Hello everyone,
I’m a first-time poster, though I have been haunting binkybunny since I adopted my little Opal (female, 2 years old, spayed) about 3 weeks ago. She was very, very skittish when I met her at the animal shelter where she was adopted, but I had hope that she would warm up to me when she was in a less chaotic environment (her big, gorgeous eyes were also convincing ). Since bringing her home, she has become significantly more at ease. She no longer cowers away from me, whether in her cage or when hopping around my bedroom. She will also approach me when I’m on the floor with treats and very readily eats out of my hand.
My problem is that she doesn’t appear to have any interest in being pet. When I’m sitting on the floor and I don’t have treats, she completely ignores me. When I do have treats but then run out of them, she quickly loses interest. She may do a drive-by sniff when she’s roaming about the room, but she has never stayed for more than a second without me offering food. She’s far more interested in trying to find a way under my bed (which she is not allowed to do) or flopping down underneath my bureau. I don’t think that she acts afraid of me, per se, just completely ignores me unless–and only as long as–I have food. The only time she tolerates my petting her is when I’m hand feeding her or occasionally when she’s eating hay in her litter box. I feel like it’s less that she enjoys being pet at these times and more like her desire to stay where she is at the moment is greater than her desire to get away from me. I’m pretty sure she’s not scared of me anymore, so does this mean that she’s “bonded”? Can I look forward to her to getting any friendlier, or is this as good as I can expect?
This also raises a second, more serious concern. Since she won’t be pet, holding her is completely off the table. But if I can’t even pet her, how will I cut her nails? How can I groom her, especially if/when she starts shedding? My vet has offered to help the first time or two, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to do it on my own if she keeps this up.
I’ll be honest–there have been times that I can’t help but regret getting her. I’m a very affectionate person and live alone. I just want something that will snuggle with me on the floor. It’s seriously distressing to me. I get that they’re prey animals; I get that they don’t like to be picked up. I just thought that she’d at least like to be pet, that she’d at least acknowledge me when I come home from work. It’s so much work cleaning up after something that doesn’t want anything to do with me. Will it get better?