From Feral To Lap Cats

Ok we're back home. Both are healthy and no injuries. We are only concluding that Treasure is just a "friendly" cat and maybe he wasn't running Shaman off but since she and Sopdet never got along, it may have appeared that way. He is friendly and in fact the other day my Mom said "There's your friendly cat". The vet said it most likely isn't an intentional chasing Shaman off. Although I doubt Sopdet will return after I chased her off this morning so I could get food to Shaman. Too bad no one wants to adopt any of these cats but Sopdet is too feral yet for some of my neighbors I suppose Right now Treasure is put out with me (as he has been since I ran off Sopdet this morning) but he ate the food I gave him and Shaman and the two are sleeping side by side. He's just miffed at me at the moment, much like he was when I found the kitten a home. He's been moping for Sopdet a bit. I still find it odd though that a fixed cat would react like this.

Furballsmom said:

...no way of telling, it's a cat thing, which is to say, every cat is different

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Well now Shaman and Treasure are eating together. The way Sopdet ran off this morning when I chased her off so Shaman could eat, I'd be surprised if she showed up again to be honest.

One thing you could try when feeding several cats at the same time is to feed at different levels. Being higher up gives cats a sense of security. If you could construct some kind of platform and feed the submissive cats high up and the more dominant ones lower down everyone would feel more comfortable about eating.

I can try that. Shaman does run if Sopdet is 1/4 acre away in our yard though. But it will be worth constructing for future for if and when I get more then these 2. Sopdet has still not returned. Maybe I did chase her off for good. And now these 2 are at the stage of "I no longer like this food". Wish I had the money to stock up on all kinds of food there is. I try to rotate. Funny how they would eat anything put out for them before they were domesticated (not that I would just put anything out but put out quality food for my budget, well except the kibble n bits).

Norachan said:

One thing you could try when feeding several cats at the same time is to feed at different levels. Being higher up gives cats a sense of security. If you could construct some kind of platform and feed the submissive cats high up and the more dominant ones lower down everyone would feel more comfortable about eating.

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Also, how do I change their feeding schedule without them losing hope? Since they came from a hoarding situation I don't want them to feel stressed (especially since treasure seems to have separation anxiety). I need to change with winter coming up as it will get dark sooner in the evening and my Mom likes to set the alarm at 6:30 pm during winter months. Neither of them are eating right now. And nothing seems to work. Neither are sick, both are healthy. Every day it's something with these 2.

Shaman and Treasure are fighting again. Back to the vet. I can't deal with this anymore. My heart is breaking in two. Someone else will have to take over because this gets to be too much. I don't understand. They were just napping together and now this. I'm a horrible caretaker

Well they came back, got along for awhile. ate together. Both given a good bill of health. This morning Sopdet did not return (and sorry to say thankfully) and back to the vet because Treasure fought Shaman and she's seriously injured. I don't get it. There's no sirens, no dogs, no loud noise, nothing. And yet this happens. I mean they both smell like the vet so it wouldn't be that?

My neighbor was going to take over and she had to cancel out on that because of the fact of 5 cats and one still 100% feral. Treasure just went off looking for Sopdet. Is there a possibility that TNR people in ST Louis lied to me and they aren't fixed, regardless of the tipped ear? I don't get it and not getting any satisfactory answer on what is going on and why Treasure and Sopdet act like they're in heat when they have extremely noticeable tipped ears. And why he keeps turning on Shaman when both have been confirmed in good health. Nothing has changed here at all. So I'm confused which is why I keep making more posts to get my questions answered. Remember this is my first time with feral cats.

I hope I get answers on these soon. But another question: what can I do about Treasure being so hyper. chamomile does not work with him. running him around the yard does not work. He's hyper before and after any type of activity. If I wasn't told he and Shaman were 5 years old I'd swear he acts like a 7 month old kitten. And I think that's a main reason why he and Shaman fight. He wants to play and while she's sweet she's not what you would call an overly playful cat. And therein lies my problem. Again I do hope I get an answer on this because I may have to wind up finding someone who knows how to work with ferals take them, and that breaks my heart as I really do not want to part with them.

Oh dear!! Some redirected aggression from Soplet's smells that were left behind? I really don't know, cats relationships are more complicated than we give them credit for.

Gosh I'm sorry to hear this!!

Furballsmom said:

Oh dear!! Some redirected aggression from Soplet's smells that were left behind? I really don't know, cats relationships are more complicated than we give them credit for.

Gosh I'm sorry to hear this!!

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I wonder also if a lot of it is that even though littermates, Shaman is more laid back and chill type of cat and Treasure acts like a 7 month old kitten that want to play 24/7. I've tried everything under the sun but he still is hyper. The chamomile does no good with him. Playing with him does no good he just gets more hyper.

We’ve taken both cats to the vet before and they still were grumpy with each other. Even though they both smell like vet they still have non-recognition aggression.

In fact Gohan hides more and is more upset it we put Olive in the carrier and take her to the vet. He sometimes doesn’t even get annoyed with her. I think he believes that if he hides log enough he dodged the vet.

KarenKat said:

think he believes that if he hides log enough he dodged the vet.

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Awww, but LOL

Hmm. Well they came home from the vet, laid together peacefully, groomed each other, and ate together. This morning they were fighting again. And no Sopdet was not here as I watched on the cam. I think she's gone for good tbh as she sensed I needed to feed Shaman yesterday. Shaman and Treasure slept on the open space all night long in front of the cam. That is what the problem is.

I'm still wondering what to do about him being so hyperactive. Chamomile doesn't work with him. Felloway won't work as they're outside. Catnip doesn't wear him out after a bout, he just keeps going and going and going. I should rename him Energizer Bunny. I've tried running him through the yard. He runs, chases and rolls around and then he's so hyper he still pounces on Shaman to play. I use interactive toys. I've spent 40 minutes or more playing with him. There is no wearing him down. I can't even do any yard work without him tripping me because he wants to play non stop.

I have no idea if one of those wind up mice would work with him or not. That way he can run and play and not be pouncing on Shaman all the time.

Still no sign of Sopdet. And no resolution to this. I really did not mean she was no longer welcome here. Ugh the guilt is overwhelming. I just hope she's ok. Treasure is moping about it.

Can someone please tell me how to change the feeding schedule for these cats? Thank you.

I've read through your thread but I'm a bit confused about what is going on. I know you've given some of the cats new names, but you have five altogether, is that right? And they've all been TNR'd? Four are friendly, one not so much?

It's easy enough to change their feeding times. For example, if you usually feed at 5 pm but want them to start coming later feed at 5.15 for a week, then 5.30, then 5.45 until they are coming at 6 pm. It works the same way if you want to feed them earlier. Cats are good at working out your schedule and they'll soon adapt to whatever is convenient for you.

Don't worry if they miss a few meals. Outdoor cats hunt, they'll be getting mice and birds and feeding themselves as well as getting food from you. That's the way it is with ferals, they seem to prefer a freshly caught mouse to canned food.

Don't worry about them so much. Caring for a feral colony can be a very rewarding experience. Just enjoy them, rather than letting things stress you out. They'll be fine.

Well things start to get better and then Crazy Woman starts her tirades again. I just don't know how much longer I can put up with the constant stress of being yelled at over this. Something has to give but when ALZ. org gave up on her there is no hope. A lot of my worries would be non existent if it wasn't for her. She goes for weeks not even caring if I feed or not and then she starts stomping around and screaming at me. I try to ignore but she follows me. Just now she broke all the feeding bowls to the cats. This is why I have repeatedly said that maybe I should see if they (the cats) can be acclimated to someone else and get away from this toxic house because unless I can get my Mom to a doctor for a diagnosis nothing here will change. Not sure how much you know of my situation but there is hardly any place on the property that I can put the food without her seeing. And she watches me from the windows always. I can't build, drill holes, hammer or anything here. It would be a shame to uproot these cats from a 1/4 playground to a tiny apartment (especially since I can't afford to move). So I really don'g know anymore what will happen. She throws fits if I even ask a neighbor to help with the feeding.


How long does it take for cats to adjust from running around 1/4 acre yard to a tiny apartment? Asking in the event I have to grab these cats and leave

Cats will adjust to their new surroundings within about 30 days. You just need to make sure your landlord is OK with you bringing five cats with you.

You don't need to feed them every two hours, that's way too much. Twice a day is plenty.

Cats are hunters, not grazers or scavengers. If you have food down all the time they'll just get into the habit of snacking, they'll never feel hungry enough to eat a whole meal and it will be really difficult to get them on a balanced diet. Imagine what it would be like if you had bowls of potato chips and candy available all the time. It would be too tempting to constantly snack on junk and your health would suffer.

I think this is why you're finding it so hard to get them to eat properly.

Pick up all the food that you have down. Leaving food around will attract other animals and insects and it will go stale in the open air. Choose two times of the day when you can feed them. 7 am and 6 pm sound about right to me. Put down the food only at those times and remove any that hasn't been eaten after 30 minutes.

Cats are smart, they'll soon learn when and where food is available.

Theyll adapt pretty quickly, i think and as mentioned above, and there are ways to help them, such as shelves and cat trees, leaving out cardboard boxes for hiding areas if possible depending on available space, etc.

No Sopdet and No Cooper. Sopdet being missing is my fault but Cooper was run off with a bucket of water Mom threw on him. I just wish I had the money to up and get out of here but I don't. 75 cents won't find me a place.

I have 5 hours today without crazy woman on my back as she has friends from VFW over and will be distracted. During that time I'm going to be looking over the property and all and see what can be done about feeding the cats without her seeing me walking the property (yes she throws fits about that. "What if I fell?" ugh) and Cooper, Sopdet and Ambrose are clueless. I set out mackerel for them and they still couldn't find.

Yuck. I feed these cats good food and Treasure prefers to kill and eat a cockroach. Hope that cockroach wasn't in any poison baits.