I Have More Trust Issues Than This Feral..

pearl99

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To me it looks like play. Yes there are squeals but the squeal-ee doesn't run away at all and stays for more, and the pouncer stops when the squeal is heard. I don't know that Finn is hurt but I think is just a "hey" yelp.
And taking turns is a big clue that it's play.
 

Buffster7

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Yep, grunts yelps and thuds all included LOL
Oh my goodness, that makes me feel so much better!! In that case, I think they're ready to be left alone this week. Finn's tree arrived, and I'll assemble it tonight. I just got my guest bedroom back!! The boys are really teed off that I won't allow them in, but it's dusted, vacuumed, all the bedding back on the bed with fresh linens, all cat stuff evacuated, it smells good, and it's staying that way. So exciting, ha!
 

Buffster7

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To me it looks like play. Yes there are squeals but the squeal-ee doesn't run away at all and stays for more, and the pouncer stops when the squeal is heard. I don't know that Finn is hurt but I think is just a "hey" yelp.
And taking turns is a big clue that it's play.
This is music to my ears I mean eyes! The only question I have remaining then, is how often does play go too far and turn into a fight? That would be the only risk I can see. They aren't really pissy with each other anymore - even Charlie's morning grumps are improving. I don't think it'll be a problem when I'm not here; from what I've seen on the camera, Charlie just sleeps when I'm gone. Just trying to cover my bases..
 

Jcatbird

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With company coming they may be on best behavior. Hoping! But you still need to be alert. When Charlie stepped on Finn in the tummy area it did seem to be a bit of a “knock the wind out” kind of squish. It made me think of those squeaky toys! Poor Finn but if he started it.........
The box thing may be fine. Again, with company coming, it can go either way. We’ll keep our paws crossed on all of this for you.
 

Buffster7

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With company coming they may be on best behavior. Hoping! But you still need to be alert. When Charlie stepped on Finn in the tummy area it did seem to be a bit of a “knock the wind out” kind of squish. It made me think of those squeaky toys! Poor Finn but if he started it.........
The box thing may be fine. Again, with company coming, it can go either way. We’ll keep our paws crossed on all of this for you.
I guess I never thought of having company as a trigger for anything! Do you mean having company could cause fighting?
Charlie has been really growly with Finn today, but I assumed it's because they've been 'playing' and chasing each other around the house. I also assumed that Finn has probably been over-rambunctious at times and Charlie has been giving warning growls like, "Don't even think about it" when Finn approaches.

It's going to be a long day tomorrow. I thought about having my mom or a neighbor stop by and feed them in the afternoon...but would this be too stressful for them if having strange people in the house is a trigger? Charlie knows my mom and my neighbor, but Finn is still real skittish. Thank you so much, guys!
 

Jcatbird

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Cats just don’t love change. They know your Mom and neighbor so it’s probably better to get them fed on schedule. You need access to a back up human anyway so they may as well get adjusted to that now. It’s a bit of a toss up, feeding on schedule versus another human. I would feed on schedule and let them develop a relationship with other humans. Yes, other humans can throw things off but in socializing the kitties here I bring other humans in for the sake of the kitties. It is just better for everyone to have them adjusted to that as early as possible in case it is ever needed. I think they are more likely to hide out than fight. Maybe Charlie will show Finn that it’s nice to have more humans to pet!
 

Buffster7

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Cats just don’t love change. They know your Mom and neighbor so it’s probably better to get them fed on schedule. You need access to a back up human anyway so they may as well get adjusted to that now. It’s a bit of a toss up, feeding on schedule versus another human. I would feed on schedule and let them develop a relationship with other humans. Yes, other humans can throw things off but in socializing the kitties here I bring other humans in for the sake of the kitties. It is just better for everyone to have them adjusted to that as early as possible in case it is ever needed. I think they are more likely to hide out than fight. Maybe Charlie will show Finn that it’s nice to have more humans to pet!
Thanks, Jcatbird! I think I'll put the shelving up around the front door in case Finn tries to dart, and ask someone to come feed them. I'll feel more at ease knowing they're not going hungry, too. I sure do appreciate you!! :redheartpump: :redheartpump: :redheartpump:
 

Buffster7

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Just checking in. The boys have done really well alone while I've been gone for long days this week! I check the camera, and they never really lay in the same room...maybe one time did I see them both in the living room. Strange relationship they have. Weird interaction between them tonight but too tired to type about it at the moment.

Just wanted to report how well the cats did when I got home late yesterday and showed up with classmate in tow. They were happy as clams last night, chasing each other through the house. When we retired to our separate rooms for the night, I heard Finn wailing outside classmate's door. I went to investigate as she opened her door, and saw Charlie quite comfortable on her bed. Finn was calling for him! Finn jumped up and they both made themselves at home on her bed, looking as if they intended on staying the night in there! I didn't allow it as I was afraid they'd wake her up in the middle of the night, but I couldn't believe how comfortable they were with a stranger in the house! Very proud of how far Finn has come, from being a 'wild' cat outdoors to making himself comfortable on a stranger's bed. I think he was just following Charlie's lead. He still won't let anyone touch him but me, though he's becoming much more curious and social. Good boy!

I also ordered those WoPet feeders, but I've been playing with them trying to get the timer to go off and release the lid - they aren't working. So I'll have Mom swing by and feed them again tomorrow and see if I can figure the blasted things out this weekend. 3 more weeks and I'll be done with school - for good, I hope! I'm toast. Have a great rest of the week, guys! :)
 

Buffster7

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All is still going quite well, I just can't figure out what's going on with Charlie. He's not only standoffish with me still, but he doesn't really want to be near me at all. I still keep our morning coffee-in-front-of-the-fireplace routine going while Finn snoozes in my room, but Charlie hasn't wanted to sit with me. Lately if I pick him up, he'll growl at me - he never used to do that. I actually gently scolded him tonight when he growled - I was picking him up to show him his feeder that had just opened, hoping to get him there before Finn discovered it.
Just now Finn was sitting with me on my bed, and Charlie wandered in. Finn immediately jumped down and went to lay beside Charlie, almost as if he was sucking up to Charlie because he got caught sitting with mom. They then had a good-natured sparring match, after which Charlie happily rolled over on his back. I cannot resist when he rolls on his back. I had to get down from the bed and go stroke him. He immediately got up and left the room - wants nothing to do with me. Could he be "mad" at me? Or is he trying to maintain the 'alpha' image by not letting me touch him in front of Finn?
 

Jcatbird

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Good thought about any scent changes on you. Of course, you do smell like Finn. Lol
It is getting colder out and Charlie is declawed. I’m wondering about him being uncomfortable if picked up. Possible. When you put him down do you place him down or does he leap away? The act of putting him down and pressure reapplied to paws could be a pain. Can you convince him to climb on you instead? If not, try giving him snuggles without lifting him.
You did say the neighbor pointed out that you mention Finn a lot. You’ve been forced to focus a lot on Finn in order to get him adapted. I often compare cats to little kids. If Mom appears to give more attention to one, the other does notice but fails to understand the reasoning behind the attention. I would make it a point to do something with Charlie and only Charlie. Get him to relax long enough that he looks you in the eye. You don’t need to stare at him, let him focus his gaze on you. Maybe sit on the floor with him and give tiny bits of something super tasty by hand. Go back to your beginnings with Charlie a little. Renew your bonding moments. It could be more a feeling of losing you than of being mad. If holding him makes him growl, I really think doing the hand feeding and a little coaxing will help. Renew your kitty vows. Lol His reaction is not uncommon.Give it some time and some attention/love and it should pass.
 

Buffster7

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No new perfumes or lotions here. I've thought about perhaps arthritis in his spine = reluctance to be picked up. I've never picked him up much as he's not fond of it, but he's never growled before. He doesn't growl when I pick him up, and I'm careful to set him down very gently, but it's a long whiney growl to be set down. He's getting his CBD oil in his food which is said to help arthritis. I'm having a hard time getting the full dosage of Dasuquin down him as he tends to vomit when I put a capsule in his food. Dosage for his weight is 2 capsules a day. I can get 1 down him as I have to split it between his meals. A full capsule in food = puke.

Yet if he has pain, it doesn't stop him from playing with Finn. They zoom all over the house chasing each other. Hearing the sound of running feet throughout the house is common these days; if Charlie stops suddenly, Finn will leap and go flying over his head to the other side. It's adorable. When the footsteps increase in speed and frenzy, I'll hear warning hisses from Charlie. If Finn pounces Charlie, it can turn into a lesson session - Charlie sparring until Finn is put in his place again. I was pleased to see that Charlie backed off tonight once Finn yelped. I was watching while trying to video so the cats were out of range of the camera several times, but it looks to me like Charlie is a little uncomfortable in the face or throat in this vid - he seems to be licking and swallowing - do you guys see it, too? Wonder if he took a claw to the mouth or something?

I'm watching him closely because he's had several puking episodes this week and has not finished his food several feedings. But I've been gone a lot and I've had a houseguest and parents coming in to feed him, so it could just be changes upsetting him. I will try to hand-feed him treats by hand before I let Finn out in the morning and see if that helps.
 

rubysmama

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Hmmm... the vomiting is a bit concerning to me. Maybe stress? But wonder if he's just generally not feeling well, and maybe him tummy hurts when you pick him up, thus the growling?
 

Buffster7

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Hmmm... the vomiting is a bit concerning to me. Maybe stress? But wonder if he's just generally not feeling well, and maybe him tummy hurts when you pick him up, thus the growling?
I agree. It could be stress - he's sharing his territory even while I'm gone, and that's just new this week. He's had 'strange' people coming in to feed him. His living room has been rearranged with a new cat tree. Mom's been gone a lot.
I've also wondered if the combination of CBD oil + Dasuquin in his food is too much for his tummy?
 
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