I think I adopted a formerly feral cat... HELP!

bastfriend

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I've enjoyed reading about your journey with Roxie so much, I'm glad being here has helped you!   I can vouch for the Feral Cat Rehab - I used it briefly with my dear departed outdoor feral Hercules and it made him much bolder in showing himself where anyone could see him.    I actually stopped giving it because it wasn't the safest environment for him to drop his caution so my guess is that it is helping Roxie.    Please let us know how you think the new essences work - the Scaredy Cat would be great my Patches I bet.
 

shadowsrescue

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Among the things I'm grateful for this year are the fantastic people here on The Cat Site! Thank you to everyone who has advised, encouraged and guided me in my journey with Roxie.

She's not exploring lately, although she is on the floor in the dining room in the mornings, because she knows when breakfast is! 

Tonite I ordered Scaredy Cat and more Stress Stopper from Jackson Galaxy's store. Would LOVE to hear from anyone who has used these products. I'm still using the Feral Rehab, although I don't know what effect it's having... maybe because I was hoping for "magic" when I started... Still have Feliway diffusers going, too!

Using a hairball preventative every morning has kept her from daily puking, and she's not scratching all the time anymore, so I hope she may be more receptive now. Thoughts?? and Thank You again! <3
I have been using Scardy Cat on Marvin for about 10 days now.  He is very scared of our dog.  If he is lounging and hears her get up to move, he runs and hides.  She would never hurt him, but she is very big.  The past 4 days, he has allowed her to sniff him all over without running to hide!  It is all baby steps!!  I think it helps to take the edge off, but don't expect miracles!  I have used Stress Stopper, but found Rescue remedy to be better.  I did see that Spirit Essences is having a 30% off deal this weekend! 
 
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jseltzer

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Today has been a very interesting turn of events. Roxie began exploring again, and seems to be warily engaging with Brutus. She spent a good long time exploring on her own, while I had Brutus napping in my lap. At one point, she came over and sniffed my foot! When Brutus woke up, the game was on. He follows her, they've sniffed and swatted, but very little vocalization. She will then follow him when he moves around... I'm encouraged and fascinated at watching them, how it just happens spontaneously. I can't orchestrate this at all. I think she's had enough now, she's on a chair in the dining room. BTW, she's using the cabinet under the sink very occasionally now. I think she's more comfortable with us and her new surroundings. There she goes again, off the chair, Brutus in hot pursuit! Wonder what tomorrow will bring... I haven't even gotten the new essences yet!
 

shadowsrescue

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You go Roxie!!  I am so happy to read your fabulous update.  I do believe time and patience will win with her.  You have given her the most perfect home for her to bloom and grow. 
 

feralvr

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I'm encouraged and fascinated at watching them, how it just happens spontaneously.
All I can say is .............. :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap: :lol3: They DO have a language all their own and try as I might, I can't figure it out either. Each day brings about something new, exciting, sometimes confusing :confused:, and surprising. The "fun" never ends. I am so very glad that things are going so well with Roxie, Brutus and YOU! She seems to be more and more comfortable as time goes by. A few steps forward, one or two back, and then many more forward. Ooooooooo - the ups and downs!! ;)
 
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jseltzer

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Roxie doesn't like visitors, but I'm learning that she recovers well and quickly once she knows they're gone... The last two nites, she's slept on 'my' chair in the living room... I'm really glad because I don't run the heaters at night, and want her to sleep somewhere warm... Last nite, I took the throw blanket I use and sat on it on the chair for an hour before I went to bed, and low and behold, that's where she slept again. She was in the living room when I left for work, this is new, she normally stays in the dining room. I'm so excited to see her expanding her area.

It's very exciting and encouraging to share her progress. Not everyone understands why I'm so engrossed in everything this little kitty does.
 

shadowsrescue

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With my former feral/stray, Marvin who now lives in the house with us, I have been putting down a shirt I have worn for him to sleep on at night.  He still sleeps in a spare bedroom by himself.  If I wear a hoodie for the day, I place it on his sleeping spot.  He loves it.  It gives him warmth ( we turn our heat down to 55 each night) and it also smells like me.  He really likes it.  You might try leaving an article of clothing for Roxie.  You can swap it out every few days. 

Marvin doesn't like visitors either.  Whenever the doorbell rings, he will run to hide and growl on his way.  He will never come out while the people are here.  Yet, as soon as they are gone, he is back to normal quickly.  I think that is just the way he is.  Being a former feral and not trusting people, I cannot expect him to warm up to strangers.  He is doing the best he can!  I continue to give him Scardy Cat remedy 2x daily.  He is doing so much better with my dog.  They will now be in the same room together on different chairs.  Today the dog went over to Marvin and sniffed him head to toe and gave him a quick lick.  He didn't do anything.  I am sure he was scared, but he will learn that even though she is big and a bit noisy, she is completely harmless!!
 

feralvr

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Roxie doesn't like visitors,

. Not everyone understands why I'm so engrossed in everything this little kitty does.
Point one: :lol2: My cats hate visitors too but recover as soon as they leave. People always say... "I thought you had cats? Where are they?"

Point two: I think many of us understand here on TCS but I know that in the "real" world - many don't. :nod: Bummer for them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)



Roxie sat on my lap twice last nite! I still can't touch or she'll growl... today she's preferred to stay in a bedroom that's unheated. Silly girl.
:woohoo: :high5: I have a big old smile on my face at hearing about how she sat in your lap and at seeing her picture. Also, if I had a furry coat I would need an unheated bedroom too. :rofl:
 

happygolucky

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Hello. I have been feeding a stray since april. It snowed and got so cold pretty boy finally.came inside and went to the bed i bought an d after 4 hours of leaving the door open i finally shut the door. He cried and went to different spots and finally at 4:30 a.m. landed on my kitchen table wrapped in the curtains i made. I put my hand out and he slapped me the first time. The second time he hissed and clawed. He won't budge from the table and when i put my hand out he hisses and shows his teeth and claws. I have a pair of old kitchen mitts so he couldn't hurt me this morning. I have toys for him so i put catnip on a baby toy and he started to sleep again. He doesn't want to go into the cold and he doesn't want me to pet him. I have a picture that i am adding. I don' t know how long he will stay on the kitchen table. I need help as well. There is a trap in the kitchen that we are planning to trap him with so he can get shots and be neutered in the hope he will be a people cat. They capture strays and put them down so we are trying to help him stayin alive.
 

shadowsrescue

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Hello. I have been feeding a stray since april. It snowed and got so cold pretty boy finally.came inside and went to the bed i bought an d after 4 hours of leaving the door open i finally shut the door. He cried and went to different spots and finally at 4:30 a.m. landed on my kitchen table wrapped in the curtains i made. I put my hand out and he slapped me the first time. The second time he hissed and clawed. He won't budge from the table and when i put my hand out he hisses and shows his teeth and claws. I have a pair of old kitchen mitts so he couldn't hurt me this morning. I have toys for him so i put catnip on a baby toy and he started to sleep again. He doesn't want to go into the cold and he doesn't want me to pet him. I have a picture that i am adding. I don' t know how long he will stay on the kitchen table. I need help as well. There is a trap in the kitchen that we are planning to trap him with so he can get shots and be neutered in the hope he will be a people cat. They capture strays and put them down so we are trying to help him stayin alive.
Thank you for taking in this sweet boy.  It would be most helpful if you started a new thread so that you can receive lots of helpful advice that won't get lost or embedded in this active thread. 

It would be best if you could put him in a room of his own.  This will help him to feel safe and get used to your home slowly.  Just make sure he can't get stuck or hurt himself.  I have used a spare bed room and picked the bed up or put the mattress directly on the floor.  This is to prevent the cat from hiding under the bed.  I then block other areas he might hide.  Yet do provide a safe place for him to hide.  This can be as simple as a box with a cozy blanket or something special like a cat tree with a hidey hole.  Provide him with a place to eat and drink as well as a litter box.  You will want the litter box separate from the food as cats don't like to eat and use the bathroom in the same spot.  Just place them on opposite sides of the room.  I often play soft music and visit many times for short periods.  Just talk quietly.  You don't want to try and pet him right now.  Give him time and patience.  He is scared and needs to settle and learn to feel safe.  You can also provide him with a safe location to look outside. 

So happy to hear you are going to trap him and get him neutered.  This will greatly help his disposition.  Take it all slowly and have lots and lots of patience.  There is so much wonderful advice to be found on this forum.  Just start a new thread and you will get lots and lots of help.
 

shadowsrescue

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Roxie sat on my lap twice last nite! I still can't touch or she'll growl... today she's preferred to stay in a bedroom that's unheated. Silly girl.
This is such happy happy news!!!  She is just beautiful.  I bet it just completely made your day!  I remember when Shadow sat on my lap for the first time last winter.  It was so amazing.  I just love reading Roxie updates!!!
 
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jseltzer

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Time for a long overdue update on the antics of Roxie and Brutus... Roxie follows him from room to room, sometimes she's chasing him, sometimes the other way around. She'll "yell" and fuss at him like she's scared for her life, then turn around and follow him again. I do believe they are playing most of the time. Roxie has adopted several toys... she likes one of Brutus's catnip toys the best, but has figured out that the floor is covered in things she can play with. Sometimes at nite she'll just roll around of the floor, exposing her belly and stretching, so cute.

I'm hoping someone can tell me, I think Brutus is being a little food aggressive... he wants all the food, so he goes after his dish, then watches Roxie finish hers. If she's away from her dish, he finishes what's left... she also goes and checks out his dish , so it's hard for me to tell.

She has claimed "my chair" in the living room, and doesn't like to share it with me, sometimes she'll growl at me when I join her! I've occasionally reached down and petted her without thinking, and she doesn't like it, but she also doesn't run away, she'll growl or swipe but stays put.

Roxie comes when I call her, and sometimes will share the big chair with both me and Brutus...She seems to want to be where I am, (nice) because she'll come looking for me, and yesterday she rubbed on my legs three times while I was in the kitchen working on a project! 

It feels like I have two kitties living with me now, although one is still skittish, she's definitely a world away from the beast I brought home in September.

To everyone who has followed my journey and offered comfort, advice and experience, THANK YOU!! Wishing you all happy and safe holidays!! 
 

shadowsrescue

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I am so happy to read of Roxie's continued progress.  She has come such a long way.  It's great that you now feel you have 2 cats living in the house.  It's exactly what I stated just this past weekend.  My two are finally living together and even seem somewhat interested in each other! 

As far as the food and wanting each others food, I would think it's pretty normal.  I have to feed my two very far apart.  My resident cat is a chow hound and gulps his food down so fast.  Marvin likes to eat, but he does so very slowly.  He chews each bite and takes 10 or more minutes to eat.  Jake is done in less than 2 minutes.  I keep them separated or Marvin wouldn't get any food and Jake would be big and fat!!  As long as Roxie is eating enough and Brutus isn't keeping her from her food bowl, I would think it's all ok.  Just keep an eye on it. 

Jake has been with us for over 5 years now.  We rescued him at 10 weeks.  He does not like to be pet or brushed and will only sit next to you never on your lap.  If he allows you to pet him, it is always just a few seconds, then he swats or tries to bite you.  He is just a cat that doesn't like to be pet.  His electrical wiring must be very sensitive to touch.  He also prefers to hang out by himself most of the day.  He will seek us out when he wants companionship, but he is vastly different from all my other kitties who want you to pet and love them all day long.

Happy Holidays to you as well.  I look forward to more Roxie updates.
 

happygolucky

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I couldn't catch pretty. I did meet a wonderful person who advised me about the vitamin l-lysine. I might be able to get away for a couple of days. Pretty boy thinks hes a king and i haven't given him canned cat food for a couple of days. He is acting finicky and is just picking at what i offer him. He loves his stuffed teddy bear. He is pretty sure i.will give him some canned cat food. What advice is best? He won't let me near enough to pet him. This is frustrating.
 

feralvr

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I couldn't catch pretty. I did meet a wonderful person who advised me about the vitamin l-lysine. I might be able to get away for a couple of days. Pretty boy thinks hes a king and i haven't given him canned cat food for a couple of days. He is acting finicky and is just picking at what i offer him. He loves his stuffed teddy bear. He is pretty sure i.will give him some canned cat food. What advice is best? He won't let me near enough to pet him. This is frustrating.
Welcome to the site "happygolucky" I agree with ShadowsRescue below in her post that I quoted for you to see in case you missed it. Best if you could start your own thread! We would LOVE to help you in your endeavors to help the kitties. If you start your own thread then you will open yourself up to receive many, many excellent advices on how to socialize your cat. If you go to the top of this page you will see "post a reply" in a blue box and right next to that box is the START A NEW THREAD box. If you need more assistance please PM one of us to help ! :)


Thank you for taking in this sweet boy.  It would be most helpful if you started a new thread so that you can receive lots of helpful advice that won't get lost or embedded in this active thread. 

It would be best if you could put him in a room of his own.  This will help him to feel safe and get used to your home slowly.  Just make sure he can't get stuck or hurt himself.  I have used a spare bed room and picked the bed up or put the mattress directly on the floor.  This is to prevent the cat from hiding under the bed.  I then block other areas he might hide.  Yet do provide a safe place for him to hide.  This can be as simple as a box with a cozy blanket or something special like a cat tree with a hidey hole.  Provide him with a place to eat and drink as well as a litter box.  You will want the litter box separate from the food as cats don't like to eat and use the bathroom in the same spot.  Just place them on opposite sides of the room.  I often play soft music and visit many times for short periods.  Just talk quietly.  You don't want to try and pet him right now.  Give him time and patience.  He is scared and needs to settle and learn to feel safe.  You can also provide him with a safe location to look outside. 
So happy to hear you are going to trap him and get him neutered.  This will greatly help his disposition.  Take it all slowly and have lots and lots of patience.  There is so much wonderful advice to be found on this forum.  Just start a new thread and you will get lots and lots of help.
 
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feralvr

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Wonderful NEW YEAR update. Sounds like all is going extremely well with all of you. It has been really nice to keep up with Roxie's progress and I know that will continue to only get better as this new year goes on. :clap::clap::clap::clap:
 
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