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- Aug 15, 2016
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Rosie sounds a bit like my "difficult" cat Marcel
He was my first one so it was a bit easier for us to get used to each other, he also doesn't like to play with me or play fight with my other two, is difficult about affection and used to meow a few hours a day for no apparent reason. Mostly I think Marcel is just a very shy/gentle cat compared to the babies and gets stressed/anxious more easily. At first I really struggled with his meowing because I kept offering him things and he didn't seem to want anything.. then I figured out he has to have what he wants in some exact weirdo way. Although he seems to reject my cuddles/affection most of the time.. that's actually what he wants when he's whining usually (he mostly did this when I'm in bed). What works for him is either putting a blanket on him or lifting the blanket up so he'll get under it depending on the mood, he likes to be either by my side with my arm around him when this happens or on my knees. Getting him under that blanket can take like 5 tries or more, sometimes he runs around when I try to put it on him and won't go under but keeps meowing for it.. So when he's under his blanket I can either just hold an arm/hand on him, rub him through the banket or caress his head. He usually falls asleep quickly or just stays there cuddling until something disturbs him. He also likes to have his butt rubbed firmly/massaged, he will run away from most normal petting and only wants it at specific times/places.. like 5 am or in the bathroom for example! But he can get really into when he does. As for playing he likes swatting at things while he's hiding, the first game I discovered was him being in the bathroom and me poking my fingers from behind the corner/door... he also goes for me moving my hand under blanket/sheet sometimes. Treat puzzles are nice too, an empty egg carton with treats works great. He likes sheets draped over chairs so they can run around/hide with other cats.. or my hands The main thing with playing with Marcel is that he's so shy and doesn't want to play with anything other cats are playing with/while they're around usually. It was a bit easier when he was alone. Another group game that works is just throwing a ball/toy from one end of the room to the other over and over and everyone runs after it. He doesn't always join in at first but tags along eventually. I think getting a third kitten helped too cause now they play fighting games with each other and no one bounces on him/scares him. He's a lot more relaxed now and doesn't whine much 
This also has some good tips
Glad you've made some progress with Rosie!
This also has some good tips
Glad you've made some progress with Rosie!
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