New Kitten Day 1

[alexmegami]

So the kitten is EXTREMELY shy/nervous. Runs away if you approach, was hissing at me a little when we first let him out into his room (has stopped now). BUT, if you can actually get to him to pick him up (which I had to, for his vitamins/dewormer), he settles in really quickly and starts up a loud purr, and sticks around even if you're not holding him there. This is a good sign, I think.

I'm trying not to approach him TOO much, since he's clearly scared when I do, but I want to balance that with handling him as well, getting him used to people. He takes medicine well, no problems with the vaccine or the oral meds. Vet says he looks healthy, though he had what was probably a case of eczema (? or other skin condition) that means he lost a huge patch of fur on his neck. But it's growing back in and he's not itching it or chewing it, so as long as it doesn't expand at all, the vet thinks it's fine.

He spent most of the night hiding under my mom's Buns of Steel stepper, but when I brought back his cat carrier he immediately went to it and seemed a little more confident/exploratory, so I think I'll keep it around for a bit just until he settles.

Anyone owned a shy/nervous kitten and have any suggestions? Treat bribes haven't worked so far, but I also haven't hauled out the tuna.

Also: I need Z boy names that work for a small beige cat. :P

Comments

[user-lain.livejournal.com]

Zephyr? Not a boy's name, per se.

Try here: http://www.behindthename.com/nm/z_m.php?

[cjchatwin.livejournal.com]

I found that with shy kittens a bit of string dragged slowly back and forth near their most recent hiding space tends to get them engaged. Toys with noises don't seem to go over well, and how about Zenon as a name?

[reflectedeve.livejournal.com]

Zachary might be too run-of-the-mill? I'm rather fond of it though. :)

[safti]

Honestly, I kinda like "Zed". ;)

[harukami]

It wasn't when he was a kitten (he was fine with that), but the first time I moved with Amai, he hid under the bed for a week and only came out at night for surruptitious food and litter-box use. He was just finding his safe spot, I think -- yours sounds like he's moving pretty fast for such a big day :)

[alexmegami]

*nodnod* This is true. We'll see how it goes for the next couple of days.

[alexmegami]

*laughs* Pat says Zeke and Mom wants Zebediah, with Zeb for short.

[alexmegami]

Well, Zack is already my other cat ;)

[alexmegami]

Thought process:
"Zenon sounds like a supervillain.

...I should call him ZUUL!"

[alexmegami]

I was looking at Zephyr or Zeph.

[reflectedeve.livejournal.com]

D'oh!

If he were a bit more dashing, I suppose he could be a Zorro. ;)

[cellophanedeity.livejournal.com]

Zeus! Give him a complex!


Also, then he can get big and fat and rape people while dressed as a swan!

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

Brian suggests "Zebulon." Or "Zappa."

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

I say, what about "Zot?"

[roju.livejournal.com]

Zoltan!

[phreeque.livejournal.com]

I suppose you could cheat a little and call him 'Zekiel (instead of Ezekiel), but that's actually pretty lame. Don't do that.

In other news, my brother's kitten Rox(x?x?)y was/is very shy. He might have suggestions for how to better socialize such shy beasties.

[scapegoat-5.livejournal.com]

You could always name him Zazu and he might turn out confident, mature, rules-abiding and... uh... get sat on by a chorus of elephants...

As an aside, kitty = <3<3<3