HELP!
Three weeks ago, we adopted a 3 to 4 year old male stray. We named him Gabriel. We immediately took him to the vet, had him neutered, shots, shaved (terribly matted, poor guy!!), ticks removed and bathed. The vet indicated that he has a lot of broken teeth and is likely a stray, outside for anywhere from a few months to a few years, and not truly feral. Gabriel had to be anesthetized in order for anyone to touch him.
We brought him home after a few days of bordering him at the vets. We also have a 12 year old alpha Maine Coon male named Joshua who has ignored Gabriel.
We placed Gabriel in a small, kitty-proofed bathroom (we did a LOT of research and reading before we brought him home) with litter, food, water and quiet. We have no children, live in a single family home in a nice neighborhood and a large yard.
For the first few days, we shut the door and just let him be. He was very quiet, ate really well and used his litter box. He urinated on the kitty bed, so we pulled it.
We put up a kitty door with bars. Three days after bringing Gabriel home, he squeezed through the bars at night. I found him under the couch. Maybe we should have left him alone, but he hadn't interacted with Josh and from what we've read, it's best to keep the new cat, especially feral, confined until they're comfortable. It was traumatic getting him back in the bathroom. That was two and a half weeks ago. He retreated to the carrier, but has since come out and often sits in the sink where we can see him. We have now put up stacked baby gates and we leave the door open.
My husband works at home so Gabriel can hear him in the family room but not see him too much. We have the radio on for him. I'll spend time with him at night, reading and just hanging out outside of the bathroom. It's a very small room so I can't actually get in there. I'm sleeping downstairs in the living room outside of Gabriel's room where he can see me, if he wants. Josh has been sleeping with me and doesn't seem at all interested in Gabriel. The only time Gabriel has meowed is in response to Josh yelling at us (he's a wonderful and bossy guy!!). We've also heard Gabriel "sighing" at night a few times. He gets active at night by getting on top of the toilet and trying to get out of the window, which is securely fastened.
I'm wondering if we're doing the right thing for Gabriel. He often just sits in the sink with his head down. I've done a little research on cat depression and it is quite possible for cats to become depressed. He is eating and using the litter box. Of course, we know he is plotting his escape, as they all do.
What's in Gabriel's best interest? Is it best to continue to try and socialize him? We know it will take a long time.
Is a feral colony best? We don't want to re-release him to his old neighborhood (three miles away). The neighbors said they would feed him but that Gabriel would run if they tried to approach him.
When should we increase his territory in the house? The cats are not interacting yet. I've played the feather game with Josh outside of the bathroom (baby gates up) so Gabriel can see us playing. Gabriel is not interested in feathers, strings or any of the toys in his sanctuary (bathroom).
My husband has a large cage, designed for dogs, set up in the family room. Is it a good idea to try and get Gabriel in the family room where my husband works during the day? We'd have to wait for Gabriel to be in the carrier, which he is at times.
Please help!
Three weeks ago, we adopted a 3 to 4 year old male stray. We named him Gabriel. We immediately took him to the vet, had him neutered, shots, shaved (terribly matted, poor guy!!), ticks removed and bathed. The vet indicated that he has a lot of broken teeth and is likely a stray, outside for anywhere from a few months to a few years, and not truly feral. Gabriel had to be anesthetized in order for anyone to touch him.
We brought him home after a few days of bordering him at the vets. We also have a 12 year old alpha Maine Coon male named Joshua who has ignored Gabriel.
We placed Gabriel in a small, kitty-proofed bathroom (we did a LOT of research and reading before we brought him home) with litter, food, water and quiet. We have no children, live in a single family home in a nice neighborhood and a large yard.
For the first few days, we shut the door and just let him be. He was very quiet, ate really well and used his litter box. He urinated on the kitty bed, so we pulled it.
We put up a kitty door with bars. Three days after bringing Gabriel home, he squeezed through the bars at night. I found him under the couch. Maybe we should have left him alone, but he hadn't interacted with Josh and from what we've read, it's best to keep the new cat, especially feral, confined until they're comfortable. It was traumatic getting him back in the bathroom. That was two and a half weeks ago. He retreated to the carrier, but has since come out and often sits in the sink where we can see him. We have now put up stacked baby gates and we leave the door open.
My husband works at home so Gabriel can hear him in the family room but not see him too much. We have the radio on for him. I'll spend time with him at night, reading and just hanging out outside of the bathroom. It's a very small room so I can't actually get in there. I'm sleeping downstairs in the living room outside of Gabriel's room where he can see me, if he wants. Josh has been sleeping with me and doesn't seem at all interested in Gabriel. The only time Gabriel has meowed is in response to Josh yelling at us (he's a wonderful and bossy guy!!). We've also heard Gabriel "sighing" at night a few times. He gets active at night by getting on top of the toilet and trying to get out of the window, which is securely fastened.
I'm wondering if we're doing the right thing for Gabriel. He often just sits in the sink with his head down. I've done a little research on cat depression and it is quite possible for cats to become depressed. He is eating and using the litter box. Of course, we know he is plotting his escape, as they all do.
What's in Gabriel's best interest? Is it best to continue to try and socialize him? We know it will take a long time.
Is a feral colony best? We don't want to re-release him to his old neighborhood (three miles away). The neighbors said they would feed him but that Gabriel would run if they tried to approach him.
When should we increase his territory in the house? The cats are not interacting yet. I've played the feather game with Josh outside of the bathroom (baby gates up) so Gabriel can see us playing. Gabriel is not interested in feathers, strings or any of the toys in his sanctuary (bathroom).
My husband has a large cage, designed for dogs, set up in the family room. Is it a good idea to try and get Gabriel in the family room where my husband works during the day? We'd have to wait for Gabriel to be in the carrier, which he is at times.
Please help!