I Have a 3 Months Kitten It Wont Play with Anything

Lsharkie0123 on 28/02/2022 - 13:17

Hi,

I have recently got a stray kitten that kept coming into the yard, its not chipped or registered or anything, i have been looking after it as it got a leaking eye and been feeding it gave it a small enclosure inside to keep it from getting sick (advice from vet) ive kept its eye clean and its clearing up and eating more,

My issue is that it wont play with anything its starting to enjoy pats and walks on a lead but it wont play with anything ive tried cat nip and toys but it just shys away and hides in the scratching post house or hides under beds or in the tunnel etc i got for it

does anyone have advice on how to get a 3month old kitten to play more and not always hide?

Thanks

Pets Cat

Comments

  • Drakesy on 28/02/2022 - 13:23
    +19

    get it chipped and desexed asap

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 28/02/2022 - 15:09

      And Registered, otherwise it will cost you big $$$ with Council/Pet Registry!

    • jv on 28/02/2022 - 16:27
      +15

      Agreed.

      Our kitten also refused to play until chipped and desexed…

      • Ehty on 28/02/2022 - 16:49
        +6

        It must be bold

        • xylarr on 01/03/2022 - 14:20

          It must be bold
          It must be bold
          It must be bold

      • MintCondition on 02/03/2022 - 12:57

        Is it just a running joke that 'jv' has to bold words in every reply?

  • slow on 28/02/2022 - 13:40
    +7

    Just like humans different cats have different personalities. If you are pressuring it too much you may be frightening it. Just give it space

    • jv on 28/02/2022 - 16:29
      +7

      If you are pressuring it too much you may be frightening it.

      That's what I told my wife when we were first dating…

      • Yummy on 28/02/2022 - 17:15

        Too much pressures might break your lil bro's neck.

  • yk300 on 28/02/2022 - 13:46
    +1

    It could be a lot of factors but most people don't play with cats properly.
    As a first, I would say try implementing what Jackson G says: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7w8pDCo30M

  • Crosscade on 28/02/2022 - 13:46
    +18

    3 months old is still very young, you've only just taken her in, and if she is a stray she probably isn't that used to humans.

    She'll get more comfortable and get out of her shell with time, just let her get familiar with everything and don't force anything.

    Most cats like their own space, they aren't like dogs and need to be played with. All the cats I had growing up liked space and had to choose to come to you. And they didn't love playing with toys, at least they'd play for 10 minutes and get bored and move on.

  • orangetrain on 28/02/2022 - 13:47
    +1

    Let it adjust. It's probably trying to get used to TV, big animals walking/talking, etc

  • Hithere on 28/02/2022 - 13:48
    +12

    As it's a stray and obviously neglected and was in poor health when you adopted it it's probably very nervous and just not used to interacting or playing with others.

    The best you can do is look after it, talk to it, and set aside a regular time for interactions.

    When it's ready and feels that it can trust you it should start to play, albeit later than some kittens.

    My current cat was never really playful, but I adopted him from a RSPCA shelter so who knows what his background is.

  • jar-unit on 28/02/2022 - 14:14

    Laser pointer - my kitten goes crazy over this one https://www.kmart.com.au/product/cat-toy-laser-wand/3443329

    But yes, kittens will want to take some time to learn to trust you before they will want to play with you

  • pjetson on 28/02/2022 - 14:18
    +3

    How long have you had the kitten? Maybe it's still getting used to its new surroundings and to you. You say it's hiding, that sounds like stress to me - the kitten seems to be frightened and/or doesn't want to do whatever you're trying to get it to do.

    • pharkurnell on 28/02/2022 - 14:31

      Probably had it few hours by the sound of it… Poor kitten

      • Lastchancetosee on 01/03/2022 - 08:27
        +1

        They've seen the vet for advice, so probably longer.

        I'd say lucky kitten, to have found a kind home.

        It's walking and enjoys pats, so doesn't sound too unhappy.

        My daughter has had two rescue kittens for a year. One is quite gregarious and loves playing and cuddling, the other is pretty antisocial, and likes to stay in the cat tree house and watch from there. Two big eyes in the dark 😊. He comes out to eat and now will sit next to my daughter while she watches TV and let her pat him.

        Like people, cats have different personalities, and building relationships takes time.

        • Dontdoit on 02/03/2022 - 13:51
          -1

          Unsociable.

    • sharkie0123 on 28/02/2022 - 15:10

      I have had the cat now roughly 2.5 weeks when i first took it in it was really skinny and was shaking in fear now it just runs and hides but will come out when it wants pats but scared of loud noises

      • TerryJustTerry on 02/03/2022 - 14:13

        poor little kitty, sounds like hes just getting used to the world :)

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 28/02/2022 - 14:20
    +10

    Put it outside, behind a glass door with a dog on the inside of the door. Apparently this works a treat.

    • [Deactivated] on 28/02/2022 - 14:41
      +1

      meta

  • [Deactivated] on 28/02/2022 - 14:23

    My issue is that it wont play with anything its starting to enjoy pats and walks on a lead but it wont play with anything ive tried cat nip and toys but it just shys away and hides in the scratching post house or hides under beds or in the tunnel etc i got for it

    So, a 3-month rescue kitten trusts you to go on walks on a lead and enjoys being pet but cowers/hides when you try to play with it?

    • sharkie0123 on 28/02/2022 - 15:09

      Yes, that would be correct, it will come up to me its happy to walk on a lead, loves belly rubs will literally fall over for them, but putting toys or anything dangly or noisy near the kitten will make it run and hide.

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 28/02/2022 - 15:12

        We have a cat that was similar as a kitten, always hiding. It has changed, but is still scared of some loud noises like thunder, drills, vacuums, Electric Guitars etc.
        Laser pointers work great as well as revolving party lights.

        • sharkie0123 on 28/02/2022 - 15:17

          This ones fine with music tv games etc but hates bells vacuums and things falling off benches

      • [Deactivated] on 28/02/2022 - 15:18

        A leash is dangly

        • sharkie0123 on 28/02/2022 - 15:24

          its fine with the leash, im talking about toys on a rope or stick with a string attached

          • [Deactivated] on 28/02/2022 - 15:56

            @sharkie0123: So, it's not scared of

            anything dangly

            just anything other than a leash.

            Do you walk the kitten with a leash on a collar or harness?

      • Lastchancetosee on 01/03/2022 - 08:34
        +2

        Some kittens haven't learnt to play. A friend of mine has a rescue kitten who was about six months' old when she took it in. The RSPCA said it had been kept caged a lot, poor thing. It used to hide all the time, and has never learnt to play, although my friend has patiently has tried to teach it. On the other hand, it enjoys cuddles, so my friend has just accepted that.

      • Webber000 on 01/03/2022 - 19:42

        Are they quite big? If the cat is just tiny then maybe they are scared. Can you try with just one simple very small thing (like the smallest thing you can buy) that is basic and the cat might learn isn't scary. Then build from then.

  • stemcell on 28/02/2022 - 14:27

    Are you sure it's not a rat as that might explain things.

  • Muzeeb on 28/02/2022 - 15:05
    +3

    My answer is the same as quantamcat

    • Quantumcat on 28/02/2022 - 15:59

      My answer is contact your local street cat association, or if none, your local cat shelter, to ask for advice on socialising kittens from their foster carers. I don't have any specific tips but pretty sure it needs to be a lot slower and gentler than what OP is doing currently

  • BuyoTheCat on 28/02/2022 - 15:07

    Needs a firmware update.

    Or an amazon delivery box

    • sharkie0123 on 28/02/2022 - 15:16
      +2

      Error: Kitten does not qualify for amazon prime next day delivery not available, it currently has a Airfryer box as a toy when out of its cage with a scratching tower

  • [Deactivated] on 28/02/2022 - 15:37

    probably a month, maybe a few months

  • elgrande on 28/02/2022 - 16:24
    +2

    You had me at leaking eye

  • solidussnake on 28/02/2022 - 17:45
    +1

    I would be hand feeding that kitten for a bit so you can build trust, poor thing has been out in the wild so will be still getting used it it's safer environment, give it time to relax before it starts to have fun

  • Traveller107 on 28/02/2022 - 18:26

    Try some treats and different foods to keep building trust.
    If it's not responding to cat toys then 1 cheap thing every cat loves to play with is a ribbon. Move a longish piece of ribbon on the ground like a snake slithers and move it around the corner of the wall slowly until it's out of the cats view. It's sure to chase it. Try a few times.
    BUT DO NOT LEAVE IT UNATTENDED WITH THE RIBBON or string as it might cause damage if ingested. Cheers

  • niyiaw on 28/02/2022 - 18:30

    Empty cardboard toilet rolls, scrunched up paper balls, loose feathers

  • Benoffie on 28/02/2022 - 19:10
    +5

    Don't stress. My cat was a fat tub o lard that did nothing. Perfect in every way ♥️

  • WT on 01/03/2022 - 08:57

    hiding = scared/sick

    cats wont play as much in these states.

    Also some cats like toys that make noise and some silent or a mix. Ours doesnt like bells but loves foil balls. Current fav toy is a tampon. She goes through stages of what she will play with and what she wont so there is a lot of random "toys" around

  • tulip99 on 01/03/2022 - 09:02

    Some cats don't like catnip. Talk to it in a soft voice. Let him/her come to you. If it wants to hide in its tunnel, etc, let him/her.

    Imagine if you were taken in by a giant and the giant kept checking on you and wanting you to play with him when all you wanted to do was to rest/sleep/just be on your own for a while. The kitten will find you when he/she wants you.

  • Rayzorback on 01/03/2022 - 09:15

    It’s freakin eye is leaking, do you play when your eyes leak !

  • MontyMacaw on 01/03/2022 - 09:15
    +2

    Sounds like it’s in survival mode. Time will fix that but whether it plays or not is another thing. Cats have a built in hunting instinct which is why they play. If you leave things around for it that could work. I started my cat with a piece of twisted paper on the end of some dental floss and dragged it past it’s nose a few times and it soon got the idea. Maybe hang some around and it may pick up on that as they sway about. It needs nurturing early on so keep at it.

  • Kayrhcp on 01/03/2022 - 09:30
    +3

    Don’t take it personally, this kitten may have been through a lot and is just getting used to wildly different surroundings. Once it gets used to things it will begin pouncing on stuff, exploring around and playing.

    In my experience, the best thing you can do is just spend time with the kitten. Even if they don’t want to play. Just read a book in the same area so it becomes comfortable with you being around. It’ll adapt quickly !

  • OzHunterNSW on 01/03/2022 - 12:08
    -4

    Take it to a vet. Have then check it out. Have them place a chip in it.

    They are not toys. Stop toying with it. It is obviously abandoned an in need of a loving and caring home. Not a CIRCUS where it has to perform trick for you.

    Act responsible. Mature up. Take it to a vet and have them assess it.

    They are not TOYS!

  • xylarr on 01/03/2022 - 14:21
    +1

    Give it time. Cats take a while to train their staff.

  • Series4Episode10 on 01/03/2022 - 14:23

    Either genetic or environmental, the environmental may be distress suffered before adoption or the cat had to grow up due to the need to survive, have a dog that even after 8 yrs of constant affection after adoption from a rescue service has long periods where he is sad and sometimes scared.

  • Qazxswec on 01/03/2022 - 14:30

    when it is hiding in the cat post, stand out of view, and jiggle a piece of string out side of the hole, also, if it is only starting to come around to pats and still hiding, i would think it just needs more time to feel safe and be in the right mindset to be playful

  • [Deactivated] on 01/03/2022 - 16:33
    -2

    Kitten could be on the autism spectrum and not like social situations. Does he like watching YouTube or Netflix

    • AustriaBargain on 02/03/2022 - 10:20

      Could also be kitten alcohol syndrome, if the cat’s mother drank during the pregnancy.

      • sharkie0123 on 04/03/2022 - 10:40

        so your saying it could have cat nip addiction lol

  • xtremehell on 02/03/2022 - 10:34
    +1

    I find most cats like movement/wand toys the best, minus the ones with big toys on the end.

    The Cat Dancer toy is good (either version). Or something like it, such as the Kong brand Bliss Towel Wand.

    Oh yeah, avoid the temptation to use your hands as a toy for the kitten to attack, as it's less fun when they keep doing it as an adult lol.

  • Blitz001 on 02/03/2022 - 11:53

    Scrunched up receipt.

  • Carmen Sandiego on 02/03/2022 - 12:27

    My SO and I have a cat, still kitten since his 1st bday is April, and we got him at 7 months from the RSPCA.

    For the last 4 months, he hid from people, even my SO who lives with him, for 3 months, hated being pet, played only with his "brother" etc.

    Now, he's calmed down a whole lot (which helps with treating his recent eye issue), and enjoys pats.

    TL;DR - give the little thing some space and wait honestly. Build the trust so it can see that you are a safe person and the environment is actually good to let loose and be the cat it was supposed to be.

  • jwolfenstein on 12/03/2022 - 00:59
    +1

    Hubby brought home a dumped kitten and it took about 5 years for him to not be afraid of us. We'd pat him, cuddle him, play with him. He's very shy and at almost 14 years old, he's still got a lot of those traits but he's a gorgeous little dude. Every kitten is totally different. Just keep persisting with the pats, kitten will grow with love. x

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