Siamese kittens advice please
I have just got two Siamese kittens, brother and sister. They are three months old and very scared of me I cannot pick them up. They hide in dark places cuddled up together, if they see me they run. She is beginning to look around the house and coming into the room,he calls for her when he cannot see her
The breeder says this is normal behaviour, and they will get confident in a couple of weeks, to me their behaviour is feral.
Anyone got any advice on how to handle them? Is it best to ignore them I wonder?
The breeder says this is normal behaviour, and they will get confident in a couple of weeks, to me their behaviour is feral.
Anyone got any advice on how to handle them? Is it best to ignore them I wonder?
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I'd confine them to one room - litter trays, food on opposite side of room, couple of bowls of water, etc. And their beds, maybe on a couple of different levels - on the floor but also on top of a low table or chest of drawers, for eg. You might need to give them steps to get there. Also put in a few cardboard boxes, upended with a couple of kitten-sized entry / exit holes so they've got caves to bolt to.
Keep the door closed and you - and other members of the family - go in and sit with them... or lie on the floor. Do this half-a-dozen times a day. Stay as long as you like. Read, listen to music, whatever. Then leave the kittens to come to you. They will, because you'll be interesting, especially if you take in a few ping-pong balls, a few treats, a few kitten games - things for them to chase. Then they'll adjust to the room and make it their territory which gives them confidence, they'll gradually adjust to you and see you as a source of interest when you go in. As soon as they start greeting you as a person of interest
Some of their lack of interest with you will be down to there being two of them - they will rely on each other for comfort - but I've taken on two siblings on several occasions. The home-raised pedigrees have always been confident with us from the start but two semi-ferals from a rescue took longer to warm to us. We handled them lots though - not least because they arrived with ringworm and had to be isolated from the other cats for 3 weeks! - but while it took time for them to adjust to us, they became very affectionate cats.
It may take you some time but time and effort now will repay you over the years. One suggestion: when you look at them and they look at you, squeeze your eyes closed and then open them again. Do this several times. It's submissive / I'm cool type of message and it tells them you're not a threat.
Good luck with them. And could we have some pics, please; ;-)
Thank you so much for your helpful comments. They were in the breeders kitchen with mum and siblings.
I have let them have the run of the house so far, their bolt hole is my spare bedroom so I s it best to confine them to that room now?
It's amazing how high they can jump to get onto different surfaces ,but they always end up going into little dark places!
I did that last night and they played and seemed quite relaxed. When I got up they fled!,
Should I ignore them or talk to them?
This morning I was doing my toes and they both came to see what I was doing, so hopefully I will get their confidence soon.
I'd talk to them so they get used to your voice and that, regardless of if you have their attention or not
The two semi-ferals I mentioned were very scared of us, particularly the little girl, and wouldn't come to us. They were born in an over-crowded refuge and handn't been handled much. But, as they had ringworm (and eventually so did we
I don't think it is a bad thing to keep picking them up because yours aren't ferals, presumably the breeder handled them regularly and if you regularly pick them up, stroke them, talk to them, maybe give them a treat and then put them down, they'll eventually figure out that when you pick them up, nothing bad ever happens.
I believe the 'one room' thing worked because most animals are territorial and the kittens had one room to get used to and to make their safe territory rather than have to adapt to an entire, strange (to them
There is no 'one right way' - it's what you feel is working for you and them and is convenient. I would talk to them all the time and play with bits of string etc - and I might even leave a radio on in the room so that they are adjusting to sound even when you're not there. Then, when you feel they are more confident with you, leave the door open and let them wander and explore. You'll get there but integrating new animals into a home can sometimes be quite time-consuming initially. But it's worth it.
When they hide behind the linen basket I can get them! I have picked both of them up tonight, stroked each one and cuddled them. They were each very pleased when I put them down. I do talk to them and leave a radio on.
When you stroke them your scent is left behind so they can get the sense of being part of your family.
If I get on the floor I might not be able to get up again!:(:):( . Thanks for all the helpful comments.
This is very sound advice. Bear in mind that most Siamese cats have a screw or two loose. (And I'm saying this as someone who really enjoys the breed and has owned several.) It pays to keep in mind that they don't always react like other cats or kittens do.
They talk more. They get weird about personal space. They bite when they've had enough attention (more than other cats I've known.) They don't always like to be carried or held, but they're perfectly happy to use you for a piece of furniture.
More often then not they want to be the ones to do the approaching, so when you're having the above mentioned quality time, let them make the moves when it comes to cuddles.
(I suspect that the issue some Siamese have is poor vision, even if they're not cross eyed. It contributes to their skittishness when a large out of focus something approaches them. I always let my cat know I'm coming towards him. Otherwise inevitably I'll spook him. This is I'm addition to the loose screws I've noticed even in cats that aren't pedigreed. The older they are the more eccentric.)
Having said all that, Siamese are great fun. Very personable and loyal companions.
If I just had the girl I think she would come round to me,but he is far more timid and when he runs she follows him. They are fun to watch playing, jumping and falling.
They have found a hiding place and I cannot find it! They disappeared for six hours yesterday, and then suddenly turned up.
I will try what you suggest and let them come to me, you might be right about the eyes and that would explain their nervousness when I appear.
Update, the little girl came and got onto my lap this afternoon. She was not ther for long but, it's progress!
That's great! No doubt her brother will follow soon. :-)
Three months on and I have cracked it! They are delightful , they follow me everywhere, sleep with me and fight for my lap. The only down side is that she does not like to be picked up, he is fine about it.
I lost my Husband last year, these two have helped with the loneliness I felt.
Good news! They're great aren't they. Knew they had to get used to you eventually, no matter how long it took.
Anyway, glad to hear you've made progress with your two - I've had Siamese all my life and they're wonderful, quirky, funny companions. I'd steer clear of that breeder if you ever think of getting another as they obviously weren't socialised.
My chocolate point, Cika, hates to be picked up toobut is a real cuddler otherwise and sleeps in the crook of my arm every night. Well done on your patience with them and enjoy your new life as a Siamese slave!
That's interesting, the female is a chocolate and her brother seal point, maybe that is in the chocolates nature.
Could I ask you, do you let yours outside? My two are desperate to get out, but I worry because they are small and there some big cats around here.
That's interesting - I've always had seal point before and one blue and they were all perfectly happy to be picked up. In fact they insisted on it!
No way. I live on a main road with a bus stop outside, I'd never rest if they went out on their own. Lots of people in the UK still seem to be resistant to keeping cats indoors but it's quite usual in other countries and mine are fit, happy and healthy - until her lifelong companion died last month aged 15 and she became so stressed looking for him she developed cystitis Cika hadn't seen a vet since her neutering at six months and she's 13 now.
Perhaps you could harness train them? I've had several who were quite happy to go for a stroll and a look around on a harness and lead. And one who was quite happy on a lead but wouldn't walk - he had to ride on my shoulders.
Fresh air, sunshine and the chance to chase insects are life enhancing for a cat imho. A cat proof fence or a cat run might be a useful compromise if you are worried. Traffic will be the main consideration though. Our old family cat was a half siamese ginger tom - he was always pretty lean, but quite large really and could easily see off any rivals:kitty:
I tried the boy on a harness as he is fairly easy going. He went down on his tummy all feet akimbo and refused to move!
A cat run is ideal, but unless you're very handy they're horribly expensive. It's really hard to make a garden completely cat proof. I agree that one or the other of those is the ideal but if neither are possible, cats can be perfectly happy and stimulated indoors. Siamese and Oris have no inner resources anyway! so when they're awake they're always going to want your attention either for cuddles or playing and that gives them all the stimulation they need. None of mine who have been indoor have been destructive or shown any sign of distress at not going out.
oh that is such good news - sometimes all it takes is time and patience, well done for perservearing and I am so glad that they have eased the loneliness for you
given time, your little female might like being picked up but dont force her if she really isnt happy about it
I do let my cat outside but I am lucky as she only goes in my garden - her choice, she can go over the fence if she wants to but she has never had the desire too - or she very rarely does and even if she does, its only next door!
I would say yes to letting cats out but if you are not 100% comfortable with that then maybe build a pet run or something like that - harnesses are also a good idea but I think you have to get them used to one when they are very small