Hello, I'm new to this forum. Just registered actually.. I was hoping that I would be able to find a little bit of help for a farel cat I'm trying to domesticate.
My landlord did not want any pets at all in his duplex. I had a cat already and he was advised of the situation. He aggreed to let me move in on the basis that I take really good care of her, which is no problem because she's a great cat. Just after I moved in Calley used to go crazy running from window to window. It took me a little bit to figure out there was a cat walking around in the yard all the time. I felt bad for her so I started feeding her and she'd let me pet her a few strokes while she was eating but always backed away.
Long story short I sat outside indian style, super still with a piece of lunch meat in my hand. It took time but she'd run up.. take it and run off. Eventually she'd just sit there scarf it and look at me for more. But was super shy and always ran when there were loud noises and such (live next to a highway). I'd have the neighbors come out and do the same thing to feed her until she got used to all of us and stuck around all the time. Could pet her anytime I wanted and she was fine.. so long as things were on her terms.
She's had plenty of litters and the last litter she had she finally trusted me enough to let me sit within inches of her while all 3 of the babies were feeding. I finally got the okay to rescue the kittens, found homes for 2 and kept 1. I just had Momma kitty fixed (she's atleast 3 years old). Ever since I put flea medication on her I've never met a cat that loves a brush the way she does. If I had known she would be so lovey and such a great little thing I'd have taken her in instead of one of the kittens "Zoey".
Now my problem is... I have a place for her to live. She's not making strange to anyone I bring to see her, just wants loving from everyone. But she lives in the basement... on Sunday it will be 1 week. I clean up poop and pee every day. I put potting soil and mulch in the litter because she didn't like the feel of the clay. That wasn't working so every time she pooped I'd put it in the litter and make her stand right next to me while I tossed litter over the poop. Now.. she still finds every place other than the litter to go. So I put leaves on top of the litter and it looks like she has been digging in it... But today she pooped right next to the litter. It's so close that I think there might actually be some of it on the side of the litter pan.
I know she's recovering from the surgery still and it has to be stressful being stuck in the basement. I have heaters on down there though and I run the dryer doing laundry and such to keep it warm. It's just that I can't send her anywhere until she starts using the litter box. She's such a great cat.. I need to find a way to make things work.
I've even went so far as to sprinkle cat nip over the top of the litter to attract her to it and nothing so far.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.... Thank you!
My landlord did not want any pets at all in his duplex. I had a cat already and he was advised of the situation. He aggreed to let me move in on the basis that I take really good care of her, which is no problem because she's a great cat. Just after I moved in Calley used to go crazy running from window to window. It took me a little bit to figure out there was a cat walking around in the yard all the time. I felt bad for her so I started feeding her and she'd let me pet her a few strokes while she was eating but always backed away.
Long story short I sat outside indian style, super still with a piece of lunch meat in my hand. It took time but she'd run up.. take it and run off. Eventually she'd just sit there scarf it and look at me for more. But was super shy and always ran when there were loud noises and such (live next to a highway). I'd have the neighbors come out and do the same thing to feed her until she got used to all of us and stuck around all the time. Could pet her anytime I wanted and she was fine.. so long as things were on her terms.
She's had plenty of litters and the last litter she had she finally trusted me enough to let me sit within inches of her while all 3 of the babies were feeding. I finally got the okay to rescue the kittens, found homes for 2 and kept 1. I just had Momma kitty fixed (she's atleast 3 years old). Ever since I put flea medication on her I've never met a cat that loves a brush the way she does. If I had known she would be so lovey and such a great little thing I'd have taken her in instead of one of the kittens "Zoey".
Now my problem is... I have a place for her to live. She's not making strange to anyone I bring to see her, just wants loving from everyone. But she lives in the basement... on Sunday it will be 1 week. I clean up poop and pee every day. I put potting soil and mulch in the litter because she didn't like the feel of the clay. That wasn't working so every time she pooped I'd put it in the litter and make her stand right next to me while I tossed litter over the poop. Now.. she still finds every place other than the litter to go. So I put leaves on top of the litter and it looks like she has been digging in it... But today she pooped right next to the litter. It's so close that I think there might actually be some of it on the side of the litter pan.
I know she's recovering from the surgery still and it has to be stressful being stuck in the basement. I have heaters on down there though and I run the dryer doing laundry and such to keep it warm. It's just that I can't send her anywhere until she starts using the litter box. She's such a great cat.. I need to find a way to make things work.
I've even went so far as to sprinkle cat nip over the top of the litter to attract her to it and nothing so far.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.... Thank you!