This is such good news! I may have missed the posting but where do you get the feline composure? Are they pills or treats?
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Territory woes and feeling sad
- Thread starter shadowsrescue
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- #42
I ordered it from Amazon. I only did the 30 treats as I wanted to be sure he liked them first. He loves them and gobbles them up. Some pet stores carry them too. I also heard that there is a Composure pro which doesn't require giving as many treats at once. I am giving Marvin 3 each night. I tried giving 2 and it didn't do anything. For now 3 seems to be the magic number. I will hopefully reduce the amount soon.
Thanks! I just ordered some.
I am really happy, hun, that things are slowly improving at night for Marvin. So, no more pee accidents? I only ask because IF you think he is still having them then it could be one of two things, or both. He is still trying to settle in and peeing on these blankets, etc. is a way to make him feel safe/comfortable with his smell OR the stress is causing a bladder infection. The latter can be very true. Stress over a period of time will wreck havoc on a cat's bladder. So just keep a watch on pee accident. 
Good sign that he was in the middle of the room waiting for you!!!!! :high5: Patience, kindness and love will win him over. :nod: If he wants to climb that gate and you don't mind, let him do it. He probably won't venture too far from the gate before he retreats back. But, soon, he will!!
. Maybe a few feet each day before he climbs back over to return to his room. TOO CUTE, I think. I love it when they decide to "mingle" a bit out of their room. Shows us that they are feeling more and more comfortable.
There are also Spirit Essences by Jackson Galaxy http://store.jacksongalaxy.com/ I can vouch for these and also know many others who have had success with using them. Just something else to add to your "toolbox"
Good sign that he was in the middle of the room waiting for you!!!!! :high5: Patience, kindness and love will win him over. :nod: If he wants to climb that gate and you don't mind, let him do it. He probably won't venture too far from the gate before he retreats back. But, soon, he will!!
. Maybe a few feet each day before he climbs back over to return to his room. TOO CUTE, I think. I love it when they decide to "mingle" a bit out of their room. Shows us that they are feeling more and more comfortable. There are also Spirit Essences by Jackson Galaxy http://store.jacksongalaxy.com/ I can vouch for these and also know many others who have had success with using them. Just something else to add to your "toolbox"
I am just so happy for Shadow and for Marvin! I am sure Marvin will adjust. It just takes time. I was happy to read he has a window to look out of. Maybe a bird feeder of some sort that sticks to the window, he may enjoy watching that during the day.
I put one on the window of the room I had my ferals in and they just loved it. Just to give you something to look forward to--the most afraid of the feral group is a beautiful dark orange mackeral tabby. He hid for weeks when I brought him in, never came out to play or even eat in front of me. But I would play with them for hours on end, giving treats, playing music. put the screen door up so they could see out into the rest of the house. Now I have taken the screen off and they have full run of the house. This morning right before I woke up, Bailey was on the bed with me! He is so soft and loved getting petted. He probably still would not let me even dare to try and pick him up, but what progress he is making.
That will come for Marvin too, and I am sure much quicker!
I put one on the window of the room I had my ferals in and they just loved it. Just to give you something to look forward to--the most afraid of the feral group is a beautiful dark orange mackeral tabby. He hid for weeks when I brought him in, never came out to play or even eat in front of me. But I would play with them for hours on end, giving treats, playing music. put the screen door up so they could see out into the rest of the house. Now I have taken the screen off and they have full run of the house. This morning right before I woke up, Bailey was on the bed with me! He is so soft and loved getting petted. He probably still would not let me even dare to try and pick him up, but what progress he is making.
That will come for Marvin too, and I am sure much quicker!
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- #46
No potty accidents at all. Only 1x did he pee on the blanket and 1x just outside of the box on the mat. Now every morning there is 1 poop and 2-3 pees!!! He chose the all Litter Attract over the Litter Attract mixed with soil.I am really happy, hun, that things are slowly improving at night for Marvin. So, no more pee accidents? I only ask because IF you think he is still having them then it could be one of two things, or both. He is still trying to settle in and peeing on these blankets, etc. is a way to make him feel safe/comfortable with his smell OR the stress is causing a bladder infection. The latter can be very true. Stress over a period of time will wreck havoc on a cat's bladder. So just keep a watch on pee accident.
Good sign that he was in the middle of the room waiting for you!!!!!Patience, kindness and love will win him over.If he wants to climb that gate and you don't mind, let him do it. He probably won't venture too far from the gate before he retreats back. But, soon, he will!!. Maybe a few feet each day before he climbs back over to return to his room. TOO CUTE, I think. I love it when they decide to "mingle" a bit out of their room. Shows us that they are feeling more and more comfortable.
There are also Spirit Essences by Jackson Galaxy http://store.jacksongalaxy.com/ I can vouch for these and also know many others who have had success with using them. Just something else to add to your "toolbox"
He was once again in the middle of the room waiting for me this morning. He hasn't been climbing the gate the past 2 nights. Once he climbs he only has about 2 feet before the door. Yet he can look under the door and smell out. The gate just makes it easier for me to get in and out without worrying about him. I guess I should say it gives me peace of mind getting in and out since climbing over the gates is not easy!!
I have used many of the Spirit Essence products. Right now I am using one from Green Hope Farms Animal collection called New Beginnings. I had it on hand and it's for transitioning to a new life.
This morning I was able to get him to play for about 1 minute!! I found a rainbow colored strip of fabric on a wand and was moving it back and forth across the floor. He actually chased it for awhile before getting too scared.
He is making progress. I just can't believe it's been 1 week with him in the house. My indoor cat, Jake is beginning to spend a bit more time near the door of Marvin's room. He is behaving just fine, but he can be a real stinker. I am hoping he will accept Marvin when the time comes for introductions.
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- #47
He has had just an amazing day today. He is finally wanting to play a bit. He greets me at the gate each time I come to visit. Today I was able to manage 6 visits and one of them I stayed an hour. I snapped a few pics of him today. He is getting really relaxed.
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- #49
AW, this is just great news all around!! and 
LOOK AT HOW CUTE!!!!!!!!!! Aw Marvin :love: :heart3: has stolen my heart. Wonderful about him using the litter box. Day by day things will slowly improve. And the best of all advice I can give you is this: don't rush or even think of introductions right now with Jake. Let them find their way to each other with the safety of the gates in between. Let it be that way for weeks if need be. If you think of the YEARS that Marvin and Jake will have together then a few weeks or a couple of months is nothing. We always want good and great first experiences on their own terms. I find that 9 times out of 10 people rush through the process and end up having troubles. AW, I just can't get over how adorable he is. :love:
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HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY SHADOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :high5:
:happy3: Just TOOOO sweet and he looks like he is in heaven. :9::9:- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #52
I plan to keep Marvin and Jake separated for quite awhile. I will be going on vacation for 5 days in early July and just know that I would not be comfortable leaving the two of them in the house together alone most of the days. I will have someone over 2-3x each day to visit with the cats and feed them. I want to make sure I don't rush the process and I really want Jake to feel comfortable. He could not stand Shadow. Jake believes he is the king of the house. Shadow is so meek and Jake like Marvin would just use this to his advantage. Jake spends 80% of his time with my DS. Jake spends most of his time in my son's room as well. I know that Marvin will need to steer clear of my son's room.
Jake and Marvin had some very positive interactions when Marvin was living outside. Marvin would come to the sliding door and they would sniff. I also have taken Jake outside in a small dog crate (he loves going outside) and Marvin came over to check things out. It went very well. They sniffed each other and then Marvin just walked away and laid down 6 feet or so away. They just ignored each other. To this day, whenever Shadow comes up to the sliding door, Jake gets ready to pounce and he gets what we call "mean face". I am hopeful that these traits will not appear with Marvin.
When is a good time to start scent swapping with towels or blankets. I have not been keeping any blankets or towels in Marvin's room as the first one I had in there, he peed on. Yet, I could rub him down with a towel or blanket and then share it with Jake. Yet, maybe this is too soon as well.
Jake and Marvin had some very positive interactions when Marvin was living outside. Marvin would come to the sliding door and they would sniff. I also have taken Jake outside in a small dog crate (he loves going outside) and Marvin came over to check things out. It went very well. They sniffed each other and then Marvin just walked away and laid down 6 feet or so away. They just ignored each other. To this day, whenever Shadow comes up to the sliding door, Jake gets ready to pounce and he gets what we call "mean face". I am hopeful that these traits will not appear with Marvin.
When is a good time to start scent swapping with towels or blankets. I have not been keeping any blankets or towels in Marvin's room as the first one I had in there, he peed on. Yet, I could rub him down with a towel or blanket and then share it with Jake. Yet, maybe this is too soon as well.
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- #53
A brief update on Marvin!
Marvin has now been upstairs in his safe room for almost 2 weeks!!! He is doing really well. The crying at night has completely stopped. My DH goes in for the last visit of the day and gives him 2 feline composure before bed. He no longer cries or meows and is very calm all night. I visit with him 3-5x each day with one of the visits being about an hour. He is so sweet and just loves to be pet. He prefers to play with my DH, but will play a bit with me.
We had one small set back last Thursday morning. The neighbors behind us have a lawn service and it is really loud. The window in Marvin's room was cracked and he completely freaked out. I went in to check on him and couldn't find him. DH and I searched and searched. He had jumped over a barrier I had created and was wedged behind a book case. He was shaking head to toe. It took awhile for him to come out. He hid in his condo box the rest of the day. It seems the big large commercial mowers scare him terribly. When my DS went to mow our backyard later the next day, Marvin was fine.
I have been able to start feeding him in a medium sized soft sided carrier. The food is now almost completely to the back. I hope to get him to the vet next week and have him vaccinated and checked out. He is already neutered and has a rabies shot. My vet is being really flexible. I can bring him any day next week and just drop him off. She will work him in when she has time. I have no idea how he will respond and there's a good chance he will need to be sedated. I just hope I can get him into the carrier. I am also working on picking him up. He is getting used to be putting my hands under his belly.
Marvin has now been upstairs in his safe room for almost 2 weeks!!! He is doing really well. The crying at night has completely stopped. My DH goes in for the last visit of the day and gives him 2 feline composure before bed. He no longer cries or meows and is very calm all night. I visit with him 3-5x each day with one of the visits being about an hour. He is so sweet and just loves to be pet. He prefers to play with my DH, but will play a bit with me.
We had one small set back last Thursday morning. The neighbors behind us have a lawn service and it is really loud. The window in Marvin's room was cracked and he completely freaked out. I went in to check on him and couldn't find him. DH and I searched and searched. He had jumped over a barrier I had created and was wedged behind a book case. He was shaking head to toe. It took awhile for him to come out. He hid in his condo box the rest of the day. It seems the big large commercial mowers scare him terribly. When my DS went to mow our backyard later the next day, Marvin was fine.
I have been able to start feeding him in a medium sized soft sided carrier. The food is now almost completely to the back. I hope to get him to the vet next week and have him vaccinated and checked out. He is already neutered and has a rabies shot. My vet is being really flexible. I can bring him any day next week and just drop him off. She will work him in when she has time. I have no idea how he will respond and there's a good chance he will need to be sedated. I just hope I can get him into the carrier. I am also working on picking him up. He is getting used to be putting my hands under his belly.
Wonderful update!!!!!!! YAY!!! :high5: Great news about feeding in the crate. Will make vet day a breeze as far as crating goes. :bigthumb: I am sorry about that LOUD mower. We never know what may set them off into a tizzy. Isn't it incredible the tiniest places they can fit into when they get so frightened?!! The good news is that he will learn slowly but surely that he IS safe with you and that nothing can physically hurt him. I, also, have a good feeling that Marvin and Jake will become good friends quickly since they have already had those wonderful encounters. 
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I'm so glad things are working out so well!
Love the pics of Marvin feeling at home and Shadow looking peaceful and happy. A small bit of advice, please reconsider the soft sided carrier you are training Marvin to go in. I have never seen a soft-sided carrier that would have the strength to hold my indoor semi-feral - she would rip one of those to shreds in seconds. Now Marvin might be a bit more mellow than my Patches, but why take the chance? A hard-sided carrier like a Petmate or Marchioro might serve you better. For a little context Patches is ten years old, seven years in my care and lets me pet her, lift her briefly and brush her all over her body but when she went into the humane trap a couple months ago she went insane and broke of claws trying to break out and bruised her face. I think she'll always be feral at heart which in a way makes it more special to me that she chooses to trust me when she does. Hopefully your Marvin is a bit more civilized!
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Oh my! I never thought of him going crazy and ripping the soft sided carrier. The one I ordered is pretty large. I will post a picture of it.I'm so glad things are working out so well!Love the pics of Marvin feeling at home and Shadow looking peaceful and happy. A small bit of advice, please reconsider the soft sided carrier you are training Marvin to go in. I have never seen a soft-sided carrier that would have the strength to hold my indoor semi-feral - she would rip one of those to shreds in seconds. Now Marvin might be a bit more mellow than my Patches, but why take the chance? A hard-sided carrier like a Petmate or Marchioro might serve you better. For a little context Patches is ten years old, seven years in my care and lets me pet her, lift her briefly and brush her all over her body but when she went into the humane trap a couple months ago she went insane and broke of claws trying to break out and bruised her face. I think she'll always be feral at heart which in a way makes it more special to me that she chooses to trust me when she does. Hopefully your Marvin is a bit more civilized!
I guess I could place it inside a metal dog cage for extra assurance. I do have a small and medium sized hard carrier, but I put him inside the hard carrier when I brought him into the house and there is very little chance he would go inside it again. My vet suggested this type of carrier. When I trapped Marvin and also when I brought him into the house, he didn't try to get out. He just sat calmly. Maybe I will take him there in this carrier and then ask for him to be transferred to the hard carrier for the ride home. Thanks for the advice.
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Awww that's a really nice carrier! It's color would coordinate well with Marvin too - quite stylish. Maybe others who have used this type of carrier with ferals might be able to address things. I like your idea of containing it in a dog cage just in case. I'm not sure how much force the zippers could take, certainly some though. Also if you cover the carrier completely once he's in so he can't see out that will reduce any thrashing he might do - but perhaps it'll be ok since he hasn't thrashed up till now. Patches is an odd girl - when I originally trapped her and got her spayed she sat quietly, not a peep no thrashing. Seven years later it was howls of torment and thrashing - I had to cover her completely and leave the room for her to calm down. I blame this on her now having a sense of entitlement now
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Today was Marvin's big day to the vet. He did GREAT!! I had been feeding him dry food inside the carrier so he was used to going inside it. I purposefully didn't feed him last evening as I wanted him to be really hungry this morning. I gave him just a few pieces of dry food and set it in his bowl far back in the carrier. He went right now. DH had a wooden board to put in front of the door and we quickly got it zipped. He didn't make a fuss at all. I dropped him off around 8am and picked him up around 1pm. He got all his shots, bloodwork, micro chipped and dewormed. He seemed to very good health and appears to be 2-3 years old. I have to wait for the blood test results as my vet does not do the quick test for Feline Leukemia or Aids. I hope to get the results early next week. It nearly cost me an arm and a leg for all of the tests, vaccines, ear cleaning, toe nail trim, de worming ( he had hook worms), micro chip and 6 months of Revolution. Unfortunately I have to take him back in 3-4 weeks for his second URI vaccine and 2nd round of de worming. Yet, I won't worry so much as he did so well. The vet did not have to sedate him and he was so good. I couldn't believe they were able to trim his nails.
Marvin is doing so well inside his safe room too. We have a routine and he really looks forward to our visits, meal time and play time. He finally loves to play. He likes the da bird, string, feather wands, small mice, small balls and catnip toys.
He will continue to stay in the safe room for awhile yet. We will be gone for about 6 days in July and I am not ready for him to be out and about with Jake yet. Once we are home, we plan to get a screen door and have some meet and greet time with Jake and Misty. We are taking it all very slow.
Marvin is doing so well inside his safe room too. We have a routine and he really looks forward to our visits, meal time and play time. He finally loves to play. He likes the da bird, string, feather wands, small mice, small balls and catnip toys.
He will continue to stay in the safe room for awhile yet. We will be gone for about 6 days in July and I am not ready for him to be out and about with Jake yet. Once we are home, we plan to get a screen door and have some meet and greet time with Jake and Misty. We are taking it all very slow.
WooHoo! That is wonderful news. Good for Marvin (and you).
