Kitten Who Likes Dark And Confined Spaces

Morf

This is Bertie the kitten. His mother, a stray cat brought him to the back door when he was about 8 days old. After a few days she hid him somewhere else only for him to return about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I've tried to handle him as much as possible. He isn't mad on being held but he's happy enough to sit/fall asleep on me knee. The only problem is he likes to go into dark and confined spaces like behind the sofa to sleep. Is there a way to train him out of this behaviour? I'd like him to just curl up on the sofa and know he's about rather than having to search every little space if I'm not sure if he's in or not.

Thanks

anniehoo

Morf wrote: »

The only problem is he likes to go into dark and confined spaces like behind the sofa to sleep.

Congrats on Bertie owning you This isnt a "problem" though....welcome to the weird and wonderful world of owning cats.:D

Cats feel secure in small and confined spaces and it shouldnt be discouraged.It's what they do,even when adults, to make them feel secure. Cats need "safezones" to hide out in, they are by nature non pack animals (albeit very diluted in the domesticated world) and generally don't need the constant attention and affection that dogs for example do.

You will slowly and surely learn their lingo. A cat that's hiding doesn't necessarily mean an unhappy cat.

So is he about 3-4mths old now?

If he's constantly living in your house now i.e the mother is done and he's on his own, she's pretty much taught him the basics i.e. grooming,being danger aware and how to poo/pee by himself etc now it's up to you to integrate him with your world.It's fun....and it's never ending with a cat.:)

wrote:

Is there a way to train him out of this behaviour?

Mmmm....yes and no. The kitten is still skittish because it's mimicking what the mother is doing. She's nervous around humans and so will he be until they separate.

Ideally the perfect transition age is around 8 weeks. Its the weaning age, where they've acquired everything they need maternally but not socially (human wise). Its notoriously harder to "socialise" a cat the older they get if the cat has had no human interaction before. Every cat is different though and as long as ive known and "owned" them, it hasnt mattered a single iota what way ive raised them post weaning, they've all ended up with different personalities.

You should be vocal and affectionate as best you can over the next few months,without forcing it too much and let him and you relax into a pattern. He needs to learn that humans can be fun and you need to learn that cats can be fun too, but also need their space

wrote:

I'd like him to just curl up on the sofa and know he's about rather than having to search every little space if I'm not sure if he's in or not

So would i with mine :rolleyes: :pMy cat is the business, very chilled,non aggressive, affectionate but in small doses, non vocal,brilliant with other cats and dogs...but will lie/sit beside me for 10 mins max and gets bored. Did i make him like this? Nope.Am i bothered he's not excited to see me everytime im in the room. Nope. He's not a dog!!He's flippin brilliant...as a cat.

You will learn his lingo very quickly as long as you dont expect too much.Would i have it any other way with my cat (and every other cat ive known)....nope, They rock!!

Mo60

anniehoo wrote: »

Congrats on Bertie owning you This isnt a "problem" though....welcome to the weird and wonderful world of owning cats.:D



You will learn his lingo very quickly as long as you dont expect too much.Would i have it any other way with my cat (and every other cat ive known)....nope, They rock!!

Totally agree with you.

I have one cat who has never sat on my lap in the five years I have her, but when it suits she rolls on her back for me to rub her belly.
Another cat never leaves my lap if given the opportunity and licks me to death.

Every cat has a different personality, but that is one of the joys of having cats.

angeline

It's very important to handle cats from a young age so they associate it with something good and will not be frightened. The more you pick up the kitten and hold it in your arms the more it will realise that it is the norm.

Heroditas

One of our cats loves hiding behind the sofa squished under the radiator.
Just one of her many little quirks!

ABajaninCork

Not at all unusual! All my cats loved to play hide and seek. Only problem was they just liked to hide...

None of my cats were lap cats either. They would sit next to you, one shared my bed, and would sit at your feet. But they would never sit on a lap!

starviewadams

Our many cats over the years have liked to hide/sleep behind tv units,under beds,under the stairs,in drawers and in paper bags.We'd know they were inside because when we would open the fridge they'd invariably come running in the hope of getting some meat or cheese!

Best cat we ever had was a kitten from a friendly feral neighbourhood cat who we fed.We had the back door open one day and she just strolled in with a kitten in her mouth and raised it for a few weeks under our stairs and then headed off to be a feral cat again.The kitten who we named Shadow was a lovely jet black male with the personality of a dog,he used to follow us around the area and would fetch anything that could fit in his mouth.He'd be waiting on the front doorstep every afternoon when I arrived back from school.He died a few years back of cancer.

Morf

Rosie and Bertie (in a new-found place to sleep)

lubie76

Ah cute! You can get cat dens on sale on zooplus at moment they are furry beds that are mostly covered over and they are perfect for a bit of privacy and at least you will know where he is ;-)

Graces7

I delved into one of the large boxes of knitting wool here the other day and got a shock when I touched something warm and furry.. Should be used to it by now... our two love to snuggle safe and warm in dark places, including under the blankets at night. Or in the hot press, until they realise the dogs are in the room.. yet these two are the most affectionate I have ever had. Rub and drool all over me purring and arching.

franksm

Good advice here and nice story from the OP.

I have 'tamed' a few garden-dwelling ferals in my time, and find that dangling a handful of fingers near the kitten whilst not looking at or otherwise paying attention to the cat, will over time eventually yield a playful kitten that becomes slowly more humanised and generally friendly.

Ditto balls of rolled up paper (2 or 3 yellow post-its seems to be the best recipe) and pieces of string.

Dragging the kitten out of its hiding place, or jabbing hands at it, or throwing toys at it don't tend to work.

Good luck with it & above all, enjoy ! It's worth the effort

Pumpkinseeds

Our former feral loves to pull the bath panel out so that he can go under the bath and have a good nosey around, the funniest bit is when you see one of his paws coming out at the side the bath panel trying to close it behind him so our other cat can't squeeze in behind him.

Morf

Bertie has seen the sense in napping on comfortable furniture.

Pumpkinseeds

He is gorgeous