Animal Welfare Professionals

Most of our shy cats like the stick end of wand moving under a blanket or rug.  It mimics a mouse moving under the ground.  It is not threatening and the human can be farther away.  Avoid eye contact while playing until they feel more comfortable.

Hey Stefanie! Looks like you are already doing a great job with these kitties. I would also recommend making sure they have a comfortable spot to hide/relax if needed whether it be a blanket hanging over a karanda bed or a small box or something. Sometimes even a towel over part of the door can help them feel secure. Treats and toys are fantastic. Cats also feel comfortable when they can smell their own scent. If your protocol is to deep clean kennels everyday as well as give them fresh blankets, sometimes it helps to just spot clean if needed and leave them with their used blankets (if not soiled). That will help them be calm, familiar, and comfortable. Cat TV and calm music played is also super fun and helpful! 

Sounds like you're doing a great job so far! For our kitties, we give them atleast 48 hours with a covered kennel, a hide box and some pheromone spray (onto a towel or a stuffie) to decompress. If they're still nervous, we use positive reinforcement, giving them treats whenever we approach or enter the kennel to clean. I like to play some quiet instrumental music for them as well. I personally do clicker training with them using their favorite reinforcer (treats, pets, play, etc.). I highly recommend looking into Jackson Galaxy/Greater Good Charities Cat Pawsitive program!

For more general enrichment, our volunteers spend time with the shy ones just softly speaking to them and giving them reinforcers. If you're using wand toys, let them sniff it out first! The shy/fearful kitties may get spooked by the fast movements, so I usually start off slow. Lick mats, snuffle mats and puzzle toys are some of our favorites as well. The rubber and plastic ones are easy to clean and disinfect! 

Hope this is helpful in any way!

Thank you so much for the info. We actually do Cat Pawsitive with a lot of our cats and it definitely seems to help. I am still trying to figure out ways to clicker train the cats that don't like treats or are on special diets. I love the idea of the pheromonal spray and might have to try it with the scared ones. Thanks again.

Sounds like you're doing a great job so far! For our kitties, we give them atleast 48 hours with a covered kennel, a hide box and some pheromone spray (onto a towel or a stuffie) to decompress. If they're still nervous, we use positive reinforcement, giving them treats whenever we approach or enter the kennel to clean. I like to play some quiet instrumental music for them as well. I personally do clicker training with them using their favorite reinforcer (treats, pets, play, etc.). I highly recommend looking into Jackson Galaxy/Greater Good Charities Cat Pawsitive program!

For more general enrichment, our volunteers spend time with the shy ones just softly speaking to them and giving them reinforcers. If you're using wand toys, let them sniff it out first! The shy/fearful kitties may get spooked by the fast movements, so I usually start off slow. Lick mats, snuffle mats and puzzle toys are some of our favorites as well. The rubber and plastic ones are easy to clean and disinfect! 

Hope this is helpful in any way!