This is my first post--anywhere. I adopted a 6mos old Birman/Snowshoe looking female cat 4 days ago. The shelter said she the last of a litter to be caught and was brought in "alone". She was brought to the shelter when she was 10wks old. She's been caged ever since. The volunteer said she tried to socialize her everyday but was just now getting to where the cat would go to her for treats. I let kitty loose in a small room with food,water,litter box,toys, boxes to hide in. I know where she is but she will not come out of hiding. I just close the door and leave her alone. I spend a lot of time on the computer in there but I never see her. She is eating and pooping very well. Am I doing the right things? Any other suggestions? Thanks and sorry for being so verbose.
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Is this a feral?
- Thread starter sassyfull
- Start Date
Yes, so far you are doing everything according to the book. Time should give you results.
Btw, do you have a friendly homecat? Or even a cat-friendly dog?
Feliway-diffuser, although shouldnt be necessary here, dont hurt either and may help.
I gather others will fill in.
If you look in other threads, or use the search-function, I want to especially recommend posts by LDG. Although here are also many others good fosterers and catfriends.
Welcome to the forum!
Good luck!
Btw, do you have a friendly homecat? Or even a cat-friendly dog?
Feliway-diffuser, although shouldnt be necessary here, dont hurt either and may help.
I gather others will fill in.
If you look in other threads, or use the search-function, I want to especially recommend posts by LDG. Although here are also many others good fosterers and catfriends.
Welcome to the forum!
Good luck!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #4
Yes, I have 2 older cats, 3yrs and 2yrs old. They met the new cat (GiGi), smelled her, licked her face and are now almost totally uninterested. Thanks for your help.Originally Posted by StefanZ
Yes, so far you are doing everything according to the book. Time should give you results.
Btw, do you have a friendly homecat? Or even a cat-friendly dog?
Feliway-diffuser, although shouldnt be necessary here, dont hurt either and may help.
I gather others will fill in.
If you look in other threads, or use the search-function, I want to especially recommend posts by LDG. Although here are also many others good fosterers and catfriends.
Welcome to the forum!
Good luck!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
Thank you. I will do that.
Good!
So they arent hostile to her, and surely not she to them (shy ferales usually are submissive to the residents).
So. 1. dont forget to let her look on when you are together with your cats, so she has a good example.
2. Allow her if possible to be with them. Say, when they are in that room, play with them. Perhaps with a laser-penn.
With a little luck she will join....
That they arent very interested to have her as a best friend doesnt necesserily matter much. It is enough if they are common pals.
Some experienced fosterers prefer to foster a ferale themselves alone.
But most find it easier to have help from a friendly resident. Thus I recommend it especielly for those who arent very experienced - but eager to help.
(taking in a feral you must often / usually have some sort of quarantene first, so you are sure they dont have any parasites / contagious sickness. But I gather this is already done be the first fosterer).
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #7
I put a few treats in a paper bag. She got into it and ate them. Tomorrow I will keep the door to her room open. The 3 cats can go in and out as they please and she can hide if she wants. The other 2 don't seem interested in pursueing her. Let me know if you don't agree. ThanksOriginally Posted by StefanZ
Good!
So they arent hostile to her, and surely not she to them (shy ferales usually are submissive to the residents).
So. 1. dont forget to let her look on when you are together with your cats, so she has a good example.
2. Allow her if possible to be with them. Say, when they are in that room, play with them. Perhaps with a laser-penn.
With a little luck she will join....
That they arent very interested to have her as a best friend doesnt necesserily matter much. It is enough if they are common pals.
Some experienced fosterers prefer to foster a ferale themselves alone.
But most find it easier to have help from a friendly resident. Thus I recommend it especielly for those who arent very experienced - but eager to help.
(taking in a feral you must often / usually have some sort of quarantene first, so you are sure they dont have any parasites / contagious sickness. But I gather this is already done be the first fosterer).
I think it sounds good.
That room being somewhat of her retreat whenever she wants.
Have your eyes open, but it should work yes.
It was very good of you to let her be alone in that small room several days. So she could settle down a little, and also get somewhat accustomed with you.
Possibly you could wait a couple days more with opening that door, and let her go out first when she dares to search the room, and feel confident in her small room.
Im not sure. YOU are there and must feel it - and decide.
I think the reason why some fosterers prefer to foster alone, is if the ferale gets a good pal with the residents, and perhaps feels it doesnt need to be a pal with the human too...
Although the usual is the newcomer wants to sleep in your bed together with her friends the residents - although she perhaps doesnt dare yet to pet with you...
good luck!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #9
Stefan, thank you. This cat spent 3 months feral and 3 months caged. She now jumps in bed and climbs on me. She still won't let me touch her, as you predicted. She reluctantly takes treats from my hand. My other 2 cats cautiously try to play with her. She has become familiar with most of the house. She is thriving quite well. Thanks again. Evelyn
