Hey everyone, looking for some advice 🐾
I wanted to share an update and get some insight. I’ve had my cat for almost 2 months now (she’s about 2 years old, foster-to-adopt). She was originally found outside a hotel, so she’s used to people being around, but she really only bonded with one person before me (her foster mom).
Her foster mom suggested I block off under the bed since that was her main hiding spot, so I did. I created a safe alternative hiding space right next to my bed where she can feel completely secure. She also has a box, a cat tower (new and slightly used), and access to the window.
Right now, she mostly chooses to hide at the bottom of the curtain behind it. This is since I blocked from under the bed.
There were two nights where she actually slept at the foot of my bed (before the cat tower), which felt like huge progress. Again, I got her a gently used cat tower (she came from a home with other cats), and I added a shirt of mine and a blanket from her foster mom to it to help with scent comfort. But since then, I feel like she’s gone back to hiding more again.
We’re coming up on almost two months, and I’ve only been able to pet her once (about two weeks ago), and that was after sitting on the floor for ~40 minutes until she came out.
She will eat in front of me and take Churu treats (even from under the bed/curtain area), but she’s still very cautious. Sometimes she hisses if I get too close, but she’s not aggressive just very unsure.
I know about the “3-3-3 rule,” and I’m really trying to be patient, but I’ll be honest I’m starting to feel anxious that maybe I’m not the right environment for her. I live alone, she’s on a routine, and I’m using Feliway.
For anyone who’s worked with shy cats… does this still sound like normal progress? Is there anything else I should be doing differently?
I really want to do right by her 🤍