Feral Regression

dciam6

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Dciam6
Hi everyone. I could really use some reassurance and advice from some of you knowledgeable folks!

To make a long story short, I trapped and took in a boy and girl feral we started feeding, both believed to be brother and sister, both about 4 months of age when taken in.

Neutered them then set them up in my finished basement with food, beds, toys, etc. I had been feeding them wet food in the am and kibble in the pm. For the wet feelings I was sitting with them while they ate. I made such great progress in the 4 months they have been with us that I am able to pet the girl kitty (Sally) while she eats with no trouble and just recently pet the boy kitty in the side of the face( Brad Jr. ) he hisses and doesn't like when I pet him on top of he head.

The past two days have been rather confusing. Brad Jr. had been acting very aggressively and won't let me come near him without him hissing, spitting and coming at me with claws bared!

What could have caused this change of heart in him? We were just getting ready to bring them both into our living space but I'm now afraid he will hurt my boys (4 and 7) or my little 4 lb chihuahua.

Any advice will be GREATLY appreciated.
 

shadowsrescue

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I always think when working with ferals, it's one step forward and 2 steps back.  Their natural reaction is to flee or attack.  When they get overwhelmed or frightened this is how they will react.  I would continue working with him, but back off on the petting a bit.  Also be sure that when you are petting him, it's brief so he doesn't become overwhelmed.  You can try making a "pet petter" where you get a rod ( I use the end of an old wand toy) and attach a soft sock or piece of flannel to the end.  I just duct tape it on.  You can make the petter quite long so that you keep the cat at a distance to start.  The idea is to get the cat used to touch, but at a safe distance.  Once he is comfortable at a longer distance, shorter the wand by pulling it in closer to your body.  The goal is to eventually replace the pet petter with your hand.  Also a good idea to to have some yummy food rewards on hand.  Be sure it's something extra delicious such as plain cooked chicken or some canned tuna.  Use it only during the socialization process.  The kitty will associate you with something extra yummy.

Thank you for rescuing these sweet kitties.  They do take time and patience.  Lots of patience.  It's so common to move forward to only move further backwards. 

Just be sure to keep a close eye on the male to be sure the change in behavior is not health related.  My guess is that he is just overwhelmed.  Stop petting for a day or two and then try again.  Sometimes the pet petter can frighten them so you can also use it as a toy by moving it back and forth on the ground to get them interested.  THen just raise it up above them and gently lower to touch them.  It may be a brief touch at first.

Here is a picture of one I made and was using with one of my ferals this summer.


 
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dciam6

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Wow thank you for your reply! That petter thingy is a great idea and I will try it after I have backed off for a few days. Thanks again!
 
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dciam6

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Just bumping this for more advice.

He is still spitting and hissing and I am worried he won't ever tame. I am concerned to bring him around my four year old and my 4 lb chihuahua. I don't think a life in my basement would be humane either. I will carry on but if I find after several more months we are not getting anywhere would it be ok to release him into my backyard where I trapped him? I would continue to feed and care for him. Maybe is is too feral? Advice and opinions much appreciated.
 

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I have no advice for you, as I, like you, am a newbie to ferals.  However, I would love to see what the experts on this forum think about your thought that life in a basement is not a good life.  I caught a feral in September, and he is still living in the closet.  He allows me to pet him, and comes out to eat, but otherwise just goes back to the closet...even though I have a cat tree with a big window for him.  He seems miserable to me.  Would be curious what others think about this kind of "life" for a cat.
 
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dciam6

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I would say he is much more aggressive than ever before. I was actually gently petting the side of his face at one point. It's quite possible since he has only been to the vet when he was trapped and neutered. He was also given distemper and rabies shot. I am giving rounds of Drontal for worms I see being coughed up by one or both of the cats. Would worms cause this aggression. He he has a good appetite and spends part of the day playing with his toys and sitting on his cat tree.
 

ondine

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I thought perhaps it might be a medical issue too.  Has he been vet checked, just to be sure?

Ferals are interesting creatures.  The cat in my avatar, Chester, was six months old when we brought him inside.  We did everything wrong.  After eight years, he now often asks for a head scritch, although it is always short and sweet.  He gives us "blinkies" - blinking is the way a feral cat says "It's cool."  You might want to try that with this guy.  Never look directly into his eyes as that is a feral's way of challenging you.

When you interact with him, make sure you are on his level - don't tower over him as that can be scary.

I disagree that life in your basement would be inhumane.  He would be so much better off in his own little world without having to worry about predators and finding food and shelter.  Chester's sister, Teresa, has her own room.  She hates our other cats and no amount of work on our parts will change her mind.  So we visit her several times a day (she's in our office) and she is a happy kitty who now asks for pets and purrs up a storm when she see one of us.  She allows Chester to visit, too, sometimes, although he never stays long!

If I had followed the advice we got about these two, they would have been euthanized eight years ago.  But they are happy and healthy, even if they aren't the most sociable cats in the world.
 
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dciam6

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I thought perhaps it might be a medical issue too.  Has he been vet checked, just to be sure?

Ferals are interesting creatures.  The cat in my avatar, Chester, was six months old when we brought him inside.  We did everything wrong.  After eight years, he now often asks for a head scritch, although it is always short and sweet.  He gives us "blinkies" - blinking is the way a feral cat says "It's cool."  You might want to try that with this guy.  Never look directly into his eyes as that is a feral's way of challenging you.

When you interact with him, make sure you are on his level - don't tower over him as that can be scary.

I disagree that life in your basement would be inhumane.  He would be so much better off in his own little world without having to worry about predators and finding food and shelter.  Chester's sister, Teresa, has her own room.  She hates our other cats and no amount of work on our parts will change her mind.  So we visit her several times a day (she's in our office) and she is a happy kitty who now asks for pets and purrs up a storm when she see one of us.  She allows Chester to visit, too, sometimes, although he never stays long!

If I had followed the advice we got about these two, they would have been euthanized eight years ago.  But they are happy and healthy, even if they aren't the most sociable cats in the world.
This is very reassuring---thank you! He does give me "blinkies" and I do know that is good sign. I will definitely be retrapping my little feral friends and get them both to the vet to make sure there is no medical issue.
I may be able to pick Sally up because she already lets me pet her. Maybe even take her to my regular vet. Brad Jr I will have to trap and take to the feral friendly vet he got neutered at.
 
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dciam6

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I have no advice for you, as I, like you, am a newbie to ferals.  However, I would love to see what the experts on this forum think about your thought that life in a basement is not a good life.  I caught a feral in September, and he is still living in the closet.  He allows me to pet him, and comes out to eat, but otherwise just goes back to the closet...even though I have a cat tree with a big window for him.  He seems miserable to me.  Would be curious what others think about this kind of "life" for a cat.
We are definately in the same boat! I trapped my kitties in September as well! I am beginning to believe that a life in a basement/ closet beats euthanasia or living a tough life on the street. Especially since we are providing toys/cat trees etc. if you aren't too opposed have you thought of a adopting a tame cat? I heard this can be very helpful in taming your feral. This is not an option for me at the moment but maybe for you?
 

ondine

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Happy to hear you have access to a feral friendly vet. They are rare! One of the reasons we did everything wrong with Chester and Teresa is because we listened to our vet, who knew absolutely nothing about feral behaviors! He has learned as much as we have during this process.

Good luck and keep us posted!
 
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