Need advice with this cat that showed up

You and your DH are just wonderful for taking in Casper (love the name ). He will adjust to being indoors, because it seems to me that this has been his campaign in your neighborhood. I am sure he is just SO relieved to be off of the streets and safe . My Walden tried for weeks to run out the door. He learned and decided that the indoor life is much more pleasing to him and he is now satisfied to bird/squirrel/feral watch from the windows. For litter, I have use Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat litter. It is not that expensive at all and hypoallergenic. It is about $14.00 for 40 pounds and is practically dust-free. You can add the additive (the herbal bottle from Dr. Elsey) to the Precious Cat litter. Cheaper than Cat Attract and same thing. The additive bottle last a long time and you don't need to add as much as the bottle says, IMO. Just take it real slow, as you know, with trying to introduce the cats. Do not rush it. And since Casper might only be with you for a few weeks, you might as well just keep him in his own room for the time being. Unless, of course, you fall in LOVE and can't let him go . Either way, he is better off than he was before

Thanks, Lauren. I use Precious Cat too (the blue bag) and dh got the additive but he has used the litter box for both business. However, his poop is really smelly He is also very hungry all the time and am wondering if he has worms. I have panacur at home and wondering if we should give him. There was also a wet spot on a scratching post (cardboard one) in that room. I tried to smell it but it was not a strong smell. I am also wondering what "spraying" smells like (I am better off not experiencing, I know) but the breezeway was smelly and so is the bedroom now but it's more like gas/ poop (gross of me, I know and TMI but I feel so ill equipped).

The wet spot... don't know. But the smell is probably tummy issues.

We just assume that any cat that's been living outside has intestinal parasites, and I'm sure the new food with whatever he'd been eating has caused the stinky poop. I know it's not pleasant, but a week or two on the new food with treatment for parasites, and things should settle down (and smell less!)

Oh - spraying you'd know. It's cat pee. If it doesn't smell like urine, he's not spraying.

So is the honeymoon over?

I officially sign up with the rescue tomorrow as a foster but Casper seems really withdrawn and is not coming to us anymore. It seems that he has realized that it is no more fun to be indoors and hates us for it. He is interested in Hobbes and they bat at each other once is a while. We opened the door 3 times briefly today and Calvin sits by the door and hisses if Casper tries to go too close to him. It has been impossible completely separating them. Do not know if meeting my boys brought about this change. He is eating and using the litter box. When Hobbes came in, we tried to play - Casper did not participate much. I know it is a HUGE change for Casper but I really do want the personality that we initially saw to shine through as we would like him to get adopted. Right now he is unrecognizable from the videos we shot of him when he was outside. He seems to have lost his confidence. Would appreciate any advice as to how I can make things better.

Awww, I'm so sorry. I have no advice other than to just give it some time. As you say, these are big changes for him. :heart3:

Over in the trailer, when we first rescued Chumley, he slowly came out of his shell, and would half-sit on our laps and be petted. Once we moved him once-and-for-all into the RV with 7 other cats, he withdrew until he understood who was who, so it could be meeting the boys. Better to get it over with, and if all Hobbes and Caspar are doing is batting at each other, just keep up the play and treats. If Caspar didn't really know what toys were, he'll catch on!

We don't have the vibes smiley right now, but I'm sending them! :rub:

This is totally normal behavior IMO. This poor kitty, Casper, has been through SO much. Had a home, then abandoned to live outside (so we think), now he is in a new environment with two other cat's interested in him. It is no wonder he is a bit withdrawn. the most important thing to do, is keep up a very regular schedule of feeding, attention and cleaning. In a few days, he will come to appreciate what you are doing for him and will rely on his new routine and find comfort in it. I would not overdo the intros. right now. Let Casper just get used to this new way of life. This is for his own good and safety. Things will work out for the better for him. You did the right thing by taking him in :nod:. Just be patient, Casper will come out of his shell as soon as he is really comfortable and trusting of his new temporary family .

The good thing was that the Director of the rescue came over to see him and officially have me as a foster. Casper was nice and affectionate with her and she was impressed. He later got his distemper vaccine and will go for the rabies in the next few days. He definitely is a little withdrawn though last night, after I posted, he came to bed (we are taking turns sleeping in his room since we cannot give him too much time during the day), kneaded the comforter and then settled down beside me. He is also using his mouth a little more - attempts at biting - though he does not sink in his teeth and he seems to understand "no" or the tone of it. If I was able to keep him, I knew what my work entailed and I would have done the necessary and given him time. However, he is on petfinder now and I want him to have his forever home as soon as possible and want to help him settle into an indoor only life.

Thanks Laurie and Lauren for your encouragements.

Awwwww....... :heart3: See? That wonderful confident kitty is in there. Right now, he knows he's safe, loved, and being cared for, and that's what matters. :nod: That's just too sweet of you two to alternate sleeping with him! UBER MEGA for that! :lol3:

Chum used his mouth too, and it took very little to get him to stop. Tuxedo always gives us "love bites," but we don't say "no" to him because we know for sure that's what they are. He never uses any pressure.

VIBES VIBES VIBES VIBES VIBES Caspar finds his furrever home soon!

And just how wonderful of the rescue to resond so quckly! Glad he's officially in the program!

YAY for this news about you being the "official" foster . YOU did a wonderful, loving thing by saving Casper. I really think he will get adopted quickly :nod:. He is SO sweet and SO handsome. Someone will fall in love with him. You are taking such good care of him . He is one lucky stray !!!!!!:heart4:

Casper now has run of the house and for the most past things are ok but he likes to claim things that are already claimed, like the cat tree, and that's not going down too well with Calvin, my little jealous boy. So unlike Hobbes, you gave into Calvin's demands, Casper is a fighter and stands his ground. None of my boys are good at fighting and so the dynamics is problematic at times. For example, today I put Casper in his room for a while and Calvin went and attacked Hobbes. I am a little concerned about the status quo change. I do have feliway running. However, Casper's personality was changing in that one room and I think this is better for his adoption prospects. Another thing is that he does not understand the concept of grooming I think - my boys groom each other and when they try to groom Casper, he attacks them. Things are not too horrible but there are moments of tension at home.

Casper is otherwise a sweet boy and of course he is gorgeous. I think this week he will go to petsmart for showing and then there is an adoptathon there next weekend and I will be there with him. It will be really hard to let him go but I really want him to find a good home and be in his forever home fast.

WOW you moved fast on the intros !!!! But it sounds like it is going really well. Calvin went after Hobbes out of frustration. Pretty typical behavior when a newbie in introduced. I am sure Casper will get adopted fast. He has such a gorgeous coat and markings. That silver is just lovely. Sad but true.... if her were black, you might have him a long time, but since he is such an unusual color, he will get a home fast :cross: Have fun with your three kids this week. Just tell Calvin and Hobbes how much meowmy :heart3: loves them and give them tons and tons of affection this week. Sound to me like they are all getting along quite well :bigthumb:

Yeah, the only cats of ours that groom each other are Billy and Chumley. Ming Loy shoves her nose into other's chests, and they'll give her a lick or two on her head, but that's it. Billy tried to groom everyone when he first came inside, and they all looked at him like he was nuts. :lol3: Some kitties just aren't into the grooming thing.

I agree with Lauren - just a little displaced aggression.

I know Calvin's not too happy about this, but it seems like it was probably best for Caspar. He's so beautiful, I'm sure he'll get adopted quickly. :nod: It also sounds like he'll do really well as an alone kitty. :lol3:

for you and the boys and for Caspar to find his forever home!

Thanks for the positive vibes, Laurie and Lauren. Casper was just on my lap getting cuddles and purring. However, I see that after a while he gets overstimulated and then tries to bite - not breaking skin and his nip is not as sharp as Hobbes's but it is there. The good thing is his tail sway is a good indication of his mood. He really may be happier in a house where he is the only cat or a really laid back cat like Hobbes. I am giving a lot of love and cuddles to my boys but they are definitely a bit distracted with Casper. I think I just worry too much about the three boys fighting, mainly because I do not know Casper as well as I know Calvin and Hobbes.

@Lauren: to be honest, I was having a really hard and stressful time keeping casper in a separate room - they knew Casper was on the other side and he was getting stressed being in a room and was very withdrawn. He is way more himself now that he has the run of the house. I think given time, the three can settle in well but I really do not want him to become very close since we do not know how long Casper will be with us.  

Certainly, I totally agree with you on this. You know your cat's, and I think every introduction situation is different and doesn't always have to go by the "books". :lol3: Some cat's can meet and greet right off the bat and be just fine. Other's it can take many weeks or months. And, sure, sometimes it can be MORE stressful with the resident cat's knowing there is a newbie behind that door and they can't see the newbie or smell the newbie. Can make the displaced aggression worse on the resident kitties too . This is great that things are going so well :happy3: :bigthumb:

As for the biting while being pet... very typical with some cat's. Over-stimulated is exactly right and they will give you a bite out of feeling that way. It is almost a bit of confusion on their part too. Wendall is my kitty like that for sure. I just watch his tail, as soon as the swishing starts, enough of the pets. Then he is just happy and content to sit near me with no pets.

I would not mention to the rescue, yet, that Casper might need to be an only cat, or with a laid-back kitty. I think he will do just fine with other cats :nod:. He just came inside over a week ago, and has met your two kitties almost immediately. Casper seems very willing to accept other cats according to what you say about him. Casper seems to be handling this new situation, very, very well IMO. His chances of being adopted quickly will rise if he can be adopted with another cat. It also depends on the personalities of the cats that will be living together. So much has to be considered for the adoptive family, even with cat-friendly cat's. I think in the days to come this week, you will get a better idea about Casper's personality, his likes and dislikes too. :lovegrin:

MUCH luck this week and keep us posted on things :bigwink:

Any news on Casper?

Sending best wishes to Casper tonight and thinking of him, you, your DH, Calvin and Hobbes and