Brought feral in ...need sleep

[LETMEOWT]

Hi there

I have been caring for a few feral for years. One has become bonded with me so I finally decided to bring him home now that I have my own place.

He jumps into my car and sleeps on me all the time so getting him here wasn't bad, except for the climbing. But now he is here and meowing all night.

It's only the first 24 hours so I know I'll have to be patient but I'd love some advice.

Since it's only me here, I set him up in my room. Food dishes (he's not eating much yet, he is drinking)...bed for him...I didn't think about toys but will take suggestions as that's why I'm here...

He slept by my side for most if the day yesterday. I didn't want to leave him alone so I worked from up here instead of my office. There was some anxiety every time I got up. He follows me around, which is what he did in the "wild" too. But he seems anxious in a different way.
and the minute it was my bedtime He began the meowfest.
He also finally peed.....but in the bed I provided and not the litter box. I got cat attract litter on the advice of a friend.

I have removed the bed for washing and taken the top off the litter box. Right now it's 5am and I'm, unfortunately, wide awake and have been for a while.

I do have an empty guest room that I could put him in. I should return to working in my office as well. I will feel bad for "deserting " him but I need my sleep.

I'm also hoping he finds the litter box next time.

He's not a kitten....maybe 6 years.

I love him so I'm hoping this works out but I'm already wondering if I did the right thing removing him from his environment.

Thanks, in advance, for any advice or encouragement.

 

[Norachan]

Hi L LETMEOWT Welcome to TCS.

That's amazing progress for the first 24 hours! I know the meowing is tough, but the fact that he slept next to you is very promising.

Did he sleep in his bed at all? He probably doesn't know what a litter box is for and so peed in a soft spot that smelt like it belonged to him. If he has any more accidents put the tissue you use to clean up with into his litter box. Once he smells himself there he will get the idea.

Outdoor cats tend to sleep all day and become more active at night, but he'll soon adjust to your schedule. Does he play at all? If you can keep him occupied during your waking hours, with a game, extra pets, a video of wild birds for cats etc, he should be more willing to sleep at night. It will take a while, but cats tend to adjust their schedules to suit ours and they pick up on when we are most active fairly quickly.

It's OK to leave him alone for a few ours if you need to work or take a nap. Leave him something that you have worn so he has your smell for company.

 

[noani]

I agree it's very good progress for such a short time span!
It sounds like you're doing a lot to make him comfortable already so that's GREAT!

Do you have any other pets in the house?

As far as toys go, you could get some wand toys to stimulate his prey drive and get him to play, which will be good for him (drain energy and build confidence) and for both of you (bonding and tiring him out a bit so you can sleep better). You can also try giving him some soft toys, which will absorb his scent and help him establish safe territory. A scratching post or cardboard scratcher would be a good addition as well as he needs to scratch something and it also helps him, again, establish his territory and scent in a positive way.

Cats are very much creatures of habit so routines will help. You can introduce a routine of play, then feeding, then "quiet time". It might take some time but cats get comfortable in routines.

Some calming agents like feliway might help in this transition period too, especially with anxiety and again, making him feel like he is in a safe place and making him more confident. Either the diffuser or the spray might work in this case too, although I tend to prefer the diffuser as they have a more consistent effect.

Litter box... Yes, it may be hit and miss for a bit but even ferals and street cats usually "learn".
Taking the hood off may already help a lot so he feels more secure about trying it out at first. I've never used cat attract, but there are two things you can do if he doesn't use it on his own:

1) entice him to go in and reward him if he steps into the pan. Don't "force" him in (i.e. just pick him up and put him in if he hops out immediately), you may create negative associations this way.
Instead, I would sit next to the still clean litter box and start stirring it a bit with your hand. He may get curious and come investigate. Or lure with treat if curiosity doesn't do the trick. Then you can reward him if he gets close, then closer, steps in a bit, steps in, and starts pawing around a bit. It's a positive way to show them slowly a) when I go in here good things happen(treats or pets, whichever he is more motivated by) and b) hey I can dig in here so I can do my business and hide it!

2) if nothing works, get a different type of litter (maybe he prefers sand, or other)

Trying to get his scent in there with paper towels as mentioned before also helps. I've sometimes used feliway spray (just a little bit) to make a cat go in the box which has worked about 75% of the time as well. It may have the opposite effect though so you'd have to try and see.

Regarding the last part, did you do the right thing?
He doesn't seem truly feral at all, and the fact that he wants to be near you, slept on you, etc are very good signs. You've most probably got him off the streets (or other outdoor setting), reducing risks to his health and life by a lot. And it all sounds very promising re him adjusting to indoor life.

One Thing that helps me when I overthink decisions about bringing ferals/semi ferals/ alley cats inside (and then try to find them homes in my case) is repeat a mantra sort of like "I'll just try my best. No damage done. There is only possibility for bettering the situation. If it doesn't work, he/she can go back out back to the previous status quo, no harm done, and I'll have tried my best."

If you have any, do post pictures of the little guy. I'd love to see him

 

[LETMEOWT]

I have no other pets. I was hoping to get his mom too but she's very skittish.

He has extreme separation anxiety and meows/growls/even hisses when I get up. I did have to leave him in my room with toys, a burd video and temptations so I can get work and meetings done. I will take breaks to play and pet during the day.
But I may have to move him to the guest room later if he meows again. I need more than 2hrs of sleep.

I'm scared he's going to not use the box again but I guess I have to just wait and see.
This is definitely more stressful than I hoped.

His name is batman.

 

[LETMEOWT]

 

[Flybynight]

Hi,
What a sweet boy
A few things I have learned are that cats may urinate on soft surfaces for different reasons. One can be a urinary infection such as stress related cystitis.
Another that I experienced with a foster cat is scent mingling. When cats are stressed and trying to feel secure they may want to mix their scent with those of their humans. So places like couches, beds, armchairs etc become places they may mix scent by urinating.
Clean the area well with a product designed to remove pet urine odor. Even temporarily use a shower curtain or plastic type table cloth over your bed.
Calming products definitely. Rescue Remedy for Pets has no alcohol. A few drops in a water dish. A calming pet diffuser as recommended plus a spot on calming product.
You can get kicker type toys with valerian also:
Valerian Kicker Toys | Etsy
valerian is calming

 

[noani]

I have no other pets. I was hoping to get his mom too but she's very skittish.

He has extreme separation anxiety and meows/growls/even hisses when I get up. I did have to leave him in my room with toys, a burd video and temptations so I can get work and meetings done. I will take breaks to play and pet during the day.
But I may have to move him to the guest room later if he meows again. I need more than 2hrs of sleep.

I'm scared he's going to not use the box again but I guess I have to just wait and see.
This is definitely more stressful than I hoped.

His name is batman. View attachment 400371

Try and take it one step at a time so you don't get overwhelmed. Diffuser would be a good next step plus a scratching post/scratcher and other ways he can get his scent on things in a positive way. Definitely enzyme cleaner to get rid of urine.

Could you maybe get some sleep in the guest bedroom instead, so he doesn't have to leave what seems to be becoming his base camp? Or find a better Basecamp spot for him and try to not move him for a while so he can get settled in a safe base.

He is gorgeous! I'm in love. With the name also

 

[LETMEOWT]

I only have one bed at present. He's meowing in the guest room ....empty aside from his creature comforts. It's heartbreaking and I have ear buds in. I feel heartless though I know I'm not. We're so bonded....this is really hard for us both.

He's going to the vet tomorrow. I unfortunately picked ten ticks off of him today. I changed sheets and bedding is in the laundry to be safe and I vacuumed. What an ordeal.
I wish he could simply adjust to my schedule but after ten years outside its a lot to ask.

Thanks for all the advice. I have toys and scratches in there but he really just wants to cuddle with me.

 

[Norachan]

Going by how you describe his behavior outside and indoors I think he's much more friendly and willing to be socialised than most other feral cats. Are you sure he was born outside? I'd have thought he was once someone's pet, if it wasn't for the fact that his mother is outside too.

It is really tough, but even cats that come from one home to another or from a shelter to a new home have a few days like this while they adjust. Hang in there. You are doing really well and he's making great progress.

There is a product that you can mix with their canned food that has a calming effect. I've used it on one of my boys when he started over grooming and on a few of my feral girls when they first moved in.

Zylkene – Dogs and Cats Calming Supplement for Most Common Stressful Situations.

It's available without prescription and can be used long term or repeatedly as needed.

 

[LETMEOWT]

Well, I gave in and brought him back to my room. The screams and ripping at the rug through the door were too much.
He actually slept that night with few m rows.
Each night he does a little meowing but it's nothing like the first night. I'm looking forward to the day he can explore the rest of the house. Though he is right at home here in bed.

He did have issues at the vet....ransacked the place. So she gave him vaccinations well I was holding him and I have Gabapentin to give him next week so he is very high and they can do blood work. I'll attach the picture here. I was mortified but apparently it happens a lot.

I'm not entirely sure how long he should stay isolated here in the room. He has been eating better and using the litter box. He even let me trim his nails this week. I can't believe how well he is transitioning though sometimes I can see uncertainty in his eyes. I, too, would not believe he was completely feral if I didn't know the women who took him to be fixed and were there when he was a tiny kitten outside our office. He and I have spent a lot of time over the last couple of years bonding so I think it was a great investment of my time and love.

 

[LETMEOWT]

 

[Norachan]

He did have issues at the vet....ransacked the place

Yep, I've had a cat do that too. Our vet had to put his wild animal handling gloves on and retrieve him from under a cupboard.


If you can get a large laundry net put him inside and zip it closed before you put him in the carrier. The vet can get him in and out of the carrier easily and even give injections or take blood through the net, so it's safer than trying to restrain a panicked cat.

He has been eating better and using the litter box. He even let me trim his nails this week

Wonderful! Some of mine still haven't let me trim their nails after ten years. You're doing a great job with him.

 

[Flybynight]

L LETMEOWT
It sounds like it is going great. Thanks for the updates and keep posting

 

[LETMEOWT]

Well, I let him roam around and the all night meows stopped! He's still sticking to the top floor of my townhouse. I showed him the stairs but he didn't seem interested yet. In his own time...

I'm amazed at how well he's doing.
We just have to get through the vet on Wed and we'll be in good shape lol

 

[Norachan]

I guess he's getting used to the idea that this is is home now. Glad to hear you're finally able to get some sleep. Good luck at the vet.