Cross Breeds

How can I socialize an adult cat that's never been around dogs, cats or people?

I took in my mom's adult cat that has never been around cats or dogs, or other people for that matter. The cat is scared to death and hisses and bites when we try to pet it. We want it to be a part of our family but we have no idea what to do. Please help!

Public Comments

1. I would need more information about the cat and your situation to be able to give you a better answer, but here is what I would suggest. Most cats feel intimidated or threatened by new smells, people/animals and places. The best way to get a cat to "open up" is to put them in an environment where they feel relaxed. I would recommend putting the cat in an area that is just "theirs" (such as a spare room or other area of the house). Leave them in there with food, water and a litter box for as long as it takes for them to feel comfortable (sometimes this is a day or two, sometimes it can be a week or even a month). If you have something that is familiar to them, leave it in the room so they know it is "theirs". Cats are naturally social creatures, and after leaving them alone for a period of time, they will relax and either show you that they prefer to remain solitary, or approach you when you come to "visit". If they start to approach you when you visit, you will know that you are making progress and can move on to the next step. To do this, you would then put any other animals in the house in the cat's "space" and leave them free to explore on the rest of the house in peace on their own. You might have to do this for a while before you notice that they are relaxed enough to feel comfortable in foreign territory. Once they are relaxed, you can then start to introduce them to the other pets and children in the home at the same time. Unfortunately, building a family that includes several different people and pets is not always successful, as, just like humans, sometimes personalities and lifestyles clash. My best advice would be to be patient, watch for what works and what doesn't and set a time period to make a "final decision". Cats are very sensitive and sometimes the situation just won't be comfortable for them. Although it might be sad to do, sometimes it is kinder to find a new home/living arrangement that is better suited to their preferences and personality. I hope this was helpful and good luck!
2. Patience is a good start. I live on a farm with lots of cats. We tend to have some wild cats in the mix. So if this method helps to tame down a wild cat, it should help sweeten up a rude one. The best way I have found to help tame a cat down is food. Yes food. It's a wonderful thing, and it's almost like a peace flag. Find some food that is something that he/she doesn't get that often, but they still like, and set some out for it. Stay close to the cat, but not to close that he/she will hiss. And be still. If it's a kind of food that it have never had before, only do a little at first. He/she will get sick if you do too much. Which is fine, cause the first time it eats doesn't have to be long. It will take time but get as close as you can, without, having he/she hisses at you. When you are able to get close enough to pet it, do it slowly, and keep doing it until he/she hisses. Think of it this way. "the food is good...you give the food... you are not a threat...when you leave, the food leaves." So he/she relates something good, with you. Simple. Hope this helps.