Ragdoll Cat Forums

Hey there - we got a beautiful new ragdoll kitten 2 weeks ago. We made sure we set up a little area for him to hang out in while he gets used to the entire house (on the advice of the breeder we purchased him from)... The first couple of days he was understandably very scared of us and would hide under the couch when we entered the room. It's been two weeks and although he tentitively lets us pat him he's still timid and tends to scamper away if we attempt to pick him up or pat him. We feel awful when we have to catch him to put him in his little hang out. Having said that, he's also slept on top of the bed with us at night but in the mornings still takes a bit of coaxing to come to us. is that normal? We treat him very gently.
ohh and my other question is - We since let him roam free (advice i've read say to keep them confined to the little area for a couple of months) - he can now access most of the house as we can't bare to leave him couped up while we are at work for the day. He seems fine with this so i'm thinking it's ok - interested to hear anyones thoughts on this...
Thanks!

Start over. Keep him in your bedroom except when you take him elsewhere to be held and cuddled and do not do that if he seems timid about it. When he is confident in the small space, only then expand the space he can explore and do it in small increments of time and larger space. Talk to him and spend time with him, even if he hides. However, do pick him up for cuddles. If he struggles too much, then put him down and then pick him up again in a few minutes, trying to increase the time before he wants down. Bribe him with food, treats, catnip toys, etc. to be near you and stay on you. Use interactive toys like wands to get him to play with you. Do not make yourself a pest with him, but keep the interactions going and as pleasant as possible for him. Always take him to bed with you. Even if he jumps down immediately, that will make him more likely to come back during the night.

Although this is a comparatively long time and no doubt seems longer, it is too soon to know if it will be a problem for you. Just keep the introductory activities going to move his interactions in the direction you want. Our two most loving and literal lap cat littermates acted like this for this long and longer. They are not at all timid either. You are already seeing improvement and no doubt will see more.

great advise Jan! I know how fustrating it can be everyone expects their little ones to bond quickly but often this doesn't happen like that.

Small steps like Jan said are the best, and dont give up hope or get to fustrated animals are very sensitive to how we feel too. The other thing is how much human interaction had he had before coming home and what age is he. What type of raggie have you got can you post a picture. wishing you all the best

JanH Wrote:Start over. Keep him in your bedroom except when you take him elsewhere to be held and cuddled and do not do that if he seems timid about it. When he is confident in the small space, only then expand the space he can explore and do it in small increments of time and larger space. Talk to him and spend time with him, even if he hides. However, do pick him up for cuddles. If he struggles too much, then put him down and then pick him up again in a few minutes, trying to increase the time before he wants down. Bribe him with food, treats, catnip toys, etc. to be near you and stay on you. Use interactive toys like wands to get him to play with you. Do not make yourself a pest with him, but keep the interactions going and as pleasant as possible for him. Always take him to bed with you. Even if he jumps down immediately, that will make him more likely to come back during the night.

Although this is a comparatively long time and no doubt seems longer, it is too soon to know if it will be a problem for you. Just keep the introductory activities going to move his interactions in the direction you want. Our two most loving and literal lap cat littermates acted like this for this long and longer. They are not at all timid either. You are already seeing improvement and no doubt will see more.

JanH Wrote:Start over. Keep him in your bedroom except when you take him elsewhere to be held and cuddled and do not do that if he seems timid about it. When he is confident in the small space, only then expand the space he can explore and do it in small increments of time and larger space. Talk to him and spend time with him, even if he hides. However, do pick him up for cuddles. If he struggles too much, then put him down and then pick him up again in a few minutes, trying to increase the time before he wants down. Bribe him with food, treats, catnip toys, etc. to be near you and stay on you. Use interactive toys like wands to get him to play with you. Do not make yourself a pest with him, but keep the interactions going and as pleasant as possible for him. Always take him to bed with you. Even if he jumps down immediately, that will make him more likely to come back during the night.

Although this is a comparatively long time and no doubt seems longer, it is too soon to know if it will be a problem for you. Just keep the introductory activities going to move his interactions in the direction you want. Our two most loving and literal lap cat littermates acted like this for this long and longer. They are not at all timid either. You are already seeing improvement and no doubt will see more.

Hey Jan - thanks so much for taking the time to reply - we really appreciate it - we'll give that a red hot go and report back soon.