UPDATE on traumatized cat - we're making progress!

[csziggy]

I set up the bathroom for a cat space, but right now both cats have to be confined to the bedroom suite since we have workers coming in and out, so Sabra still has access to under the bed. I have a castle cat cave (even has crenelations around the top with a door and windows on each side) in there for a shelter

Early yesterday morning (5 AM) I went in and Sabra was in there, so I trapped her in the bathroom with me. She was upset but not as terrified. Tried to give her a couple of treats, but she was not interested. Instead she bumped my hand with her head so I petted her - she loves her pets and scritches! I spent about an hour petting her and talking to her. Sabra still wants to hide, but she would come out for pets.

Yesterday Sabra was hiding under the bed, but ever time I went into the bedroom I talked to her and to Maya. Sabra would talk back to me, even if she wouldn't come out. Maya is sulking a bit about the new cat, but when she is allowed out of the bedroom, she is back to her normal shy, but fun loving self.

Yesterday I went into town and got a Feliway dispenser and a spray for cats beds (can't remember the brand, but it's not Feliway). I think it is helping since the cats are being less antagonistic.

I think the Feliway is helping. Last night after it had been running a few hours, I went into the bedroom and Sabra was on the bed. AS soon as she saw movement she ran under the bed, but still, this is better than Sabra being the invisible cat. This morning when I went into the bathroom, both cats were in there, neither hissing or growling. Sabra ran back into her castle and Maya jumped on the counter.

Maya is jealous and wouldn't let me pet her after I petted Sabra. Sabra would not come out of the castle, but wanted petting if I stuck my hand into the door of the castle. She is not at all aggressive - once I felt her teeth, but that was because I stuck my hand in her mouth when she was meowing.

Neither cat likes being confined and both want the heck out of the bedroom. I may let them loose, keeping the doors closed to the space where the cats can hide in dark spots. If I move Sabra's castle to the library once it is set up, maybe she will come in and spend time with me.

I'm using the technique I used with my horse foals - pet them until they like it but quit before they are tired of it. This leaves them with the memory that they wanted more and were willing to let me come up to them to give them more scratches. This morning Sabra stuck her head out of the castle window when I walked away. I think she is ready for more pets.

[soothsayer]

1. Great progress!

[niyad]

2. Thank you for the update!

[XanaDUer2]

3. Thanks!

For the update

[csziggy]

4. Because of work being done in the house, I haven't been able to spend much time with Sabra

But both cats have had the run of the house since last night. Maya is hanging out in the living room and Sabra was all the way upstairs this morning, talking down the stairs to Maya. Sabra is also coming out from under the bed more and more.

While the experts here and online advise confining a shy cat and not letting them hide, neither my husband or I are very comfortable about forcing her out of her comfort zone. Once the last of the work is complete, the house will return to our normally quiet life and I think Sabra will be much happier and come out more. She's already talking to me when I walk through the bedroom - I talk to her every time to reassure her it is just me and to let her get used to my voice.

I grew up in a house where even the pets were entitled to a private space. My sister's chihuahua had a basket under an end table. When he went into the basket none of us kids were allowed to even pet him, so it bothers me a lot to make Sabra come out until she feels safe.