Found Blue Cat in my humane trap after one month- the story

Blue Cat came to me as an emaciated 12 week old feral kitten found by a friend, four years ago and indoor cat always. He never acclimated totally to indoor life- let me cuddle and hold but terrified of husband and others. He hid under the kitchen cabinetry much of day. In avatar photo, he's the small gray cat much beloved by old 25 pound Maine Coon. Spent much time grooming each other and cuddling before Blue disappeared.

Blue escaped from our home a month ago. Always stressed that possibility as we live on ten acres of forest and he never lived outside our home. Felt he'd wander never knowing how to return. Kept garage open for a few weeks with food and a humane trap outside with goodies. After a month worry and no Blue I was about to give up, until 5 days ago when holy cow, Blue was in the trap!

Now while he was gone we adopted a 12 week female kitten and the household has a different feel. On introducing Blue back into the fold, there was nothing but outrage, even from his old friend Black. Black must have smelled fear on Blue because Black gave him several hard bites. Black and the kitten have been stalking him since he returned. Blue is terrified. I've isolated him in a bedroom and he while he's social with me, he hides when my husband appears or the other cats sniff him through the door. Have tried a few times to introduce Blue back to the other cats but they attack him. It's a mess. Blue has stopped a lot of his crying but feel it's going to be trouble integrating the group. Any thoughts?

Problem # 2 is his health. He looks pretty good for having been out there for a month, thinner but he was chubby. No clue how he would have stayed hydrated- there is no water anywhere and we've had an insanely hot month. He has eaten very little since he returned home, drinks copious amounts of water, scant but probably adequate urine and very little stool. Because his eyes and mouth and the rest of him look ok, not alarmed yet. But only going to give the "no-eating, lotsa drinking" go on for two more days before he goes to the vet. I am reluctant to put him through more stress unless I have to. Realize cats pancreas are sensitive to starvation even if chubby, and dehydration may have messed with his kidneys.

Thanks to so many of you who were so kind and encouraging about how to get Blue back and also to give me hope. Still have an uphill battle but whatever, he is home safe. Not the smartest cat and he could even do this again. It's miraculous he survived as we have many coyotes and he has no survival skills- much too timid and shy. Thanks very very much.

I am glad he returned home but it does sound like he's his own worse enemy!  Keep him quarantined until he sees the vet - and I would bring him even if he improves.  He may need testing for FELV and/orFIV, just so you'll know what you are dealing with.

I wouldn't try to re-introduce him until you know he's healthy and because it is stressing everyone out.  This is going to be one of those really s.l.o.w. introductions - necessary because he's been gone so long and because of the new cat.

I will be praying that he's in good health and that you can re-introduce him slowly enough to get every used to the idea of living together.

Oh Ondine,

Thanks for your reply and you are right. Dread stressing him out further. But as you say this is going to be a long process and the last five days are but a blip in the adjustment time frame.

A question? He's isolated in the bedroom now but he tries to escape every time I open the door to leave the room. Three times he's escaped and he's been chased around the house by the other two cats while he runs in terror. For the last four years he's used a hidey hole- dead space under an island kitchen stove. He ran in there when he felt like blocking out the world....about 50% daylight hours. I blocked the entrance to that space when he came home which feels so mean. I know that's what he's trying to escape from the bedroom to get to now. He was able to escape from the pressures of life for much of his day. My husband said that if we don't keep that space inaccessible we'll rarely see him because now the other cats are dominant. It might become a problem then with feeding/litter box. But he's definitely a fearful feral cat and maybe denying him his hideout isn't right.
I know I shouldn't play to his fear but since he is so used to that space maybe giving it to him is the kindest thing?

Try putting a baby gate up outside the door.  When you open it, it will temporarily block his dash out and you can climb over it.  Won't last long - he'll learn to bolt over it.

The kitchen hiding place seems important to him.  Is there s shelf you can bring into the bedroom?  it will smell like him and remind him of his safe place and he may transfer that safe feeling to the bedroom.  Maybe place the shelf in a large box or perhaps prop it up against the wall so he can hide behind it.

If that doesn't work, does he have a box or carrier or maybe one of those cloth pyramids to hide in in the bedroom?    Something to simulate the kitchen cabinet.  A cat tree will give him height, which can also help him feel stronger and therefore more secure.

He seems like he will need a lot of time to adjust.  It's a challenge but so worth it!

Read this thread - Shadow's Rescue has excellent advice:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/278759/a-happy-story-from-feral-to-indoor-cat

Hi again Ondine,

Thanks again for all of your kind advice and suggestions. I think he will go for a hidey place eventually if he stays in the bedroom. Will get him a cat tree or something to hide in.

But in the wee hours of the morning Blue escaped from the bedroom again. It was interesting socially in that it wasn't terrible. He hissed once when he encountered my great big Maine Coon male who is dominant, and the kitten arched her back and chased him but she tired of that quickly. It was me chasing him around the house for half an hour trying to get him back in the bedroom that was the worst of it. Don't want him around the other cats until he is cleared by the vet today. But thinking now that things could sort themselves out. Blue had a good relationship with Black the big male and no probs at food bowl or litter box before his month long absence.

If there is are no problems socially other than Blue keeping to himself, and no fighting and Blue checks out at the vet, it's ok to let them mix no?

Still concerned about Blue's disinterest in food but hopefully find out more at the vet today.

Oh, yes. If he checks out at the vet, there is no reason to keep them separated. You'll just have to keep a close eye on them, to head off any fussing and fighting. Sounds like that might happen - at least as badly as you fear. If he can get back to his kitchen hiding spot, it may help him acclimate.

Aren't they funny? We have a cat who hides under the sofa, except that her big butt sticks out and the other cats love to play with her tail. She doesn't understand how they keep finding her!

Ondine,

Thanks so much for all your advice and encouragement. Blue checked out perfectly at the vet and vet not concerned with his poor appetite- related that to being a stressed out. Told to let Blue have free rein of the house including his hidey hole. Things going very well. Blue hid for the first couple hours, then came bounding out like old times to smack the dog in the face. While still shy and doing some crying he's doing remarkably well. The young kitten chases Blue and hisses but she tires easily so hoping that settles down a bit. Will just watch and intervene as necessary. Now if I can just get my husband to keep doors closed. I've installed automatic door closers on every door leading outside. But husband is in early dementia and propped a door open this last time. Even with a HUGE sign "do not prop door open" on it. Blue is not the smartest cat I've ever owned but he is so sweet and would hate to lose him again- never get him in a trap again. Keep us in your thoughts and thank you for everything.

Wonderful news.  Thanks so much for the update.  Blue sounds like he will settle in nicely.

You may have to set alarms on the doors.  My sister-in-law needed to do that to keep her husband from wandering off when he developed Alzheimer's.  She hung small bells above the doors so she was alerted whenever one opened.

You are an angel for taking this on with all the other challenges you have.