It's official: I'm an Evil, Untrustworthy Meowmy.

gingersmom · Oct 25, 2006

Originally Posted by 2dogmom

And here is a little more

for you!

Now THAT...is exactly what I needed!

You're awesome, thank you!!!

2dogmom · Oct 25, 2006

Hey I am in your debt forever after you gave me the hot tip about the

that got Brady to

Heck Brady even let even DH pet him while he (Brady) was on the bed today!

katachtig · Oct 25, 2006

I finally got got up on this thread. I'm sorry if we didn't give you the support you needed. I understand where you're coming from though my situation isn't as extreme. All three are daddy's little girls and I'm the one who is evil. I'm the one who does the pills, the e-collar, the carrier stuffing and the hideous trip to the vet. He's the one they want to cuddle with.

meow meow · Oct 25, 2006

I wouldn't worry about the neuter -- within a week or two he will completely forget that it happened. They really are gone away from home such short time.

I have had my kitty since July and I have been working to make him more affectionate ever since. It is not that he is skittish -- I just have young children at home so he is not apt to crawl up on my lap when they are around (I don't blame him -- he would be ambushed!).

Anyhow, the few times that I have left him for vacation (he stayed with my mom), I noticed it took several days to a week before he trusted me again enough to come to me and sit on my lap. It was like we regressed but we always came back to where we were eventually.

Have you read Kittens for Dummies? It had good advice about bonding with your kitty. Basically, he must learn that all good things in life come from you. Even if he won't let you touch him right now, playing with him with a toy is definately a bonding thing for the two of you.

As for the nail clippings, the only way my cat and I make it through is with a ton of treats. Otherwise it would be unbearable for him and me.

vik61 · Oct 26, 2006

Originally Posted by JulieKit

Do you think your roomate would be willing to stuff Ferris into the carrier for a trip to the vet? Maybe if he starts doing all the 'bad' things then Ferris will want to be more with you!

You can trick your roomie into it. Say something like 'Can you put Ferris in his carrier for me, since he seems to like you so much better he wont struggle much' Same thing with the meds.

I think those would be the only two. Brushing and trimming nails should be a negative experience. Lure him over with food and while your petting go over his paws a bit, then extend a claw. You will eventually get to the point where he doesnt mind. You can do one paw one day, and the other the next.

Good luck witht that boy, hes a beauty!!

LOL I was going to suggest the same thing--have the roommate put him in the carrier from now on!!! Definitely!

You deserve at least this much.

gingersmom · Oct 26, 2006

Well, this morning Ferris came in for some scritches, and layed around on my bed a bit as I was waking up. He was quite cute, purring at me like we are best buds, then as soon as I got and fed him, I didn't exist for him anymore, LOL!!!

I went ahead and put the opened cat carrier in the kitchen, presetting it for my "trick and grab" tommorrow morning, and even put some treats in it, hoping he isn't too suspicious about it sitting in the kitchen. When I left the house, he had his two front paws in the carrier and was going after the treats.

I have to take away all food tonight at 7 p.m., so tomorrow morning he ought to be quite aggressive in begging (he is quite the little beggar, meowing up a storm when he wants food!) I'm REALLY hoping it'll be easy to catch him, as I have to have him at the vets for 8 a.m. I might have to pretend to get his breakfast together - again, SO evil, poor little guy!

I'm looking forward to tomorrow being over - once he's neutered, I'm expecting he will be a little less aggressive and ought to calm down a bit. Yes, the Feliway diffusers are going at full force!

Thank you guys for putting up with my pity party yesterday - I'm feeling better about it all today!

gingersmom · Oct 26, 2006

Originally Posted by meow meow

Have you read Kittens for Dummies? It had good advice about bonding with your kitty. Basically, he must learn that all good things in life come from you. Even if he won't let you touch him right now, playing with him with a toy is definately a bonding thing for the two of you.

No, but I raised Ginger from 8 weeks old, and had no problems bonding with her. Ferris is a feral rescue, so he's obviously different. He and I did some initial bonding over chicken baby food, and I'm going to offer him more of that this weekend, once he's able to eat again.

He also has a thing for cheddar cheese, so I'm going to get more of that and have a few snacks with him next week.

Ferris WILL let me touch him, but only in the mornings on my bed or at supper when he is eating. When his face is in his bowl and he's snuffling down his food like he last ate 6 weeks ago, I can touch him anywhere - belly, feet, whatever - he doesn't care as long as he has that food in his face. It's kind of funny!

gingersmom · Oct 26, 2006

Originally Posted by Vik61

LOL I was going to suggest the same thing--have the roommate put him in the carrier from now on!!! Definitely!

You deserve at least this much.

I wish - again, the roommate is NOT around when I need the assistance, so that's not an option for me, or believe you me, I would have already made him do it for me!

katachtig · Oct 26, 2006

Hopefully, after the neutering and not going to the vet as often, he can settle down and figure out that you are as good as cheddar cheese.

white cat lover · Oct 26, 2006

If it makes you feel any better, it took months of going back & forth between trust & hate with me & Ophelia. Now she sleeps on my pillow or right next to it. She purrs & LOVES to get petted. She is still a little skittish, but I think that's due to being deaf. With time, Ferris will realize you are the woman of his life & come around. Perhaps when you get snubbed by Ferris, you can go get some Ginger lovin'?

gingersmom · Oct 26, 2006

Originally Posted by katachtig

Hopefully, after the neutering and not going to the vet as often, he can settle down and figure out that you are as good as cheddar cheese.

I really hope so!

laureen227 · Oct 26, 2006

Originally Posted by RubSluts'Mommy

There was a point where I had to give Jack pills... I tried the whole sequestering thing in the only room in my (then) apartment, a studio apartment. So for months afterward, if i was in the bathroom, he'd sit at the doorway. If he was in there and I walked in, he'd bolt.
Give Ferris time... let him come to you... he'll trust you again, don't worry.

Pixel's like that - she only comes into the bathroom if i'm in the tub. the bathroom is the medicine room, since it's the only room in the house with a door.

glad to hear you're feeling more yourself today. i thinking pre-setting the carrier & baiting it with treats was a brilliant idea! leave it out afterwards, too. maybe he'll get the idea it's a fun place to nap. Java enjoys napping in the carriers i have. not Pixel - she sees the carrier on the bed, she disappears [smart kitty! she knows that means someone's going to the vet, & she doesn't want it to be her!]

gingersmom · Oct 26, 2006

Originally Posted by white cat lover

If it makes you feel any better, it took months of going back & forth between trust & hate with me & Ophelia. Now she sleeps on my pillow or right next to it. She purrs & LOVES to get petted. She is still a little skittish, but I think that's due to being deaf. With time, Ferris will realize you are the woman of his life & come around. Perhaps when you get snubbed by Ferris, you can go get some Ginger lovin'?

Thank you, that does make me feel better.

Ginger, God love her, is as aloof as you can get. She'll let me pet her head for a moment, then she'll get up and walk away from me only to lie down 3 feet further away.

I love her to pieces, my sweet little girl, but she's not much of a lover, LOL. She does prefer to be in the room I'm in, even if she doesn't want me touching her. I don't think she'll ever be a lap cat.

I'm starting to think I'm going to need more kitties at some point, LOL!

gingersmom · Oct 26, 2006

Originally Posted by laureen227

i thinking pre-setting the carrier & baiting it with treats was a brilliant idea! leave it out afterwards, too. maybe he'll get the idea it's a fun place to nap.

Actually, I do leave them on the floor in the house, and open, and I always throw a treat or two in them when I'm playing the "meowmy hides the treats" game. I try to do this so they won't always associate it with a bad thing, but you know how smart those kitties can be, LOL!

2dogmom · Oct 26, 2006

Gingersmom did you see where I stuffed Brady into a pillowcase to take him to the vet? Maybe that could help you?

gingersmom · Oct 26, 2006

Originally Posted by 2dogmom

Gingersmom did you see where I stuffed Brady into a pillowcase to take him to the vet? Maybe that could help you?

OMG, are you kidding me?

The indignity!

Seriously, If I can grab him to stuff him in a pillowcase, I can just as easily slip him into his carrier - I'm not worried about bites or scratches, only that I have just ONE chance to grab him and if I miss it, I'm bumming!!!

It's an idea, though, LOL!

katachtig · Oct 26, 2006

Originally Posted by 2dogmom

Gingersmom did you see where I stuffed Brady into a pillowcase to take him to the vet? Maybe that could help you?

That was the only way I could get my RB kitty, Petunia into the carrier. She could squirm with the best of them. With Lucy, I've discovered top loading carriers which make it easier.

gingersmom · Oct 26, 2006

Originally Posted by katachtig

That was the only way I could get my RB kitty, Petunia into the carrier. She could squirm with the best of them. With Lucy, I've discovered top loading carriers which make it easier.

I agree - Ginger's is a side loader, but she cooperates and walks right in. Ferris' is top and side loading, and the top has a dual zipper with a strap, so I can put him in and hold him in with one hand and zip the zippers up with the other so he can't jump out when I let go of his scruff.

Ferris isn't so much a squirmer as he becomes a whirling ball of claws and teeth, so adding the pillowcase in as an extra step could actually hurt me more than it hurts him, LOL!

I think we'll be fine - any extra vibes you guys can spare tomorrow would be appreciated - that I can catch him in one try and that all goes well at the vet!

sphynxmommy · Oct 26, 2006

Can you just get rid of the roommate?

katachtig · Oct 26, 2006

It's official: I'm an Evil, Untrustworthy Meowmy.

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

Moderator

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

Thread starter

Moderator

TCS Member

TCS Member

Thread starter

Darksome Duo!

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

TCS Member

Thread starter

Moderator

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

Moderator