Feral cat, Niles

Hi.  I was interested in adopting a cat, and though I lacked much experience with cats, I ended up taking in a stray kitten which was living under my neighbor's porch at the end of last summer (2013) to try to save and adopt it. I thought it might be a girl because it was so small, though it turned out to be a boy. It was the runt of its litter of four, and had an infection in one eye.  My neighbor said it was 8 weeks old when she helped me lure him into a bag on Sept 21, and I brought him home to my apartment. Sadly, his mother and siblings died not long after, I was told. Since then, I've had him 4 months,and I've taken him to the vet (Williamsburg Animal Clinic) three times for check-up and vaccines, and he had fleas which I had to also remove from my home, and had his fecal sample analyzed. He is HW/FIV/FELV negative, and I gave him 2 weeks of antibiotics in his food for which were prescribed for redness of the gums, though it turned out, a different doctor at the same clinic later said this may be an early sign of FORLS.  

I have to search for him, grab him with welder's gloves, hold him with one hand, and cover him with a blanket with the other to calm him so I can get him into a bag to take him to the vet which is traumatic for both of us. The first time i grabbed him without gloves,  was badly bitten and scratched all over my hands, and in a few weeks found I had contracted Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonella henselae) which sent me to hospital emergency and for which I required antibiotics.  Luckily, he mostly tries to just get away, and doesn't lunge at my face. 

He used his litter box efficiently from the first day, eats very well, and is now very healthy.  Niles, is still very afraid, always runs from me, hides, and only comes out at night, when I turn down the lights and preferably when I am in bed or out at work, though I have been trying almost every night to get him to trust me with gentle calls, treats, catnip, and toys. He'll come out and play with a string, a ball, or fish on a stick and line with me, but from a safe distance.  He does sit and watch me and lays on the floor at the foot of my bed while I'm sleeping sometimes, though he runs away if I start to wake up.  He is extremely smart, and good at hiding. I thought after a couple months he might come to me, but after four months, this still hasn't happened.  I only just learned of the term, "socialize" referring to cats and found this site as well as other information about socializing kittens on the web which I read.   I realize though, that I missed some early opportunity to socialze him better, as he is now nearly 7 months old, his feral habits may be too ingrained to change entirely.  

I have wavered back and forth about keeping Niles,  certain I would  give him up at times,  though he is still with me, and I welcome encouragement and advice on how to keep him and improve our relationship.  I have the opportunity to have him neutered tomorrow (2/09/14) at the ASPCA mobile unit which will be near my house.  I hate having to take away his food tonight and trap him again, and I am worried about how to care for him during his recovery.  The doc said both his testicles have descended so he won't need abdominal surgery, but will he need a collar to keep him from licking himself?   If so, he won't be able to hide, and will feel vulnerable.  Here is a rare photo of elusive Niles using a zoom lens. Thanks to all who respond!

What a cat angel you are! Spaying him will also help calm him down and reduce agitation and aggression. I have taken and rescued several stray feral cats from the street and with patience and time they come around. He feels safe watching you sleep and is staying near you then.. A good sign. He plays with toys with you.. very good sign...After 3 years a cat I rescued from the street on a rainy night ( Lyla) now sleeps on my stomach & purrs all the time. This little guy you saved has had a rough start. I would not give up on him. He is very cute by the way!! Hang in there!

Thanks, dsue!  That's just the kind of story, and encouragement I need to hear.  Congratulations on your success with Lyla and others.

Thank you so much for rescuing this sweet boy.  Definitely get him neutered.  It will help him calm down.  It's best to do it now rather than wait for him to completely sexually develop. 

A few things I would suggest.  Does he have some great hiding places that are safe such as an old box with a soft towel/blanket or a hidey box in a cat tree?  Cats love to climb and love having a cat tree near a window where they can look outside and watch birds and other animals. 

Does he like to play?  Since he is quite scared you will want to start slowly.  He may like to play with toy mice, a laser pointer a wand toy and working his way up to the ultimate da bird! 

Have you tried Gerber Stage 2 chicken or turkey baby food (aka Kitty Crack)?  It works really well to help socialize shy kittens.  You can start by trying to offer him a taste off of a spoon and moving to putting some on your fingers and allowing him to lick it off.  You want to be sure that you are on the floor at his level as well as speaking quietly.  Quick movements may also scare him.

As far as getting him in a carrier, you can try feeding him for a week or more before his appt. in the carrier.  Start with the food up front and each day gradually move it back until he is eating all the way in the back.  The day of the appt just feed him a small bit or treat and when he walks in, close or zip the door.  It's also helpful to place a sheet or blanket over the carrier as it often calms them down.  Another trick is to play laser with him and get him to run inside the carrier with the laser.  It might be helpful to have a friend help you out. 

Ask lots of questions.  We are all here to help.  He sounds like a sweet sweet boy.

Thank a lot, Shadows Rescue!   I am planning to have Niles neutered early tomorrow morning at the mobile ASPCA unit.  I haven't figured out how to come within twenty feet of him while he is eating.    When I first got him, he immediately hid.   I tried to use the food to get him to come to me, but soon gave up since he won't come out  from hiding at all unless I am still and quiet and at a distance for at least twenty minutes.  I have been leaving dry food out at all times and put out wet food twice a day.  Generally he begins to come out around midnight (and not before) once I have turned out the lights and am in bed.  He comes out whether I am awake or not but only if I am on my bed, seated or lying down.  I live in a railroad apartment with four rooms in a row.  In the front of the apartment is my bedroom with my bed at the front windows, and Niles currently chooses to sleep in my closet on the wood floor behind a large container in which I had been storing shoes, but now try not to disturb.  His food and litter box are in the kitchen which are at the rear of the apartment.  Only once I am out of the way and it is dark in the apartment will he come out , and then he constantly lifts his head up every few seconds to make sure I am not getting up out of bed (one can see the entire length of the apartment).  If I stand up, or if he thinks I am going to stand up he runs to the next room and scoots under an easy chair which is his preferred hiding place nearest the kitchen.  He will stay there while I am in the kitchen, and peek his head out to watch me especially if he hears the sounds of my preparing his food, and I talk to him.  But if I am in the kitchen too long. he dashes back to the closet and waits.  He likes to make sure there is some obstacle between us like my hamper or a box, so I leave one on the floor between my bed and the closet.  He goes in to sleep at sun up and stays there the whole day unless I go out to work or am in my bed for a long period, and then he only comes out for five minutes to eat, drink or do his business quickly, and then it's back into the closet until midnight..  

We play together almost every night for an hour or so .  I have a long ribbon I  tied a stuffed mouse to that I can toss a good distance holding one end then slowly reel it in which he loves to stalk and pounce on in addition to a laser pointer which I can use to make him run about fifty feet in a dash.  The laser pointer is on a key chain,  the jingle of which he recognizes as soon as I pick it up, and comes running in from the kitchen (where he mostly hangs out if I am awake at night) to get ready for it.  I have little stuffed soft felt boxes with bells and catnip inside which he loves, ping pong balls, and miniature tennis balls.  I think his favorite toy is a stuffed goldfish tied to a stick with an elastic.  What is "the ultimate da bird" toy?  It sounds intriguing

Once I am asleep, he takes full reign of the apartment.  I hear him running back and forth from end to end of the apartment swatting a ping pong ball or bell toy like a soccer player for hours sometimes.  

 I haven't tried Gerber Chicken baby food, but yesterday I watched a 3-part video on Youtube about socializing kittens which I deduce you have seen too!

I'm dreading not letting him eat after midnight, and then having to catch him at around 4-5:00AM (I have to begin a couple of hours ahead  to put on my protective gear, find him and get him in the carrier) to have him at the ASPCA mobile unit by 7:00AM. Zoiks!  

I do have a question.  After his neutering surgery, will he need to wear a high collar to keep him from licking himself, and how will I get that on him?  I suppose the mobile unit will be able to answer that.

Thanks again for your interest and support.  Any other advice is extremely welcome.  I am delighted and relieved  to find TheCatSite.com and it may help make a couple guys a little happier here.

This is Lyla and Mar. Both rescued. The last thing you may want to hear, but 2 cats keep each other company and help each other out. These two became good friends. Mar was a little more bold helping Lyla come out of her shell and feel safer..
Some kitty tips cat language if you don't know: never make direct eye contact or stare at a cat because the think you are angry. Always blink your eyes a lot and close them sometimes when you make eye contact & that means you are friendly and all is well. Also turn your back and be nearby but nearly ignore him. This helps him get the idea you are no threat. He is playing nearby when you sleeping, he plays with you..that's so great!!! he feels the safest when you sleep because you (a large creature) aren't moving. Lay on the floor or stay low and again show him you are relaxed with him and all is well. Stretch & yawn, look away. You'd be surprised he will eventually get that you are safe. He's had a rough start. Who knows what trauma he has endured before you so kindly opened your door. Good luck tomorrow with spaying him. That will also be an ordeal, but will be for the best for both of you!

Thanks so much, again, Shadow Rescue!  Your cats look adorable!  

Niles is in his carrier wrapped in a thin blanket, starving, no doubt, and ready to go get neutered (I most certyainly hope, at least).  Suddenly, when I looked again at the ASPCA mobile unit web page for directions to this morning's mobile, I am now confused if I had needed to make an appointment or if that is just for pitt bulls or whether it is on a first come first serve basis as I had read further down the page and believed until now.  I may have blundered big time, though I am going to take him anyway and beg that they take him today!  I've got all his papers from the vet with me to prove he has had his shots and FeLV/viral screenings.  I'm leaving in ten minutes to be the first one there!

For once, Niles put up no resistence to me picking him up out of his hiding place and placing him in his carrier!  Big breakthrough, and huge relief!! 

Sorry, I meant to thank you, dsue!!!   This is me hitting myself on the head:  !

Please don't hit yourself on the head as you are saving this cats life and that makes you a very special cat Angel!! The fact that he let you pick him up is clearly showing you that he is beginning to feel safe and trusting you. Cat time is different than people time ..but..with love and patience he will be a true joy in your life! Good luck with the spaying. It may cause a brief setback, but then things will get much, much better! Take care.

PS: Dry food is really not too good for cats particularly male cats. You can make your own decision. But, research it and you'll see that it can lead to health problems later on. Protein, grain-free cat food food is the closest to naturally what they eat in the wild..such as a mouse for example. Hope that also helps!

After neutering, recovery time for a male is pretty quick.  Usually they are back to their old selves within 48 hours.  I doubt you will need a cone.  He will be quiet for a day or so, but then act as if nothing has happened. 

I hope you were able to go through with the neuter.  Let us know.

Thanks again, Shadow Rescue and dsue!  You're thoughtful and caring comments are immensely appreciated!

I got to the place where the truck was to be at 6;30AM with about 18 people ahead of me (people camp out in their cars as early as 4:00AM!), but then an ASPCA car pulled up and an official came out to announce that the mobile unit visit was cancelled.  What a major drag!  They took the names and phone numbers of the first 25 disappointed people to arrive with their starving pets, and said someone would call to set up an appointment  which would guarantee us a spot on the next mobile spay/neuter unit visit we wanted, but could not guarantee if that visit too would be cancelled or not.  For one unlucky pet owner, it was her fourth cancellation! ! ! !  Why, I wonder?

Poor Niles hasn't eaten for at least 20 hours.  I opened a fresh can of food, and refilled his dry food dish, then opened his carrier to release him and went to the far end of the apartment where he likes me to be.  He waited five minutes, slowly eased out of the bag, and made a crouching bee-line for a hiding place in the middle room where he tends to go when he is most panicked, staring at me the whole time.   I looked away so he wouldn't feel that I was going to come after him.   He is still too afraid to eat yet today, or even to go back to the closet where he usually likes to be.

Another five steps backward in the trust issue...and he continues to mature into a young tomcat! 

 Dsue, I didn't know dried food could be that bad for him, though since I am now reading articles on the web, it seem as though you are correct, despite what I had believed.  I was misinformed thinking that a combination of dry and wet food were ideal.  The one I was giving  him (Diamond Naturals Indoor Cat Formula) is better than some, with no corn, soy or wheat, but still has rendered and over-processed chicken, cellulose, preservatives and other junk.  I definitely will reduce, if not eliminate dried food from his diet.  Thank you so much!  I know it is difficult to tell someone an inconvenient truth that they may not wish to hear!  Niles and I are grateful. Is there a food or brand you might suggest or recommend for him?

For his moist food  I give him Natural Balance, Evo, or Best Friends Forever brands.  I also give him either egg yolks, cooked fish, boiled chicken, or plain cooked ground beef, three or four times a week in addition to his canned food.  I also sometimes mix some crushed up plain cooked vegetable like broccoli or carrot, or rice into these.   

Hi, David:  Sorry I missed this post.  I really commend you for helping Niles.  We have a former feral who will barely let me scratch him on top of the head.  After almost eight years!  He's just not about to trust me completely but I accept that he is who he is and he's safe, happy and healthy.

Niles may never be a cuddle cat but he is now a housecat - thanks to you!  I do believe if you continue to treat him well, feed him, scoop his poops and generally be his person, he will warm up to you eventually.

That really stinks about the clinic.  Sometimes rescues have trouble, especially if the vet and or techs are volunteering their time.  Can you check into any other area S/N programs in your area?  The sooner you get him neutered the better for everyone.

I agree with ShadowsRescue - he probably won't need a cone.  Neutering is not that invasive, so he will be fine after a day or two.

That is just terrible that the visit was cancelled.  Is there another place you can take him that is low cost yet you can make an appointment?  Here are a few links where you can search for available clinics in your area http://www.spayusa.org/  and http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter. 

It sounds like you are feeding him all kinds of wonderful food.  All of my cats get a combination of wet and dry food.  They like the crunch of dry food and it does help with their teeth.  They receive mostly wet food, but a little bit of dry is ok.  My 2 outdoor ferals actually prefer dry food to wet.  Crazy!

Hi again!
Im soooo sorry about the fact that you were not able to spay him today.
As mentioned, I found Lyla, a stray, wet and starving, crying out under my tires of my car on a cold rainy night in the street.
so....It looks like you got some good resources of clinics that you could go to take the cat...not to have to wait in line like that again. That experience would traumatize any cat (or person!!). Luckily Cats do recover when they are treated well by their owners ...as you are obviously a very caring and loving owner to this little guy. The fact that he trusted you to let him pick him up was a very big deal! As I mentioned my cat Lyla from the street has become a sweetie. It took patience and time. However, she still get startled sometimes and runs to hide, this is from her former life on the street & that will always be there to some degree. Life on the street is very rough for cats and they don't live long as opposed to house cats. So, you have really save this little guy's life!!!
Re: Food ... Also look on this same site about raw food which can help with teeth cleaning not dry food...
This is an article from a vet re: problems with dry food. You can then make an informed decision. Whatever you're feeding him is better than what was going on when you found this for little guy outside. Wet food also gives them water which often cats don't drink on their own. I have used Wellness and variety of brands grain free. Also, some raw food is good if you can deal with it.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/02/17/dry-food-wrong-for-cats.aspx
Best of luck. Love to hear how it goes.

Hi again!
Im soooo sorry about the fact that you were not able to spay him today.
(This picture is of Lyla on my lap which took three years for her to get to that point. As mentioned, I found her, a stray, wet and starving, crying out under my tires of my car on a cold rainy night in the street.)
so....It looks like you got some good resources of clinics that you could go to take the cat...not to have to wait in line like that again. That experience would traumatize any cat (or person!!). Luckily Cats do recover when they are treated well by their owners ...as you are obviously a very caring and loving owner to this little guy. The fact that he trusted you to let him pick him up was a very big deal! As I mentioned my cat Lyla from the street has become a sweetie. It took patience and time. However, she still get startled sometimes and runs to hide, this is from her former life on the street & that will always be there to some degree. Life on the street is very rough for cats and they don't live long as opposed to house cats. So, you have really save this little guy's life!!!
Re: Food
Just research u can then make an informed decision. Whatever you're feeding him is better than what was going on when you found this for little guy outside. Wet food also gives them water which often cats don't drink on their own. I have used variety of brands. Love to hear how it goes.

Thanks, dsue!    Lyla looks so cute and content!  

Niles is better and sems to have forgiven me since the other day, and I made an appointment at Williamsburg Animal Clinic which is just a few blocks from my house for his neutering.  It will cost $185. plus tax and fees.   I don't put down the ASPCA for cancelling..  It has been a hard winter, but I've decided to pay the extra money for the convenience of picking the date (Feb 20), and the easy travel.

re: food--I am wondering what kind of raw food is good to feed Niles.  I do have a hand crank meat grinder.

Hi.  Should a cat's water be taken away as well as food the night before neutering?  The clinic I am taking him to says to take away food and water, while the ASPCA neutering service says to take away food, but never withhold water from a cat.  Since I have had two false starts in getting Niles neutered, once at each place, Niles has been subjected to having one night without food, and one night without food and water.  He was much more distraught when I took away both, and unless there is a real threat to his life if he should drink water a few hours before the surgery, I would rather not do that to him again. 

I think it's fine to just take away food around 11pm

My vet doesn't like them to have food or water after midnight.  They can regurgitate under anesthesia and if they eaten, they could choke.  Water should not be as much of a problem.