Wondering the best way to help Mr. Jinx

Sweetie, I'm sure you know, cats are all about territory. He doesn't understand yet how WONDERFUL his world is going to be. TRY not to be sad that he's scared. His world has just been turned upside down, and all he wants to do is get back to HIS territory and the routines he knows. :nod: This is so normal, and no reflection on anything you're doing or how HAPPY he WILL be. Once he makes the bathroom his own (and don't worry about how long this takes, really, it's FINE for him in there!), and he realizes the new routine includes food, a clean litter box, clean water.... and he realizes - hey - I"M SAFE here, that loving boy will will not only stop shaking, he'll be your purr baby again.

it won't take long!

Thank you all again for the support and pep talks! And I've learned how to use these smileys! LOL

Just wanted to give you a quick update...

I went in the bathroom this morning and was delighted to see a giant pile of toilet paper all over the floor. He had a great time all night!

Aside from that, he has also made a bed of the sink, and has completely ignored all his set up stuff. He's hilarious. This morning he was actually SO much better! Not only was he back to his old cuddly self, but he was even MORE cuddly. He was head butting my face and purring, and drooled all over me while I pet him. And he actually put two paws on my lap and gave me a couple of tentative muffins. He's really adjusting well, and gets mad when I leave the bathroom, so I think it'll only be a few days before he's ready to follow me around.

I was recently given the contact info of a great mobile vet who has worked with ferals plenty, and she's willing to come to him and give him everything he needs, which is a huge relief. I'm not sure now, however, if he was completely feral. He's adjusting so quickly and LOVES to be petted, so I'm wondering if he was once someone's pet many moons ago. Poor little guy.

:bigthumb: What absolutely GREAT news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's those headbutts and purrs that make it all worth it! And muffins too! :lol3:

I'm sorry - I didn't read back through the thread. :anon: Do you have other cats? They've already all met because of the kitchen visits? Because once he's feeling completely comfortable, if you have other cats, you need to think about proper introductions before worrying about his having more space. :nod: He's going to be "the invader" in their space, so it helps to go slowly - and start with scent swapping, which you can do now since you can pet him.

BTW, we've used a vet that makes house calls. For us it was a nightmare. The advantage (for us), as it turns out, in taking the cats TO the vet, is that they're scared, and so MUCH more easily handled by the vet. It was difficult to get the exams done at home. I do hope it works for you and Mr. Jinx!!!! :cross:

And there is NO WAY this cat was feral or did not live inside. We've rescued older feral cats, and even if they're people friendly (meaning they clearly grew up in a place where people were friendly to them), it takes a while for them to adjust to all the sounds and smells of being INSIDE. :nod: This little lover had a home at some point.... which makes it just that much more special that he has one again, because inside kitties just shouldn't be on their own outside! :rub: :heart3:

Yes, I have one cat who is almost 10 and very tiny (she's the one who fits in the Booda dome. Full grown she is 6 pounds), and I have another one from the back yard, who wasn't feral but was someone's outdoor cat who didn't take care of her. We actually met her "owner" and he said he hadn't seen or fed her in weeks, and couldn't believe she voluntarily came into our home, but basically relinquished her. She's also ear-tipped, so I believe someone trapped her at one point and had her spayed (she's spayed for sure) - but you don't usually ear tip a pet.

She lives inside now more than out, and when we first saw her, she was so hungry and skinny we could see her ribs. Now she is SO clean and healthy, eyes clear, etc.

They've all met Mr. Jinx for months, and interracted with him as well, not so much in the kitchen (although they've all eaten their meals together there), but when I was sitting with him for hours outside, I left my back door open so they could come out supervised (the tiny one is indoor only). So they've sniffed him, eaten his food, everything. I wasn't trying to do that per se, but it just worked out that way. I also have a small dog and Mr. Jinx knows him, too. Sammy (the other yard cat) has given him a raised paw, but he just meows at her and lets her eat his food. Women are so bossy!

Good to know re: the vet. I'll see what I can do about getting him into the carrier. I won't be able to take him until next week unfortunately, but so far so good. He fell asleep IN MY LAP! And he headbutts me like he's fighting to own my face. LOL I cannot believe this is the same cat that just weeks ago would hiss and smack your hand if it was too close! There is just no way he was completely feral - one day inside a house and he's drooling when I pet him and sleeping in my lap, making muffins in the air. This POOR KITTY must have been an abandoned pet. I can't imagine how incredibly horrible that is. It also explains the old head wound he has that has healed over. Maybe hit by a car, or mistreated. SO SAD.

I now have a new issue with him. He loves being with me so much he can't stand when I leave. He gives me so much meowing business! And he is getting to the point where he wants to follow me out of the door. I'm going to visit with him one more time tonight, and see how he feels tomorrow. If he is dying to get out, I may leave the door ajar.

It's strange and I know I'm probably crazy, but he is acting as if he does understand and is incredibly grateful for being in the house now. Weird so soon, right?

YAY for Mr. Jinx today I am not surprised he was so loving to you today. He missed you over night and had his own good time in all of that TP :lol3: He is probably so happy to have a home, again. I say again, because he definitely was "owned" by somebody at some point in his life. It can be that quick with such a friendly kitty. He was just scared that first day wondering NOW WHAT!!!!! I am sure he want's out to be with you now :lovegrin: - he loves you, but it might be best to keep him confined a bit longer to confirm in his mind about staying indoor's and feeling safe and loved.
:heart3:

I also agree with Laurie about the vet making house calls. We have a "mobile vet" that comes to your house but you bring the cat out to their large van - in a crate of course . You could try it with Mr. Jinx, having the vet come to the house and see if it works. I know Pipsqueak and Walden would be good for a house call from a vet .. But the other four would be terrible for a vet coming into the house and handling them.:dash:

SO happy for you and Mr. Jinx. Soon he will be a full fledged member of the household

Well, it won't hurt to find out if having the vet there works for him! It's certainly easier on all of you if it works for him. It just didn't help us at all. :lol3:

I agree with Lauren - it's probably best to keep him in the bathroom for a little longer, given his escaping escapade before. :dk: But trust your judgment.

Thank you for all the advice.

My husband thought it might be a good idea to quarantine the kitchen, since the doors close, and it's connected to a small hall that has the small bathroom. So Mr. Jinx followed me out this morning into that area, and no, it didn't go too well. He can see the outside from there and tried to desperately dig under the door, and cried, it was so sad. And he is DEATHLY afraid of my husband, so when he saw him, he went right back into his bathroom sanctuary, so I closed the door again.

I'm also a bit concerned because there's still no poo. He has the soil/box situation, but he hasn't used it from what I can see. He did pee, but on the clothes I left in the bathroom for him.

Did the clothes smell like you? He might have done this because his scent mixed with yours (as he's bonded to you) helps him feel calmer. :nod:

I know you said the bathroom is really small.... is there room for a second litter box?

The issue with cats that have been living outside is that they are not used to peeing/pooping in the same place. They often need two boxes - if not permanently, at least at first. :nod:

Sounds like you have soil in the litter box? I would definitely recommend calling around to whatever local pet stores are near you to see if they have the Cat Attract additive. I'd sprinkle some of that on top of the soil. In fact, I'd also buy the regular Cat Attract litter, put it in the box(es), put a layer of soil over the top, and sprinkle the additive on top of that.

For now, I'd remove the clothes, or any rugs.... and if he pees on the floor, soak it up with a paper towel and put it in one of the boxes. If he does poop outside the box, put it in one of the boxes. This is often all it takes to make the box thing "click." But I definitely would keep him in the bathroom until he's reliably using the boxes. :nod:

Do you have a guest bedroom? If you can't fit two boxes in the bathroom, you may want to move him to a larger room, if possible. :nod: I wouldn't recommend the kitchen - too much activity. He needs a quieter spot. :nod:

When we rescued our first feral kitten, he held out for close to 30 hours before peeing. Once he peed in the box of soil we had out for him, we scooped the peed on dirt into a litter box. He "got it" and jumped in and immediately went poop - and that was that. :lol3: So if he, does pee or poop in/on the soil, that's just another good reason to have a second box filled with the litter.

LOL - yes the clothes smelled like me. He has my hat too, which he loves and is easy to clean, and so far no pee.

This is great advice. I can fit another box in there if I place it inside the shower tray, but his food is in there, too. There's about a foot or two extra, but it would still be kind of close to his eating space, unless I move both litter boxes into the shower and all food next to the toilet.

I do eventually want to move him into the safety room I set up for him, as it's a guest room and much bigger, so I think in the tiny space I'm going to practice picking him up, since he likes to sleep on me and everything. I'm a bit nervous, but will do it anyway. I think he'll be weirded out but okay pretty quickly.  That way when it's safe, I can pick him up and move him very quickly into the other space without too much drama. And it will keep him far from the back door, too (and kitchen).

:hug: There's no rush. The small space is OK. In fact, the smaller the space, the more quickly they feel safe in there. :nod: But given it is tight quarters for two boxes and food/water, I think moving him in a few days is a good idea. But when you do move him, I would keep him in THAT safe room until he's REALLY comfortable there.

In fact... because he's scared of DH, once Mr. Jinx is comfortable in the (new) safe room, DH may want to be responsible for food, water, litter box care for a while to help Mr. Jinx realize he's not a big scary monster. :cross:

ABSOLUTELY great advice. I would not allow him access any other part of the house, ie. the kitchen. Don't feel bad for him, I know it is hard . It is much better for Mr. Jinx if you establish a routine immediately and a place he can call his own. If you plan on ultimately keeping him in that safe room. Move him now and allow him at least two weeks to completely settle in. If you keep moving him around, he will not feel safe or feel he has his own personal space. Two boxes would be the best and add Cat Attract Litter with the soil, that might help him be more drawn to the litter box. As Laurie suggests, having DH feed/clean would be a good idea too. He can also sit in the safe room and work on the computer or read out loud, quietly :lol3: He will adjust completely, I am sure. He just needs a regular routine that he can count on each day to be the same, for how ever long it takes for him to be comfortable. When the time comes to open the safe room door, he will come out on his own and retreat on his own to his room when he is scared. Things will work out just great :cross:

Thanks guys!

After I moved everything around in the bathroom, I realized it was a bigger space than I thought. For him, it works. I put a blanket in the sink for him and he made it his bed, and he seems pretty happy, except of course when I leave.

He's doing really well and eating REALLY well, but no poop yet. I am looking forward to some poop! BUT - he did pee in his box many times, so the Cat Attract worked like a charm! And yes, I set up two boxes for him, and he's taken a serious look at both.

I am going to call the vet today, because his eye needs to be looked at, and as I've been practicing petting his stomach to prepare him for being picked up,  I noticed it feels hard on the sides. It's big, but he's all-around big and muscle-y, so I know that could be something bad or even just constipation. It doesn't feel "liquidy" as they say about the big diseases, it feels like muscle (all of him does).

Here are some new pics. If you look closely you can see the eye. Poor little guy. I don't know why the pics are sideways, sorry. The first is him headbutting me. LOL

Mr. Jinx, what a great name! He reminds me of a cat that used to "visit" me occasionally for a meal. He was a big black male cat that would hang out for a few hours and want to go back out. I don't think he was feral, maybe the previous resident fed him or something. He was friendly but never very affectionate. Was good for someone like myself at the time who only wanted to be part-time.

on your vet visit and hope his eye gets better soon!!!

Thank you, zeety - and so sorry for your recent loss.

Mr. Jinx is doing great. He has given me some "gifts" in his litter without any issue today, so I think we're on our way to house cat time.

I think you all may be right - he was more likely semi-feral or stray, because:

a) he is using only the one litter box for 1 & 2

&

b) I picked him up today for the first time (no scruffing, just tummy) and though it wasn't for long (I moved him from the top of the toilet onto my lap - couple of seconds, really), he didn't even stop purring. It was like no problem - like someone held him before.

Hello everyone!

Just a thank you to everyone who helped me on Mr. Jinx's journey. Your advice really did make his transition so much more smooth.

He is seeing the vet next Wednesday for everything he needs, and I'm excited (and nervous) for him. His eye is actually looking so much better since he's been in the house and eating properly (I've been feeding him only the very best mix dry/wet, and infusing it with Dr. Harvey's immune health for cats).

He continues to be a super love, attacking my face with his strong headbutts and he loves to do nose-to-nose. He allows me to pick him up now completely, and I can lift him well off the ground. He also lets me hold his butt baby style, and purrs the whole time.

I tried to place his carrier in the bathroom, but of course, the carrier is too big for the tiny bathroom. I can put it in the shower area, but to keep the door open, I have to prop it a certain way, but there's no way to close it. So I just keep it in there now as a safety spot if he wants to check it out, and I put turkey in it for him also. I lined it with my snuggie, which he seems to like (he LOVES soft cuddly things and seems to not care at all about playing. Very lazy!).

Anyway, I'll let you know what his bill of health is - hopefully overall he's okay other than the usual yuckies of being outside.

:lol3: Aw WHAT a great update! This boy knows he's got it good! He just wants to be loved. :heart3: :rub:

SO TRUE! He has decided to groom me now. Full on kitty licks on my face!

I'm really looking forward to the day he feels good in the house, but I'm not rushing him. He'll definitely be in the bathroom for at least one more week. And after that, we'll go at his pace. DH is going to start spending some time with him soon too - maybe this weekend - so he can get used to both of us enough to not be so frightened.

On the kitty kisses :kisskiss: Mr. Jinx is really progressing quite well! Glad the bathroom is bigger now :lol3: Hope the eye checks out to be something minor at the vet on Wednesday :cross: Keep us posted!!! So happy :happy3: he is adjusting so beautifully :bigthumb:

LOL Well, I may have spoken too soon.

I went in to spend time with him tonight and he was rubbing my face like usual, then I felt a light bite on the side of my cheek, and then he wailed on me with his claws. He then backed away and hissed and his pupils were huge, so I'm not sure what happened, but something freaked him out. In the meantime, he cut my lip, my nose, and my cheek, so I'm in a bit of pain right now. I'm not mad or anything and I'm sure he'll be totally fine once I go in again, but I have no idea what set him off - he's NEVER done anything like that before, even when he was outside. Boo.

Were you wearing a new perfume or had been somewhere new that could have changed your scent? That might have upset him....or he may be getting tired of being confined. I can't remember, is he neutered yet? That could be another reason he could have gotten upset.

I'm glad you aren't mad though and understand things like this can happen while you are socializing a kitty.

I hope he acts better the next time you visit him!