Afraid of the TV?

piano cat · Jul 20, 2016

I really think one of my ferals was a pet, making him a stray or dumpee. I can pick him up any old way, kiss his neck, tickle his tummy and feet and he leans into me for snuggles. He has been in the house and does not act like a cat seeing a house for the first time. He calmly explores, doesn't freak out like other true ferals have when the refrigerator cycles on, makes himself at home on the chesterfield and has a bath. In short, he acts like he is familiar with a house, just not ours. But tonight was peculiar. He came downstairs to where I was sitting watching TV but all of a sudden stopped, looked at the TV suspiciously. A female character on the TV show was talking and he turned and ran upstairs. He only lets me and the DH pet him or get near him outside but he acted the same way inside only with a TV character. I would have thought a cat used to a house would know the TV isn't real. Anyone else observed similar behaviour with a stray/feral/dumpee they've taken in? We have taken in some before we thought might be feral but turned out to have been a pet and they never acted like this.

shadowsrescue · Jul 21, 2016

Piano Cat said:
I really think one of my ferals was a pet, making him a stray or dumpee. I can pick him up any old way, kiss his neck, tickle his tummy and feet and he leans into me for snuggles. He has been in the house and does not act like a cat seeing a house for the first time. He calmly explores, doesn't freak out like other true ferals have when the refrigerator cycles on, makes himself at home on the chesterfield and has a bath. In short, he acts like he is familiar with a house, just not ours. But tonight was peculiar. He came downstairs to where I was sitting watching TV but all of a sudden stopped, looked at the TV suspiciously. A female character on the TV show was talking and he turned and ran upstairs. He only lets me and the DH pet him or get near him outside but he acted the same way inside only with a TV character. I would have thought a cat used to a house would know the TV isn't real. Anyone else observed similar behaviour with a stray/feral/dumpee they've taken in? We have taken in some before we thought might be feral but turned out to have been a pet and they never acted like this.

I sometimes allow my feral boys to come inside the house. They are freaked by the Tv and ceiling fan. If either happens to be on, they are out the door so fast.

msaimee · Jul 21, 2016

Are you planning on letting him be an indoor only cat? If so, he'll quickly learn to adapt to the t-v and other unfamiliar sounds once he learns they are harmless. Cats have an amazing ability to "tune out" noises once they become familiar to them--such as the t-v, the heating system, dogs barking outside, noisy neighbors, etc. If your kitty is indoors 24/7, he will adjust to these new sounds within several days. Just keep the t-v volume low for the time being. If your kitty allows you to pet him and pick him up, he's a stray or dump, not a feral, so his adjustment to being indoors will be a smooth one. For all you know, his former owner didn't own a t-v, or kept him in the basement, or some other situation where he wasn't exposed to a t-v. I'm sure he'll adjust to your home very quickly. It's wonderful that you're caring for him!

piano cat · Jul 21, 2016

I would love to have him come inside but we're full up at the moment. I'm sure he would adjust soon, the others did. I was just surprised at his reaction after he seemed so calm in the house otherwiise. He has a lovely personality.

Afraid of the TV?

piano cat

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shadowsrescue

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msaimee

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piano cat

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