catching a semi feral cat/bring indoors

All of this behavior is normal and to be expected.  You will want to be cautious when you enter the bathroom so he doesn't try to escape.  I like to use a firm chair cushion to gently push the cat back if needed.

You might want to order some liquid Composure max or try the Composure treats.  If I remember Izzy only eats dry food and picky.  So I doubt she would take the liquid, I also doubt she would take the treats, but it might be worth a try.  They really help a cat to feel more calm.  It might help Henry at night.

As suggested above, you might try feeding the two on either side of the closed door.  If you watched the Jackson Galaxy video I posted awhile ago on introductions, he shows how to do this.  I can repost the video if needed.  

Unless he is really crying for long long periods, I would just allow him to cry.  I know it's hard, but if you go in every time, he will just keep doing it.  

The screen door is the next step.  Just be sure you can get it nice and secure.  I like to use a baby gate in the door way for a bit of extra protection since the screen is kind of flimsy.

Try not to freak out since this can be felt and noticed by both Izzy and Henry.  If you are upset, then they too will be upset.  

It will take months and months for them to all adjust.  At some point you could try some room swapping by putting Izzy in the closed bathroom and allowing Henry some supervised time in your room.  You just want to be careful that he doesn't get under the bed and you cannot get him out.  

Whew!  Thanks so much!  Don't know why I'm freaking out, guess it's because Henry's crying and pawing and the door just started suddenly, out of the blue.  He does calm down when I sit with him, but you're right, It was to be expected, but it just scared me a little bit.  He's quiet right now.

  I saw the composure treats at Petsmart; don't know if they'll help, but I'll pick some up today; don't know if either cat will eat them, but it can't hurt to try. I really can't tell if the composure spray is helping Henry or not.

I'll give Izzy some of her food in front of the door later today; she just usually eats when she wants, as she only eats Temptations little cat snacks; she eats them out of one of those plastic pear shaped toys with a hole in it; she knocks them out one at a time-she's a very strange animal!  If I put a handful in front of the door she'll eat them, however.  She won't touch canned food (or people food either).  She will eat Whisker Likin's treats also.

At what point do you suggest I get the screen door?  I may have to find someone to help me install it, so I might not be able to do it until this weekend.  I wouldn't mind Henry being in the bedroom once I block it off behind the bed, but once he's in there, I think he'd be there to stay, so prefer to wait on this, as it's really the only place Izzy has other than the living room, and she likes to sleep behind the bed herself.  I think the screen is my best bed - maybe if Henry can see out into another room, he won't feel so confined, and I can certainly keep Izzy out for this; I'd plan to put Izzy in her large carrier to get a look at Henry before just letting her approach Henry through the screen.

yes i used double sock hands for my feral just in case. she had gotten me on a few occasions until i read her warning boundary line. she got to a point where sock hands were no longer needed just a slow approach reading her cues

oh and about the barrier my feral could jump that in a heartbeat i suggest a very large crate crate her with large blanket around it and allow her to sit in the same room as your other cat. yes you're other cat will probably come around to his growel and paw but the largeness of the cage allows the feral a hidey spot. they will get used to each other. here's mimas big a** cage. fits her her litter and a big cat cave and food area.

I have used a crate to do introductions, but you have to be able to handle the cat first.  Henry cannot be handled at this point.  You could use the crate for Izzy to allow her some time to see Henry while in the safe confines of a crate.

Henry could not jump the screen door as it is the same height as the regular door.  Some can and will jump the barrier, but she is wanting to use the screen door.

You can always have the screen door installed and not use it right away.  I would keep your regular door on as well if that is possible as there may be times when you do need to close the door.  

When using the screen door, you want to supervise all of the visits at first.  

Don't forget - Henry's whole world changed and fear of change  - fear in general - is what's kept him alive outside. Alot of ferals don't make it to 2 1/2, so his having made it that long indicates a strong survival instinct. So when I (or my husband) get frustrated with older ferals (or even young ferals) we're trying to socialize - I always remind myself that fear - or at least a strong sense of caution - is what kept them alive. 

So give Henry plenty of time. It sounds like you'll have lots of time to work slowly with Henry -- - I'm so sorry you've gone through what you have and continue to go through - - but as someone who also has health issues and spends more time than I'd like at home (plus working from home), kitty socializing is a slow but (often) a very rewarding process. Each one is different, but special. And ask questions - or just keep everyone posted. It's a great group for questions AND support!

Hello; thank you for the encouragement; I've had cats my entire life but I'm beginning to think I don't have a clue!  I'm just afraid of doing the wrong thing, overreacting, etc.  I really want this to work.  You are very right, Henry must have a strong survival instinct, cause he's made it this far......I was just freaking out last night when out of the blue he started crying and pawing at the door......he's sleeping right now, seems content enough. 

What is a good indicator of when exactly I should put up a screen door so Henry can see out, and have some minimal contact with my other cat?  I have only tried touching Henry twice, with one finger on his back, getting a hiss in return, and he jumps/he's startled;  not pushing the issue in any way.  Have to take this very slow.    I'm sure he'd like more space, room to move around, but until everyone is ready,  he'll have to stay where he is.  I know his whole world has been turned upside down, and the 13 days he's been inside is nothing at all.  Not really sure how much this upsets my other cat; when Henry started crying etc she ran into the bedroom, sniffing the bathroom door, a couple of hisses, bristley tail, etc.  She seems slightly excited, but not afraid or worried.  Never seen her around another cat.  Since I've finished chemotherapy, I seem to get a little more nervous and excitable than I used to......everyone on this site is a godsend, as I don't really interact with a lot of people, since I'm home all the time due to my health concerns, and being my mom's caregiver.  It's so good to know that if I have questions or specific concerns, there are good people like you out there with experience and great suggestions.

Got my first Henry scratch today, my own fault, accidently put my hand by his front foot; he snagged me right on the heel of my right hand.  Have to remember he may not hiss or growl prior to taking a swipe if he feels I'm too close, which I was.  Wonder if he's going to cry again tonight....he was quiet all day, as he has been; meowed at me whenever I went in with him.  Very sweet boy. 

lhoncharik said:

Good idea; Henry weighed 8.24 lbs at the vet's office, which might be just a little on the small size; my female Izzy is about 9 1/2 lbs.  Of course right now Henry is not getting any of his usual exercise, so you're probably right.  I had already decided I was giving him too much food, so I had already cut back a little bit, although he has always had a very big appetite. When I took food to him outside before he started coming onto my patio, he could easily eat about 3/4 of a 5.5 oz can of Friskies at one time, and he would eat this much more than once a day, plus some dry food.  

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Henry may have eaten more outside because he wasn't sure more food would be available. If you don't see any blood when Henry poops he's probably ok, but good that you're going to the vet. What a lucky guy he is.

you are my hero...and everyone here..this is such a happy, inspiring story..

You are probably right; he wasn't sure there'd be food waiting for him next time, or that another cat wouldn't eat it;  I have been feeding him a little less food; he can't eat ALL the time!   I wish there was something I could do right now to alleviate his boredom;  I know he has the music, but he MUST be bored.  He's used to being so active, but I hardly ever saw him during the day, and when I did he was usually resting or sleeping, so I'm hoping that since he's now cooped up resting most of the time, he feels safe; it must be a drag to have to sleep with one eye open all the time, as it were.    He had a short spell earlier with some loud meowing, but I sat with him and this seems to calm him.  I'm going to get a screen door up on the bathroom door by the end of the weekend; then he can look out into the bedroom for the time being.  He's not ready to have use of the bedroom yet, as it would be very difficult to keep my other cat out.  I'm hoping with the screen on the bathroom door he won't feel quite so closed in.   I am having him checked for parasites just because I need to be sure he doesn't have anything that can spread to my other cat, but in all likelihood he's fine.  I appreciate your comments!

He's having a little chill sesh...you are giving him love, shelter and a new life and adventure..trust the process..all is well..

I have one room in my house that I use to foster.   It is a large room but it does not have a door.  In the past I have used baby gates stacked one on top of the other as a barrier, but I recently had a screen door installed.   The gates worked well to introduce the fosters to my cats as they could smell, see, and interact through the gates.    The fosters I have now I've had for some time and they get along well with my downstairs cats so the screen door is used as a barrier because my female gets tired of the fosters ( the young  male craves attention) after several hours.  I got a door with a wood panel at the bottom quarter to prevent the cats from destroying the screen.  I also had a hook and eye installed to secure the door closed.  It's worked well.  You might want to put some sort of hard plastic on the very bottom of your screen if you opt for the full screen door.   Good luck!

Henry has short spells where he cries and seems restless; I do go in at these times for just a few minutes; sometimes he seems to want more food, other times he just seems to want to know he's not alone.  Today I am going to try to touch him just a little with a nice soft sock on a wand.   I put just a touch of catnip on it.....don't know if he'll have any reaction to it or not....  He's very leery of it, of course, but even if I only try it once a day, it's something.  Anxious to make progress, naturally, but everything has to be on Henry's schedule.  I welcome all comments and suggestions!!!

lhoncharik said:

 
Henry has short spells where he cries and seems restless; I do go in at these times for just a few minutes; sometimes he seems to want more food, other times he just seems to want to know he's not alone.  Today I am going to try to touch him just a little with a nice soft sock on a wand.   I put just a touch of catnip on it.....don't know if he'll have any reaction to it or not....  He's very leery of it, of course, but even if I only try it once a day, it's something.  Anxious to make progress, naturally, but everything has to be on Henry's schedule.  I welcome all comments and suggestions!!!

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Try to touch him when his back is to you.  If you come with the wand towards his face he will be much more nervous.  Have you tried to play or get him interested in any play?  My new inside boys tend to love a shoe string that I hide under a small towel.  I then pull it so they can see if moving under the towel.  Even if he just watches that is good.  You can vary the movements with the string from fast to slow.  This is something you can do in a small space.  Just be sure you are on the floor with him and not looming over him.  

Catnip is great too.  You also might leave him with a few catnip toys to see if he is interested.  A laser pointer might be fun too, but not sure there is room in your bathroom for this.

Another favorite is this: 
It is something he can do by himself once you show him what to do.  You also can put some catnip on the scratchy part.

@lhoncharik   read my 4 1/2 month odyssey with Bug...the thread "Meet Buggy"....ours very similar situations....I had very similar doubts, ups and downs. Bug seemed badly depressed...the day I added a screen door and "opened up" his entry door to his room...like flipping a lightswitch...the stimulation, sounds, sights, smells of the household INSTANTLY reversed his depression. We used the screen to introduce him to an existing cat and Yorkie. No drama, no fights...he has since safely integrated. They are best buds now!  

I'm not a pro, nor experienced (other than the Bug)....but really believe the "screen door method" was a deciding factor in turning him around. 

TRY IT! 

Yes, I am going to try to touch his back, when he's facing the right way.  Accidently touched his foot on Monday, and he really got me with his claw!  I have to wait until his back is somewhat to me; he did sniff the sock on a wand earlier today, I'd put a lot of catnip on it; he sniffed it, didn't hiss, but I haven't approached him from the back yet; he tends to lie on his blanket facing outward, back against a wall; need to wait till he turns over on his other side.

Bought him a couple of catnip toys, stuffed mouse, etc.  He didn't show any interest, just moved away from them, but I put another small catnip mouse with a feather tail in with him earlier.  I guess it gives him something to think about.

I'm hoping to get the screen up by the end of the weekend; kinda have to find someone to help me with it.....I'm not all that handy.  I tried a string for a short time, he didn't seem to pay much attention, but I'll try again.

One other thing; his eye has been fine for the last week; earlier today he was again squinting that eye.....again, looks fine, not running, etc.  There is nothing in with him that could be irritating it; he just lays on his various blankets; thought again of dust from the litter, or a piece of litter, but he has not been in the litter box since I cleaned it earlier this morning.  Maybe he just has a "lazy" eye lid, or something to that effect.  I'll just have to keep my eye on it; doesn't seem any too serious.

Was it difficult putting a screen door up on an inside door?  One person suggested that it wouldn't fit, latch correctly, etc.  If I can't install an actual screen door, what else would you suggest?  I need to get some kind of screening up, but this would just be going over a regular, inside, bathroom door.

As the screen is temporary only....I opted for a non-permanent, reversible, simple install using 2 eyehooks screwed into the wall and a single bungee cord to secure the door frame up.  

No longer needed now...some spackle and paint and its all easily reversed.  Theres many variations and ways to accomplish the goal.      

Baby gates, one on top of the other 3 high and then stuff the top with an old pillow etc. (Walmart sells them cheap)  You can take the two bottom ones down to get in and out.  Won't harm the doorway at all and you can still use the door if you need to.  I think it works better than a screen because the cats can actually interact through the small openings once they start to get  use to each other.   (  My Rascal likes to pass his toys into my fosters through the small openings.)   However,  a screen door is easier.