Caught A Feral Cat... And I Need Some Advice

[Talien]

She has never swatted at me or growled and i don't think she ever shrank away either. When she hisses, her ears are up and forward. Not down. And it's a 'half-hiss' maybe? Like she hangs her jaw open and then hisses. Hard to explain, but to me it feels like a half-hiss. I'm going to try to tell her a firm 'no' later today (she's sleeping now) when i bring her food and then again when it's playtime. I have faith that it's going to work!

It sounds like she's setting boundaries, just don't move toward her too quickly and it should be fine.

 

[kimmer3d]

Hello everyone. I wanted to give an update on my little Lily’s progress.

It’s been a little over two months now, since I caught my feral. Lily has adapted well being indoors. I think she caught on very quickly that the entire second floor is hers alone. The dogs are not allowed upstairs, and our master bedroom is on the first floor… so… the upstairs is her domain. And I know she feels safe.

Lily plays throughout the day, killing her mouse toys, playing with her balls. Makes me laugh when I hear her galloping the hallway, jumping from one bed to the other. I work from home, so I can check up on her. So cute. She is having a blast. And as a young cat of about a year or so, she should be playing and having fun.

We keep our cheese balls sessions regularly. She enjoys those very much. She has stopped hissing at me when I bring her her meals. That’s progress.

Still, there are a few things I’m not sure about. Lily will come for her food, gobble it down, but then walks away as soon as she is finished, and sits with her back towards me. She does this every time. Even with treats. The only times she seems to enjoy my company is when I toss her the cheese balls.

She is still VERY nervous about my hands. If I move them too quickly, she’ll jump in the air like a cartoon cat. I know it’ll take time for her to adjust but is there anything I can do to help her understand and see that I only want the best for her.

I still think she’s doing extremely well, considering that I have two, large, Bernese Mountain dogs that bark. A lot.

Is there anything I can do for her to feel less nervous around me? Well, I’ll keep you posted with her progress.

Best,

Kim

 

[Furballsmom]

What a wonderful update, thank you!

As you mentioned, time is the thing that will help you with her fear of hands and increase her comfort level with you, and otherwise it sounds to me as though she is a really happy, content kitty

Just a thought, assuming that you smell like the dogs?, --you could try a calming spray on your clothes/hands

And, she's gorgeous!!

 

[tabbytom]

That’s great progress with her

I would not be to concern about her facing away from you after she eats. I think she needs some me time to clean up after a meal. As long as she’s still playing and chasing the cheese balls.

While she eats, you can try sitting close to her and keep talking to her and giving her the slow eye blinks. This will boost her confidence that food comes from you.

As for the hands, yes, slow movement is the way to go. Sit yourself on the floor each time you go to the room. Sitting down make you look smaller and not intimidating as to standing. Remember, give slow her eye blinks and keep talking gently to her all the time. I think she knows that you are giving her all the best.

It’s only been two months and you guys are making great progress. So give her more time for her to have complete trust in you.

 

[Talien]

Hello everyone. I wanted to give an update on my little Lily’s progress.

It’s been a little over two months now, since I caught my feral. Lily has adapted well being indoors. I think she caught on very quickly that the entire second floor is hers alone. The dogs are not allowed upstairs, and our master bedroom is on the first floor… so… the upstairs is her domain. And I know she feels safe.

Lily plays throughout the day, killing her mouse toys, playing with her balls. Makes me laugh when I hear her galloping the hallway, jumping from one bed to the other. I work from home, so I can check up on her. So cute. She is having a blast. And as a young cat of about a year or so, she should be playing and having fun.

We keep our cheese balls sessions regularly. She enjoys those very much. She has stopped hissing at me when I bring her her meals. That’s progress.

Still, there are a few things I’m not sure about. Lily will come for her food, gobble it down, but then walks away as soon as she is finished, and sits with her back towards me. She does this every time. Even with treats. The only times she seems to enjoy my company is when I toss her the cheese balls.

She is still VERY nervous about my hands. If I move them too quickly, she’ll jump in the air like a cartoon cat. I know it’ll take time for her to adjust but is there anything I can do to help her understand and see that I only want the best for her.

I still think she’s doing extremely well, considering that I have two, large, Bernese Mountain dogs that bark. A lot.

Is there anything I can do for her to feel less nervous around me? Well, I’ll keep you posted with her progress.

Best,

Kim

Just keep doing what you're doing because it sounds like it's working. When you feel the time is right to try bonding with her you could play with her more often if she's amenable to it. Wand or string toys may be a good thing to start with since you already know she plays with toys on her own and if that doesn't work try a laser pointer, most cats will go for one or the other if not all 3.

 

[dustydiamond1]

Thank you for the update, she is beautiful.
Gypsy will sit with her back to us if she is wanting attention, petting chin rubs etc.. or more treats. As soon as we speak to her she will turn towards us with a 'merruup' sound. It's like we must make the first move to show her we want to be with her. (She's the former neighborhood stray, fairly independent ) If Lily didn't want to be around you she would just keep walking, not sit down. Some folks have had luck using a 'petting stick' for kitty's frightened of hands or prone to bite or scratch, can't think of any off hand you can check around the site. I will check for some when I get home from work. Does she have access to you while you are working? Does she seek you out? Laser pointer is a good suggestion, be sure to let her 'kill' something at the end of play so she doesn't get frustrated. You are doing great.

 

[kimmer3d]

What a wonderful update, thank you!

As you mentioned, time is the thing that will help you with her fear of hands and increase her comfort level with you, and otherwise it sounds to me as though she is a really happy, content kitty

Just a thought, assuming that you smell like the dogs?, --you could try a calming spray on your clothes/hands

And, she's gorgeous!!

I think she is very happy inside as opposed to the cold and dangerous outdoors. I never thought of a calming spray. That is a great idea. Thank you so much.

 

[Furballsmom]

M maggiedemi has used a long scratching/petting "stick"

 

[maggiedemi]

M maggiedemi has used a long scratching/petting "stick"

Yes, I used a long-handled duster. But you could use a backscratcher or sock taped to a stick. I was able to pet Demi within 3 days. He's a former feral from the woods.

 

[kimmer3d]

That’s great progress with her

I would not be to concern about her facing away from you after she ests. I think she needs some me time to clean up after a meal. As long as she’s still playing and chasing the cheese balls.

While she eats, you can try sitting close to her and keep talking to her and giving her the slow eye blinks. This will boost her confidence that food comes from you.

As for the hands, yes, slow movement is the way to go. Sit yourself on the floor each time you go to the room. Sitting down make you look smaller and not intimidating as to standing. Remember, give slow her eye blinks and keep talking gently to her all the time. I think she knows that you are giving her all the best.

It’s only been two months and you guys are making great progress. So give her more time for her to have complete trust in you.

I do sit close to her when she eats, but i have never tried the slow blinks. I'll do that later when i go up to feed her. She's sitting upstairs now waiting for her supper. So cute.

 

[kimmer3d]

Just keep doing what you're doing because it sounds like it's working. When you feel the time is right to try bonding with her you could play with her more often if she's amenable to it. Wand or string toys may be a good thing to start with since you already know she plays with toys on her own and if that doesn't work try a laser pointer, most cats will go for one or the other if not all 3.

I've tried the wand toy with her, but it only scares her. Not sure if someone hit her before with a stick or something, that would explain her fear of them. I'll keep up with the cheese balls, she absolutely loves to play with me with those. Her eyes get all big, pupils dilated like she's on a hunt. Makes me laugh.

 

[kimmer3d]

Thank you for the update, she is beautiful.
Gypsy will sit with her back to us if she is wanting attention, petting chin rubs etc.. or more treats. As soon as we speak to her she will turn towards us with a 'merruup' sound. It's like we must make the first move to show her we want to be with her. (She's the former neighborhood stray, fairly independent ) If Lily didn't want to be around you she would just keep walking, not sit down. Some folks have had luck using a 'petting stick' for kitty's frightened of hands or prone to bite or scratch, can't think of any off hand you can check around the site. I will check for some when I get home from work. Does she have access to you while you are working? Does she seek you out? Laser pointer is a good suggestion, be sure to let her 'kill' something at the end of play so she doesn't get frustrated. You are doing great.

I think Lily might be afraid of the petting stick, if it resembles the stick toy. She seems very afraid of those. She does spy on us later in the evening, spying on us through the balusters from the second floor. But other than that, i feel she's not really interested in me, well, at least not yet.

 

[kimmer3d]

M maggiedemi has used a long scratching/petting "stick"

I think i will investigate this petting stick since it seems to be working with other ferals. I hope it works for my Lily

 

[Furballsmom]

 

[dustydiamond1]

I think i will investigate this petting stick since it seems to be working with other ferals. I hope it works for my Lily

Yes, something that doesn't look like a regular stick

 

[dustydiamond1]

I think Lily might be afraid of the petting stick, if it resembles the stick toy. She seems very afraid of those. She does spy on us later in the evening, spying on us through the balusters from the second floor. But other than that, i feel she's not really interested in me, well, at least not yet.

If she is.peeking, she is interested. Otherwise she would just go somewhere else.

 

[kimmer3d]

Yes, I used a long-handled duster. But you could use a backscratcher or sock taped to a stick. I was able to pet Demi within 3 days. He's a former feral from the woods.

Wow. 3 days! I think i'll try a sock taped to a stick and see how that goes. Sounds like a plan. I hope Lily won't be too freaked out. I'll go very slow.

 

[tabbytom]

but i have never tried the slow blinks

Yes, do the slow blinks with her and wait for her reply which is that she’ll slow blink back at you. If she does that, you’ve achieved it.

It may take some time for her to respond but just don’t give up. If you give her a slow blink and she don’t respond, turn away from her and don’t stare at her. Or, blink and then look away. By turning away shows that you are submissive to her and by staring it shows aggression. Same for the other way round.

As for the petting, to me, a petting stick and a hand makes not much of a difference except that if she ever swat at you, a petting stick would be good.
First, when you are sitting next to her or near her, move your hand in a fist form and move it slowly towards her at a low level. Let her smell your hand first. If she’s smelling it and not turn away or move off, slowly stroke her face from front to the ear. Keep presenting your hand to her this way till she’s use to your hand. Once she allows you to stroke her face with your fist, slowly open your hand and stroke her face with the back of your palm and slowly progress to the side of her body behind the ears to the back.

Do it once or twice each time and don’t get carried away by over stimulating her. Just keep repeating the steps till confidence is won on both sides. It takes time but to gain her trust, stick to it. If she hisses or try to swat you, tell her ‘NO’ firmly.

You can do it, so don’t give up!

 

[kimmer3d]

Yes, do the slow blinks with her and wait for her reply which is that she’ll slow blink back at you. If she does that, you’ve achieved it.

It may take some time for her to respond but just don’t give up. If you give her a slow blink and she don’t respond, turn away from her and don’t stare at her. Or, blink and then look away. By turning away shows that you are submissive to her and by staring it shows aggression. Same for the other way round.

As for the petting, to me, a petting stick and a hand makes not much of a difference except that if she ever swat at you, a petting stick would be good.
First, when you are sitting next to her or near her, move your hand in a fist form and move it slowly towards her at a low level. Let her smell your hand first. If she’s smelling it and not turn away or move off, slowly stroke her face from front to the ear. Keep presenting your hand to her this way till she’s use to your hand. Once she allows you to stroke her face with your fist, slowly open your hand and stroke her face with the back of your palm and slowly progress to the side of her body behind the ears to the back.

Do it once or twice each time and don’t get carried away by over stimulating her. Just keep repeating the steps till confidence is won on both sides. It takes time but to gain her trust, stick to it. If she hisses or try to swat you, tell her ‘NO’ firmly.

You can do it, so don’t give up!

I know one day she'll love me, hihihi.

I've actually tried moving my fist towards her, slowly. But she recoiled and then moved away. I've tried my hand flat on the floor next to her, and again, she moved away. She won't smell my hand or me. I think for her, it's still too soon. Should i try again with the fist or wait a few days? I'm also worried that maybe i'm not working with her enough? I've had cats all my life, but never a feral one, and I just don't want to make things worse for her.

 

[tabbytom]

I'm also worried that maybe i'm not working with her enough?

Yes, keep working on her. Remember, it’s always one step forward and two steps back.

Just continue to do the routines with love and patience. Don’t give up!