Feral cat to inside cat

[Kwik]

I am becoming very discouraged that all of these cats will ever get along! None of my quickie intros have gone well. Keeping them all separate from each other is a pain. I've swapped spaces and beds and fed wet food together but any time they come in direct contact there is squealing and poor Robbie runs to the bedroom for cover. On the other hand if I try to let one of the others in the bedroom, Robbie growls so I have to put the other one back out. I have only four months to get this done.

Four months is a long time and your looking at the present situation as if it will never change,why?Read Timmy's progress month to month,not that all cats progress at the same time but then you can see a true feral,who was extremely territorial and a butt kicker who is learning to get along with 5 residents ... time ,love and patience

Look,Robbie squeals and runs for cover,is there fur flying? No,no cat fights because he's still not confident with his territory and not because he's a wuss.....

Bella was a little nightmare,the moment I'd not be watching she'd charge and chase " poor Timmy " up into his cubby in the enclosure- I thought " how in the world is this guy gonna expand his territory with the little guard dog who won't let him out"?Well,had to distract her,correct her and give her attention and assure him " it's okay,it's okay" and lure him back out with affection & praise- he began to see thst if he was near me he'd be protected- time G grawmmawmoses ,time

Well,he did expand his territory ( inch by inch) anc when it was established he stopped running!Big surprise for Bella.... but you see ,under supervision we are not going to let anything escalate into a fight and they've got to work it out- a few hisses,squeels & chasing is going to happen- you've got let your residents know it's not okay to stare,charge or chase- they'll get it.You cannot get discouraged or frustrated,believe me those " vibes" are easily picked up by cats- calm,firm and confident is felt as well

I don't know what else to tell you to believe in yourself and keep a positive attitude-mzny times I thought I'd lose my mind with Bella being the obstacle hindering Timmy's progress,it's normal to feel that way but you're worrying about 4 months from now -take one day at a time and one cat at a time,I know it's hard work but when your finished you'll be finished for the rest of their lives

Have I let you down yet? Trust me? I'm telling you- you got this!

 

[poolcat]

I wonder if something like this might help, on the door between Robbie's room and the rest of the house. Wire shelving as ventilating, see-through doors.

It's a 32" wide opening and the shelves are 15-1/2" x 6-ft. You might need to tie the two sides together to keep the cats from pulling them open. At first, I threw a towel over the top in case any of the cats tried to climb over, figuring that they'd dig their claws into the towel and pull it (and themselves) down. But none of my guys ever did that.

I moved it to the closet because, unknown to me, one of my scaredy cats started hiding up on a shelf in that closet. When the woman who cleans for us went in to get the vacuum cleaner, he panicked and used her shoulder as a launch pad to get off the shelf and away. Fortunately, she's a cat lover and didn't hold it against us. Even more fortunately, she didn't have a heart attack when it happened!

 

[grawmmawmoses]

Four months is a long time and your looking at the present situation as if it will never change,why?Read Timmy's progress month to month,not that all cats progress at the same time but then you can see a true feral,who was extremely territorial and a butt kicker who is learning to get along with 5 residents ... time ,love and patience

Look,Robbie squeals and runs for cover,is there fur flying? No,no cat fights because he's still not confident with his territory and not because he's a wuss.....

Bella was a little nightmare,the moment I'd not be watching she'd charge and chase " poor Timmy " up into his cubby in the enclosure- I thought " how in the world is this guy gonna expand his territory with the little guard dog who won't let him out"?Well,had to distract her,correct her and give her attention and assure him " it's okay,it's okay" and lure him back out with affection & praise- he began to see thst if he was near me he'd be protected- time G grawmmawmoses ,time

Well,he did expand his territory ( inch by inch) anc when it was established he stopped running!Big surprise for Bella.... but you see ,under supervision we are not going to let anything escalate into a fight and they've got to work it out- a few hisses,squeels & chasing is going to happen- you've got let your residents know it's not okay to stare,charge or chase- they'll get it.You cannot get discouraged or frustrated,believe me those " vibes" are easily picked up by cats- calm,firm and confident is felt as well

I don't know what else to tell you to believe in yourself and keep a positive attitude-mzny times I thought I'd lose my mind with Bella being the obstacle hindering Timmy's progress,it's normal to feel that way but you're worrying about 4 months from now -take one day at a time and one cat at a time,I know it's hard work but when your finished you'll be finished for the rest of their lives

Have I let you down yet? Trust me? I'm telling you- you got this!

No you have never let me down and I appreciate that more than you know!!

 

[Kwik]

No you have never let me down and I appreciate that more than you know!!

Then chin up,chest out & back at it!okay? You know I'm here for you- Look how far you've come,remember when you didn't even know how you were gonna get him inside this far-lol..... " Will he ever stop howling" lol

 

[grawmmawmoses]

I wonder if something like this might help, on the door between Robbie's room and the rest of the house. Wire shelving as ventilating, see-through doors.

It's a 32" wide opening and the shelves are 15-1/2" x 6-ft. You might need to tie the two sides together to keep the cats from pulling them open. At first, I threw a towel over the top in case any of the cats tried to climb over, figuring that they'd dig their claws into the towel and pull it (and themselves) down. But none of my guys ever did that.

I moved it to the closet because, unknown to me, one of my scaredy cats started hiding up on a shelf in that closet. When the woman who cleans for us went in to get the vacuum cleaner, he panicked and used her shoulder as a launch pad to get off the shelf and away. Fortunately, she's a cat lover and didn't hold it against us. Even more fortunately, she didn't have a heart attack when it happened!

What I have been using is a screen door that replaced the regular door. I did have a towel attached at first also. I think what I need to figure out how to do is reverse places where the old cats are in the bedroom and Robbie and Malia are in the rest of the house. The tricky part will be getting them where I want them. One of them is still semi feral too and impossible to catch.

 

[grawmmawmoses]

Do you have any ideas of treats for a feral cat who doesn't understand treats? I have given him treats and catnip but he has no interest in them. I'd like to do something special for him but don't know what.

 

[Kwik]

Do you have any ideas of treats for a feral cat who doesn't understand treats? I have given him treats and catnip but he has no interest in them. I'd like to do something special for him but don't know what.

Did you try the appetizers instead- like Delectables Stews or Fancy Feast broths? Friskiea lil soups?

 

[poolcat]

Do you have a third room where you could move the cats that do let you handle them? Then use food to get the semi feral one to go into the room where you want him... at a mealtime maybe.

My feral guy has no interest in treats or catnip either. Or toys. Maybe when you're focused on survival, there's no mental space left for learning about fun stuff.

 

[grawmmawmoses]

I do give them all those fancy wet foods but that's all.

Do you have a third room where you could move the cats that do let you handle them? Then use food to get the semi feral one to go into the room where you want him... at a mealtime maybe.

My feral guy has no interest in treats or catnip either. Or toys. Maybe when you're focused on survival, there's no mental space left for learning about fun stuff.

Actually both the most recent feral and the other one like to play with toys and the other one likes treats. There's no problem getting the other 3 in my office. I often find all three of them in there and just close the door. The trick is getting the other feral into the bedroom. I'd have to pick her up and carry her in there and she goes nuts. And of course I'd have to get the new feral out of there first. It was easier introducing new cats before because I could pick them up and take them where I wanted them to be. But these ferals aren't in favor of being picked up and carried.

 

[Kwik]

I do give them all those fancy wet foods but that's all.

Actually both the most recent feral and the other one like to play with toys and the other one likes treats. There's no problem getting the other 3 in my office. I often find all three of them in there and just close the door. The trick is getting the other feral into the bedroom. I'd have to pick her up and carry her in there and she goes nuts. And of course I'd have to get the new feral out of there first. It was easier introducing new cats before because I could pick them up and take them where I wanted them to be. But these ferals aren't in favor of being picked up and carried.

It just takes time- they all get around to getting EVERYWHERE (& I mean every where-lol);eventually- ferals are just extra cautious and reluctant to explore new territories until they are super confident in their own and ready to expand their space- but they do and will,first they've got to feel secure in the space they have..... it's harder with multiple cat households but only becsuse it's takes more time

Sure,much easier to just pick a kitty up and put them where you'd like them to be but with ferals it's simply not gonna happen..... just think,there even comes a day when you'll be picking up your "feral" and realizing " hmmm,I guess ferals can be domesticated after all"

 

[grawmmawmoses]

Robbie is already more domesticated and trusting than Sasha who I've had for 3 years! Soon I will have everyone in opposite spaces!

 

[Kwik]

Robbie is already more domesticated and trusting than Sasha who I've had for 3 years! Soon I will have everyone in opposite spaces!

Lol- go figure!!!!! Fantastic

 

[grawmmawmoses]

Still feeding all together and letting them co-exist until someone gets nasty. It's never Robbie of course and he's afraid of the other cats except Malia with whom he's been living. When the bedroom is open to all, the catio is now open too but Robbie is the least interested in going out there. He does look out the window tho to the back yard where he doesn't live anymore. He still cries if I'm out of the bedroom for too long and he's still reluctant to explore the rest of the house now that the other two males have charged him.

 

[Kwik]

Still feeding all together and letting them co-exist until someone gets nasty. It's never Robbie of course and he's afraid of the other cats except Malia with whom he's been living. When the bedroom is open to all, the catio is now open too but Robbie is the least interested in going out there. He does look out the window tho to the back yard where he doesn't live anymore. He still cries if I'm out of the bedroom for too long and he's still reluctant to explore the rest of the house now that the other two males have charged him.

I went through that with Timmy,poor boy was finally ready to explore but little Bella was like a Gung ho security guard ,charging him back into his cubby any chance the head security guard wasn't supervising( me!)

He'll get to realize you are the one to keep them at bay and he can follow you into other areas- and the others will know that is not okay . It can be exhausting at times but training is all about repetition and consistency,your efforts will bear good fruit

Now I've got the next challenge- Bella has trifled with a formidable guy for 6months,now the tables have turned but unlike Bella he means business and he has to learn unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated -he's catching on......I'd like to tell little Bella that she asked for it but she has no clue why he doesn't want any part of her..... uhhhh,cat land

 

[grawmmawmoses]

Newman was in the bedroom with Robbie and everything seemed fine for a couple of hours and then suddenly he charged Robbie. Do you really think they will ever tolerate each other? I feel so bad for Robbie that he lives with hostile cats now. Can he be happier this way than he was when he lived outside? Does his relationship with me still make it better for him now? I hope he doesn't miss his previous life. In his mind he may still be having to watch for predators.

 

[Kwik]

Newman was in the bedroom with Robbie and everything seemed fine for a couple of hours and then suddenly he charged Robbie. Do you really think they will ever tolerate each other? I feel so bad for Robbie that he lives with hostile cats now. Can he be happier this way than he was when he lived outside? Does his relationship with me still make it better for him now? I hope he doesn't miss his previous life. In his mind he may still be having to watch for predators.

You're overthinking this " temporary" situation and " thinking" like a human- not how a cats mind works at all and he's certainly not and never will be thinking about this being better that that etc... Cats live in the present,for the moment,they don't make plans,ponder situations or anything like we do- not do they know what is temporary but we do,we are intelligent creatures that know that by doing x,y & x z it proves to result in A,B& C

Robbie is not in a hostile environment with predators,he's in a very loving and secure environment that has been someone else's territory,he will learn to fit it and the others will learn they have to share the territory with another- you will teach them this,yes- this too shall pass

 

[grawmmawmoses]

Thank you so much for your encouragement. This process is emotionally draining - probably more for me than for the cats. And I have to admit that I long for the day when I can get rid of the screen door and have everyone living harmoniously in the same shared spaces!

 

[Kwik]

Thank you so much for your encouragement. This process is emotionally draining - probably more for me than for the cats. And I have to admit that I long for the day when I can get rid of the screen door and have everyone living harmoniously in the same shared spaces!

And that time will come but when you take that door down they'll be harmony and days of dispute- it takes some longer time than others to mesh but truly I tell you that it's up to you

Some disagree and insist that some cats simply cannot ' fit in' -I have a difficult time with that just because in order to survive this species can co-exist peacefully in a shared territory... They might not all be besties but with human intervention and guidance they can & will behave properly- we've already eliminated the undesirable instinctual behaviors that arise when there are intact males and females that have ' heat's cycles- they are living in an environment that is set up for harmonious co- existence because of our hand in it .....

Just be patient and do what you've been doingDon't let little squabbles discourage you,it happens

 

[grawmmawmoses]

I also worry that spending so much time with Robbie (he cries when I leave him alone) makes the others jealous which doesn't help with getting them to get along with each other! Also because he's in the bedroom, the others don't get to sleep with me anymore. Doesn't jealousy make it take longer to integrate?

 

[Kwik]

Cats don't have human emotions,they don't get " jealous" of each other or spiteful,resentful,hateful or " happy" or fall in love.....

They do react instinctually and display behaviors that certainly do appear to be emotional - but they are not

Many cats do get possessive of their humans but this is a territorial issue- so no,they don't equate Robbie as the REASON they are not able to access that part of their territory- they don't reason and associate all these things together- all they know is thst they can't get in.....Robbie has nothing to do with anything there

This of course is a " change" that they are adjusting to- and after they adjust to sleeping elsewhere and then again have access to your room they will have to re-adjust again... their routine has changed,cats take awhile to get comfortable with anything " new" so it's not all about Robbie being there but there's alot they are having to get used to

Like my house,I'm having a heck of a time getting everyone back in the kitchen for meals- at first they didn't want to leave their familiar eating places in the kitchen,now they don't want to leave their places in the living area- lol .... Do they blame Timmy? " It's all his fault our routine is all over tye place- all because of the new guy!" Of course not and funny thing is he's the first one in the kitchen as I'm bringing them back in and gets confused by their reluctancy- it's very funny but a pain in my neck.... cats are creatures of habit,they thrive well with routine..... it'll be fine,in time