Questions about behavior

pee wee

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Hi everyone.
I've come across some behavior in my latest feral, that I've never had happen before. I'm wondering if anyone out there has had a similar experience and can tell me what might be going on...

I've been doing TNR for almost 20 years. It used to be a huge hobby for me (when it was illegal here), but now I just do it occasionally when I have extra time or come across a cat that needs help.

A few nights ago I was trying to trap a cat in one of my colonies who appears to be quite ill. Instead, I trapped a huge, flamepoint male, probably around 3. He has been eating there for the past 6-8 months and has never come within 20 feet of me. He's already neutered. I normally would have just released him, but the temp dropped into the 60's and he is unusually beautiful, so I brought him home and put him in my spare bathroom and decided to see if I could work with him.

The first night I didn't bother him too much. I just wanted him to get used to his new surroundings. Day # 2, I went in with the Jack Mackerel and without much coaxing, he was standing right next to me eating. He would hiss and run as far away as he could each time I would try to pet him. I gave him a few hours and went back in with more mackerel. Almost as if a lightswitch had been turned on, this cat was letting me pet him from head to tail. He was purring and doing figure 8's around me. He was flipping on his back and kneading his little paws. He was eating it up. I couldn't believe his progress. He was obviously someones pet, or at least handled at one time.
So it was getting pretty late, I tell him Goodnight and leave him in the bathroom....

I went in the next morning to see my new best buddy and he was right back in full feral mode. Ears, back and hissing at me like crazy. The more I tried to talk to him to remind him of the night before, the more he was ready to lunge, so I left....I thought that was really weird. I've tamed a few in my day and once they're tame, they're tame.

So again, I go back in a couple of hours later and sat on the floor again. He hissed a couple of times and then slowly walked over to me. He was very nervous, but let me pet him a little and then within a minute, he was purring and climbing on me and he couldn't get enough attention. I spent a good hour or more just petting him and he was in heaven.

I went in this morning, only to be greeted by a cat who wanted to kill me. Ears back, hissing and snarling and giving a low growl. I left him alone for a couple more hours and just tried to visit him again and he is still beyond angry. I've decided to get him into a carrier and release him back to his colony tonight or tomorrow.

But what the heck?? I've never had one change his personality so rapidly like that. He reminds me of Drew Barrymore in 50 first dates. I have to retame him each time I see him. Is he bipolar? Should I give him more time? I'd love to keep him as a pet, but I don't want him to be unhappy.

What should I do?

Thanks and sorry about the length of this post.
 

StefanZ

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Welcome to the Forums!


One possibility is like you mentioned, being bipolar (schizofrenia). NOT common with cats, but I suppose it can happen.

Another guess may be he hurts somewhere. Cats in pain or other distress dont have the same patience as usual.

Third is, he had been on his own so long time. Not all people who talked nicely to him were friendly either. Some want sparring partners to their pit bulls for example.
So his feelings and moods are coming and going almost like in waves...

You can release him if you wish. His fate is his, and he is accustomed now to living as homeless. And unless he does have some sickedness inside, he should survive.

But my advice would be to try on and fight on, if it isnt too inconvenient for you.


Good luck!


btw, how is going with the original, probably sick, feral you wanted to trap?
 

feralvr

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Welcome to TCS
. This behavior does not surprise me at all. This cat might be getting more stressed out each day due to his confinement. His moods are very confusing to him and might be scaring him too. So he is up and down. Some of these cats just cannot handle being confined indoors and being so close to a human. You can give it some more time, but sometimes the kindest thing to do with a feral such as this, is to release him back outdoors and care for him that way. If he becomes more dangerous and aggressive to you in the days to come, then my advice would be to let him go as this is obviously what he is telling you. Good luck and thanks for caring about feral cats!! They need us
 

jtbo

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Maybe cat is one of those that can't stand being alone?

I have two of such that if left alone they start to make lot of noise, they really hate being alone, they need at least one other cat to accompany them, I'm not quite enough it seems and if I leave to visit downstairs when I come back kitty is not very happy and shows it by trying to make as much noise as possible.
 
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pee wee

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Thank you all for the advice. You guys really know your 'kitty stuff'. I think all of your responses were right on the money. It all made sense as to why he behaved the way he did. Just when I thought I knew all there was to know about ferals...

As much as I wanted to keep him, he was just miserable, so I released him back to his friends yesterday morning after he ate.

When I went to feel the whole colony last night. He actually made direct eye contact with me and meowed a few times which he never did before his kidnapping.

I'm sure I'm reading way more into it than needed, but I took it as some type of cool, spiritual sign. That him and I have some kind of understanding...

Of course in reality, I'm sure he was just warning his cat friends that I'm a total nut and to steer clear.

As for the sick kitty which I was on a mission for in the first place: I haven't seen him since. He's looking very scraggly and has lost a tremendous amount of weight. He just has an all over appearance that something is very wrong. I'm going to go feed them right now, so I'll keep looking for him.

Thanks again for the help. =^..^=
 

feralvr

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Oh no, you are NOT reading toooo much into that at all. And, in all reality, and this may sound strange, but you actually have a bond starting with this cat. And the fact that you set him free (after his kidnapping
, never thought of it that way but makes perfect sense
), makes him feel more trusting of you than ever. Let him tell you if he wants that relationship with you now. I have seen feral's so reclusive and fearful head into old age and start to change their ways, meaning they decided it was time for the indoor life. Enough of the outdoors. It is possible that over time this cat will choose you over the other life and show you signs such as meowing, coming closer and closer, eye contact and the last sign is rubbing on your legs when you feed.
You will have to wait and see. But that look and meow, was a sign for sure
, pretty cool
, HUH???!!!

Vibes for the sick kitty to return so you can help him ....
 

ldg

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Originally Posted by Feralvr

Oh no, you are NOT reading toooo much into that at all. And, in all reality, and this may sound strange, but you actually have a bond starting with this cat. And the fact that you set him free (after his kidnapping
, never thought of it that way but makes perfect sense
), makes him feel more trusting of you than ever. Let him tell you if he wants that relationship with you now. I have seen feral's so reclusive and fearful head into old age and start to change their ways, meaning they decided it was time for the indoor life. Enough of the outdoors. It is possible that over time this cat will choose you over the other life and show you signs such as meowing, coming closer and closer, eye contact and the last sign is rubbing on your legs when you feed.
You will have to wait and see. But that look and meow, was a sign for sure
, pretty cool
, HUH???!!!

Vibes for the sick kitty to return so you can help him ....
I completely agree. I think he was saying thank you!

They are such amazing creatures, aren't they? You can tell SO much about this feral kitty from his name... Cyclone.
This is not my feral story, but another rescuer's. Whenever he was injured, he'd go right into the crate. But the minute he was up to his definition of feeling well, he'd completely wreck the place. He ate a hole through the wall to get out. He disappeared for several years and just turned up one day, looking worse for the wear. Of course he got the medical attention he needed, and this time was released into an enclosure that had been built (and had access to the house). This person came downstairs the next morning to find Cyclone reclining on the couch, and wanting pets - like he'd always lived there.

So who knows what will happen down the road with your flamepoint male!

the sick kitty returns.....
 
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