Introducing Semi-feral to my three cats and large dog

Hi Folks,

Over the summer I started to have a regular night time kitty visitor to my bedroom window. I tried to approach him on several occasions and he ran off but he continued to come back most evenings to see my kitties. One evening he sprayed the window and I was able to see that he was not ear tipped. I reached out to someone on the alley cat allies list to see what I could do to TNR him...this was a whole new world and I didn't even know where to begin. I had a lovely woman tell me she could help me trap him, take him, and bring him back if I was willing to pay for the procedure. I agreed and also asked that he be tested for FIV/FELV (neg. for both) so that I could bring him in to my guest bath for recovery and to determine if he was scared stray or feral. By the third day Nox (which is what I call him) told me he was ready to leave - I never was able to touch him and I released him in my little back yard where he couldn't get away fast enough. I continued to feed him (via my bedroom window behind a bush so it wasn't obvious) all summer and slowly but surely he'd stay and eat while I talked to him. I never expected it to ever get beyond this point.

As it got colder I bought several shelters for him, filled them with straw and mylared the interiors for extra warmth; I also decided I was going to feed him more to ensure he had a little extra weight for the winter...he started to come regularly for breakfast and dinner. I also was able to get closer to him outside (with in about 5-10 feet) and discovered that he most likely lives in a concrete drain pipe on the other side of the fence from my community.

About a month ago after I put his dinner down he decided to head butt me...I about fell over. Soon I was able to scratch his head and rub his back. It was one of the coolest things to happen this year and I so looked forward to his evening visits. One particularly cold evening I opened the window and invited him in, onto my bedroom window sill (all of my guys were locked out of the room), for dinner. I was able to shut the window behind him and he was okay. Typically he ate, got some pets and then went on his way. This was the routine for a few weeks until we had a heavy rainstorm...that was the first night he stayed for an extended period and he typically would stay for longer periods on cold or bad weather evenings, mostly staying on the window sill and napping.

Last weekend we had an icy weather morning he came in at breakfast and didn't leave until the evening when it warmed up and he got down off the window sill and interacted with me in my room...it was the first time he rubbed against my legs. Sunday morning he was a bit off...not wanting breakfast, but with it being almost 60 degrees I thought he must have been out hunting during the night. He didn't stay long and when he came back for dinner I knew something was wrong when he didn't want to eat and wasn't particularly interactive. I finally enticed him in with something extra tasty and immediately noticed he couldn't put weight on his back right leg. I got him to eat and noticed he seemed to have a gash on his foot...he's black so super hard to see. I stressed about how I was going to get him to the vet to get it looked at and decided I would reassess in the morning as it was getting late. I put a hard sided carrier with a piece of fleece and catnip in my room never thinking he'd actually go in...he did just as I was getting ready for bed and I immediately took him to the vet at 11 pm.

Poor guy was so nervous he lost both bladder and bowels but they got him in, sedated him, cleaned him up and cleaned the wounds...a laceration and several puncture wounds. He got a convenia shot and a buprenex shot for pain...so he HAD to stay in for at least three days, preferably 10-14. I promised I'd keep him in for the three and see what I could do about making it as long as possible. Well, it's been a week and he has little interest in going back out. He's happy, snuggly, and very interactive, even running to greet me, tail up at the door...he's even let me pick him up and put him on my lap. He's not feral after all!

I've let him interact with my guys through a screen door and there is no hissing with the cats, in fact, Nox often purrs. But they have gotten to know each other through the window over the past 6 months. He has hissed with the dog (totally expected). My two males are really interested and wanting to go in the room, my small female is pretty upset...she's still settling with a kitty we fostered-to-adopted in the fall. My big dog is grouchy and has growled and barked, he's not an easy dog and I know he thinks Nox is an intruder...he comes through a window after all and he's taken his/ my bedroom hostage.

So this is where I really need help...I have a sweet semi-feral boy kitty with talons for nails (the vet wouldn't cut them assuming he'd be back outside) in my bedroom and I am not sure how to go about introducing him to everyone in face to face fashion beyond our current screen set up, trying to integrate him into the pack, and getting my bedroom back (this is important!). My guest room is very much the cat room so I can't move him there with out upsetting the apple cart too much so for now my big dog is banned from my room and I am splitting time - falling asleep in my room and transitioning to my guest room during the night to be with the rest of the gang. We can do this for a bit longer to give Nox enough time to heal and settle but for the long term I need to get this fella integrated so that I can sleep in my own room full time again. He's welcome to stay, I just need their to be harmony in my household.

I appreciate ideas and input and sorry for the very long intro email.

Thank you,

Susan

Semiferales are as a rule of thumb easier to adapt to new cats, than say, a bought adult cat.  So my guess is, you shouldnt have no big difficulty.

Begin with these friendly boys.   There are many tricks if you do want to do it scientifically.

My experience is: use a room they both are comfortable with.  So let him examine the room in say one hour.  After it, the second part.

prepare the room so there are places to fly to. Perhaps some climbing tree, or shelfes.  Scratching post, some toys...  And you let them both in...  You are there prepared to talk sweetly to them, having also a blanket, so you can separate them if necessary...

If it goes OK, you repeat later on with next guy.

After a while he has the smell of the boys, so you may try with the girl too...   And last, the dog.

When he has smells of both you, and all three cats on him, and apparently belongs to the pack, the dog will probably accept him.

Have him on a leash, and you may perhaps order him to lay down, so the cat may smell on him in peace...

Something like that.

Here are some articles with some great tips for cat to cat intros

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/the-ultimate-yet-simplified-guide-to-introducing-cats

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat

http://jacksongalaxy.com/2010/10/01/cat-to-cat-introductions/

Here is an article on how to safely introduce cats to dogs

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-safely-introduce-a-cat-and-a-dog

Here also is a video on cat to cat intros with some great ideas:

Thank you so much for the links...seems I'm on the right track with my boys at least. I've done snacks successfully on either side of the screen door and need to try doing meals as well...perhaps that will get my girl to come around.  I did the sock thing with the new guy but need to give him one with the three residents and the dog...will get on that today. 

Question for those of you that have taken in ferals or strays...how in the world do you manage to get their nails trimmed.  This guy is like Edward Scissor Paws - he goes to playfully tap me and the next thing I know I am bleeding. I cut everyone else's nails but he's not there yet and given he lost bowel and bladder going and coming back from the vet that's not an option that I'd consider at the moment.  I did ask for a nail trim when he was in for the wound but given we all assumed he'd be back outside they said to leave them.  

Again, I really appreciate the insight and tips.  I've introduced a few kitties over the years but I've never been as tentative as I am with this guy and I truly think it's because I am not totally comfortable with maneuvering him and he's got these insane nails.  Here's a photo of Nox...

So glad to find a forum that can help guide the way. 

Furry5-

Nox looks adorable...a beautiful little guy you've got there!  Remarkable story in his willingness to come inside and join your family. You are fortunate. 

Still "intact", my guy Buggy has the need to roam. I'm in the trapping process, followed by vet, shots and neuter.  As he's a 12 year old feral, he's smart, difficult and set in his ways, though shows signs of interest and willingness in interacting. This domesticating business is all new to me....forum members here have been quite helpful.

I hope to realize future success (to what degree remains to be seen) with Bug ....and wish you all the best with Nox. I'll be following your thread.       

BigBadBass, 

It has been a journey, that's for sure!  I NEVER expected to have Nox sleeping soundly in my window sill downstairs...He's been in for more than two weeks now and last night I had a vet tech come in to help me with his nails, so he's in for at least the foreseeable future. Be open to what your Buggy tells you...you might be in my shoes before you know it with an almost lap kitty who does not want to go back out in the cold! 

So first, the update on Nox, the big boy is doing well - wounds are pretty much healed up and he seems pretty content even though he is wanting out of the room to explore.  I've had both boys in the room in my arms or in a window to interact but was not ready to let it go farther until those nails were cut.  Nox has decided that my lap is not a bad place and that even being held for brief periods of times is okay.  He nose bumps my nose and is incredibly sweet with me.  The few times I was sitting on the bed with my fellas (happened once with each of them) in my lap he had a look that I couldn't determine if it was playful or more aggressive stalking.  I maneuvered my guys and he shifted.  I was not ready for that.  Here we are today and I am still a nervous mess about these introductions. On the plus side...my little female (7.5 lbs) is coming down stairs and at least curious...she has no problem giving him a good hiss through the screen and she's sat on my shoulder in the hallway and taken a good look at this BIG (almost 13 lbs) boy kitty in HER window.  Just coming down is progress so we'll take it.  I also shifted Nox to a bathroom today for a bit so my three cats could go into my room and check it all out.  Even the big dog went in...speaking of, he's calmed down a bit about Nox being here and while there are still grumbles and growls from both parties between the screen/gate they are less frequent. 

Last night the nail cutting was a clear reminder that I am NOT dealing with your typical house cat...think I needed to see him revert back to his feral ways to give me the reality check and I know that has increased my nervousness regarding the introductions...he is much larger than all of my cats (I have one boy at 10.5 lbs, one at 9.5 and then my little lady just under 8).  The tech that came to the house I have known for many years and he is such a kind soul.  He was amazing at reading Nox and telling me what to do to get him into position for the toenail trim.  Nox basically flipped out when he saw him at the door of my room and it took a bit to calm him enough that I could grab him with a towel...I don't think my heart stopped pounding for a good hour after.  The good news, once I got him on the bed and his head was covered the nail trim was fairly easy...he didn't fight.  He certainly gave me a good hiss after and was upset for a wee bit but some delicious food and lots of apologies quickly got him back to the sweet kitty I am coming to know. 

So progress on several fronts...I am MUCH more confident handling Nox now that I don't get clawed inadvertently.  I'm still so nervous about face to face intros...I think I have watched a dozen videos! And seeing that whole feral side come out makes me wonder if I could realistically ever adopt him out if it just can't work here - I do feel pretty stressed about this.  In the next two weeks after we make a bit more progress I am going to start asking a few friends to come by and interact with me with him in the room to see if we can make some progress with people.  

This is WAY more than I ever anticipated it would be...so many personalities to manage, gates, doors and screens, not sleeping the entire night in my room (he's in my room and I come up during the night so that I can honor the relationship with the other three cats and my dog who has completely been put out of his typical space), I'm pretty darn tired being the ONLY human in the equation so I certainly appreciate any words of wisdom on these intros, encouragement that we can do this, or anything else to keep spirits bright and us moving forward even if it is small steps.  Seeing him blossom has been such a gift and I am honored that he lets me hold him, pick him up and interact with him the way I do.   I hold on to that when it feels hard and I don't know how I'm going to get him settled into my family and my life back to a new normal.

Thanks for letting me share the unfolding situation! Would love to know if there is a place on the site where I could read success stories to bolster my confidence in introducing this big boy to my multi-cat and dog family. 

^ do you separate the troops when you are not at home? 

We have 3 indoor (only) family cats and a Yorkie....eventually all family members will assist with meeting/greeting and forging relationships going forward....hence my interest in your situation and thread.   

Step by step, right now my focus is in trapping and getting the Bug to the vet first and foremost... I hope my efforts are not in vain, that he is agreeable to a feral "Club Med" indoor situation. Such a radical transition for him, I have my doubts its gonna work at all...but must give it my all, in his best interests (health, safety and longevity).      

 In your case, getting Nox in comfortably/safely was relatively easy, mine not so. Being new to this, I applaud your ongoing efforts with him.       

My three cats and large dog are all together all of the time, they have their favorite places, often though I will find them hanging out in the same room...the new guy is pretty much confined to my bedroom and bathroom at the moment.  He sure would like to come out but I'm just not there yet..soon I hope.  

Oh it wasn't easy at all with Nox, it took 5-6 months to earn his trust enough to where he let me touch him, another month before he came in on the windowsill to eat, and honestly, he wouldn't be in beyond a meal/get warm visit if he hadn't hurt himself.  The foot injury in mid-Dec. was the tipping point and here we are.  

When I TNRed him in July he didn't even like me being in his sight and would run immediately.  I had him in my bathroom for three days after TNR and he would not look at me, let me touch him...nada.  He flat out told me he was a wild kitty and to let him go, so after three days I did. I didn't see him for close to a week and then he came back for dinner. Very slowly he started to let me talk to him when he'd come to eat.  It truly was a slow process and if you had told me that I would be able to pick him up today I would have told  you that was utter nonsense.  I NEVER thought this would happen. 

I still don't know how I'm going to do the introductions...such a stresser!  But I do suppose it will come together in time. 

Hoping your Buggy is doing well and that he's more agreeable to indoor club med post TNR than Nox...but hey, I can now tell you anything is possible.  

Oh my! Nox is so gorgeous!! He is so lucky to have found a friend in you. Your story of progression with him brought tears to my eyes. I don't know if this would work. I'm new to cats. I have only been adopted about 6 months.
If you know someone with a large wire dog crate. Put one kitty in it at a time and let Nox see it
For a few minutes gradually building the length of time??
Good luck with your progression!