The kittens have started coming out from behind the couch when I am in the kitten room, but only when Art3mis is eating. I have started putting her food behind the couch and have slowly started putting it closer and closer to the edge of the couch. Finally, I put it beyond the edge of the couch.
I was able to pat her, and she didn't seem to mind. She is missing a lot of muscle tone in her back end. If you look closely at the above photo, you can see her hips over her back legs. I think it is sad. I wish she would eat better foods, but she is currently only eating junk.. but at least she is now eating better.
When I was patting her, I realized I wasn't stressing her out, so I patted the far side of her body, so she was between me and my hand. That was okay with her too, so I patted a little more and then I patted her on both sides of her rib cage, and that was a little only a little stressful as she stopped eating and looked at me, but didn't react any further than that, so I risked it and picked her up and very gently placed her on my lap. She looked at me like I had just lost my rocker, but she didn't immediately try to leave. I patted her some more, and that was okay, but then she remembered she was hungry and started to climb down off my lap. She stood on my foot and started to eat some more, and then moved again and was completely off me. She didn't seem stressed about any of it, so I dropped my guard a little and looked around the room. When I turned back she had moved back behind the couch. I leaned over to look at her and she gave me the most vicious hiss yet. Not sure if it was because I failed to appreciate what had just occurred on a high enough level (I was very appreciative but I didn't want to overdo it and overwhelm her) or if she just figured out what happened and didn't like it.
So I have been going slow, but working on getting her and the kittens out from behind the couch..
and then this happened.
Not sure what to do now, because kittens who eat solid food need a litter box because mothers generally stop taking care of waste disposal issues once they start eating. Since I get hissed at when I go behind the couch, I know she isn't going to want me to put one back there for her. I guess I'll just wait and see what happens. Hopefully. she continues to take care of things for a few more days until the kittens are comfortable coming out from behind the couch and work their way over to the current litter box.
Cuteness overload. I LOVE the fluffy black one! How old are they now?
ReplyDeletefour weeks
DeleteWow, a lot is happening fast with this family!
ReplyDeleteThey are growing so fast. We bet Art3mis is just very confused - she likes you and wants to trust you, then remembers that's scary and so on.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to hear how fast she is coming along! She reminds me of a feral I TNRd and about 20 years ago, before I knew the word. She, too, would hiss but would allow limited touching. She ended up relocated from the office park where I found her and adopted two of her kittens to a friend's neighborhood where she was cared for as an outdoor cat. Your progress with Art3mis makes me wonder if I knew the cat whisperers then that I know how, if I could have gotten her to come around...
ReplyDeleteAwww you are making such great progress with Art3mis, even with some hissing. Kittens are growing fast, they are beyond adorable :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful progress with Art3mis - and it looks like you have a little litter of geniuses on your hands. :)
ReplyDeletethe hiss of "oh wait, I forgot I don't like you" :) She's making good progress....hopefully the kittens warming up and coming out will make a difference. (and really - yours are eating?? mine sniff the canned food and try to bury it....)
ReplyDeleteHers is the hiss of 'I totally forgot that I like you' Once i start talking to her she usually stops.
DeleteThe kits are growing so fast! I hope they will continue to venture out and explore.
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful that she was on your lap!
ReplyDeleteWow, you picked her up! And the kittens are moving out and up...good stuff!
ReplyDeleteAwesome progress despite the hiss. I'll be packing Wendy's bags...
ReplyDeleteOh they are growing up so fast.
ReplyDeleteEmma and Buster
I am glad you are making progress. Good luck with the litter box.
ReplyDeleteYou're making great progress with Ms. Art3mis, and I would not stress about the hissing. I once had a cat who was trapped at 3-4 months old. He was injured, so he spent the first month being cared for by me in a crate. He eventually turned into one of the most loving cats I've ever had.
ReplyDeleteSimon never stopped hissing entirely :-) Hisses were his "swear words", and he swore like a sailor! We accepted it as part of his charm, just like his snaggle-toothed appearance (missing one canine), and his occasional drool when he enjoyed petting a bit too much. He was my boy and he is sorely missed.
I only worry about her hissing because it is an indication that she does not know how to properly communicate with me and she is frustrated. i'm not worried about her lashing out at me any more - that worry was gone the day I had to move her to check on her kittens.
DeleteI've had other cats who thought a hiss was an appropriate form of communication, it is always so amusing when they do, but a little bit heartbreaking as well because they missed out on so much.
Judging by what I just saw Art3mis doing to one of the kittens when I peeked on via webcam just now, you don't have to worry about the waste disposal issues yet. And..Ewww. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are making great progress with Art3mis! Just think how far you two have come when all she would do is hiss and growl. I'm so happy she has you. :-) That photo of the kitten's face in the food is just too cute.
ReplyDeleteArt3mis is making amazing progresses. The litter box sounds like a new challenge. Purrs
ReplyDeleteYippee for little advances! We are so happy to read about your progress with Art3mis!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely progress being made. And we don't think you're off your rocker. ;) (That made us LOL).
ReplyDeleteHow nice to here that progress is being made and talk about cute
ReplyDeleteHave you tried giving Art3mis the slow blink that Jackson does on his show? It really relaxes them and when they slow blink back, it's such a thrill. I do that with my neighbor's hissy kitty and that really calms him. He has a potty mouth. I saw that Jackson lets a kitty smell his glasses, too. The kittens are doing so well and they are adorable.
ReplyDeleteYou put her on your lap -woo hoo! I can just imagine the look when she came to her "senses" and realised she had enjoyed you holding her as Poppy has the exact same look!
ReplyDelete