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tHANKS s
Ok, the window issue *might* be a really easy fix. Before she starts acting up & getting interested in the window for the night - place some cardboard or anything you can fix in place to block her view. If she can't see out, it may eliminate the trigger that starts the wailing. You may even need to block her from jumping up on the ledge at night if she starts trying to claw at what you put in place. Easiest way to accomplish this is to make a triangle out of the cardboard so it doubles as a sight block and can't be stood on. It also allows you to place something heavy inside to keep it in place.Thanks for your thoughts, Shane, they're very appreciated.
JMJimmy, she tries to get out through my bedroom window. The same window she's been exiting through since I first started feeding about a year ago. When she fails, she starts wailing. She also starts wailing straight after eating.
I respond by talking to her in a soothing tone. It doesn't work.
Personally I'm not a fan of the sticky concept. It's nice and simple in theory but it comes with a couple problems. It will likely add to the frustration level of the cat instead of reduce it. There's the issue of glue transfer which the cat then licks off and ingests. Then there's keeping it clean... nothing like a sticky surface to attract all kinds of gross. Nothing horribly bad about the idea, just not a personal fan of it.
Thanks JM Jimmy. I'll see if there's any way I can maybe tape the cardboard in place at the window. Perhaps I could just keep her off the ledge? I've seen footage on youbube of people placing a sticky substance on surfaces they don't want cats walking on. I forget what it's called, but comes in a roll, is transparent, and is used to cover books, etc. Do you think that would do the trick?
Ray
She's scared and trying to let you know she's in charge. I would not worry about being hurt - chances are she would not attack you unless you really got into her space.
Someone may have mentioned this already but the "fist of friendship" and slow blinking are both good ways to interact. Just hold your fist out and allow the cat to come up to it and rub against (like against another cat's head).
For slow blinking, when she looks at you, close your eyes for a second and open again, a way to tell her there is no threat here.
My cat blinks my husband a lot, it's one of the primary ways they interact.
From the cat's point of view, it's all about avoiding danger and surviving in an unsure world. The more you look at it from their point of view, the more their actions make sense.
This is funny and pretty embarrassing, but here's a post I made in 2013 on this forum, back when Shadow (cat in the video that shakes paw now) was still wild. I was afraid of her, but she was just terrified, poor thing, and trying to tell me to stay away. Now I can't get her off of my lap.
<< My husband and I had a female -- probably feral -- living in our garage with 3 kittens, about 5-6 weeks old. We trapped the kittens and a friend is socializing them, that's going pretty well.
we also trapped the female with the intent to spay and release her, and she seemed fairly quiet so we thought perhaps she was a stray, not feral. We kept her in a dog crate for a day or two after, I reached in to change her food and water, she hunkered down against the far side of the cage but didn't hiss or act aggressively.
We put her in a spare room and let her out of the cage -- it's been 4 days since the spay. She stayed hidden in a corner most of the time, but last night she remained in sight, about 15 feet away, and hissed and growled when I went in to leave her some food. Today, she was in the the same place, in plain sight, and while she didn't hiss or growl, she meowed and made direct eye contact as I placed some food on the floor.
I think we may have gotten in over our heads with this, I'm beginning to think she's really feral and she may be aggressive. Perhaps releasing her would be the best option? We don't have experience with ferals, and I don't want to get injured. I don't feel safe or comfortable going into the room with her not "backing down", to be honest. >>
I'm hoping all these nice folks chiming in give you hope that patience and understanding can make amazing things happen with these cats!
Jan H.