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"Some outdoor cats that were once pets and are socialized to people, however, once brought indoors, (are) terrified."

Adelman says you can help acclimate such cats and described a novel approach that has worked: First, seclude the cat in a fairly quiet room, but one that's used regularly by one or two members of the household, such as an office. Include a litter box, scratching post, toys and food and water bowls.

Allowing the new cat to hide is extremely important," Adelman said.

"Of course, we all want to use positive reinforcement, and let's face it, what's most reinforcing (for the cat) is for me to leave the room."

To reduce the cat's fears, have one person in the household glance occasionally at the hiding cat, usually under a sofa or bed, Adelman explained. The second the cat offers any hint of "calmness" by relaxing its body posture just a tad, say "good cat" in a soft voice, and then leave the room. Over time, the goal is for the cat to become more and more relaxed in your presence.

When you are in the room, don't demonstratively reach out for the cat; let the animal make all the calls, Adelman noted. However, even if the cat is hiding, you can sit down and read a children's book to the pet. We tend to read children's books in a calming, sing-songy voice. Or you could randomly repeat the cat's name in a sweet tone.

"The rate of progress should be dictated by the individual cat, even in very small incremental steps; that's fine. In time, the cat's real personality will come out," Adelman said. "It's all about building trust and giving the cat the choice about when to come out from under a sofa or bed, or not."

Adelman is critical of the idea, which some feral cat groups support, of caging a new cat in the middle of a room. Even if there's a hiding box inside the cage, the cat's choices are limited. In fact, Adelman calls this approach "misguided and even inhumane."

AGING CATS

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lynne Seibert, of Atlanta, spoke about older cats, and how cognitive dysfunction syndrome, like Alzheimer's disease in people, is rarely discussed in cats, but should be.

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