How can I help my shy rescue cat be more social and affectionate?

A cat who was basically feral for 5 months may take quite some time to become more comfortable with handling, and she may never be a cuddly lap cat. It does sound like she is willing to have some interaction with you, so I would continue what you are doing in terms of offering her nice tasty treats when she comes to you. Also feeding her near you if she will eat with you nearby but not touching her (don't want to overwhelm her at first, just get her more used to your presence being nonthreatening). I wouldn't pick her up if it scares her just yet, and I wouldn't force her to meet/be touched or held by new people just yet. I would give her a few more months of settling in. You may also add feline pheremone diffusers (Feliway is my favorite brand) to the house and try calming supplements such as Composure or Zylkene to see if these help relieve some of her anxiety as well. You can find all these products online, or at some vet clinics.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Cats, like people, have different personalities; some are very sociable and always want to cuddle, while others can be more reserved and independent. It may be partly personality contributing to his behavior, as well as adjusting to his new environment. A pheromone collar (they can be found on amazon, such as nurturecalm) may be a good option instead of feliway spray, as it is a continuous release for a full month. While the response is variable among cats, it is definitely something I would recommend giving a try. Additionally, if there is a type of treat that Vin really enjoys, I would recommend putting some down by you when you are sitting on the couch watching TV, etc. When he comes to eat them, don't force an interaction, but allow him to nibble on them and then decide where he wants to go. Over time, they can be moved closer and closer to you to encourage him to be more comfortable in close proximity. When he seems playful, play with him with a toy, etc and then allow him to leave when he is done. If he is on a feeding schedule, get his attention by opening a can or shaking food into his bowl, allow him to stand next to you and have a short interaction before you set it down. If he still seems uncomfortable after these suggestions, I would recommend either setting up a consult or reaching out to your regular veterinarian for further advice. Good luck!

Poor Sophia. Some cats never truly do warm up or want attention. But there are some things you can try. One is try feeding something she really wants by hand. Either cat treats or canned food. Or if she won't eat from your hand yet. Start by sitting still next to her food bowl when you put it out. Resist the urge to pet her initially. Let her get comfortable with close proximity. Gradually over time see how she likes being petted. Some cats may only accept attention while you're on the floor wth them or she's on the bed with you. Try to keep things in her comfort zone Feliway diffusers around the house may also help with her baseline anxiety level as well. I strongly recommend looking into Feliway for skittish cats. https://www.feliway.com/us#redirected But mostly it's going to take time. It could be months but if you are patient and gentle about it she will likely start to look for more interaction. Try not to force things and don't grab or pick her up unless necessary. Let her come to you on her terms. Good luck! Thanks for using PetCoach.

Congratulations on your new kitten! Sometimes it takes a while to gain their trust. Try to get him to play as this will help him to bond with you. Make sure to put the toys away after the play session so that they remain fresh in his mind and always associated with you. Sit quietly near him at mealtime and gradually work up to petting him or hand feeding him. Feliway does help and I recommend to use this product but it will not alter his behavior on its own. Make sure to provide an area for climbing such as a tall cat tree or shelves as this will help to satisfy his natural instinct and decrease stress. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi there. It sounds like Oscar may be stressed. I recommend two things to try: 1. [Feliway diffusers](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/feliway-classic-30-day-starter-kit-plug-in-diffuser-and-refill-for-cat) in the house. This product uses a synthetic pheromone to decrease any anxiety or aggression. 2. [Environmental enrichment toys](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/cat/cat-toys) and increased [playtime](https://www.petcoach.co/article/7-reasons-to-play-with-your-cat) to keep Oscar engaged and not bored may also help to make him less shy Hope this helps. If you have more questions feel free to post again. Best wishes!

You can try getting a feliway hormome diffuser to keep her calm. Keep trying to interact with her, but i tell people all the time that a cat's demeanour is compleyely determined by itself not the owner. Thete is nothing you can do to make a solitary cat a lap cat unfortunately. Some cats are lovely and affectionate, some are just selfish.

I suggest you use some Feliway diffusers in the house and also do some environmental enrichment. Feliway really works wonders at reducing stress and calming cats. ( https://www.feliway.com/us ) ( https://www.allivet.com/p-1865-feliway-diffuser-plug-in-starter-kit-for-cats.aspx ) Environmental Enrichment resources: ( catbehaviorassociates.com/what-is-environmental-enrichment-and-why-does-your-cat-need-it/ ) ( youtube.com/results?search_query=environmental+enrichment+cat ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.