What a difference a couple of days makes.

Me and Tiger - Mere inches away from him, he's tolerating that much more now.

On Monday, you wouldn't have gotten even remotely close to him, certainly not that close without him swiping at you.
Canada
August 11, 2011 10:04am CST
I'm talking about Tiger and how far he's come since bringing him inside in May. When he first came inside and was in the crate, he would tolerate me being close, but not touching. As time wore on, I gave him a little more space and took the crate away completely. He would hiss and swipe if you got too close to him. He's a very observant cat, not a minute goes by in that room that he's not watching what you're doing. While he was at the vet on Tuesday, I took the time to reorganize his room so he had more space. It needed a good vacuuming, something that has never been easy to do with him in the room. He scares easily. After his harrowing ordeal at the vet, you'd think he'd be even more of a grump, at least for a little while, but he's surprising me as the hours go on. Since I'm still off work, I've had time to spend with him, and I go in every couple of hours to check on him. The last time I went in, I decided to get my camera and document the progress he's made since coming home yesterday. I took video, can't post it here though, and the camera lens was a mere inch from his face. I touched his nose last night, but he was half asleep at the time and tolerated it only briefly. I think I'm making progress with him, actually, I know I am, and that makes me happy. Maybe I will keep him around, it just depends on how fast he warms up to us.
2 people like this
5 responses
@kaylachan (56232)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Aug 11
Some cats take longer then others to warm up to people. You just have to be willing to give them time and allow them to warm up on their own terms. Yet, at the same time you have to be calm and willing to try. If they sense any distress coming from you, they'll react accordingly and think you want nothing to do with them. Which makes bonding a bit more difficult. Not impossible, but harder to say the least.
• Canada
14 Aug 11
I've noticed how hard it's been with him. 3 months having him inside and I've made a little progress. I was able to touch him before, but he was still feeling the effects of morphine when he'd been at the vet to be treated from injuries he'd suffered outside. After that day, I haven't been able to touch him except the other day, and only very briefly. I'm thinking that now he's been neutered, it will get easier.
@kaylachan (56232)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Aug 11
It can take several months, sometimes even a year or two before a once outdoor animal warms up to people. Mind you there is a hidden fear in him that is an underlying cause for their behavior. Once he recovers from being fixed though, he should start to trust you a little more. Just remember let him set his own terms.
• United States
11 Aug 11
Tiger discussions like this one remind me of my foster days. I saw so many guardian homes that I too needed time to be broken in to comfort. I am happy to hear that though a while now he is slowly warming up to you. I do hope you get to keep him and that he does trust you well enough where he is so comfortable with his surroundings. Going to another home, means someone else has to start at square one and maybe he will not be trusting.
• Canada
11 Aug 11
That's why I'm hoping he comes around before September so I don't have to send him to the farm. I know he'd like to be free, but I don't think he'd like to go that way.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
16 Aug 11
hi your patience with him is showing up now and in a short while you may be able to touch him then he will really be a love. such a pretty cat, and he is truly observant too. Maybe he wants to be close and is just waiting til he is really sure nobody's out to get him. poor kitty he must have had a dreadful time before?Good luck he will come around soon now I believe.Your patience will win trough pretty soon now.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
20 Aug 11
I'm glad Tiger is doing so well. Since this discussion was written a week ago, I'm wondering if you are able to handle him now or if he is still hissing and swiping at you. Hopefully he warms up to you pretty quick now that he is fixed. Have a great weekend!!!
@catof1 (683)
• United States
11 Aug 11
Beautiful cat! He is worth it and it sounds like he is warming up to you already. Just be patient with him and don't give him a reason to distrust you. I had a few cats like that I resuced and only I had to put to sleep. I tried , but he was just too vicious even to go out side. I hate that I had to do it, but I could not stand him to be in pain. Is that wrong to do?