Barbara has two scaredy cats. One is shy and one is really, really shy. Visitors wouldn’t even know she has cats if it weren’t for the basket of kitty toys on the kitchen floor. If people are over, both cats are hiding under the bed, frightened and annoyed.
When family comes for a long weekend, the scaredy cats stay under the bed for the entire visit. The cat-loving family, especially the kids, take a peek under the bed and try to convince the shy cats to come out. Late at night, they come out to eat, use the litter box, and scowl at the unwelcome guests as they sleep.
O’Keefe, the really, really shy cat was adopted as an older kitten, and Barbara provided a safe and loving home. So why would a cat who has had nothing but good food, love and comfort be such a scaredy cat around people?
Animal behaviorists say that the critical period for socialization is between 2 – 7 weeks of age, when their personalities are forming. If kittens aren’t held, or are not exposed to many people during this time, they could grow up to be extremely shy, timid or fearful – scaredy cats. If kittens were mishandled or had some kind of frightening experience during this time, they may be very leery of people.
O’Keefe, the bigger scaredy cat, seems to want interaction and affection, and though initially shy around her owner, warmed up in her own way. She will meow a request to come aboard Barbara’s lap, and she’ll await her invitation. Once curled up on her lap, should Barbara forget and have the audacity to pet her kitty, O’Keefe is off her lap and back hiding under the bed.
Continued: Scaredy Cat Teaches Outgoing Kitten to Be Shy