Tough Time Dealing With Chotu The Stray

Jcatbird

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I love the idea of shelves for Chotu. If he had a way to travel around above the dogs he would probably use that and might not get on the counters. The cat tree by a window is great too but if you can’t get one, a shelf at sill level or just below would be good. He might be trying to get where he can look out more than trying to claw there. A simple wood shelf might protect the sill. Adding catnip to his scratching post is a possibility. I don’t know if you can totally stop him from doing some things but using the word no if it is something really important and using it every time you pick him up to remove him from the spot he is not allowed has a chance of lessening it. I have four cats who will get on the counter but all others have stopped. It took repeated ,” no.” It all depends on the cat and the situation. If he is trying to avoid the dogs, I would totally understand that. It’s a whole new world to him and he is nervous, exploring and learning. Give him places he is allowed and encouraged to get up high. When you remove him from the place you don’t want him, show him a place he might like. Let us know how it goes.
Try letting the blind dog smell something that Chotu lays on. See how he reacts. It sounds like he is trying to understand what Chotu is. Pet the dog when he smells Chotu and tell him it’s okay. Introductions to a blind dog should be done catefully. Since he cannot see he needs to understand that Chotu is good. Wait until Chotu is totally comfortable there before up close encounters between them. We don’t want Chotu to slap the dog and have the dog react in fear. Very slow introductions.
 

msaimee

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I also suggest getting a cat tree, when finances allow. You can get a 6' one on Amazon for about 80 dollars.

If there is one place where you REALLY don't want him to jump onto (such as the kitchen counter), you can place a shallow cookie sheet there and fill it with water. After a few days, he likely won't try to jump there again. I wouldn't do this with more than one area, though, you don't want to stress him.

He's only been inside his new home for about a week. He is doing great and adjusting very quickly. It takes time, so it's a matter of being patient. Eventually you may want to consider getting him a cat buddy

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Psybug

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We gave the cat tree..got one which is about 67 inches in height. My fiancé built shelves perches and a tube and installed them near the ceiling...
I have put tin foil along the window ledge to stop him from jumping up which he tends to do at 4am and again at 11pm...
I feed him at 6am 12 noon and 6pm again. And since hes 3.9kgs, i give him a slightly heaped 1/4 cup of kibble.
No matter how many hours i keep him awake in the day he still wakes me up at 4am ...and jumps on the sill....luckily he is more comfortable with the dogs so we allowed him out this morning to play in the rest of the house....(kept the dogs in another room)
 

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Psybug

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We have a budding problem... chotu has started attacking the beagle and hisses at the husky. This is very upsetting and the beagle has been trained to be nice nd not bark back at chotu... what do you suggest as this is unnaceptable behaviour
 

shadowsrescue

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It would be my guess that Chotu is afraid of the dogs. How exactly did you go about introducing them? When I brought a feral cat inside, it took many months for the feral to adjust to the dog and the dog to adjust to him. Has the beagle ever chased after Chotu?

I would certainly keep them separated. You also could put the beagle on a leash when Chotu is around. I did this for quite some time with my dog. Remember it is all an adjustment. Chotu is still getting used to his new home. It has only been a few short weeks.

Here is an article that might help
How To Safely Introduce A Cat And A Dog
 
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Psybug

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we introduced them following the instructions on your site.. the two species are terribly curious about each other and i think i may have jumped the gun as they both want to play but have different understanding about how to play...luckily there is no danger here - and they seem to co-exist and be frightened yet curious of each other all in the same simultaneous breath. i would upload videos of this.
but the forum only takes pictures
chotu seems perpetually hungry - at 3.9 kgs i give him a scoop of 1/4 whiskas dry food 3x a day...i plan to try origjin today... does this also sound okay?
 

msaimee

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I would leave dry food out for him 24/7, and also give him a little canned food each day. Was he ever treated for parasites? Outdoor cats almost always get them, and the parasites deplete them of nutrition and cause the cat constant hunger. It has been my experience that a single dose of Drontal can kill the parasites. You can get it from a vet or order it online. Canadian pet pharmacies don't require a prescription for it. Try free feeding him first for a while.
 

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i give him a scoop of 1/4 whiskas dry food 3x a day...i plan to try origjin today... does this also sound okay?
If you are going to change dry foods, do not make an immediate change. A sudden change in dry foods often produces diarrhea. You need to make the change very slowly, over a period of a couple of weeks (this is especially true for Orijen). Start by taking away 10% of the old type and add in 10% of the new food. Watch the consistency of his stool (you should already know how it appears now and how soft/firm it is). Then every 3/4 days, increase the % of the new food by another 10%......continue to monitor the litterbox and gradually increase the new food volume until you have changed it all over.

Have you ever fed him any wet foods?

Cats who are fed exclusively dry diets are far more susceptible to several serious health conditions.
.
 

Jcatbird

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Very good advice about the foods and possible parasites. I know he had a vet check him but parasites can be hard to detect at times. They can occur from a single flea being there. That could make him need more food.
I’m sorry I have been missing your posts but I’ve been a little sick. You have made such amazing progress! It makes me so happy to read about how well Chotu has done! Bravo my friend! Good kitty Chotu! :clap2:
I hope you have been able to , finally, relax. You deserve it. :goldstar:
 
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Psybug

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Hi, am so sorry I haven't sent across any updates. Thank you for asking. I hope all is well on your front. If anyone wants to do a free Skype yoga session...please let me know... We just got married last week and before that was preparing the house for my family's visit. He is doing well... will.write a longer update later but here are.some pictures
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Jcatbird

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Oh! This is wonderful news! Thank you for the update and the adorable photos! I don’t have a way to Syke but that is a very kind offer! My kitties seem to assume yoga positions. I wish I could! :p
Those are truly happy photos for me to see! Chotu looks wonderful. I am so grateful that everything has worked out so well. :heartshape:
 
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Psybug

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Oh! This is wonderful news! Thank you for the update and the adorable photos! I don’t have a way to Syke but that is a very kind offer! My kitties seem to assume yoga positions. I wish I could! :p
Those are truly happy photos for me to see! Chotu looks wonderful. I am so grateful that everything has worked out so well. :heartshape:
you can always download skype onto your laptop, ipad etc - as i have been using that to primarily teach yoga especially as we have the covid19 lockdown... or you can subscribe to my youtube channel and access videos from my livestream facebook session at check it out and let me know how the meditation went for you - and if it benefited u - let your friends and family know
 
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Psybug

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Awesome... i am sorry i dont post more regularly - but i wanted to thank you all for helping me decide to bring Chotu to canada - my husband built a catio for him as he tends to yowl from 5am onwards and then again in the evenings - so will send across a picture .

i am worried as he tends to yowl after eating food - we give him whiskas wet food with acana dry kibble - and since i am on a budget due to the lockdowns i dont want to take him to a vet unless absolutely necessary - as am unsure if he is yowling due to digestion issues or just likes the sounds of his voice...

on a side note: as my way to thank you all - i wanted to invite you all if you have facebook to join me every weekend at 12 Noon (EST) for FREE Yoga & Meditation via facebook.com/priyankadevigupta76

Subscribe to YouTube & access at your convenience for FREE yoga with priyanka devi gupta
Please share with everyone whom you think will benefit from a little bit of stretching and mindfulness as it will help during this time of lockdown ...
 

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tarasgirl06

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Awesome... i am sorry i dont post more regularly - but i wanted to thank you all for helping me decide to bring Chotu to canada - my husband built a catio for him as he tends to yowl from 5am onwards and then again in the evenings - so will send across a picture .

i am worried as he tends to yowl after eating food - we give him whiskas wet food with acana dry kibble - and since i am on a budget due to the lockdowns i dont want to take him to a vet unless absolutely necessary - as am unsure if he is yowling due to digestion issues or just likes the sounds of his voice...

on a side note: as my way to thank you all - i wanted to invite you all if you have facebook to join me every weekend at 12 Noon (EST) for FREE Yoga & Meditation via facebook.com/priyankadevigupta76

Subscribe to YouTube & access at your convenience for FREE yoga with priyanka devi gupta
Please share with everyone whom you think will benefit from a little bit of stretching and mindfulness as it will help during this time of lockdown ...
HUGE PROPS to you for keeping Chotu close and providing him such a nice catio! As for digestion issues, as long as his elmination is regular and of good consistency, you can be fairly sure he is well fed. Hopefully you can introduce a wider variety of quality wet cat foods to him in future, integrating them gradually into his existing diet. And thank you for making your class accessible! Please keep us informed on Chotu's life and happiness, won't you?
 
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