Feral cat to inside cat

[grawmmawmoses]

The bed I made for him at night outside the catio (since I'm closing it at night to keep raccoons out) is also nice and sunny during the day!

 

[grawmmawmoses]

the catio is in the shade all day so he prefers being out in the sun.

 

[Gunther4ever]

It takes a while, Buddy has been here since Feb. he is previously 'something" whether stray or semi feral not sure which but he does yap a lot. He's still is very cautious in his adventures and looking around. He has begun coming to the kitchen when I am cooking in hopes of company and treats. They set their own pace apparently and no amount of "oh what a pretty boy" or treats seem to speed things up. He's fed, he's warm and he does not have to worry about predators just a little pesky cat named Heathen.

 

[grawmmawmoses]

He's adorable! Bless you for taking him in!

 

[grawmmawmoses]

I have appointment for a week from this coming Thursday (Dec 7) to take Robbie to vet. Currently he is eating at the very front of the trap so I have to get him eating all the way inside before I set the trap. Not looking forward to the whole process of testing and confining him inside. It won't be fun waiting for him to get over being locked in. But he will have access to my bedroom in addition to the catio and I plan to also get him to come in the bedroom as often as possible between now and trap day. He comes in and makes himself comfortable for about 30-45 minutes at a time but then he goes back out. He runs past the TV to come into the bedroom but once he is past it he's fine. I think he's worried that the people on the TV could reach out and grab him but he feels safe once he gets next to me. I think he knows I will protect him.

 

[Kwik]

I have appointment for a week from this coming Thursday (Dec 7) to take Robbie to vet. Currently he is eating at the very front of the trap so I have to get him eating all the way inside before I set the trap. Not looking forward to the whole process of testing and confining him inside. It won't be fun waiting for him to get over being locked in. But he will have access to my bedroom in addition to the catio and I plan to also get him to come in the bedroom as often as possible between now and trap day. He comes in and makes himself comfortable for about 30-45 minutes at a time but then he goes back out. He runs past the TV to come into the bedroom but once he is past it he's fine. I think he's worried that the people on the TV could reach out and grab him but he feels safe once he gets next to me. I think he knows I will protect him.

Lol,I was having TV withdrawals after 30 days of no TV.... Timmy was confined in an enclosure not 8 ft from the big screen- just terrified,terrified of cat calming videos,,cat music,even just a lit screen- It was just too close for comfort now,when movies have explosions or scream he rarely even looks up at it..... For a moment there I wondered if I'd ever get to watch TV again-rofl

 

[grawmmawmoses]

Yesterday Robbie stayed in my bedroom from 5 am to 9:30 pm. Normally if I leave the room and don't come back fairly quickly, he leaves and goes back outside. But yesterday I was out of the room most of the day and he still stayed in there. But at 9:30, after I had turned out the lights and gone to sleep, he became frantic because he noticed that I had closed the catio and he was confined in the bedroom and catio. I just don't think he will accept being solely an inside cat in which case I'm not sure I should try to trap him. Maybe he just needs to live in the yard and catio.

 

[Kwik]

Entirely your decision,I'm not here to convince anyone of anything or talk anybody into doing anything they do not want to do-just to encourage others to what's in their heart and is in the best interest of cats when they simply need some support or are not really sure how to go about getting positive results

It's up to you what becomes of Robbie,it's not an easy task to transition an outdoor cat to the indoors but anyone hoping to do it successfully really cannot leave the decision up to the cat- a cat is going to always look for a way to seek out his established territory,he doesn't know what's best for him-rain,snow,sleet or 100 degree weather does not influence his instincts because cats do not reason.Someone asked me this morning if I thought their newly transitioned cat was depressed because she can no longer roam around all over the place. I explained that roaming around all over the place is necessary for survival,to hunt,to avoid predators,threats,and to remain invulnerable,it is not for pleasure.Thats what an outdoor cat does,he survives

This is why small confinement without outdoor space is a sure fire way to transition,with a 30 day minimum,to establish territory-with accommodations that will include indoor/enclosed outdoor then the indoor confinement should be longer- given the " option" of being outdoors the feral will opt for outdoors--- because he " likes" it?Nothing to do with likes & dislikes,everything to do with familiarity and levels of comfort because it is all they know

It's not easy to alter instinctual behavior but there are rules of thumb to follow and stick to- I've heard for years from top "experts' that a true feral cannot be domesticated,they can live indoors but will never be domestic- only tame.....they are not tigers,not lions or jaguars their DNA is not WILD,it goes back over 10,000 yrs as a species thst has had human contact- they simply are living in a wild " state".....so of course they can be domesticated and live a content life indoors.....

If your not up to the task at hand and Robbie is perfectly safe where he is you can provide his food,shelter from the elements and keep him parasite free and hope for the best.....I've had barn cats over the years who did a great job and I did my job providing their medical needs ,they lived well and were safe.... it's up to you

I wish you and Robbie the best in whatever your decision and am always here for you

 

[grawmmawmoses]

Thank you so much for all of this. I know you are right. Maybe I really should not give him access to the catio until he calms down. When he's out there he tries to dig under the iron fencing which is impossible and I worry about him hurting himself so maybe I just need to close the doggie door so he can't even get out to the catio to begin with and just leave him in the little room until he quits howling. Do you think that would be better?

 

[grawmmawmoses]

I have the appointment to have him tested and vaccinated Thursday morning. Maybe I'll also get something to put in his food to sedate him.

 

[tabbytom]

after I had turned out the lights and gone to sleep, he became frantic because he noticed that I had closed the catio and he was confined in the bedroom and catio. I just don't think he will accept being solely an inside cat in which case I'm not sure I should try to trap him.

Can you turn on a night light for him and let him get use to it. Everything has a first and second time and tested till the last time. Don't give up.

 

[grawmmawmoses]

Can you turn on a night light for him and let him get use to it. Everything has a first and second time and tested till the last time. Don't give up.

I do have a night light I can put in his little room.

 

[tabbytom]

I do have a night light I can put in his little room.

Yes, have it and turn it on for him.

 

[grawmmawmoses]

I do have a night light I can put in his little room.

 

[grawmmawmoses]

He can't be scared of the dark. I heard that cats see better in the dark than in the light. Is there a different purpose for the night light?

 

[Kwik]

Sweet Friend,I cannot tell you what I think would be better for YOU- I can tell you what is necessary to change his behavior and its not going to happen over night-are you up for it?Whst are your expectations for Robbie? Do you want a cat you can handle,who will follow you around the house,that's is a well behaved housecat? Then yes,confine him,spend loads of time with him at least 30 days in one room then begin your introductions and start expanding his indoor access... your gorgeous catio will have to remain off limits for some time.

Do you want a housecat that can co- exist peacefully but opt stay outside more and with you less? Then 30 days ought to do the trick.... you see?

It's not fun listening to howling,clawing and who knows what else and it's not cookie cutter,they are all different- thsts why I use Timmy as an example because he was worse case scenario-Robbies not that feral at all-he just has an established territory and needs to establish a new one .....I can't tell you how long he's gonna howl and be nervous but I can tell you thst you can help him through it by being there with him- in those first 30 days he will calm down ,settle in but it's still not the time to let him out.... it's one step at a time.... your choice,what is best for not only him but for you as well- do you have the time to put into it?
People are amazed at Timmy but let's not forget he had me 24/7 for 6 months -that's alot,it's not amazing,it's conditioning and altering his behavior...it's in their DNA to be a domestic animal.....7yrs living in a wild state,he's got it good now,he knows that but I had to help him

 

[Kwik]

He can't be scared of the dark. I heard that cats see better in the dark than in the light. Is there a different purpose for the night light?

It's conditioning- people don't see well in the dark.So Robbie will be getting used to life indoors...he doesn't have to see well in the dark & get into " hunt mode " he will eventually acclimate to people time and learn to sleep at night ,be up & about in tye daytime- takes time but we even alter their nocturnal behsvior- csts are extremely adaptable

 

[Kwik]

Here's a cure little tidbit...
About 1am I turn on the patio light and open the door- Timmy comes with me... now he's starting to go out himself when I turn on the light,open the door & say- " go outside"
Last couple of night I opened the door and Saud " go outside" yet he sat there looking at me and looking out onto the patio.... suddenly I realized " Ah,I didn't turn the light on" lol.....They learn routines,our ways .... I thought that was cute,he don't go out unless the lights on

 

[grawmmawmoses]

Sweet Friend,I cannot tell you what I think would be better for YOU- I can tell you what is necessary to change his behavior and its not going to happen over night-are you up for it?Whst are your expectations for Robbie? Do you want a cat you can handle,who will follow you around the house,that's is a well behaved housecat? Then yes,confine him,spend loads of time with him at least 30 days in one room then begin your introductions and start expanding his indoor access... your gorgeous catio will have to remain off limits for some time.

Do you want a housecat that can co- exist peacefully but opt stay outside more and with you less? Then 30 days ought to do the trick.... you see?

It's not fun listening to howling,clawing and who knows what else and it's not cookie cutter,they are all different- thsts why I use Timmy as an example because he was worse case scenario-Robbies not that feral at all-he just has an established territory and needs to establish a new one .....I can't tell you how long he's gonna howl and be nervous but I can tell you thst you can help him through it by being there with him- in those first 30 days he will calm down ,settle in but it's still not the time to let him out.... it's one step at a time.... your choice,what is best for not only him but for you as well- do you have the time to put into it?
People are amazed at Timmy but let's not forget he had me 24/7 for 6 months -that's alot,it's not amazing,it's conditioning and altering his behavior...it's in their DNA to be a domestic animal.....7yrs living in a wild state,he's got it good now,he knows that but I had to help him

I really appreciate your sharing your knowledge and experience. I have introduced new cats to the fold and spent about 6 weeks doing it but this is all new to me. The other cats were happy to have a nice home. But Robbie is extremely affectionate and sweet and I want him inside and safe from predators. That's my goal. I just dread the time between now and when he accepts that he is better off inside.

 

[tabbytom]

He can't be scared of the dark. I heard that cats see better in the dark than in the light. Is there a different purpose for the night light?

According to studies, cats see very well in the dark. Except for some older cats with poorer eyesight, they need more light. Some cats may be afraid oof the dark, so it's good to have some light for them and also good so that we don't step on them in the dark.

No harm having a night light for them. I prefer a night for my boy.