Trapped & spayed stray cat behaviors

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and am hoping to get some advice from those who do TNR. In my neighborhood are several stray/feral cats and after one of them who I have been feeding for a while had a kitten in my shed (The Great Catsby is now 8 weeks old and very happy and healthy), I decided to trap mama cat and get her spayed & vaccinated. She had surgery yesterday and is now in an extra large dog kennel for recovery. However, she does not want to eat (I've tried everything from her normal wet food to sardines to tuna) and thus does not get her pain meds which are mixed into the food. She constantly tips over her water bowl and food bowls, and I have to clean her kennel multiple times a day (she's very sweet so there are no risks of her biting or scratching me). She also sleeps in her litter box instead of in the different resting spots I've tried (i.e., carrier with a soft blanket, cat bed, box with towels), which makes me concerned that she won't use the litter box for actually going to the bathroom and just hold it in.

I try to offer her calming treats and also have sprayed some Feliway into the kennel to help her relax (this at least seems to help somewhat with her stress level). 

Any suggesting, tips, and ideas are greatly appreciated. This is my first time doing TNR and despite extensive research, I worry about making mistakes. 

Thank you!!!!!

Alex

Always clear any advise with your vet first, but I'm sure her behaviors are linked to wanting to get to her kitten. I think after 24 hours you can release her, but like I said check first. I will be going through the same thing in a week or so, I'm curious too. My problem is that I have to hold her for 4 hrs. before the vet even opens, that won't be fun, I know I'd never get her back into a carrier if I let her out into something bigger! Good luck and I hope someone can help more then me! 

Di and Bob said:

 
Always clear any advise with your vet first, but I'm sure her behaviors are linked to wanting to get to her kitten. I think after 24 hours you can release her, but like I said check first. I will be going through the same thing in a week or so, I'm curious too. My problem is that I have to hold her for 4 hrs. before the vet even opens, that won't be fun, I know I'd never get her back into a carrier if I let her out into something bigger! Good luck and I hope someone can help more then me! 

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Oh, I removed the kitten 4 weeks ago and they don't even recognize each other anymore. The first week yes, but after that she didn't get upset at all when she saw the kitten at the porch door etc. I worry that her behaviors are related to being in pain and stressed but I just don't know what else I can do.

Her behaviors may be related to pain but she is stressed.  You are doing everything right, so really, it is only a matter of time.  She may not eat anything for a bit - she's gone through major surgery, so I am sure she feels awful. Few of us like to eat when we feel badly.

I know you want to relieve her pain but if she's been on her own for a bit, she's toughened up and may be fine without it.  Just let her recuperate quietly and at her own pace.

Feral cats and strays who have been on their own for bit often don't recognize litter.  They are used to using dirt, so the litter just feels like a comfy place to rest.  You can sprinkle some dirt or dried leaves on the litter and that might help her figure it out.  She may not be used to blankets, either, so she may not recognize the bed for a bed.

You can put a box of straw in the crate but be forewarned - she may use that as litter!

Do you plan to release her outside again?  If so, keep her a day or so, not too much longer, and keep giving her yummy foods to temp her.  She may disappear for a day or so but if she's got a routine outside established, she will soon be back to that schedule.

If you plan to keep her as an inside cat, it will take some more time for her to adjust.  Cats find it difficult to change anything, so she will need time and your patience.

Thank you for helping her!

Thank you, Ondine for your advice!

I plan on releasing her and not keep her as an indoor cat (yet! Maybe when I have to move and she still comes around). I was hoping to keep her confined for at least 4 days for recovery because I read that cats who were spayed when pregnant (she was in an early pregnancy with one solitary kitten) are at much higher risk for post-op complications and I would never forgive myself if something happened to her following the spay. I know the general recs are 48 hours but that just seems so dangerous given that we are instructed to restrict physical activity in our indoor cats for up to 2 weeks!  

I think the leaves and dirt idea is great! I want her to have a place to hide but she was not going into the carrier (I wouldn't either if that's what I was put in after surgery) so maybe I can get a box and just add some dirt and leaves in it.

Thanks again! I really appreciate all the advice I can get.

Oh, yes, way better to give her more time.  Good you have room to do it.  She may surprise you and decide she'd rather stay inside!  That's what two of our "feral" cats did.  And now they run the other way whenever an outside door is opened!  

Well, she just escaped. I failed

AlexIsOnTofu said:

 
Well, she just escaped. I failed

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No you didnt fail! Reading the thread it was clear that this one did not want to stay in. Just her way is all and doing what she needed. I have one hiding out under my bed and she may decide to stay there forever and that is fine too. Yours needed peace to hide and heal in and took it. Worry not and be not hurt

Thank you, SweetPea7! Although I thought I'd never see her again, she surprised me this morning. Sat in front of the porch door like she used to meowing for her breakfast. She looks great! Couldn't get a good look at her incision but I will try tonight when she comes for dinner. SO HAPPY to have her back!

It sounds like she's made the decision. She'll live outside for the foreseeable future and you will feed her! Find a shelter for her and she'll be set!