TheCatSite.com › Forums › Ferals and Rescue › Caring for Strays and Ferals › Need advice, fast!!!!
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Need advice, fast!!!!

post #1 of 29
12/29/11 at 5:46pm
Thread Starter 

Hello all,

 

I will make this brief; I currently have 4 cats who get along well. All are rescues. There's a 5th kitty now begging to be brought in to my home; he's about 5 months old, alone, and it's -20 degrees outside tonight (that's -4 farenheit for you american folks). I've been feeding him for about 3 months now. When he sees me, he comes running, meowing, and rolls around on the ground. If I open the door *right now*, he'll cautiously walk in and go rub noses with my cats, but then panics and wants out of the house. If I close the door, obviously, he goes berserk and hides.

 

2 of my cats are indifferent, one seems skittish around him, and the other avoids him but hisses if he gets too close.

 

Can I safely let him in and close the door, hoping he'll get used to things in time...or will I be harming him?

 

HELP! I don't want to leave him outside if I don't have to. :( 

Reply
post #2 of 29
12/29/11 at 6:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Plucky's Dad View Post

Hello all,

 

I will make this brief; I currently have 4 cats who get along well. All are rescues. There's a 5th kitty now begging to be brought in to my home; he's about 5 months old, alone, and it's -20 degrees outside tonight (that's -4 farenheit for you american folks). I've been feeding him for about 3 months now. When he sees me, he comes running, meowing, and rolls around on the ground. If I open the door *right now*, he'll cautiously walk in and go rub noses with my cats, but then panics and wants out of the house. If I close the door, obviously, he goes berserk and hides.

 

2 of my cats are indifferent, one seems skittish around him, and the other avoids him but hisses if he gets too close.

 

Can I safely let him in and close the door, hoping he'll get used to things in time...or will I be harming him?

 

HELP! I don't want to leave him outside if I don't have to. :( 


Could you spare one room to isolate new comer for some time? Bathroom is often used afaik.

There is something that did surprised me, it is that even cat allows to be petted, when exit is removed there will be long time where cat is total stranger. Of course not all cats do this, but many seem to do it.

However I think that cat might be stray or lost pet, might be quite short perioid of getting used to, but there will be some time where cat is bit lost and might be afraid of everything, isolating to small room might get him around of it quicker and also it would give time to new cat smell to blend in with other cats, it would not be so much of intruder to other cats.

Probably closing door and not having separate room will be quite a bit of adventure with perhaps even long time problems, but eventually it might get okay, with some cats it seems to be that introducing new one is easier than with others, but it really would be best to introduce them slowly.

That is at least what I have read about this.

My own introducing attempts all really have failed, cats running among other cats and after few days playing already together, but it might get much worse too, so it would be better to have them get used to smells slowly.
Reply
post #3 of 29
12/29/11 at 7:00pm
Oh dear - yes - bring the kitty inside!!!! Too cold.gif for this baby to be outside and is obviously a very friendly kitty. This kitten might be a lost pet or just abandoned frown.gif. Can you keep the kitten in a separate room, away from your other cat's until this kitten is checked for a microchip (for ownership). The kitten should also be tested for FeLK/FIV before you allow this kitten to meet and socialize with your own cats. Also, neutering, shot's and de-worming's. This could take at least a couple of week's to get this done and have a negative fecal sample. So keeping the kitten separate is a must do. AWWWWWW BLESS you for caring and do rescue this poor baby who needs you so hugs.gifhugs.gif Keep us posted vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif
Reply
post #4 of 29
12/29/11 at 7:09pm
I agree with the above posters! Bring the kitty inside, but put kitty in a separate room that has no escape. A bathroom is good, as usually there are fewer things that can be damaged as he looks to find a way out. agree.gif Once they realize there's no way out, they often calm down. Having a box placed on its side - or some kind of hidey place - is important. With a kitty that friendly, it will likely just be a matter of a couple of days of scooping litter, putting out food, etc. before he realizes he is SAFE and properly cared for again. agree.gif

He's only so scared inside because it's new territory. So a separate room is good for two reasons - you need to make sure he's not sick or carrying anything that will make your cats sick (or ensure he doesn't have fleas, whatever) before he really interacts with your others. Those introductions are best made more slowly anyway. agree.gif But another important reason is so that he can make that space "his," and feel safe.

In the meantime, you can put up posters and make calls to see if kitty actually has a home somewhere and someone's looking for him. Given how long he's been around and you've been caring for him, I doubt it. frown.gif But you never know.

Thank you for wanting to help this cat!!!!
Reply
post #5 of 29
12/29/11 at 7:10pm
Oh, for imprompu litter box, if you can spare one of the other's.... or a spare plastic storage container - you can either add litter, if you have some on hand, or just "borrow" some from the other boxes for now...
Reply
post #6 of 29
12/29/11 at 7:49pm
I actually have used cardboard box long time as a litter box, when there is enough sand there will be no issues with it, also one can put plastic bag to bottom then sand on top of that to make sure it does not cause problems.

Also I don't usually throw away any cardboard boxes, they are so good for many uses that I just fold them and store for day they might be needed so I have always box when I need one, easy to store even under bed, behind book case and such places.
Reply
post #7 of 29
12/30/11 at 5:35am
Thread Starter 

Thanks folks! I will be bringing him in then...although keeping him separate from the others may be a bit of a problem since the only way I have of bringing him in is leaving the door open, then closing it once he creeps in...then he'll bolt and run deeper into the house. I will definitely try though.

 

Side note; this is a kitten born to a mommy outside, in my neighbor's yard. Mommy is still around but they didn't stay together...so I'mquite sure he is not a lost pet, as I've been watching him (I'm naming him L'il Stinker) grow up since the spring.

Reply
post #8 of 29
12/30/11 at 9:01am
It is quite easy to get him into room you would like him to go when it is dark outside, leave lights out from room where you would like to him to go, then position yourself so that you are not between that room and a cat, his instincts tell him to find something darker than surroundings, and in there find place that is nicely small, where can be hiding, but still see around and something with more than one exit, like under the bed etc.

Chasing him off will add to time you need to come friends with him again, so try to avoid that.

Any small opening or gap is what cat sees after you close the door, that is of course after he has found out windows are something one can't go trough and clawing the door is not digging or helpful, in that process whatever there is on tables or near window, or at bookself ledge are thrown down.

Best way to calm him might be to just sit down and do something else, ignoring the cat completely, staying away where he cant see you is one good way, but he might cause some damage even then.

They are of course individuals and it might go fast and easy too, but it might take easily a week, maybe even month or more to be friends again.

My young ones were such that they really did not want to stay in their separate room, but did escape to where my other cats were and liked to hide there better than close to me.

So bedroom is not perhaps best place as they would not feel it their own territory, but rarely visited room might be good.

Knocking door before entering is something I have found rather helpful, they don't get so spooked when entering to 'their' territory.
Reply
post #9 of 29
12/30/11 at 9:25am

Bring the kitty in!  I got a cat the very same way and was one of the closest friends of my life for a great many years.  He's yours.  He will adjust for a while.  He wants to be part of the family.  Congratulations.  :)  

Reply
post #10 of 29
12/30/11 at 9:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Plucky's Dad View Post

Thanks folks! I will be bringing him in then...although keeping him separate from the others may be a bit of a problem since the only way I have of bringing him in is leaving the door open, then closing it once he creeps in...then he'll bolt and run deeper into the house. I will definitely try though.

Side note; this is a kitten born to a mommy outside, in my neighbor's yard. Mommy is still around but they didn't stay together...so I'mquite sure he is not a lost pet, as I've been watching him (I'm naming him L'il Stinker) grow up since the spring.

I would not advise doing that - just letting the kitten run into the house. ohno.gif He could find a place to hide quickly and you also want to keep him separate from your other cat's as well. Very important until test's are done. Start feeding Lil Stinker biggrin.gif in a cat crate outside the door. In a few day's after he is used to going in and out of that crate to eat, then just calmly shut the door to the crate once he is inside eating. Bring him in the house, in the crate and into a secure small room or bathroom. That is what I would do agree.gif Good luck - Lil Stinker sounds adorable biggrin.gif Of course, if he is friendly enough for you to pick up and cuddle, then you could try to get him in the crate that way. Although, this is risky, because if he freak's out and run's off, you will be back to square one with him trusting you. OR you could try to quickly carry him to his safe room in the house - if he can remain calm while you are carrying him. I have also in the past wrapped up a kitten tightly in a towel with only the head popping out laughing02.gif and carried them into my foster room. Just a few other option's other than just letting him come in on his own inside the house. Good luck cross.gif

vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif For the poor momma cat. She really needs to be trapped and spayed, the poor dear. There will be more kitten's if not frown.gif.
Reply
post #11 of 29
1/4/12 at 5:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post

I would not advise doing that - just letting the kitten run into the house. ohno.gif He could find a place to hide quickly and you also want to keep him separate from your other cat's as well. Very important until test's are done. Start feeding Lil Stinker biggrin.gif in a cat crate outside the door. In a few day's after he is used to going in and out of that crate to eat, then just calmly shut the door to the crate once he is inside eating. Bring him in the house, in the crate and into a secure small room or bathroom. That is what I would do agree.gif Good luck - Lil Stinker sounds adorable biggrin.gif Of course, if he is friendly enough for you to pick up and cuddle, then you could try to get him in the crate that way. Although, this is risky, because if he freak's out and run's off, you will be back to square one with him trusting you. OR you could try to quickly carry him to his safe room in the house - if he can remain calm while you are carrying him. I have also in the past wrapped up a kitten tightly in a towel with only the head popping out laughing02.gif and carried them into my foster room. Just a few other option's other than just letting him come in on his own inside the house. Good luck cross.gif

vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif For the poor momma cat. She really needs to be trapped and spayed, the poor dear. There will be more kitten's if not frown.gif.

Or if local shelter can borrow a trap, then it would be rather simple to get little one trapped and transferred directly to appropriate place, even to vet. I did bought own trap as found one that was not too expensive and I have used that many times to caught ferals and lost pets, some to shelter, some to vet, etc. It is so much easier than trying to trap cat manually, I mean I have tried to trap cat into carrier, it is not very easy, they are really fast and strong, especially those living in wild, they are fighting from their life and seem to consider their life being in line when trying to close door of cat carrier, with trap it is easy, put next to wall, car tire etc. put some bait, preferrably attached to trap and shielded so that they can't get it from outside, some cardboard to bottom of trap, then set around 1 hour before typical time that cat comes to visit, in no time cat is trapped and easy to transport, put some blanket around the trap before picking up so cat is not panicking.

No need to stress and no need to spend hours stalking, but when it is cold, it is good to check trap enough often, good to place trap so that one can see it from window.
Reply
post #12 of 29
1/4/12 at 2:32pm
Thread Starter 

Well good news everyone; after a few more days of feeding and talking to L'il Stinker on my front porch, last night I was able to leave the front door open (it was 25 degrees celsius below zero!!!) and have him sit on the carpet just inside the door. A few minutes of soft talking and reaching out slowly, and I was able to pet him and get him purring.

 

I closed the front door, and he didn't really freak out! He walked abouot cautiously, meowing, and then hopped up on a kitchen chair and sat there. I spent a half hour petting him (he purred and wrapped himself around my hand!) then just picked him up and carried him into a separate room. He spent last night there with some food and water and a small litter pan. He was very, very affectionate when I got home from work tonight and petted him.

 

In one hour, he goes to the vet for his parasite/FIH/FELV check. It looks like, with a bit more time and slow exposure to my other cats, he may just have found a home. :)

Reply
post #13 of 29
1/4/12 at 2:42pm
woohoo.gifjumping.gifbiggthumpup.gif You should see my eyes right now - laughing02.gif They are wide open and I am SO surprised at how easy this was. AND what a sweet kitty - just want's to be loved heartpump.gif YAY clap.gifclap.gifclap.gifclap.gifclap.gifclap.gifclap.gif AWWWWWWWW GOOD JOB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! biggrin.gif I just love happy stories like this one. Please let us know how it goes at the vet's for Lil Stinker hugs.gifhugs.gifrub.gifrub.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif
Reply
post #14 of 29
1/4/12 at 5:05pm
That was nice to hear, clearly cat is used to humans at some level, perhaps father/mother has been tame at some point at least, there is huge difference with those who have tame parent(s) and those whom parents have never been socialized.
Reply
post #15 of 29
1/5/12 at 3:26am
Thread Starter 

It was a big vet's bill, but that's normal with all the different tests and whatnot. No fleas, no injuries, a bit of gingivitis, no FIV or FELV. Clean bill of health for L'il Stinker. :) I've got some precautionary de-worming pills and 2 months of Revolution, but otherwise he's a clean kitty!! I spent this morning in the room with him, he was again a little cautious after yesterday's trip to the vet but he warmed up quickly and started rolling around at my feet, purring. I was able to pick him up and cuddle him for almost 10 minutes while he purred happily.

 

Now he wants out of the room! He scratches at the glass and headbutts the door trying to push on it hehe. Soon...I want to give him 2 more days of staring at (and being stared at) with Scout, Trio, Tar Pit and Plucky.

 

My two boys seem to have no problem with him or else seem cautious and even a bit afraid. My two girls hiss at him quietly through the glass. I'm thinking it will be the cold shoulder form them for a while, but the boys will probably be ok with him at first. STINKER, on the other hand, wants to go and headbutt them all hehe. 

Reply
post #16 of 29
1/5/12 at 11:29am
Thread Starter 

I thought I would add in pictures of my little family!

 

First, my Plucky...the guy I originally found outside under a bush in front of my house, full of bites and blood and a crusted over left eye. He has been living with me now for 4 years and is a bit tubby, but we're working on it!

 

IMG00005-20111119-1255.jpg

 

Then we have Trio, a real princess, one of 3 kittens I fed and cared for from 2009 until 2010. They lived in a large Rubbermaid container I'd filled with straw and stuck a heated kitty pad into to keep them safe during our nasty winters. When they started turning up with bad injuries the following spring, I brought them all inside!

 

IMG00012-20111128-1828.jpg

 

This is Trio's sister Scout. Scout earned her name by being the first of the 3 kittens to be brave enough and walk right up to me and rub against my legs as I was feeding them. :)

 

IMG00027-20111225-1155.jpg

 

 

Here we have the third kitty, and my 2nd little boy...Tar Pit! He got this name as a kitten by being well...white, and spotted with black blotches!

 

 IMG00006-20111119-1257.jpg

 

And finally...my newst l'il guy, L'il Stinker! Seven months old, and just adorable. This was taken about 2 months ago, when he was just starting to be curious about this big guy putting out all the noms for him!

 

IMG00014-20111130-1118.jpg

 

 

Reply
post #17 of 29
1/5/12 at 11:31am
WOW just fabulous news all the way around! clap.gifclap.gifclap.gif

One of our older rescues kitties, Billy, was VERY cat friendly. He wanted to headbutt all our kitties - who just thought he was crazy. laughing02.gif Our girls are pissy too. One is still hissing at our last rescue - it's only been 1.5 years. laughing02.gif But she just complains, she doesn't do anything about it.

Vibes vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif for all to be smooth sailing! clap.gif
Reply
post #18 of 29
1/5/12 at 11:32am
Oh they are ALL adorable! And that is just a fabulous photo of L'il Stinker! biggrinlove.gif
Reply
post #19 of 29
1/5/12 at 9:47pm
Face of Tar Pit is like not so feral version of my Mauku biggrin.gif
480
Seems not to be only similarity as here it tends to get rather cold during winter too and we seem to have similar number of indoor cats.

All of your cats looks so comfortable and relaxed, really nice work! I hope that mine could get as relaxed too so I could at least get some kind of photos from them, poor things like to hide from camera most of the time wink.gif

Amazing how quickly Little Stinker get used to indoor living, but they are individuals indeed, even kittens from same litter are not the same in there how easily they get used to humans, that is what I have found with mine, it is really nice how things did go with this kitten smile.gif
Reply
post #20 of 29
1/6/12 at 12:43pm
thud.gif Oh Goodness!!!! What a wonderful kitty family you have. They are ALL so very beautiful and adorable, all at the same time. I am absolutely in love with L'il Stinker too. What a fantastic expression, you can see the sweetness in his eyes. I think you are VERY lucky to have this special boy. woohoo.gif For the negative tests too !!!!! Great news all around clap.gifclap.gifclap.gif
Reply
post #21 of 29
1/7/12 at 6:04am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for all the kind comments, everyone! Just a little progres report...

 

L'il Stinker has been sleeping in my room with me the last 2 nights. It's easy to see he was VERY lonely outside with no brothers, sisters, or mother to be with when he was so young. He hops into bed, nuzzles right up to me and will come and paw gently at my face. He stays with me the whole night!

 

With my other kitties well...the going's alot slower and tougher. Stinker wants to be friends with all of them! He trots over, ears pricked up and stubby tail pointing into the air...but all my guys are hissing and growling at him right now. No fighting, but the occasional cuff if Stinker tries to insist too much.

 

I hope that with time, they will learn to accept him. He's areally affectionate, loving little guy.

Reply
post #22 of 29
1/7/12 at 11:07am
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! heartpump.gif

And yes, they will with time. agree.gif He'll win them over!
Reply
post #23 of 29
1/7/12 at 12:18pm

All the hissing is normal!  Sounds like things are progressing nicely. Your kitty family is gorgeous. 

Reply
post #24 of 29
1/8/12 at 8:09pm
AWW that is so great to here and YES, he WILL win them over. He sound's SOOOOOO sweet and is SOOOOO handsome. Just make sure to give your other kitties extra, extra love right now. Much luck and keep posting biggrin.gif
Reply
post #25 of 29
1/10/12 at 7:17am
Thread Starter 

L'il Stinker is doing ok, folks. He is still a little excited when he sees his new sisters and brothers, and the males have adapted to him rather well (either "tolerating" him or running away, Stinker in tow!), but Scout and Trio, my two girls, will still hiss at him on sight. They do tend to sort of walk up to him and sniffle at his back though when he's not looking...

 

Generally he's still skittish around me...he won't let me get more than a few feet from him before he retreats a few feet, but every now and then he'll meow and ask for attention and let me slowly pet him. Once the purrs start, I can pick him up and he's very relaxed. I noticed a little cut behind his left ear this morning, probably from one of the good swats he's gotten from either Tar Pit or Plucky. Nothing very serious, I cleaned it up and he is just fine.

 

I'll get some more picture of him soon. :)

Reply
post #26 of 29
1/10/12 at 8:29am
YES more pictures camera.gif FYI - laughing02.gif My Perkins who is about eighteen months old now STILL runs off from us. It is just his way. He LOVES head butts and bumping. SO when I want to give him lovin', I put my hands behind my back and sort of slump over with my head going directly at him rofl.gif. He LOVES this and comes crashing into my head. Then I can slowly take my hand and give him loads of pets. He is not a lap by any stretch. I love him dearly, regardless. OH the girl's.... they seem to be the very last to welcome in a new family member. For my Perla - she still despises Wendall and it has been eight month's xeye.gif You just never know who will really get along and who will just tolerate. I have seen these relationship's change over time though. That is my HOPE laughing02.gif with Perla and Wendall. wink.gif
Reply
post #27 of 29
1/13/12 at 6:22pm
Thread Starter 

Well things have gone exceedingly well with L'il Stinker if I do say so myself!!  After a week of tense but approachable behavior, my other cats have pretty much made their peace with him...and he has absolutely fallen in LOVE with Tar Pit! Like a little brother, Stinker follows him *everywhere*, always trying to get cuddles or to nestle in with him.

 

Tar Pit seems to actually like it, even when Stinker tries to squeeze onto the same kitchen chair that "Pitters" is napping on, or to squirm into the same small cardboard box with him. They also love to give each other baths. Right now, Stinker is alternately licking or chewing on Tar Pit's ear as it pokes out of the box. One thing's for sure, wherever Tar Pit is, Stinker will only be a few steps behind.

 

He's still skittish around me but I am ok with that. He's only beein in his new home for a little over a week now. I'm just thrilled to see him adapting and making friends after being alone for so much of his itty bitty kitten life. hyper.gif   

Reply
post #28 of 29
1/13/12 at 6:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JTbo View Post

Face of Tar Pit is like not so feral version of my Mauku biggrin.gif
480
Seems not to be only similarity as here it tends to get rather cold during winter too and we seem to have similar number of indoor cats.
All of your cats looks so comfortable and relaxed, really nice work! I hope that mine could get as relaxed too so I could at least get some kind of photos from them, poor things like to hide from camera most of the time wink.gif
Amazing how quickly Little Stinker get used to indoor living, but they are individuals indeed, even kittens from same litter are not the same in there how easily they get used to humans, that is what I have found with mine, it is really nice how things did go with this kitten smile.gif



Yes, Mauku looks a LOT like Tar Pit!! Even down to the little dot on his nose!! He's a real looker. I'm always kissing him right on the snout. =P

 

Reply
post #29 of 29
1/15/12 at 9:49am
woohoo.gif YAY great update about Lil' Stinker happy2.gif... AND Tar Pit !!!!!!!!!! AWWWWW I am so happy to hear this. Best buddies too - how wonderful. Don't worry - patience and love and then in time Lil' Stinker will start to trust you and feel more comfortable with your approach. Just let him decide on how much and how soon. Your doing SO great with this situation clap.gifclap.gifclap.gifclap.gifclap.gifclap.gif
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Caring for Strays and Ferals
TheCatSite.com › Forums › Ferals and Rescue › Caring for Strays and Ferals › Need advice, fast!!!!