My family just got a new kitten, a silver Persian; they say he seems quite friendly. I live some distance from them and don’t visit often. When I visit them, is it likely that the kitten will be friendly towards me, or will he treat me as a stranger and run away? How long would I have to spend with him as a kitten for him to recognize me as a member of the family when he’s a cat?
It certainly didn’t take much with their dog; we went on vacation for about a week with him when he was a puppy, and he recognizes me instantly (he even gets excited when he’s taken to the bus station, because he knows he’ll see me). I’m not sure if it would be the same with a cat.
Also, I’d appreciate any suggestions about how they could encourage the kitten and the dog (a yellow Lab, about 4 years old) to get along – their previous cat was terrified of the dog, who always wanted to play.
My Ma has a cat that I didn’t see for the first year of it’s life, but now see every 2-3 weeks. She seems to remember me (the cat. Mom has no idea who the f*$k I am :p:D;)) Cat’s and dogs seem to remember more by smell than by visuals I believe.
Cats have some long term memory, but their short term memory is spotty. If you make a strong enough empression the kitty may remember you.
I had a cat for a little over a year, then he had to go live with my friends. Even though separated, he still considered me his Alpha.
When I lived with my dad, he had two cats, both of which I’d been around their whole lives. Well, after I moved out, and didn’t see them for several months, when I came back I was like a stranger to them. The more skittish one, who before I left would jump in my lap and lay on top of me while I slept, would run away if I even tried to pet her. The other one, who was more accepting of strangers, treated me with much more caution than before I had moved out.
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Being a cat person gave me an “in” with my now wife. We both came with cats, and have acquired another from the in-laws.
When I met her, my wife’s cat wanted nothing to do with ANY male human. Her brother, father, and male friends arrival would send the cat scurrying for the most well hidden, difficult to reach location in the apartment.
The day I arrived, as soon as I was seated, the cat hopped up on my lap for a rub. How bad could I be if the CAT liked me???
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The cat we acquired fromt the inlaws has a very long memory of his previous “pet humans.” When the FIL shows up, I’m 2nd fiddle, and he spends the evening on or around the FIL. Once FIL is gone, the cat then perches on me. (his normal position whenever there is a horizontal stomach/chest). He still recognizes the BIL, and will come right over to say hi, just the same as he did while they lived together.
My mom’s cats are both 10+ y/o. I haven’t lived there in eight years, and only visit at the house once every three-four months, but they remember me just fine, knowing that if they flop on their backs in front of me they get belly rubs.
Well, the old cat was terrified of everyone, including me. He probably had a traumatic experience as a kitten, and he was frightened by everyone except my mom. If the new cat is friendly, he should be friendly to me when I visit.
BTW, can anyone think of a gemstone (other than diamond) that’s white or silver-colored? They already have a name for the new cat but maybe they’d be willing to consider another one if it was really fitting.
To get the kitten to bond with you, I would recommend spending enough time cuddled up with it that it really recognizes your scent. Take naps and watch movies together. I also second the feeding thing.
