scardy cat wont come out!

raditto, welcome to TDK. It takes time and each kitten is different, trying to make him come out though will scare him for the most part. He is probably exploring when you are sleeping, just let him take his time and come out when he is ready because he is a shy baby still.

You could always try some little treats, or playing with him – to get him used to coming out when you’re around. Not many kittens can resist special food or a trailing piece of string/similar… he’ll get there, just be patient with him, and he’ll reward you with plenty of affection when he’s confident in his surroundings!

try making some chicken, a little white meat won’t hurt him and he may find it irresistable. Also if she fed him wet food the sound of a can opening will bring almost all cats running. raditto, let me tell you about Buster.

Buster came to me at about 2 years of age, his former owner had him declawed and neutered(he is my first declawed cat) I took him home to foster him, well he came to me the most ill-tempered angry cat imanigable. It took me three months to break through his tough act. I did try taking him to adoption days a few times after I got him calmed down but he would rever to his ill tempered behavior (he also will attack and chase strangers out of the house), so I decided he was not adoptable and I kept him. He will never be a sweet cuddly cat like other ragdolls are, but he is very very protective of me and his home.

There is a product called Feliway, that calmes the kitten with natural phermones.

Raditto, it may be that the woman had so many kitties that he didn’t get a lot of socialization with people. When there are lots of other kitties around, he may have learned how to interact with other kitties much, much better than with people.

Please, please be patient. He is probably a bit scared and anxious about his new situation. If you try to force him to come out, it will not help the relationship of trust you’re trying to build with him. He needs to not be scared of you, on top of being anxious about his new home and the fact that there aren’t ANY other kitties there.

You may find that getting a friendly, socialized kitty will help teach him that people can be trusted. If that’s not an option, I recommend plain (unsweetened) fingertips dipped in yogurt, offered while you’re sitting still, all the way down on the floor, within sight. Do not *force* him to come out, though, and try not to stare at him; that can be very scary to a frightened cat.

A Cat Dancer toy is inexpensive, and may help draw him out from his hiding place. When he comes out, make a happy, not-loud noise, and avoid sudden moves. Sudden moves and loud noises will probably scare him further.

He sounds lovely, just a bit unsure of his new surroundings and people. Try to keep a daily routine that’s pretty predictable. Try not to stare, or make loud noises or sudden moves. When he does something you like, be sure to make a happy, quiet noise, and if he’s in reach, slowly reach over to pet him.

(Another kitty would probably be a good idea for him, at some point. He’s very used to being around other cats.)

He’ll come around if you let him in his own time–Anncetera2 always has great advice. My Sheba was like that when I got her too—she hid inside the recliner for days, only seemed to come out during the night. One day she was gone, we couldn’t find her anywhere. I was frantic, thinking she was dead in the house somewhere. My son & I kept calling her, then he heard a faint meow by his dresser–she had squeezed between the drawer and the back of the dresser! My son had to take it apart to get her out. She eventually became the most loving lap cat, so hang in there!

congrats raditto, he will get used to your son eventually. But getting him out enough to eat food off your finger is a big step in the right direction. Always good to get them to asocciate food and good experiences with you.

Once you’re past the initial shots & spay or neuter surgery, it’s not much more costly to have 2 cats than 1 cat. It’s really up to you, but I’ve found most of my cats have appeared happier when there’s been at least 1 other cat in the household.

(The major exception was Booger, who was such a clingy, demanding, pushy little Mama’s boy, that he was never happier than when he could hog all of my attention to himself!)

kitties are happier in the long run if there are al least two of them…they’ll keep each other company during the day while you’re at work…and 2 kitties are 3 times the fun …