Behavior modification; cats and strangers

Last year, this cat used to visit me regularly in late afternoon, eat
her favorite canned foods, watch tv, then leave.

During the winter a family emergency forced us to go overseas. We had
an apt-sitter, who I couldn't expect to be like me and who mostly left
dry food out. At least the cat could eat.

Coming back, I find the cat is slowly warming back to me but her habits
have changed.

(1) She has become used to dry food. I have been putting out a little
bit of canned each time but she barely notices it. I want her to eat
canned but my first priority has got to be that she ha enough to eat,
right?

(2) She has become used to eating around 1PM. At 5, I had about 2 hours
to watch news and play with her. At 1 I am busy at the computer with
real work and she feels ignored and looks grumpy. My fear is if I don't
feed her when she comes, instead of returning later she may simply give
up on me.

Questions so far: How can I make her come around 5pm, eat canned food,
and feel it is all her idea? :-)

(3) Yet another potential problem is that two new families are about to
move into the ground floor apartments that have been empty so far. She
passes through those porches to climb to our 3rd floor. Now there could
be a few strangers in her path.

For a few days last Fall, there were wormen in the yard, not even in
her direct path, but she hid untill everyone had left and came several
hours later, still looking anxious. I am worried by that memory,

Question: What can I do to let her know these new people are ok and she
should just climb up?

Should I not bother trying to force too many changes, and just keep
feeding dry whenever she shows up at least until she gets used to the
presence of new people?

All opinions greatly appreciated.

"Ajanta" wrote in message
...
Last year, this cat used to visit me regularly in late afternoon, eat
her favorite canned foods, watch tv, then leave.

During the winter a family emergency forced us to go overseas. We had
an apt-sitter, who I couldn't expect to be like me and who mostly left
dry food out. At least the cat could eat.

Coming back, I find the cat is slowly warming back to me but her habits
have changed.

(1) She has become used to dry food. I have been putting out a little
bit of canned each time but she barely notices it. I want her to eat
canned but my first priority has got to be that she ha enough to eat,
right?

She should be fine with just the dry food. Vet told me to feed one of mine
only dry food.

(2) She has become used to eating around 1PM. At 5, I had about 2 hours
to watch news and play with her. At 1 I am busy at the computer with
real work and she feels ignored and looks grumpy. My fear is if I don't
feed her when she comes, instead of returning later she may simply give
up on me.

Let her wait, 15 minutes one day then 25, then an hour till you get back to
5 PM.

Questions so far: How can I make her come around 5pm, eat canned food,
and feel it is all her idea? :-)

See above

(3) Yet another potential problem is that two new families are about to
move into the ground floor apartments that have been empty so far. She
passes through those porches to climb to our 3rd floor. Now there could
be a few strangers in her path.

For a few days last Fall, there were wormen in the yard, not even in
her direct path, but she hid untill everyone had left and came several
hours later, still looking anxious. I am worried by that memory,

Question: What can I do to let her know these new people are ok and she
should just climb up?

Intro her to them, and ditto for yourself.


Should I not bother trying to force too many changes, and just keep
feeding dry whenever she shows up at least until she gets used to the
presence of new people?

She'll adjust most likely. She knows where the food is coming from.

All opinions greatly appreciated.

And don't listen to those that freak at the thought of a cat being allowed
to be a cat. Better a good life than a long life of denied essence of being.
If a cat wants to be outside it should be allowed, locking it up only breaks
it's will unless it truly wants to stick around inside. I live out in the
forest so I can say that. There are some good arguments for those in the
city though. High traffic etcetera.

Stone
Some pic's http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/stoneman72/my_photos

"Gary Stone" wrote in message
...

"Ajanta" wrote in message
...
Last year, this cat used to visit me regularly in late afternoon, eat
her favorite canned foods, watch tv, then leave.

During the winter a family emergency forced us to go overseas. We had
an apt-sitter, who I couldn't expect to be like me and who mostly left
dry food out. At least the cat could eat.

Coming back, I find the cat is slowly warming back to me but her habits
have changed.

(1) She has become used to dry food. I have been putting out a little
bit of canned each time but she barely notices it. I want her to eat
canned but my first priority has got to be that she ha enough to eat,
right?

She should be fine with just the dry food. Vet told me to feed one of mine
only dry food.

(2) She has become used to eating around 1PM. At 5, I had about 2 hours
to watch news and play with her. At 1 I am busy at the computer with
real work and she feels ignored and looks grumpy. My fear is if I don't
feed her when she comes, instead of returning later she may simply give
up on me.

Let her wait, 15 minutes one day then 25, then an hour till you get back
to 5 PM.

Questions so far: How can I make her come around 5pm, eat canned food,
and feel it is all her idea? :-)

See above

(3) Yet another potential problem is that two new families are about to
move into the ground floor apartments that have been empty so far. She
passes through those porches to climb to our 3rd floor. Now there could
be a few strangers in her path.

For a few days last Fall, there were wormen in the yard, not even in
her direct path, but she hid untill everyone had left and came several
hours later, still looking anxious. I am worried by that memory,

Question: What can I do to let her know these new people are ok and she
should just climb up?

Intro her to them, and ditto for yourself.


Should I not bother trying to force too many changes, and just keep
feeding dry whenever she shows up at least until she gets used to the
presence of new people?

She'll adjust most likely. She knows where the food is coming from.

All opinions greatly appreciated.

And don't listen to those that freak at the thought of a cat being allowed
to be a cat. Better a good life than a long life of denied essence of
being. If a cat wants to be outside it should be allowed, locking it up
only breaks it's will unless it truly wants to stick around inside. I live
out in the forest so I can say that. There are some good arguments for
those in the city though. High traffic etcetera.

Stone
Some pic's http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/stoneman72/my_photos


I think you can take ownership of the cat if you don't know that it belongs
to anyone and perhaps keep her in at night/bed time where you know she's
safe and out during the day. You already know she'll come back to you, so
that wouldn't be a problem. If you live in an apartment building, my guess
is you live in a at least somewhat high traffic area. Introduce yourself to
your new neighbors and introduce the cat and if you don't want to take full
ownership, maybe just tell them that she comes to you for food sometimes so
not to worry about seeing her wandering around. But, I think if she loves
you enough to keep coming back, then perhaps you should let her fully claim
you

Beth