meet Buggy

Keep in mind, too, that he is showing his personality now.  He may never be a lap cat or he might be one of those cats who can't be bothered to be social. Like people, cats may try a little harder when first meeting people - really.  One of our cats loved to play with the wand toy when he first landed.  Now, he gives us a look from h*ll when we bring it out.

I think the more comfortable they get, the more their true personality shows.  And you may very well have Grumpy Cat II there (although I hear she is a real love-bug).

Ondine-

I'm envisioning WAY long term.....do you think Bug will learn some interaction from watching the other 2 domestics?

Perhaps even pick up some manners?  Seriously, will he learn by watching their interaction with family members?

At this time, would it be ok to, from a safe distance...introduce them?  (a screen door arrangement separating them) 

I could open the sliding door inches, further and further (with screen still between them) as I sense peace. 

Might this offer Bug some stimulation and incentive? Is it too soon...wait another few weeks?  

Again, your expert advise appreciated.  

bigbadbass said:

 
Ondine-

I'm envisioning WAY long term.....do you think Bug will learn some interaction from watching the other 2 domestics?

Perhaps even pick up some manners?  Seriously, will he learn by watching their interaction with family members?

At this time, would it be ok to, from a safe distance...introduce them?  (a screen door arrangement separating them) 

I could open the sliding door inches, further and further (with screen still between them) as I sense peace. 

Might this offer Bug some stimulation and incentive? Is it too soon...wait another few weeks?  

Again, your expert advise appreciated.  

Click to expand...

Cats are exceedingly intelligent despite their apparent obstinacy; The Bug will learn by observing Family / Family and Family / feline interactions as well.

Introducing cats via a screen door generally works very well, but no one can really tell how soon is too soon.

Caveat: this is NOT advice - merely recounting.

My method for introducing adult cats has always been to first acclimate them to Human interaction (as you're now doing), and when they're sufficiently relaxed, to simply take them into the house, carry the new cat into the main living space, and say to everyone, "this is _____ and now she (or he) lives here too."  I watch very very carefully (and know the personalities of all the other cats pretty well, so I know who to watch more closely) as new and old interact for the first couple of hours while the newbie conducts a tour of the house, and scold anyone who's being unwelcoming.  As long as the "new" cat isn't aggressive initially, by the end of Day 1, no one's too surprised to see another cat in the Family, and by then end of a week, the newcomer is part of a catpile on one sofa or another.

Again, I'm not recommending this method to anyone else.  The larger the Family, the more effective this method becomes, simply because in every case, at least one of the "old" cats will take the newcomer under her or his protective custody.

Caveat number 2:

Some cats are simply not social cats.  That's not to say that their interactions are anti-social, but merely that they're effectively loners.  I currently have three who don't much care whether they're with the group or now, and one who quite nearly spurns the other cats - though never with open animosity, but simply with the unspoken contempt that an elephant might evidence for a gnat.

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Some cats are simply not social cats.  That's not to say that their interactions are anti-social, but merely that they're effectively loners.  I currently have three who don't much care whether they're with the group or now, and one who quite nearly spurns the other cats - though never with open animosity, but simply with the unspoken contempt that an elephant might evidence for a gnat.

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This is very true - just like some people are more social than others.  Most of my cats co-exist.  Only two will groom one another and even those sessions usually turn into wrestling matches.

I do think he will learn from the others.  When you reward the others for good behavior (treats, pets, praise) he will begin to realize he, too, can get some goodies if he behaves civilly.

I would use the screen door method, at least until you know how they'll react to one another.  It will make it easier to control the situation if someone loses control.

Great tips from both Ondine and 1CatOverTheLine

@bigbadbass
I realize you didn't ask me but I'm still gonna chime in...I would recommend sliding door or a actual door and let them smell eachother...then after a couple of days put food for bugs on one side of door with the other 2's food on other side let them eat like that for at least a week or two that way they associate eating and smell with eachother and they see that it's not a threat...and then try allowing him to come in with the others...that way now they have smelt eachother through a door for about 3 weeks...then yes he should be alright learning his new surroundings however you still need to monitor them....you said you had Bengal right? That may prove to be intense but who knows ...I actually learned that from Jackson if that means anything to you and I didn't get any type of fee lolol ...anyhoo...I've done several different methods to introduci g cats one like how 1 over the line said...and it worked...however with the two I have now...I wish I would've done it like Jackson suggested...because they fight not really bad and I can get them to cool it...but everyday no fail when I go to feed them...they do a little paw slapping...hopen this helped...also I learned Jacksons method way after I introduci the 2 I have now...[emoji]128522[/emoji]

@imjustacatmom  chiming in is what forums are all about, great ideas, and I thank you. I'll commence to trying them...to inspire Bug....

One of the very few times he's been out of his self imposed seclusion in the last 24 hours...I got hissed at yet again. I pray he doesn't turn into a loner, grumpy and miserable.  

I've got to be honest...if he's not going to integrate into family and become 100% trustworthy around the other animals....drastic measures will be taken.

I promised him every effort within my power will be made.....and will.  I'm proclaiming (only a month after neuter) with much time, patience and care yet to be invested.  

But come spring, if he's as miserable as he is now....it may be in his best interests to let him out. 

If he's happier out, rather than miserable in....out he goes, a very sad day indeed. But if this turns out to be the case....I will not, in good conscience, torture him further by confining indoors.

The cats already sense each other's presence as you walked in and out carrying the scents of the cats all over.

Did the other cats ever came near the sliding door where Bugs is? How did your other cats react to you after you visited Bugs. Did they just keep smelling Bug's scent or did they hiss?

Maybe you could do the slow introduction of Bug's scent to the other cats and when Bugs is more or less settled in, introduce him the scents of the other cats and see his reactions.

It may take some time but it's worth a try. Worse case scenario is Bugs stay put where he is and it's better than the outside life. But I believed even if at the end if Bugs let out, he'll still come back you for food and he could be the outdoor/indoor cat.

Give him time and let him sort things out and till after the 6 weeks after his neutering, things will be more different. This now is like cold turkey to him. Who knows that this might break his desire to go outside again.

In the meanwhile, keep the routine going. The efforts are not wasted.

TabbyTom said:

It may take some time but it's worth a try. Worse case scenario is Bugs stays put where he is and it's better than the outside life.

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Tom's on the money; you're certainly more patient than a cat - stick it out.  In the end, every wracked nerve is worth it.

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I agree with Tom - inside life is best.  

One of our cats, Schofield, was an outside cat  in Jersey  I built him an enclosure (15x45 feet, so yeah, more like a palace).   We transitioned him to an inside-only cat here and he was fine at first.  then he started having trouble adjusting.  He started spraying everything and picking fights with the other cats.  I finally put him in his own room and viola! he's happy and more importantly, has stopped spraying.  He apparently likes his own space.  I worried at first that he's be lonely but he's actually not interested in long visits.  He'll play with string toys but not for long.  He'll chase balls that I toss but then loses interest.  He often gets this grumpy look and sure enough, will begin hissing or swatting at me.  That's when I just say "bye" and exit.

So I visit him two or three times a day - for sometimes less than five minutes if he gets the look.  He has his own toys, litter box, food dish and fountain and honestly, he's fine.  The bonus is, no more fights among the cats and waiting until dark to get the florescent light out to look for spray!

Schofield, like Bug, survived on his own for quite a few years.  Maybe they are also alike in that they know how to be alone and prefer it that way.

Bug is getting used to the inside life now.  He may seem depressed but I'd bet he just prefers his own company.

Perhaps you can invest in a catio for Bug to give him some outside time while keeping him safe.  It needn't be large - just enough to give him fresh air.   Remember, too, that having him outside also mean that you'll have to use regular flea treatments and keep an eye out for worms.

I totally agree!

@bigbadbass

OK just saw this on the Facebook here's the Web address www.customcages.com
An idea for the Bugster

When we have the money, we're going to build a new one here.  This is the post about the one I had for Schofield and Alfred in New Jersey

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/257002/my-new-enclosure

I just clicked on your link....wow that was pretty neat...so you moved from New Jersey to where? Did you take that enclosure?

Wow! That's a great enclosure.

With that set up, for sure I'll stay in and will not leave

TabbyTom said:

Wow! That's a great enclosure.

With that set up, for sure I'll stay in and will not leave

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Oh, The Bug is there to stay anyway, Tom - he's just being difficult.  You know how cats are.



.

imjustacatmom said:

I just clicked on your link....wow that was pretty neat...so you moved from New Jersey to where? Did you take that enclosure?

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We're in North Carolina now.  We could not take it but plan to put something similar up here - perhaps this summer.

So I've been looking after a stray...for a couple of months now...I think he has some Bengal in him...the way his face looks...he's an outdoor boy that's for sure...although lately he has been trying to come in...I found out yesterday that his owner just left him and his brother/sister? Which was along my thinking from the get....anyhoo I'm trying to convince the hubby to let me bring him in...you see I have this really weird ability to get the one cat...which I believe God tells their little spirit "Go to her, she'lltake care of you." That's pretty much how I've gotten most of my kitties...and with all the cats that run around...this guy is the one who came up to me...so my point is...if my husband doesn't want to bring him in...maybe I can make him an enclosure similar...here's a picture
I've named him Smokey aka General Smokestacks [emoji]127775[/emoji] [emoji]127775[/emoji] [emoji]127775[/emoji] [emoji]127775[/emoji] [emoji]127775[/emoji] I started a thread about him(under that name) and have mentioned him in show me your eyes and somewhere else can't remember...an enclosure does sound like a great endeavor to take on as well

I wish everyone who fed outside cats could have enclosures.  The world is just too dangerous for them, even with human support.

An enclosure for this little guy would be ideal.  I've seen them on Amazon for less than $600, although I'm sure they'd need some reinforcing.  You can attach them to the house wall or have them free-standing.

I had more than 60 stray or dumped cats come through my yard in New Jersey over the years.  Found homes for all of them.  After I got Schofield and Alfred into the enclosure, I never had another cat come through.  They apparently made it clear that this was their territory, even though they were confined.

That's another reason I'd like one here.  There are several neighborhood cats who wander through my yard here - they are owned but allowed to wander.  I think having the cats outside would let them know they aren't welcome.

Of course, if I ever see a cat who is obviously hurt or hungry, I'll help it.  But I'd rather not have the neighbor's cats in my yard.