I adopted my cat this past February when she was about 6-7 months old, and since then, she has been extremely avoidant. She hides at the slightest movement, loves to be petted but only on her terms, and absolutely freaks out if I try to pick her up. Despite having access to the whole house, she mostly stays hidden in my room. She gets along great with my four calm dogs, but she doesn’t seem to trust me or my family. I’ve tried everything to help her feel safe, but nothing seems to work. I’m worried she may have been traumatized before I adopted her. Any advice on how to help her feel more comfortable?
This is not unusual behavior for cats. Some are just more timid than others. The more you try to approach her or pick her up, the more she may avoid you.
My cat took almost two years to fully get comfortable with me after adopting her. Just give her time!
Let her come out and explore at her own pace. Building her confidence slowly is key.
Try sitting quietly on the floor and talking softly to her. Let her come to you when she’s ready.
It sounds like she may not have had enough positive interactions with humans before. Just give her time and space.
Creating cozy hiding spots and vertical spaces can help her feel more secure. Use interactive play to build trust.
If she’s not food motivated, try using slow blinks to show her you’re not a threat. It can help her trust you more.