Update on Heidi, the scardey cat. Do you all think she is coming around ?

She is 8 months old and has been a scard cat from the shelters, two to be exact, but loves her partner cat. We've had her for two months.





I have been trying all your suggestions and she is just starting to smell our slippers, clothing, socks anything on the floor and laying on them as to say, it's OK. She doesn't spray just smells and lays. She is fixed.





We still can't touch her. I just bought, on line, "Essence of Flower" a rescue remedy by Dr. Jean Hovfe, recommended by "Old Cat Lady".





I will let you all know how this works.





And the person who said, "Just talk to her and tell her how much you love her and tell her how beautiful she is" I give you all my gratitude. And to he person who said, not to expect anything, but give her only what she can accept is a wonderful thought for us to let go and love what is!


Thank you all,





But, I'm still waiting on the Essence of Flower to cure all. Let you all know about this.

Update on Heidi, the scardey cat. Do you all think she is coming around ?
Some cats just take more time to become acclimated. It sounds as if you are doing a great job with Heidi. Do let us know about the Essence of Flower - I've never heard of that, but it seems interesting.





I'm going to give you another bit of advice that may sound totally off the wall. In fact, some of you readers may think I'm a bit "off" in the head, but, what the heck, here goes....along with talking to Heidi, try singing to her!


For some reason, cats enjoy this. I can sing a couple of verses of


"Happy Birthday" (inserting the cat's name, of course!), and the cat will come around every time! It's uncanny, but it works!! Just sing in a normal voice - not too loud, and see what happens.


Try it! What can it hurt?
Reply:Yes, indeed--she is definitely making progress. Seems like your scent makes her more comfortable now, if she's lying on it.





If you want to be absolutely shameless, you can bribe her to come closer to you with treats. About once a day, get a little smelly food that cats love--maybe wet food if she usually eats dry--and set it as far from you as she'll come and still be comfortable. Then sit quietly and talk casually, ignoring her, until she goes to eat the food (if she doesn't, it should be moved further away). Then you can start moving the food slowly closer... very slowly indeed; and not out into the middle of the room because she probably doesn't like being out in the open and exposed...





The ferals back in my old town were taken care of by a friend who owned a restaurant; and though they wouldn't come closer to me than about ten feet, they would move within a foot of her when she came with their food.





Cats trust people who aren't sudden or excitable, who feed them, and who love them... They can really read body language and tone of voice, and tell if you love them. Cats trust people who are predictable.





Also, she's young still; I bet she loves to play. Are you trying wand/fishing rod toys on her? Those would help her associate you with fun, while still not having to get very close to you to play.





Heidi might never be a lap cat, or even tolerate more than casual contact and brief, gentle petting; but if she can become a confident house cat who likes human presence, has fun playing, and trusts her human and feline companions, you can consider her rehabilitated. :)
Reply:It sounds like you are doing a good job. It will be worth the wait in the long run. Keep up the good work.