Brought home a 12 week old pb ragdoll kitten. She seems undersocialized, doesn't like to be touched! Help!
July 17th, 2010
We also have an 8 year old dog, and a 2 year old cat (also ragdoll). While I expect the kitten to have some anxiety at her new surroundings, I hadn’t ever experienced a 12 week old kitten hissing, growling at everything. Is her personality fully formed already….
I would put her in a room by herself for a day to make sure she isn’t carrying anything, take her to a vet (if you have not done that yet) Slowly introduce her to your other animals. I got a male Ragdoll 3 yrs. ago and he is now being able to trust us, to the point he’s lovable. Ragdolls take time in trusting their familes depends on their raising or prior owners (in my case.)
If you have any more questions, please email me. I am a member of a great Ragdoll group w/ Yahoogroups and I will send you a link to join.
Good luck!
It’s not usual for a young kitten to dislike being touched like you’re describing, in my experience, they tend to be just the opposite trying overly hard to get attention especially Ragdolls who have the reputation of being very amicable and social cats. I’m assuming you’ve only had the kitten a day or so but I would take the kitten to the veterinarian just in case it’s not well. I’ve successfully managed to integrate adult cats (all very different personalities) into a home with dogs with a bit of hissing and spitting which generally eases in a couple of days. If the veterinarian finds nothing wrong with the kitten just give it some quiet time in a bedroom with the door closed for a bit. It will be a bit less anxious each time you let it out…for the most part cats don’t develop their personalities fully for quite some time (several months) and how the cat is treated by you, the family and the other animals in the house will influence it’s development just like any baby. Take some special time with the kitten away from the other animals and try giving it little treats when it calms down and lets you touch her. Good luck and I hope your kitten does ok.
He must be scared, it is a new place + new pets at home, she needs to get used to.
Try to play with him and you will see how everything will work out fantastic !
I read that the "hissing" thing is because the kitten could be scared… so give him time to get used to the odors and smells around the house
Good Luck.
That was the way my cat was. We found her outside of a Mexican restaurant. It took hours to trap her. She was tiny but old enough to eat guacamole and such.
At home, we had to chase her to grab her only hissed at. But when we were able too, she would start purring and searching for a warm place in my body like my neck.
It took time before she stopped running away from us and hissing. Once they realized they have I steady food supply and love they adapt. It takes time.
Don’t be afraid. She is young and can adapt easier than an older cat. Now my cat acts like a baby. She sleeps with me every night. At wants attention 24/7. At least your cat can have a cat model to follow.
Where did you get the kitten? If you bought it in a pet store, I’m not surprised.
She’s probably quite terrified. Give her time, and coax her with food (like a little bit of tuna). I’ve managed to tame two four month old kittens who were feral from birth, so it’s certainly possible for her to come around.
normal. cats like to be in charge. "this is mine!".
give her time. she will either adjust to the other pets, or they will belt her when you are not looking and she will fall into line.
nothing cures a bad attitude faster then someone who is a lot bigger then you, ambushing you.
the touching might be under socialized, time will cure that, but it is more likely the cat saying" you will pet me when i say so, human!" which is normal. most cats only like us when they are cold or hungry.