Camera Shy Cats

Gabriel a semi-feral cat
Gabriel, semi-feral tabby, foster kitten – photo: iPhone 4s by Michael. He will not let me bring a proper camera to my eye to take a photo. He runs as soon as he senses something is up.

Gabriel, my semi-feral foster cat is coming along well, meaning his socialisation is progressing. Although I do work at it. I give him masses of play (about 3 hours daily), the best cat food, plus tons of company from me.

This evening he came on my lap to play at first and then rest. He let me stroke him which I did very gently. I stroked his forehead, back, side of face and under his chin. This seems like normal stuff but not for Gabriel. It was a breakthrough because it is the first time he’s let me touch him other than fleetingly while he runs off.

He is very camera shy. Quite distinctly so. As soon as a good photo opportunity arises he runs 😉

It must be something to do with the camera structure and lens giving him the impression that he is being watched by a predator or something like that.

He can be fine and happy on my lap, for example, but as soon as I gingerly bring the camera up to take a photo: bingo, he scarpers (English slang for runs away fast).

I had a great photo op today. He was sleeping on his back on my lap purring. Can you believe that? Up until then he’d been in hiding most of the time. It about the second sound he has made. It is the first time he has purred. He made a bird-like sound this morning. I think he was calling me as a mum.

I wanted to capture the moment but it was impossible. He is super sensitive to the camera. He knows when it is coming and goes. The iPhone looks less like a camera and seems to be more acceptable to him.

I have to find a way to outsmart him. Perhaps a disguised camera?

15 thoughts on “Camera Shy Cats”

  1. The author of the best comment will receive an Amazon gift of their choice at Christmas! Please comment as they can add to the article and pass on your valuable experience.
  2. Thanks Caitlin. I agree his camera shyness will fade. I love to photograph him 🙂 He is very photogenic. In fact the more I get the camera out the more he gets accustomed to it and so more pictures….I have some more. I will become very boring indeed, I’m afraid.

  3. Ohhh… so cute.. cuteness at its peak.. don’t worry after becoming older, his shyness with camera rectified.

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