Hi All, Need Some Advice [feral cat?]

On Feb 17, 5:38*pm, "cybercat" wrote:
"MLB" wrote



IMHO *Cats in the bathroom seem to be an instinct left over from the
"wild" to protect those other cats in a vulnerable position. * After all,
who wants a predator creeping up on a friend who is busy doing what has to
be done in an awkward position?

An interesting and plausible theory. Lately our kitten is stalking Gracie
when she is in the box. We do have three, but the kitten finds her. I
discourage this, to say the least.

Interesting. I don't know though... when I am in the BR my cats seem
only to be looking for some loving. It seems to me they know I have a
few spare moments to love on them. Maybe that is not how it started...
But that is at least how it seems now :-)

"Max" wrote in message
...
On Feb 17, 5:38 pm, "cybercat" wrote:
"MLB" wrote



IMHO Cats in the bathroom seem to be an instinct left over from the
"wild" to protect those other cats in a vulnerable position. After all,
who wants a predator creeping up on a friend who is busy doing what has
to
be done in an awkward position?

An interesting and plausible theory. Lately our kitten is stalking Gracie
when she is in the box. We do have three, but the kitten finds her. I
discourage this, to say the least.

Interesting. I don't know though... when I am in the BR my cats seem
only to be looking for some loving. It seems to me they know I have a
few spare moments to love on them. Maybe that is not how it started...
But that is at least how it seems now :-)

Oh, I agree, with you and with MLB--I am a Goddess to my cats while on The
Throne. I was bringing up my kitten's behavior as an exception to that.
And something I have to stay on, because anything that makes a cat
uncomfortable in the box may cause inappropriate elimination eventually.

On Feb 17, 10:01*pm, "cybercat" wrote:
"Max" wrote in message

...
On Feb 17, 5:38 pm, "cybercat" wrote:



"MLB" wrote

IMHO Cats in the bathroom seem to be an instinct left over from the
"wild" to protect those other cats in a vulnerable position. After all,
who wants a predator creeping up on a friend who is busy doing what has
to
be done in an awkward position?

An interesting and plausible theory. Lately our kitten is stalking Gracie
when she is in the box. We do have three, but the kitten finds her. I
discourage this, to say the least.
Interesting. I don't know though... when I am in the BR my cats seem
only to be looking for some loving. It seems to me they know I have a
few spare moments to love on them. Maybe that is not how it started...
But that is at least how it seems now :-)

Oh, I agree, with you and with MLB--I am a Goddess to my cats while on The
Throne. I was bringing up my kitten's behavior as an exception to that..
And something I have to stay on, because anything that makes a cat
uncomfortable in the box may cause inappropriate elimination eventually.

I totally agree, cybercat, that could certainly become an issue. I
think you are doing the right thing by discouraging the behavior.

"Max" wrote:

Oh, I agree, with you and with MLB--I am a Goddess to my cats while on
The
Throne. I was bringing up my kitten's behavior as an exception to
that.
And something I have to stay on, because anything that makes a cat
uncomfortable in the box may cause inappropriate elimination eventually.

I totally agree, cybercat, that could certainly become an issue. I
think you are doing the right thing by discouraging the behavior.

I am presently incorporating the "corporal cuddling" deterrent. I scoop up
the kitten when she stalks the box and kiss her and hug her and squeeze her
etc.

On Feb 17, 11:32*pm, "cybercat" wrote:
"Max" wrote:

Oh, I agree, with you and with MLB--I am a Goddess to my cats while on
The
Throne. I was bringing up my kitten's behavior as an exception to
that.
And something I have to stay on, because anything that makes a cat
uncomfortable in the box may cause inappropriate elimination eventually.
I totally agree, cybercat, that could certainly become an issue. I
think you are doing the right thing by discouraging the behavior.

I am presently incorporating the "corporal cuddling" deterrent. I scoop up
the kitten when she stalks the box and kiss her and hug her and squeeze her
etc.

LOL :-) Good :-)

Let us know if that helps :-) It should :-)

"Max" wrote in message
...
OK... I have been here before, about a couple of years ago seeking
advice for a cat with urinary tract issues. His name is Max. I was
operating under the name "MC".

Max and Butterball are doing GREAT!

The one thing I have to credit this group for is that you all got me
to switch to canned cat food, which I have never regretted. For us, it
worked. It turned out that Max was in reality just really fussy about
his litter box (how full or not full it is) and also very sensitive to
any scents around the house. We have been able to work completely
around the issue of his doing his business in locations other than the
litterbox, and for that I am grateful to this group.

Now I have another question.

Recently there has been a stray living on our deck. Perhaps a feral
cat... seems very young - as in maybe less than six months old.

I FINALLY was able to live trap the cat after a week + of leaving the
live trap out with the cats food, little by little bringing the food
closer to the inside of the trap.

This morning... SWEET SUCCESS!!!!

But the cat is terrified. He has not moved from the same spot inside
his new cage all day. He crouches as if to hide behind the litter box.
He/she/it hissed and growled at me as I tried to get friendly with it.

My question is... What is the best way to acclimate the cat to us, if
in fact it turns out to be a feral cat? Does anyone have direct
experience with this? Shall I get a towel and wrap him/her up and let
it know that way that I am no harm to it? Or is it better to just sit
and spend time with the cat, especially when it is eating food?

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
M

Welcome back! You raise some excellent questions, and your message reminded
me of a thread from several years ago. Here is a response that was posted
then that I thought gave some very helpful information.
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.p...8356bc98?hl=en
My first cat was feral. People told me that he would "never" become a
"pet." In actual fact, he became an incredibly loving companion, and he was
with me for almost 20 years. He became an exclusively indoor cat, was
obviously very happy, and he even travelled well with me both by car and
plane (in the cabin). Your cat should be fed good quality canned cat food
(*no grains*) twice a day. Do not leave dry food in the cage.

Good luck, and please keep us updated.

MaryL

On Feb 18, 11:49*pm, "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER
wrote:
"Max" wrote in message

...



OK... I have been here before, about a couple of years ago seeking
advice for a cat with urinary tract issues. His name is Max. I was
operating under the name "MC".

Max and Butterball are doing GREAT!

The one thing I have to credit this group for is that you all got me
to switch to canned cat food, which I have never regretted. For us, it
worked. It turned out that Max was in reality just really fussy about
his litter box (how full or not full it is) and also very sensitive to
any scents around the house. We have been able to work completely
around the issue of his doing his business in locations other than the
litterbox, and for that I am grateful to this group.

Now I have another question.

Recently there has been a stray living on our deck. Perhaps a feral
cat... seems very young - as in maybe less than six months old.

I FINALLY was able to live trap the cat after a week + of leaving the
live trap out with the cats food, little by little bringing the food
closer to the inside of the trap.

This morning... SWEET SUCCESS!!!!

But the cat is terrified. He has not moved from the same spot inside
his new cage all day. He crouches as if to hide behind the litter box.
He/she/it hissed and growled at me as I tried to get friendly with it.

My question is... What is the best way to acclimate the cat to us, if
in fact it turns out to be a feral cat? Does anyone have direct
experience with this? Shall I get a towel and wrap him/her up and let
it know that way that I am no harm to it? Or is it better to just sit
and spend time with the cat, especially when it is eating food?

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
M

Welcome back! *You raise some excellent questions, and your message reminded
me of a thread from several years ago. *Here is a response that was posted
then that I thought gave some very helpful information.http://groups.google.com/group/rec.p...av/msg/0d04868...
My first cat was feral. *People told me that he would "never" become a
"pet." *In actual fact, he became an incredibly loving companion, and he was
with me for almost 20 years. *He became an exclusively indoor cat, was
obviously very happy, and he even travelled well with me both by car and
plane (in the cabin). *Your cat should be fed good quality canned cat food
(*no grains*) twice a day. *Do not leave dry food in the cage.

Good luck, and please keep us updated.

MaryL

Hi All Again,

Just an update!

"Kitty" is doing quite well. My husband is in favor of calling him
"Hobo" (because he is/was a feral) and I am still trying to get a feel
for the kitty to give him an appropriate name.

He stayed in our garage for awhile as I was trying to glean the funds
for his first trip to the vets office. He is now up to date on
vaccines and he tested negative for feline leukemia, distemper and
rabies (I had no concerns about distemper or rabies, but still glad to
know all is good there).

In any case, he is around 8 - 9 months of age and still very feral. I
am not sure if it is going to take longer to tame this kitten or for
my two adult indoor only cats to get used to him, which was always a
bit of a concern from the beginning.

I will say that it appears Max and Butterball are adjusting, but I
know it will be an entirely different situation when Kitty gets to
come out of his cage. We are taking baby steps here. Progress is being
made.

In any case, the kitty is in our living room in a fairly small cage.
He no longer tries to "hide" behind the litter box and he certainly
shows an interest in the activities going on in the house. I have
witnessed him trying to get the attention of the other cats, too. I
chuckle when I see his head bobbing up and down in some playful game
and I toss toys to him often, even as he shreds them up during the
night! LOL

I throw him treats when I have to open the door to the cage, as he
still hisses at me. However, I have begun offering him food on the
palm of my hand, which he seems to be very close to taking. When he
first starts taking food from my hand, I do not plan on trying to pet
him, but to give him time to see that I am not out to get him.

Anyway, just wanted to update. We are making progress. Hopefully kitty
will become an really nice house pet. My other two cats are adjusting.

"Max" wrote

OK... I have been here before, about a couple of years ago seeking
advice for a cat with urinary tract issues. His name is Max. I was
operating under the name "MC".

Glad to see you! I left this group for a long time because of frustration
but I think I recall your name.

If I'm right, you were one of the nice ones as I adopted a semi-feral cat
and a dog in early 2008.

It worked well (grin).

I am glad you requoted because I wasn't back in here in Feb. Came back in
sometime in March 2010.

(many snippies made)

In any case, he is around 8 - 9 months of age and still very feral. I
am not sure if it is going to take longer to tame this kitten or for
my two adult indoor only cats to get used to him, which was always a
bit of a concern from the beginning.

A valid concern. He sounds more like a full feral but it is hard to tell.

I will say that it appears Max and Butterball are adjusting, but I
know it will be an entirely different situation when Kitty gets to
come out of his cage. We are taking baby steps here. Progress is being
made.

Understood. Many web sites tell you to intro a new cat really slowly.
*especially* if semi or full feral. This can involve cages and things like
that that.

I have never used that method. I have converted about 10 (levels differ)
semi-ferals to house pets and 1 that was probably full feral but got him in
early kitten-hood. Before you freak at that number, I am 50 and have had a
multi-cat house all my life so yes, it adds up. Most were not semi-feral
but I brought them into the fold as it were.

In any case, the kitty is in our living room in a fairly small cage.
He no longer tries to "hide" behind the litter box and he certainly
shows an interest in the activities going on in the house. I have

This makes me feel a bit odd but it is the advice on the web. May I infer
the kitty has a much larger space most of the time and is caged just for a
bit? Kinda like intro time? I can only see first post was Feb and now it's
late March.

I *have* caged the more wild semi-ferals for 2-3 weeks for a few hours a day
(then put them in other rooms to let them run about the rest of the day with
no other cats of mine able to get in). Most though, I did not use any cage.
That may not be optimal for your situation.

Side note: Current semi-feral climbed in my lap last night for the first
time in 2 years. She did it once early on just to say 'thanks mom' and now
got a major petting session as she climbed up.

witnessed him trying to get the attention of the other cats, too. I
chuckle when I see his head bobbing up and down in some playful game
and I toss toys to him often, even as he shreds them up during the
night! LOL

He may be getting lonely. Even ferals want *touch* and if he's not ready
for yours, he wants 'buddies' even if at first once out of the cage with
free run of the house, he hides.

*expect* both hiding *and* 'terratory' issues.

Let me explain from what I have seen. Your existing cats feel all the house
is 'their terratory'. They can't accept the new cat's entry yet because
he's not allowed out of the cage (this is why a room gets closed off for
roaming time then the cat gets fished into a cage. Leave that room OPEN to
existing cats then!). Setup deliberate hidy spots in every room. You dont
have to leave them there forever, but the new one will want them. It's very
important these are newly setup so existing cats don't claim them as 'own
terratory'.

I throw him treats when I have to open the door to the cage, as he
still hisses at me. However, I have begun offering him food on the
palm of my hand, which he seems to be very close to taking. When he
first starts taking food from my hand, I do not plan on trying to pet
him, but to give him time to see that I am not out to get him.

Normal. Possibly more to the full feral since not hand eating in a month
(or is it near 2?). It's really hard to tell.

You are going about it right. Just be sure the voice is *soft*. A human at
normal speach to ferals r semi-ferals can come over like 'yelling' and the
higher tenure of a female is sometimes especially problematic.

Anyway, just wanted to update. We are making progress. Hopefully kitty
will become an really nice house pet. My other two cats are adjusting.

I'd like to help more but my methods are almost 'instinct' on this. It's
kinda like my daughter Charlotte was born to a house with 2 cats. She
learned to roll over and over and over to chase them then one day stood up
and ran after them. They teased her with a tail 'just out of reach'.

I will try though.

Here is a tip. Before opening the cage for real, do a claw clipping on the
existing house cats. Do not try on the new one (you'll just upset them).

Establish a room (if you have not already) that the new one is allowed to
roam in. Only let other cats in there when new one is free house roaming or
in cage.

*Expect* some hissy fits. There is no way to prevent them. If it stays to
just hissing and chasing, they are just working out things with a new cat.
If the new one looks mostly hunkered down and defensive, he's just waiting
for acceptance.

If he's on the rug hunkered down and reaching up with a claw to defend, he
is afraid of your kitties or trying to tell them that.

Normal is he will run from your kitties for a bit (can be 2 weeks, can be 2
hours) then 'stand fast is my motto'. He'll get pestered at this point then
chase the others in a sort of 'I have had ENOUGH' attitude.

When your's go 'OMG run' it's a good thing. If they stand ground (I am king
of the mountain) it may not be that good.

If the cat comes out of the cage and goes on attack right away, ungood.
That is the crux of the position where web pages fail. Some cats are 'only
cats' who will not tolerate others unless raised from kitten-hood with them.
The incidence of this seems a higher amount with semi-ferals.

I'll add more later if you wish.

"Max" wrote
Anyway, just wanted to update. We are making progress. Hopefully kitty
will become an really nice house pet. My other two cats are adjusting.

Beautiful job.

"Bill Graham" writes:


"Max" wrote in message
...
OK... I have been here before, about a couple of years ago seeking
advice for a cat with urinary tract issues. His name is Max. I was
operating under the name "MC".

Max and Butterball are doing GREAT!

The one thing I have to credit this group for is that you all got me
to switch to canned cat food, which I have never regretted. For us, it
worked. It turned out that Max was in reality just really fussy about
his litter box (how full or not full it is) and also very sensitive to
any scents around the house. We have been able to work completely
around the issue of his doing his business in locations other than the
litterbox, and for that I am grateful to this group.

Now I have another question.

Recently there has been a stray living on our deck. Perhaps a feral
cat... seems very young - as in maybe less than six months old.

I FINALLY was able to live trap the cat after a week + of leaving the
live trap out with the cats food, little by little bringing the food
closer to the inside of the trap.

This morning... SWEET SUCCESS!!!!

But the cat is terrified. He has not moved from the same spot inside
his new cage all day. He crouches as if to hide behind the litter box.
He/she/it hissed and growled at me as I tried to get friendly with it.

My question is... What is the best way to acclimate the cat to us, if
in fact it turns out to be a feral cat? Does anyone have direct
experience with this? Shall I get a towel and wrap him/her up and let
it know that way that I am no harm to it? Or is it better to just sit
and spend time with the cat, especially when it is eating food?

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
M

Oh.....I forgot to mention....Get him neutered as soon as possible.....This
will greatly accelerate the taming process....

I don't think a truly feral cat can ever be tame. But it can be trained to
be as little a nuisance as the poor thing can be, given it's upbringing.
Patience and love can go a long way.