1st time feral mom needs advice---take 2

chinamom09

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This coming Wed. our feral girl, CC will be part of our family for 2 whole weeks. As I mentioned in my last thread, we contained her in a room with all her supplies and toys since coming home. Just on Fri., CC got out of her room and wandered around (with supervision after her escape-initially thought it was a good thing) our upstairs bedrooms and bath. There is a gait at the end of the hallway, so she couldn't get downstairs to the rest of the house. Our curious girl wandered around for about 20 minutes, checking things out. When she started "meowing" A LOT, we lured her back into her room with treats. Because she did so well, I let her out for two more brief periods. One last night and again this AM. Probably bad idea. She seems more stressed now when you enter her room...biting more and digging at door to get out.Should we continue to let her out for brief periods or keep her totally contained, considering the stressed behavior. I should mention that this AM when I let her out my other cat (the little stinker) came running up the stairs and stared at her through the gait and hissed at her. Much quicker first intro than I had wanted....thought he was sleeping downstairs.I AM concerned if she is allowed to be free upstairs, her stress level will increase...or will it? I have a small child I do not want to get bit. CC seems to bite only when stressed. She does have safe havens in her room. Need to go spend time with her now. We try to "see" her ASAP. Now when we go in her room to spend time with her, we only sit on the floor on the computer or reading. Funny things is she continues to rub or "bump" us if we do not engage her. Last night she actually walked over me and proceeded to sit as close to me as possible without physically sitting on me.Advice is appreciated!!!
 

ritz

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Thanks so much for adopting this cat.

I'd continue to let her out and explore, but keep the other cat away for now.  And the more time you can simply be and play with her, the better.

For the stress level, could/have you put in Feliway in her room and the hallway, play soft music 24x7, have a hiddy hole just for her in the room?
 
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chinamom09

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Feliway is a great idea. Actually talked to my vet on Fri. about getting some. The vet only has the spray, not the diffuser, so wondering which is more effective? I would have to order the diffuser, unless I could find it locally in one of our pet stores.

I have been playing music for her...classical. Been looking for an all harp CD. Hard to find, even at the library, but I will keep looking. Will check at the mall today.

The closet in CC's room has a closet that I made a makeshift bed-with a curtain panel draped down instead of a conventional door. She really seems to love that. She will retreat in there for only a couple of minutes to calm herself, then come right back out (usually stretching and yawning).

She is a very curious thing. Will often go up on her hind legs to check things out. She actually JUST stood on my leg to smell my face!!!!!!! Today she wanted NO part of petting but is walking and standing on me--funny! Put a cat tower in her room with a scratching post on the bottom...and she started using it right away. Jumped up there while I was sitting on the floor...staring at me almost eye level--purring. I didn't look her in the eyes. I have learned we both need to play "hard to get" right now...lol!!!
 
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chinamom09

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Just got some Sentry brand cat phermone at our local pet store. Unfortunately, they were out of the brand (the only brand) that contains the name brand "Feliway". Sprayed in CC's room near her bed, just inside the room, and in the hallway. Does anyone know if that brand works just as well? Or should I order the brand with the "Feliway"?  Is there a limit of how much you can use at one time? The box does not say. 

She did seem a little calmer today. She was even out and exploring in the bedrooms and hallway for an extended period of time and seemed better. Hoping EVERY day gets easier with the "Feliway" help. Heck, it even made my resident boy kitty more mellow. I keep him in our office while CC is out of her room. Perhaps I will give his "space" a spray as well. He approached my 5 yr. old daughter...and he never does that. We were happily shocked.
 

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i have not seen that brand before, but based on a quick look at their website it seems to be the same thing.

the spray is good, but i think that the diffuser is definitely a better option than the spray in your situation. with the spray just use a couple of squirts here and there, you don't need to saturate an area.
 
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chinamom09

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Thank you for all your advice. I just ordered the diffuser. I REALLY pray this works. We will be having Easter company this year. Even though we will leave her in her room, I hope these products will work enough to not only socialize her into our family, but to also tolerate a house full of noisy guests. yikes!
 
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chinamom09

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OK everyone-need some more advice...Socializing CC is going well. Almost 2 1/2 weeks in the process. She has been roaming our upstairs bedrooms and bathroom with success, with the help of Feliway to calm her. Yesterday, let her out of her room to wander with my young (5 yr. old) daughter around. (Previously she had only limited exposure, but CC could hear my daughter's voice all the time.) We are learning her "cues" for stress, but sometimes she is confusing.

Just wondering what should be the next step? There is a gait and a makeshift baracade at the end of our upstairs hallway. Most of the time our resident kitty is in "his" room (aka hubby's office) at the very end of the hall beyond the gait, or downstaris. Should we attempt to slowly introduce the two cats, or should we introduce her to the rest of the house slowly while he is contained? I am worried that if she starts going downstairs on a regualr basis, she will NOT want to return to her room for calming. Trying to limit stress for both cats. (Initially my vet said to wait a month to introduce both cats, but we seem to be doing better than expected.) 

I must add that CC (new kitty) LOVES being around us, especially me so much, that she yowls when let out if she is not engaged...sitting with her, playing, eating, etc. She still does not tolerate petting for too long, but always wants company. That may not be possible once she is downstairs full time and my daughter is home from school.
 
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