Feral cat to inside cat

[Kwik]

Newman was able to burst through the screen door in the middle of the night a couple of nights ago which is why he's so afraid now. I woke up to cat screeching. I redid the latches a couple of times on the screen door that separates them until I think it’s finally secure. He’s afraid of the other cats which makes me sad. I wanted him inside so he didn’t have to be afraid of predators but he’s afraid of the other cats. He doesn’t seem to realize that they can’t hurt him like a raccoon or coyote or even an owl or hawk could. They all need to at least tolerate each other even if they can’t be friends. I had hoped that at least one of them would be a playmate for him.

You're expecting too much too fast---- he was startled,of course he's frightened.... I told you he is not ready for the others yet..... Let Robbie adjust to being indoor only- one thing at a time

It's going to be okay- chill,lol. They will be ' friends ' everyone's not gonna be besties ( or perhaps they will) but you set the stage for the dynamic- they will get along as long as you move at THEIR pace. ....

 

[grawmmawmoses]

Robbie's safe place is the bed in his little room that is no longer separated from the bedroom by the screen door (which now is at the entrance to the bedroom. Only Malia (my old girl) sleeps in bedroom with Robbie and me. She tolerates all the other cats but doesn't like any of them and growls if any of them get close to her. I'm trying to figure out which of the other cats might be the best one to expose him to next but I know that won't be any time soon! This morning when I let him explore the other parts of the house while the other cats were closed in the office with their wet food he cried at the glass doors (it was still very dark out) and ran back to his safe place in the bedroom. Ironically I think he felt safer outside at night than he does now.

 

[Kwik]

Robbie's safe place is the bed in his little room that is no longer separated from the bedroom by the screen door (which now is at the entrance to the bedroom. Only Malia (my old girl) sleeps in bedroom with Robbie and me. She tolerates all the other cats but doesn't like any of them and growls if any of them get close to her. I'm trying to figure out which of the other cats might be the best one to expose him to next but I know that won't be any time soon! This morning when I let him explore the other parts of the house while the other cats were closed in the office with their wet food he cried at the glass doors (it was still very dark out) and ran back to his safe place in the bedroom. Ironically I think he felt safer outside at night than he does now.

I thought you put a towel up to block that view from the glass doors?

 

[grawmmawmoses]

You're expecting too much too fast---- he was startled,of course he's frightened.... I told you he is not ready for the others yet..... Let Robbie adjust to being indoor only- one thing at a time

It's going to be okay- chill,lol. They will be ' friends ' everyone's not gonna be besties ( or perhaps they will) but you set the stage for the dynamic- they will get along as long as you move at THEIR pace. ....

You are right. I know it's going to take time. I just feel bad for Robbie that he is in such limited space but it probably doesn't really bother him. He and Malia and I sleep together and the others sleep together in the living room which they often did anyway. Only Malia ALWAYS slept with me so I wanted to make sure she still does. I don't think she's long for this world. I adopted her 16 years ago and have no idea how old she was then but she's looking very old now. Extremely scrawny (she's always been very thin) and her fur is clumpy which it never was before. She's a very delicate flower but she doesn't take crap off anyone!

 

[grawmmawmoses]

I had a towel on the french door that leads from Robbie's room (the hallway between the bedroom and closet) to the catio. But yesterday I also put a towel on the screen door. It was when he was exploring the rest of the house that he saw sliding glass doors in living room and dining room and the french door in the kitchen which was where he would wait outside every morning for me to feed him. He would come right up against the glass and look into the kitchen. It might have upset him to see this side of the door he approached every morning for his breakfast. I won't let him out to the rest of the house any time soon again. I didn't anticipate that would upset him. I just didn't want him to be sad that he went from the huge outdoors to one little room. But I realize he probably feels safer in a small area. You are right. I've been doing too much too soon.

 

[grawmmawmoses]

I was more patient with him over the last 15 months that he lived in my yard and on the patio than I have been now that he's inside. I will do better!

 

[Kwik]

I was more patient with him over the last 15 months that he lived in my yard and on the patio than I have been now that he's inside. I will do better!

I know you will- just needed a little reminder I suppose,lol

Its easy to get over zealous when they are finally inside,it's very exciting but ya gotta dial it back to patient little baby steps..... the sleeping arrangements are good,smaller space is better for transitioning out to indoor.... remember,this is not a cat thst you brought home from a shelter or just stumbled upon your door recently- you've been working at your Relationship a long time & he had a firmly established territory---- thsts what you want to him to establish in a new place and re- condition him properly to indoor living ....breaking that outdoor instinct he reverted to along his course somewhere

 

[grawmmawmoses]

I really appreciate your guidance and encouragement. I don't know that I could have done this without you!!!

 

[Kwik]

I really appreciate your guidance and encouragement. I don't know that I could have done this without you!!!

Aww,shucks! It's certainly my pleasure -you are a pleasure to offer what I can

 

[grawmmawmoses]

You are the only one who wasn't telling me that it was a mistake and I was crazy and I would be sorry. But I am so in love with this cat and he is already the most loving cat I have here. I hope he won't be so attached to me that he won't attach to the other cats or that jealousy on all sides won't be a huge issue. He's so dependent on me now. He only comes out of hiding when I'm with him.

 

[grawmmawmoses]

Aww,shucks! It's certainly my pleasure -you are a pleasure to offer what I can

 

[tabbytom]

I was more patient with him over the last 15 months that he lived in my yard and on the patio than I have been now that he's inside. I will do better!

Both of you are doing well. More haste less speed. Don't rush him. Let him explore at his own pace.

 

[Kwik]

You are the only one who wasn't telling me that it was a mistake and I was crazy and I would be sorry. But I am so in love with this cat and he is already the most loving cat I have here. I hope he won't be so attached to me that he won't attach to the other cats or that jealousy on all sides won't be a huge issue. He's so dependent on me now. He only comes out of hiding when I'm with him.

That's normal,he knows you and he's not yet acquainted with anyone but you- its not going to be a big issue if you don't make it a big issue- with all animals attitude is very important.... animals can sense nervousness,apprehension,negativity and a lack of confidence.....you are their rock and the head honcho of your pack,your clowder,your pride,herd or whatever " group:" of critters in your charge.... just act like it

You're the one they aim to please- high praise when they are introduced and
behave nicely- they know what you will tolerate and what you will not if you are consistent with your body language,tone and energy....they must understand what " no" means so how can there be BIG issues under your supervision

Your no novice- it'll take time but surely you'll know when he is ready and the other kitties are ready to interact with one another

I sort of get sad when I think one day Timmy is going to sometimes prefer to lie on the patio with the clowder- right now he prefers to be with me but my friend,to each his own and It's natural for all species to be with their like kind..... have confidence,you know much more than you even realize you do

 

[price053]

I am dealing with a similar issue. Kind of. My husband managed to trap a feral cat that he has been feeding at his hunting camp for the last two years. We live in Louisiana and have had record temps and he has been worried about this cat being outside. Thankfully we were able to bring her straight to the vet to get checked out. She has been living in my bedroom/closet/bathroom for about a month. She will not venture out and explore the rest of the house. Surprisingly she really likes my other cats. I just go about my business and let her watch me and when she is ready to come out she will. This morning was the morning I have been dreading for weeks though. It was her spay appointment. How was I going to get this cat in a carrier?? This girl is smart and is not going to fall for putting food or treats inside the carrier. I was about to just cancel the appointment and then I remember reading a seemingly ridiculous post from a lady that worked with feral cats. Her advice was to get the cat in a small room (i managed to get my girl in the bathroom and close the door and that was hard). Corner them and walk towards them with a carrier that has the door open and they will jump right in. I mean there is no way I thought in a million years it would work. She just walked right in! I could not believe it. Her little butt is at the vet getting spayed as we speak!! I wish I could find that lady and tell her that she is a genius. I hope this kitty will eventually relax and adjust and accept our love and affection but in the meantime at least she knows she has good meals and treats and a nice safe place to sleep. I think she one day she will come around but I am in no rush. It on her terms.

Glad you shared that Bella is scared to death of the carrier. Thank you for sharing

 

[grawmmawmoses]

How did it take to get the other cats to accept Timmy?

 

[price053]

How did it take to get the other cats to accept Timmy?

Timmy has yet to meet the rest of the kids. I have a stray Kitty that is in the other room. Bella my other stray has been separated for about almost 3 weeks. She will be separated for a month and then I will open the door with a screen up. We will work from there

 

[grawmmawmoses]

so how long has Timmy been in your home?

 

[Kwik]

G grawmmawmoses
You might be confusing price053 Timmy with my Timmy,lol
My Timmy has been inside 6 months now, price053 Timmy is outside and has not been inside at all,she has made shelter for her Timmy outside and just transitioned Bella to the indoors and has not yet begin introductions-Bella is in her safe room

 

[grawmmawmoses]

You are right. I meant to be asking you about your Timmy because I am wondering how long it will take before all my cats can co-exist in the entire house. It's making my other cats unhappy that they can't sleep in my bedroom.

 

[grawmmawmoses]

Because my bedroom is adjacent to Robbie's room with the doggie door to the catio, my bedroom is where he must be for now and that means keeping my other cats out of there. No wonder they are jealous! Robbie has taken over territory that was theirs!