I have written before about some territory issues between my feral, Shadow and the latest feral/stray Marvin ( recent name change from Orange kitty). Shadow has lived comfortably on my deck going on 3 years now. He has shared the space on/off with my other feral, Patches who chooses to come and go. Marvin has been here since mid December. The issues between Marvin and Shadow have escalated during the past 4-6 weeks. Marvin has decided to take over the space and Shadow being my timid boy is allowing it. There have been a few spats along the way, but mostly hissing and chasing. Shadow is now to the point that most days he is petrified to come onto the deck if Marvin is there or even if Marvin is under the deck. It used to be that Marvin showed up in the late evening and stayed the night on the deck then left for the day. Now he is staying under the deck during the day. I am having to feed Shadow in the mornings at my front door as he won't come onto the deck. Marvin just begs for attention. He will cry at the door and just wants to be pet, brushed and doted on. He obviously was an owned cat at one time. He is neutered and Shadow too. Last night I brought Shadow into the house and had them spend time on either side of the screen door. Shadow hissed at first and then they just looked at each other and both laid down. When Shadow was ready to go out, I put him out the front door. He stayed off the deck all night until near 5am and then just hid waiting for breakfast.
My main concern is Shadow. I have worked so hard to socialize this little feral. He showed up when he was a skinny 5 month old kitten all alone in the world. I have worked to pet him, lift him and recently he will sit in my lap. He comes inside the house for short visits and has slept inside all night a few times during summer storms or winter storms/cold. Yet he is happiest outside. I have thought about bringing him inside full time. Yet, I have a large dog who scares Shadow as well as an indoor kitty who is not particularly fond of Shadow. I know Shadow would be miserable.
I also have thought of trying to find a place for Marvin. It would take a special person as I don't know about his ability to live inside. He seems interested in coming inside, but for right now I do not want him inside. My heart breaks that Marvin so wants to be loved and to find his forever home. Yet at what expense?
How likely is it that these two will work things out? Shadow is just so timid that I worry it will drive him away. I am using flower essences and spraying Feliway on deck areas.
There are days when Marvin is calm and relaxed and Shadow sees him and just hisses and runs. It is definitely a fear aggression. Shadow was attacked in February by another cat and since this incident he has been on high alert.
This weekend has been so difficult for me. I feel sad. I feel as though all I am trying is just not working or not working fast enough. DH really likes Marvin and wants me to keep him and keep working. It is taking all of my energy.
Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
My main concern is Shadow. I have worked so hard to socialize this little feral. He showed up when he was a skinny 5 month old kitten all alone in the world. I have worked to pet him, lift him and recently he will sit in my lap. He comes inside the house for short visits and has slept inside all night a few times during summer storms or winter storms/cold. Yet he is happiest outside. I have thought about bringing him inside full time. Yet, I have a large dog who scares Shadow as well as an indoor kitty who is not particularly fond of Shadow. I know Shadow would be miserable.
I also have thought of trying to find a place for Marvin. It would take a special person as I don't know about his ability to live inside. He seems interested in coming inside, but for right now I do not want him inside. My heart breaks that Marvin so wants to be loved and to find his forever home. Yet at what expense?
How likely is it that these two will work things out? Shadow is just so timid that I worry it will drive him away. I am using flower essences and spraying Feliway on deck areas.
There are days when Marvin is calm and relaxed and Shadow sees him and just hisses and runs. It is definitely a fear aggression. Shadow was attacked in February by another cat and since this incident he has been on high alert.
This weekend has been so difficult for me. I feel sad. I feel as though all I am trying is just not working or not working fast enough. DH really likes Marvin and wants me to keep him and keep working. It is taking all of my energy.
Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.