r/cats • u/purrcocet • 7h ago
Stories I freaked my new rescue out with the vacuum and broke the little trust that we had 😭😭😭💔💔💔💔
I’ve had her for a week and we were making FAST progress, she was under the couch for two days but the third day she came out and started exploring and letting me pet her, she would even come to my bed and sit with me for a few minutes and let me kiss her head. Yesterday I really needed to vacuum and I thought she would be fine on her tree but as soon as she heard it she darted. She’s been hiding since yesterday and won’t come out so I’ve been trying to build back trust with treats and talking to her softly… I hope I didn’t mess everything up 😖😖😖 the third pic was her before :c
57
u/afterfrancesca 6h ago
22
u/Maleficent-Leek2943 3h ago
This just reminded me of when I used to volunteer at a rescue. There were two sister cats who were coming up on their tenth birthdays. One of those cats had severe cerebellar hypoplasia and some other issues I forget now, and needed a lot of extra care. The other was blind and needed zero extra care, and did just fine without eyesight.
One of the longtime volunteers brought in a birthday card for the cat with CH, but not her sister. I heard another volunteer say “but you didn’t get one for (sister)?” and she replied right away and totally deadpan, but like it was the most obvious thing in the world, “don’t be silly, (sister) wouldn’t be able to read it, so I just wished her happy birthday instead.”
34
u/bromeranian 7h ago
Ahaha, you'll be fine and she will be fine. Scary things happen (such as vacuuming and dropping things), which you can't help. Most cats "forgive" and forget slowly. But, since you'll show her love in all those other time, she will come to trust you and seek you out. Due to her past she may still react, but she'll recover faster or maybe seek you out for comfort.
For example, it took our girl about a year to not shake and hide for hours when it rained, but now she recovers in about half an hour and will occasionally caterpillar out of hiding 'early' to cuddle with us. Vacuums she just watches from the steps now lol.
16
u/showdragger 4h ago
i’m gonna cry. they can’t read ofc but that’s so sweet of you to write it out anyways…….
13
u/JoyfulDelivery 5h ago
I’ve had my cat for 3 years and she still goes to another room when I’m vacuuming the living room
2
1
u/SL1MECORE American Shorthair 4h ago
Same lol, no biggie. I just make sure to l leave every door open and move slowly so mine has time to adjust.
2
u/graysonflynn 3h ago
I think that she'll be fine. My baby also hates the vacuum and flees the room when it starts and takes a while to come back once it's put away, but she forgives. Yours will, too.
1
1
1
u/Virtual_Childhood626 2h ago
While you probably can’t make her feel less fear during your vacuum time, you can probably help her understand when the danger is gone and she’s safe to come out. Slowly, I trained my cat to be less fearful of the vacuum by giving her a treat immediately afterwards every time for a year or two.
She used to hide for an hour but now she comes out right after I put it away and yells at me for her treat.
1
u/No-LuckDuck 2h ago
You'll rebuild that trust! It just takes time for cats to settle in and feel safe, and she may never feel safe with the vacuum. That's pretty normal for cats. Ours runs and hides but comes back out when she hears us putting it away.
1
u/Wheeliegirl 1h ago
Awww. She's so pretty. I'm sure she will come around soon. You may have to give yourself some grace and let your floor get kind of dirty for a while. Let the vacuum sit in the room where she and you spend the most time and let her get used to it. You may have to put her in another room the next time you vacuum. I had a cat that ran and dove under the bed covers every time I vacuumed. She was fine. Treats help. Good luck with your new kitty!
1
176
u/cannapuffer2940 7h ago
It's okay. Vacuuming is a normal everyday noise that she's going to have to get used to. It's okay. She will forgive you. She will come out again. It's normal to take steps back. When the first getting used to being in a place. It can take an average of 3 months. To start to feel comfortable in a new place. Start from the beginning. Leave her be. And let her come out on her own. When she's ready. Let her know that when she goes to hide. Whatever place is her hiding spot ..is a safe spot.