I adopted Morgana in April, so nearly six months ago - She was an unsocialised ex-breeding queen, at almost 5 years old (She was 5 in August). She had been at the rescue at least 4 months, and they had only just been able to get near her in the last few weeks before I saw her. She was so traumatised, she spent her time at the rescue hiding under a blanket in a corner of the pen, behind the shelf her bed was on! If anyone tried to touch her, she froze, and wet herself in fear. I was able to stroke her after a few minutes of quiet coaxing and sitting then lying on the pen floor, and they decided then and there that I would indeed be her next Mummy! I was also the ONLY person they had let see her, aside from the two staff at the centre!
When I brought Morgana home, she had the run of the house, food down in the kitchen, litter tray in the bathroom, and was left to find her own 'quiet place' for several days. Clearly she had been exploring, as food was eaten, litter was used, and things were moved or knocked over! I tried to change her to wood pellet, but she began weeing on rugs / floor, so she is still on horrendously expensive (Felipure) clumping type litter.
She weed on my bed a few times early on, mainly when I had any male visitors, but just hid when female / child visitors came round. She has gradually become nosy when she hears other voices, and is so much better - She will now sniff visitors, settle near me in the same room, and actually let my Mum stay over to cat sit when I had two nights away! She also likes my dad, who is an animal mad, soft goofball! The vet does worry she may have separation anxiety, as I am now back at work after 6 months off sick, but the hours are being increased gradually, and she is coping really well - better than me! I have a Pet Remedy Diffuser plug-in permanently on - One upstairs, one downstairs. They definitely helped. I keep thinking to stop using them, but Morgana still has little bouts of 'scaredy cat' so I will just keep going for now.
Nowadays, she has settled brilliantly, sleeps on my bed most nights, hassles me to see what I eat / drink. Takes treats from my mouth, and loves a good play and rub. She still hates being picked up, but tolerates it for a few seconds (long enough to get eye drops in last week!) and will walk across or stand on my lap, but hasn't yet sat down or settled there - I live in hope! She uses me as a climbing frame, and stands on my back if she can catch me sitting on the loo having a wee! She also has become somewhat of a social pooper - Coming in the bathroom to stink me out if i'm in the shower! Delightful little lady...
Anyway - Long story short, give him space. Let him come to you. Talk softly to him when he's about, and don't try to get him out from any safe places he finds. He needs to feel safe and secure, before he can learn to trust. Believe me, one day you may regret bringing out his true Bengal nature....lol.
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