consistent effort to spend time with her).
I'm trying to follow all the tips Jackson and other feline websites give on introducing cats.
But just yesterday the stray kitten (Cali) got out of the isolation room and chased my first cat (Baby) for about half a min. Baby was near the isolation room because she's curious but hissed when she saw Cali. I managed to stop Cali during the chase before anything bad happened. But I was horrified that that's was their first physical meeting cause I know that cats are single event learners.
TL;DR I need encouragement because introducing my 2 cats is taking quite long and I've been having setbacks.
@@lemonsgalore93 um, well, its good that you started that technique, hissing isnt all bad. Its their way of saying "back off".
Most of the time they might even slap each other. As long as no bitting or serious attacks happen.
If you go in that situation all scared and tense, your older cat is going to feed on that and further cement the idea the kitten is bad. At most act non challant, dont make a big deal out of it if you have to separate them.
You can also use toys if theyre too focused on each other to snap their attention to something positive.
I know my kitten roddy was a terrible kitten, he bit a lot, he was super invasive and feared nothing.
Which pushed my wallflower jazz to assert himself and put him in his place.
Sometimes this meant play wrestling or slapping the kitten off his favourite perch. But as long as no serious fighting happens, it should be fine. Cats need ways to establish hierarchies.
Might wanna trim ur cats nails every once in a while just in case.
@@LyricaBelachium thanks so much for replying! Sorry, if I can get one more qn in. How did you introduce your kitten to your cat?
Hi Jackson! I just watched your delightful video on bringing a wallflower cat out of their shell. I recently got a spayed orange female from the local Humane Society. Butterbean was a bit retiring but not terrified. While my grown son and I were selecting her, he fell in love with a Tomcat who "helped out in the office" at the H.S. and was shortly due to be neutered. So we applied for Duke and picked him up a few days later. Duke is a delight. He's long and lanky and so loving and he really owns his space, lounging languorously all over the place. But he harbored hidden fires that came to light when he met Butterbean. Duke doesn't scent mark, he's more of a fisticuffs kinda guy. Butterbean made feeble attempts to stand her ground, but just didn't have enough mojo. Getting out the fishing toys last night to distract them only made Duke more aggressive on this occasion . The situation was not improving and I was almost in tears. I hopped online and ordered some Feliway but it won't arrive for two days (we live in the sticks of Ohio) so my son took Duke to his room and I took Butterbean to my room to quell the hostility for a while. We have two huge litter boxes so that I can switch them out for cleaning (my mistake). So I put both into cervice in the middle of the night. My two sweeties are not arguing today...maybe two litter boxes is helping. The Feliway may or may not help. I'll let you know if I detect any change in behavior that seems related to it. The "kids" have both retreated today to their high places: a tall hutch on one end of the living room and a tall wardrobe on the other end. So all is quiet right now.
By the way, my son blocked up all the hidey-holes after we couldn't find Butterbean the first night. At 75 I'm not real good at crawling under beds to retrieve reluctant pets. Thank you so much for wonderful advice! Catch you later.
Jackson my family and I recently adopted a 1y old cat that use to live with 17 other cats until their owner passed. Frankie is a gorgeous cat but has high anxiety and is definitely a wallflower we are hoping your guidance and videos will help our new addition to our family feel more comfortable and adjust to his surroundings and also help him get along with his new brother Loki. Hope to let you know how things turn out thank you so much for the guidance!!
This was a super helpful video. I've had 9 cats in my life, always adopted and usually from abusive households. Within a year, every one of them has come around to liking me and interacting with me and other people. Except for one. We've had her for 5 years and she won't ever come out from the closet / bed. Vets recommended prozac but that hasn't done anything. This gives me a different way of thinking of things to try to help her be comfortable while still giving her space. Its interesting though--she was probably the only one not from an abusive or neglectful household. She wound up being born in a shelter though, so maybe thats why. She loves other cats but even after 5 years of caring for her, she'll still hiss and hide when I come into the room. Same with anyone else. I have 3 other cats right now and she gets along super well with all of them. Not sure why she's still so timid around the family after all this time though. One of the other three I currently have was rescued from a hoarding house that had over 50 cats. The other too were ferals I rescued. They're all way more socialized than her with humans. At this point, I'm at my wits end. If anyone has any advice, I'd gratefully take it.
My cat started acting scared of me and everyone. And it’s been so frustrating. You should definitely make more videos with tips on dealing with this issue:)
Did it ever get better?
@@kriss8288 it’s a little better but she’s still seems afraid
@@Nostalkingwelcome awe we just adopted a kitty and she's very skittish and doesn't trust anyone just looking for ways to help her overcome that.
Thanks! An extra like for premiering on my birthday 2 years ago. (donating)
I’m about to adopt a wallflower cat, and I’m now excited to exercise these tips with her!
Thanks so much 🦋🦋
My oldest cat is a wallflower but only when people come over. She's a rescue so I have no clue what her background is but she's terrified of people. When it's just my kids and me at home, she owns the place but not when strangers come over. The other cats we've had since kittens love interacting with anyone who walks through our door but definitely not our little wallflower. We did have problems with her when we first got her, she was always hiding, never came out. So we did exactly what you said here in this video. Food and litter were in an open area where she had to come out for. After a while she got the message. Also blocking under beds and couches. Once they go under those things they're impossible to get out. These are great videos, so grateful for your wisdom in trying to help the world of kitties
Definitely struggling with my cat... rehomed her from a rescue 3 years ago and she is still scared of anyone who comes into the home, scared of me when I even just get up out of bed, or walk around the flat, or do anything unexpected like cough or sneeze, goes through major setbacks emotionally any time I am away for any length of time. I personally feel like I wasn't given her full history before rehoming or the shelter didn't know, but she almost presents as a cat who has suffered trauma or maltreatment. We've only recently had a breakthrough with her actually chasing a toy that I am moving around, previously she would not play with me at all! It's really tough when you just want to be a good cat parent but you keep unintentionally causing your cat fear every single day :(
That is so sad, three years is a long time when all you want to do is give your cat a hug or cuddle with her. She must have formed some sort of attachment though, if your absence bothers her. Have you tried playing soft music, a Feliway plugin, giving her a treat every time you approach her? I hope you won't give up on her, poor kitty... you're probably right about there being some sort of past trauma. We adopted a neighborhood stray 3 years ago. He loves my husband, but still doesn't trust me at all. I figure he must have had bad experiences with women.
I applaud both of you for all of your dedication & love to your purrry friends. It’s not easy but they are in such great hands being with you! I’m sorry at times you feel set back or failure but you’re not! You are a blessing! You are their world & they love you! Remember too, they like to be up high, reward with treats & don’t hover over them to play, get down on their level. I use spray cat nip on some toys, she loves it! Makes me laugh too! 😻😻😻Best Wishes!
I just adopted my 4.5 year old cat from a rescue. He was found on a prison yard weighing 1.8lbs… and he has lived at the rescue in a small room by himself with no windows ever since. He wasn’t with the general cat population because it seemed to stress him more. It sucks trying to show him affection and him seeming as if he hates it. We are working on it though and hoping in time he will come around. Good luck on your journey. I think we just need to slowly give them time. I try to remember it took 4 years of him developing his now personality I try to realize it could take that long for him to embrace his new life
Glad I remembered to look up your channel. I just adopted a 1yo rescue. Our animal shelter got like 30 cats all at once from this crazy cat lady. They were taken away from her. but luckily it only took a couple of months for a majority of them to be adopted. Thing is with the cats, most of them are fairly young 1-3 yo, and none of them properly socialized. I picked out ViVi (my cat) from the group because as I sat on the floor trying to get them to play with me, all the other cats were too on guard. Hiding. One of the hissing cats eventually came out of curiosity but refused to go near me. But ViVi had climbed down her perch. She was interested in the toy and didn’t hiss or show fear just wariness. ViVi is very cute and adorable, but I figured she was a brave girl for climbing down to play.
I know she’s scared. This is the first time she’s been somewhere without her siblings, and she’s never had human attention before. She has one eye on me at all times, and either hides or flees from the room when she sees me. It’s been about a week now and she sometimes sits in the opposite side of the room watching me. She’s non aggressive, rarely hisses but the hisses aren’t angry. She doesn’t growl either. She simply tries to make herself as small as possible or flees. She’s very sweet and sometimes lets me hold her but she would rather escape. Sometimes she lets me pet her head but she looks like she rather I didn’t. She doesn’t claw at me either, the only time is when she desperately doesn’t want me to hold her. Sometimes I pick her up a little hold her and then sit her down in a more comfortable spot. Sometimes I ignore her so she know I won’t immediately go after her every time she sees me.
I’m making sure I keep her litter box clean and her meals healthy. I also have a tall cat perch she refused to leave from in the beginning. But she prefers hidden places like the couch cushions. I think I’ll look for a box or a cat bed similar to one for her.
I’m use to hanging around animals that need some time to warm up to you (I’ve taken care of a cockatoo and a dog like this) but I’ve never done this with a cat before. It’s easy to get the bird or dog to warm up to you because you can take the dog someplace they love and you can sing songs to the bird. But ViVi? No matter how long I try to play with her now she refuses to take her eyes off me. She’s not interested in treats either it seems 😮💨 I wanna cuddle her so badly lol
The work you put in for this kind of kitty is so rewarding. After a year of work I walked in to feed mine and found her sitting. It occurred to me I had never seen her sit before. She always was laying down usually hiding. You would of thought I climbed everest.
I freaking love that shirt omg
I looked up this video because I just rescued a cat and she LIVES under the bed! I’ve never had a shy cat and I thought it didn’t feel right because my other cats are always out in the open and never hide. Thank you for this video 🐱💕
Thank you so much for the tips! I just adopted a shy siamese and he loves to hide up on a cabinet. I put his bed up there and food (was scared he wasn't eating enough) but I was really worried he was going to learn to live up there. He's extremely friendly nevertheless, loves to pet stroked under his chin. Only been a few days but would love for him to slowly come down.
Thank you so much for all your excellent videos. I have had cats for decades and thought I knew everything there was to know but I have now begun adopting extremely timid and scared cats and the game has changed. I want to do the very best for them so find your content extremely valuable. Many thanks.
I once spent 20 minutes looking for one of my cats; upstairs, downstairs, upstairs and downstairs again, even outside just in case. Eventually I found him in the bath, laying on the cool plastic because of the summer heat.
I have a wallflower rescue cat who I’ve had about 2 weeks now. His name is Blaze and he’s a flame point Siamese. He’s about 5-6 months old.
I adopted him FROM a rescue that picked him up off the street. The rescue thought he was feral because he’s so insecure. He was on his way to be a barn cat but he is so beautiful I couldn’t stand the thought of it, and since I’ve worked with cats all my life, I decided to add him to my little cat family. With him, I now have 3 indoor cats… and I just figured out his biggest issue… he’s deaf! Poor little guy! He would never have survived very long on his own outdoors.
He’s beginning to gain a bit of confidence now and is venturing out of his hidey hole more and more.
I’ve never had a deaf cat before so this will be a learning experience for both of us. We have plenty of time to get it all figured out together.
I had a deaf elderly cat. I used sign language to communicate with her. Simple signs that you build that only you and your cat can understand. Eg. patting your thigh to say "come". It's been almost 3 years now since my beautiful cat died at the grand age of 20, so I don't remember the signs I'd invented, but you can invent your own. The thigh petting, however, works very well to catch his attention and then go on from there. Best of luck.
A litter box on top of the fridge sounds so unhygienic
Yeah that made me gag.
Litter pebbles in the freezer or fridge anyone?? NO THANK YOU PLEASE!!!
Sounds? It is..... We talking shit and piss where you fix your meals.... I'm not okay with that
🤮
I never even heard of that before. SMH!!!
I’ve never seen more relatable content than the first 10 sec of this video
I need more videos about this my new cat is 13 and a major wallflower. She is under a bed as we speak I blocked it off but not well enough and she mana hard to get under it. This is the 4th time in the last 2 days 😩
Recently adopted a very shy kitty from a shelter. Thank you for all your tips. He has his cat mojo in high gear now and is exploring the whole house and giving me head butts when he thinks he isn't getting enough attention.
Thx so much! My sister was yelling at me for covering the hiding places lol. Again thx so much!
Jackson u don't knw how much u really help cats. Ur a amazing person we need more of. My aley hates people unless it's me. And my mom wants to meet her. Ima try this. I need our family to get along and love
Oh yeah I need this!! My hair came down when I was playing with my cat and the hair on his back went up and he ended up hiding behind the couch. 👀
Edit - once he got under the base board of my kitchen counter. I think that's further than wallflower. 😔
I've had the love, and joy of pets all my life, but where I'm living now no pets allowed, I'm moving! I really enjoy your videos, and I'm going to get a friend at the shelter as soon as possible after I get settled in my new place. Love your videos, really enjoy them.
I have a British shorthair. She is so awfully cute and we love her but she likes her distance except at night when she’ll climb onto the bed. She will never sit near us during the day or on our lap. She will sit nearby in same room etc.
My ragdoll too! She doesnt like pets or cuddles.
Sounds like one of my cats. But if he’s hungry, he’s all over me!
ʕ⁎̯͡⁎ʔ༄. Keep him in! Nothing about the outdoors is good for cats, and cats are terrible for the ecosystem...they’re an invasive species. Outdoor cats live an average of 2-5 years, while indoor cats can live 15-20, or more!
@ʕ⁎̯͡⁎ʔ༄. Think of your cat as a person. You have to learn to understand her language, what she wants, and what she does not, then start a relationship on her terms. It's like the ultimate blind date. Great cat companions come from years of paying attention, paying respect, and a lot of unconditional giving. Kind of like great marriages. If you put in the time, the reward will be beyond your imagination, I promise.
I have a shy cat during the day but she's a different animal at night. I suspect that it could be that my 10 yr old son has gone to bed. He loves her so much he tries to give a little bit too much attention.
We adopted a 4mo kitten from the shelter and she was a complete wallflower hiding in her covered home, and behind the toilet, and shying away from everyone. My husband found your videos and, thanks to your amazing advice, we're 3 days in to having her and she is out and about in her safe space and is playing with us with toys and letting us pet her. We had to block off the back of the toilet, but, after we did that, she has been more open to us sitting with her and has even begun to approach us! I think we still have a long way to go before we let her into the rest of the house, but she has made leaps and bounds of progress from when we first got her when even the shelter told us she probably wouldn't be the kitten that wanted to be loved on.
I worry about the emergency hiding issue. My cat is not a wallflower, but he did run and hide when the smoke detector went off once and it made me worry about what to do if there actually was an emergency situation. Is there any advice for making an emergency rescue plan that includes pets? I remember practicing as a child, but I don't ever remember it including how to rescue animals.
You need a container for your cat, grab it, put it in there and make your way out. That is the emergency plan.
stick the carrier right near the edge of under the bed and block off the rest so when they get scared they run in their carrier instead and eventually you should be able to move it because they will want to go to their carrier when they're scared now instead of under the bed. if the carrier thing doesn't work try a bed stand that goes down to the ground fully to avoid it all around.
I played loud music alot when my cat was a kitten for like 6 months straight. I wasn't trying to but by doing that I desensitized my cat to loud sounds/noises in general. She doesn't react to loud music or if the tvs loud. At most she does airplane ears and walks off at noises like a smoke detector
Just got a feral kittens who, thanks to your very good advice came around to cuddles & sleeping on the bed in only 3 days! Thank you ❣️
Your videos have answered all my qs and put me at ease. I recently rescued an outside cat, ty ty
We took your advice from a previous video and adopted two kitties, instead of one, they were in the open cat room together at the shelter. They not related, but get along great & sleep together. After the first night, Ford (Orange tabby), is confident and will come straight up to get pets.
But Aaron (domestic short hair) seems to have gotten more shy & stand off-ish, the second day. At the shelter he slowly came up from be hind me and let me give him pets (that's when I feel in love with him). The first night at home he had the same behavior as at the shelter. But today (day 2), he became much more shy and stand off-ish, he spent most of his day under the bed, but has came out a few times to get food, water, and use their litter box, but then it straight under the bed again.
My question is how long should I wait to block off under the bed to discourage the behavior? (Am making sure to move slowly around him & not making sudden move.) Also ordered him a cat tent too.
As soon as possible. I have a wallflower cat as well, she was very feral...after 9 months she will finally approach us....but we started blocking beds, etc right away...otherwise she'd still be in there.
i want to thank you immensely for your brilliant insight into the behavior of cats. this video, along with your books, have helped my BF and i to bring our newly adopted shy little cat out of her very hard shell. she has improved ten-fold, and although she is a cat's cat, she doesnt mind hanging around us and playing at the drop of a hat!
I spent over an hour looking for and calling my cat yesterday... she was on top of the kitchen cabinet watching me look the whole time thinking "you dummy lol"
Lol💀😂😂
Such a cat thing to do! 😂
I have just adopted a 6.5yo wallflower. She has been through a lot in the last 7 months (which is a long time for her short little life). In the last 4 months, since being taken from pound to rescue organisation, she has had two fosters and two failed adoptions. I first met her just before the second failed adoption, and was disappointed that she was going elsewhere. The second failed adoption lasted barely six days, she was an emotional wreck after being returned to the shelter. I described her as "not an entry level cat" (putting it mildly).
Fairly certain she had been in a DV household, and she is 'over sensitive' to being yelled at, told off (for just existing), etc. Luckily I am fairly chill for her, and will let her blossom into her best self, gradually. It is working well, she feels safe with me (we hit mutual love and trust at our third or fourth meeting at the shelter, and it was an eternity waiting that three more days before I could take her home). Even on the first night, she slept on the bed with me, and took a number of days to find her best spot on the bed (for both of us really). She is fairly okay (relatively normal) when I am with her at home, but she does retreat into her cardboard box if I go out (we will work on that in time). I think she has made remarkable progress in just nine days, and I think she will eventually deal better when I go to work, which is the only main issue at the moment. I think she just has to feel that here is now her domain, she is safe, she owns it, and it is her place, not just mine. I realised she has come a long way when new people are heard or seen outside, and she is afraid. At the same time I am gradually transitioning her from the dreaded kibble (and free feeding) to a more sensible diet, and will get to set meal times, we are part way there.
For noise de-sensitisation, I was very quiet here in the first few days, but gradually I deliberately made more usual household sounds, and she copes well with that. And no vacuum cleaner, obviously, you just know those things have been the death of a billion cats!
I realise now that her 'thing' of biting/attacking hands was more of an (unconscious) test, like "can I do this and not be told off?". I dealt with this in two ways, the first, no reaction, and the second to slowly withdraw the hand/arm. She does not do it any more. It was the reason for her first failed adoption (she got told off, then distrusted new human).
Trauma cats are the most rewarding to turn around. My previous boy was the most loyal, loving and protective Maine Coon ever. Another was less outwardly trauma, but I knew from the backstory that was her situation. It's okay to fuss over them for the first days, but gradually shift to 'everything normal' tone of voice.
I have a rescue cat that we adopted 3 weeks ago. She is 5 years old and is under the bed all day! She is coming out slowly but as soon as she heres a noise, back under. She does adventure out at night though...progress?
Yes, progress! I adopted a 3 yr old 4 months ago that did the same thing. Now she's great except for when strangers come over. Then she hides behind the couch for a bit. I entice her to come out with a couple treats and her fav cat nip toy. And when she does come out we just let her do her thing and dont bombard her. If she wants to approach people she can. If she doesn't that's okay too. As long as she knows she doesn't have to feel scared and she gets her reward for coming out. It took mine about a month to get acclimated to my whole apartment. She was in just my room for the first week - mostly under the bed and would do most of the exploring at night. They're nocturnal after all. After that she would check out one room and run back to my room. Then the next room then mine. Etc. It was funny.
Now she's totally comfy and confident (with the strangers exception) sleeps with me and all. Hang in there. Be patient. There will be milestones every week. Reward progress. It will be so worth it.
Omg what you did in the beginning is a perfect description of my rescue cat Destiny. She must have been traumatized in her past because she’s frightened of strangers
When my Son in law comes over one of my cats disappears for the duration of the visit and he still doesn't believe that my cat Duke exists.
Same with my cat, but it’s with everyone she doesn’t know!
Thank you so much. I've been in tears wanting to help my cat live beyond the basement stairs, this gives me hope and I will try this method!
Thanks for this! I’ve been dealing with a neurotic, wallflower house panther. Bless her heart, I can get her belly-up beside me in bed. And then she’s trying to cave again...
Awwh this is such a great video, thanks so much for sharing this. It's so important for owners to know how to help their kitties have the best life possible. Thanks for sharing this!
When some stranger enters the house my cats spend 5 minutes watching, then they behave as if they were friends forever ... all 5. Am I lucky ???
You're very lucky. My cats want nothing to do with guests. The moment the doorbell rings they'll disappear until the guests leave.
This video is amazing, my cat really is afraid of our living room but is super comfortable in my room (where he was put when we adopted him and kept him cuz we own a dog and have been training them to get along, which has gone really well and now we need to let him explore the house) but hes afraid of our living room and basically every where else so this video just is amazing i cant express how thankful I am for it!
“I break cats into cat-egories” PUN ALERT!
I'VE ALWAYS LOVED YOU JACKSON, literally, I have been watching you throughout my childhood and you have taught me everything I know now.
How do i know if my kitty is a wallflower or still adjusting to his new home?
Thank you for all of these !!!
I adopted an 8 year old cat from family who were moving. They described a cat that I really wasn't sure I could manage, but I didn't wanna see Tigger go to a shelter.
I used your information from day 1.
This cat has absolutely blossomed! He's amazing and I'm so glad he was destined to be part of our family ❤
I can't thank you enough xoxoxoxoxo
MY cat, Jimmy, is so scared. he doesnt really hide like a wallflower, but he always runs away from people
Same with my cat, I honestly believe he has anxiety. He is fine most of the time, but he is still so scared by small noises or anything or anyone that does not love in my house. When we watch baseball he gets scared when we holler out about a call or a home run. We try not to scare him. My poor Castiel. I do not know how to help him.