Cat is making huge progress

Originally Posted by writergirl

The thing is he only trusts me. He won't let my parents get close enough to pet him. I don't know how to get him used to being touched by other people. Any ideas?

Erica

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The big throughbreak is already done, the next person/owner will therefore have it much easier - although it may take some work yes.

Ideas you ask?

Let your parents came with food. Or even, during some period, you will not bring food. Say, one day you are late with food (him hungry) and your parents, say mom at first - comes with the food. Your dad will be third when the cat is used to your mom. (many cats dare more with female humans)
Tnis means you cant have food in the crate/his room, the human must come with food = humans means food. Small portions but often, so it will go fairly quickly.

They can have your clothes on. And rub on you before they go in, so they will have your wellknown and friendly scent. At first in any case...
(therefore, no parfymes or deodorants - so yours smell will prevail).

Feliway / felifriend should be a very good help, making him more comfortable in uncertain situations.

I dont remember, do you have an own friendly homecat? Now he is healthy, has no longer any parasites, all shots working. And him neutered a couple of weeks now he is probably already easier to get pal with other cats.
May be time to let the two be friends.
Own friendly homecat is usually a tremendous good help in socializing of a shy semiferal.

The cat urinated on the couch. Now my father (who isn't a ray of sunshine on the best of days) is saying we should have put the cat to sleep.

I think that the reason he went to the bathroom on the couch is that we started using a new kitty litter today. My dad thinks the reason is that he is not housetrained and never will be.

What are other reasons he might have done this? Is he sick of something? That was my first thought then I remembered the kitty litter.

Also he is incredibly needy and wants me to spend every minute with him which of course is not possible. He meows until I come downstairs. We can't let him upstairs because the other cats are not happy about him being here (they all hiss at him and growl at him through the door).

Ahhh this is frustrating. I am trying to find a home for him still. I don't want to give up on him I just don't know what's wrong with him.

Erica

Hi,

I wasn't going to have him put down. My father is the one who suggested that. I think he is just being ridiculous about the situation. He has a tendency to be overly negative.

This little cat (well not so little he's 14 pounds) has been through so much. I seriously do not think he's ever had a home. He was unneutered and as you can imagine no one would have an unneutuered cat spraying everywhere. I think the bumps on his back are either matted fur or scar tissue from being in fights with other animals. I strongly suspect he lost his ears from fighting with a raccoon. He was unneutuered and they can be really aggressive.

Anyway I am trying to find a solution for the cat that of course does not involve him being put down. Ideally I could find him a home.

If he is Marking his territory is there ANY way to stop this?

Thanks.

I see the difficulties of everyday life are on you now...
He is apparently no longer in the crate, and in the apartament (lower part, the other cats in the upper part).

Pity no one of the other cats wants to be friends with him... It would be a good help. Isnt there any of them who you could try with? I mean, it is usual there are some hissing at first among cats meeting first time.
Say you brush the cat so you get some of his hairs. then set the loose hairs on your exferal, so he have scent of the home-cat...

Of course, as ex-feral he has no training to proper behaving. So it is a little extra difficult for him. But also homecats can pee in inproper places.

the cat sand must be unparfumed, no fancy sorts, preferably classical cat sand. Or even common sand. Natural materials. Some of the woodpellets may work.
Ie something he has experience from before...
Try with a couple of litters, perhaps with different sand. The litter preferably in a corner - so it is a little shielded. If his litter is with roof - consider to take off the doors - some cats are reluctant/afraid of the doors.

But if he continues peeing in wrong places you may take additional training.
Have him confined in one room. Food plate in one corner, water in next, sleeping place in third, litter in the fourth. A igloo/hiding and something to play with. The litter is the only place to "wash hands", he shouldnt make it anywhere else.
After some days he gets access to one more room. You may have one extra litter there if you want.If he behaves in these two rooms, he can get access to third.... and so on...


You may also try with Feliway/felifriend - the friendly scents - so he shall fell more secure.
Does he has some hiding/retreat places to feel safe in?

It is no wonder he feels unsecure: he is in a home full of cat scents, and he knows they are more or less hostile to him, hissing and spitting through the doors as you tells us... His only security is you...

How are your parents going? Are they giving him food and getting pals with him too??

Thanks so much for your reply. I think it was the new kitty litter he didn't like. We switched back to the original kitty litter (plain stuff) and he is using it again. I actually put out two litter boxes - one in the cage and one out of the cage. He has started using the litter box again.

He let my mom pet him and he is much less nervous around my father but he has not let my father pet him yet. He is very needy! He follows me around and wants to be with me all the time. I try to spend a lot of time with him and pet him a lot. I gave him cat nip today and he really loved it. He rolled all around in it. It was so cute.

The cat has several hiding places he can go to and hide in if he is feeling insecure. He lies on the couch mostly when he sleeps.

I think we are going to keep him. We have been trying to find him a home but no one wants him yet. My other cats are getting along better with him. He's really adorable and so affectionate. He is a great pet.

Erica

That is great!!! He has a home now... You did a good job.

Thanks! Yeah he's really happy to be inside. He has no interest in going out (I don't blame him!). He's gained weight and I think he's about at the weight he should be - approx. 15 pounds. He is a big sturdy cat. We think he's just great

Awww.... what a sweet story! I'm so glad you rescued this kitty.

I'm so sorry he's so needy. A couple of quick comments.

The peeing on the couch: I didn't pay attention to the dates of the posts, and I don't know how long after he was neutered this event took place. But when cats are sterilized after having reached maturity, it can take some time for the hormones to clear their systems, so behavior prior to neutering can continue.

Cats are territorial animals, and the introduction of a new cat always causes a disruption. Hissing, hitting or fighting are normal, which is why it's always best to keep a newcomer in a separate room and to make the introductions slowly. This is something that cats will work out between themselves over time, but if there is a "next time" ( ), there are many things you can do to make the introduction process easier and less stressful for everyone. There are articles in the Cat Care and Cat Behavior sections (link buttons up next to TheCatSite.com logo) that will help if you ever need them.

Thank you for rescuing this kitty!

Hey LDG,

Thanks for your tips! Actually someone is coming tomorrow to look at him and we are interviewing her We want to make sure he gets a good home. We were going to keep him but my dad thinks 5 cats is a lot so if there is someone interested in him he'd prefer he goes to a new (good!) home.

On another note! He does NOT like hairball remedy. I tried to give him some because it looks like he is going to throw up a hairball. I finally somehow got some on his paw and it scared him and he hit his head on the table running from me. I really wasn't paying attention to his "I don't want to do this" signals he was giving me and in the end he hit my hand with his paw and left two little claw marks on me. Then he hissed at me which he hasn't done since early in the beginning

How in the world can I give this guy hairball remedy? Also grooming him is out of the question as he tries to attack the brush! He is not easy to groom! I haven't even tried to clip his nails because I am WAY too nervous to do that. But I see him sometimes catching his nails on the carpet. The he freaks out because it hurts maybe and he's scared. Any tips?

Also, how do you know if it is a hairball or he has asthma or something? I keep thinking it is a hairball but he never produces anything as far as I can tell. And at other times when I pet him he makes a kind of grunting/wheezing sound

I'm confused

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Edited to add: Oh yes about the peeing on the couch. That only happened once or twice and has never happened again (thankfully!). He seems to be adjusting very well to life indoors.

Originally Posted by writergirl

We want to make sure he gets a good home. We were going to keep him but my dad thinks 5 cats is a lot so if there is someone interested in him he'd prefer he goes to a new (good!) home.

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So do I. Not because I think 5 cats are too many, but because I think you are a too good fosterhome.

And the trick is not to adopt those one has saved and fostered, no Madam, the trick is to adopt them to a good home (giving the home adresse here so they may get advice if they want or need) - and youself shall take next semiferal to foster.
And so on.

EDIT: the point is a really good and dedicated foster is much more scarce than a good cat owner.

Good luck!

I love those little tiny meows. They are so sweet...... awwww... He is trusting you.

Jenn

Well things seem to be taking a turn for the worse rather quickly. Chandler has taken to intimidating the mommy cat. Her daughter has taken to harassing him (constantly hissing and growling at him) And Chandler is starting to snap! He chassed the daugher (miss hiss is her name appropriate enough) up the stairs and under the bed where she usually sleeps. We're not sure what would have happened because my mother broke it up.

I really hope that person will adopt him because I don't think it's doing him any good being here anymore.


Erica

Originally Posted by writergirl

He chassed the daugher (miss hiss is her name appropriate enough) up the stairs and under the bed where she usually sleeps. We're not sure what would have happened because my mother broke it up.

Erica

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Why?
Probably nothing. Cats arent either KGB or CIA. Not even Fed police! They dont pursuit opponents once they fled away.
They CAN mob, thought. But if the mobbed cat fleds to his shelter shehe is left alone there.

But what is going on here? Especially as I did retold the witnessing shy semiferals make almost never troubles with homecats??

I want to believe he feels himself a homecat now. Ie your fostering and socialisation was succesful. He is no longer a humble accepted poor guy. Now he is one of the guys - and wants to have his share of power amongs the cats his equals.
Entirely normal and natural. The usual recommendation is to wait, look on as long the fights arent too heavy. And let them themselves build up the new ladder.
The momcat and her kittens must be of course protected and left undisturbed if she cant defend herself (most/many momcats can, they are VERY efficient and chase away every intruder).

You can try with feliway/felifriend: the friendly and feeling secure cats scent.
It isnt very cheap but very often is quite effective.

I think the problem is one of the cats was bullying him for weeks (hissing, growling, hitting at hime - even though she is half his size) and he just can't take it anymore. They are fighting almost every day. I can't be around to constantly supervise them because I am having medical treatment every day.

What is this feline friendly stuff?

Erica

I didn't realize until tonight why my indoor/outdoor cat (Furby) was spending so much time outside. Furby was a homeless cat who still likes (correction Loves!) to go outside. Well anyway I had him in my arms with with his paws over my shoulder like usual and the new guy came in the room and Furby started whimpering like mad!). I now have cat scratches on my back because he desperately wanted to get away. As we speak he is outside because he is too scared to come in. I just thought it was the warm weather and that's why he wanted out I was wrong!

Poor Furby. It isn't fair to him. And plus it stresses me out having him out there because I have had to chase away raccoons on more than one occasion. Now he is spending all of his time out there and I am stressing about it.

I really hope we can find a home for this guy because NO one is happy about it. Sorry Stephanz I didn't really understand your last post too well. I didn't understand your advice about how to help them get along better. What do you do when one cat is absolutely terrified of the other? Furby is losing weight (he was 7.8 pounds to start with not sure exactly what he is now).

Poor Furby Also the Mother cat spends the majority of her day under the bed because she is scared of the new guy (who weighs 15 pounds!) The mom is very small.

Help!

Erica

Yes, I see. The personal chemistry dont always agree... Not all cats are friends or even can live together with others.

Yes I see you want to find him a new home ASAP. If you cant, and you are sufficient desperate it is OK to turn him loose. After all, he IS used to live outside, he wouldnt die like most dumped homecats. And now when he is healthy and neutered he would be in the same position as a TNR-ed cat.
And who knows, chances are good he would find a new home.
This is not my first hand recommendation, but I do mention this as a possible emergency exit.

Originally Posted by writergirl

.

What is this feline friendly stuff?

Erica

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Feliway or Felifriend is essentially the scent they have from their faces, when happy friendly cats do go around and rub on everything and everyone.
Here made in industry.
Most vets do sell it.

Look it up on google.com or even here at the forums.

It may do the trick in your family.

I'm going to try and find this felifriend stuff- thanks for the tip!

I couldn't just let him free. Even if I did he wouldn't leave. He'd just hang around on our front porch waiting to be fed. I am still trying to find him a home. He's a nice enough cat. He really would make a good pet so long as there are no other cats around.


Erica