Hi all. My parents have just taken in a rescue cat which we've named Zico: 2 year old male tabby, a very handsome chap but he's incredibly skittish and nervous. We've had him for 15 days now. FYI, we've had two cats before (both tabbies but with very contrasting personalities: one very independent and the other very much a lap cat) and both lived to around 15 so we've had cats for 30 years all in, and my sister has two of her own, so I'd say we know cats and their behaviour quite well. Zico was understandably nervous and cautious in his new surroundings when he first arrived (my parents live on their own and the house is generally quiet and peaceful) but he's shown little progress in the subsequent 2 weeks. Overall he:
– generally hides behind the sofa or under a bed
– often walks with his back very low to the ground
– often runs away if someone comes into a room
– only very, very occasionally will approach my parents
– he's got lots of energy and plays with his toys in the evening
– he will – surprisingly – run to whoever is feeding him even someone new, and rub himself on them
– he is happy to be stroked whilst eating
– uses the litter tray perfectly apart from yesterday when he defecated in my parents' bedroom around 7.30am after they were up
Overall I've never seen a cat so timid and jumpy in it's own home after 2 weeks, he's always on edge, always alert to perceived danger. Progress has been very, very slow and so was wondering if anyone can offer advice? I've read a few articles online about rewarding him with a treat when he plays or comes out from behind the sofa, or on the rare occasion he might approach my parents. Of course I've no idea how his first 2 years were, but he's in a very stable, comfortable environment and just wonder if he'll ever be able to feel relaxed?
Thanks in advance all!
Markos
