- Joined
- Dec 14, 2020
- Messages
- 7
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Hello,
I recently adopted a semi-feral female cat from a local charity.
I have taken the following steps to begin her domestication process;
- Own bedroom adjacent to the living room (door left open with a small temporary gate installed so she can hear and see us but stops my other cat from venturing in yet.
- Hiding safe places for her in the bedroom
- Feliway calmer plugged in
- Her own bedding, scratching post, litter tray etc all within a few metres of her favourite hiding place.
She used her tray for the first few days without issue but suddenly decided to do her pees and poos on the bed. I kept washing the sheets etc with enzyme cleaner but she persisted so in the end I removed the whole bed from the room to break the habit. She also has the habit of dragging any loose bedding she can get her paws on into the litter tray and leaving them there. Any ideas why?
I'm trying to use food to gain her trust. I put her food down next to me and she will slowly come out and eat it in front of me. But she eats like a bird, constantly looking up and checking what I'm doing.
I haven't been able to touch her yet. I have encouraged her to sniff my hand but she is still fearful. I tried to gently stroke her head yesterday and she did lash out.
Is there anything else I can do to help her settle? I'm struggling to find a balance between giving her quiet time and space in her room so she can relax and sitting in there with her (I think my presence stresses her a little as she stares at me). Do I leave the current set up in place until she decides she wants to venture out or at some point will she need a gentle "push" in the right direction?
Thanks for any advice - she is probably around 4 years old.
I recently adopted a semi-feral female cat from a local charity.
I have taken the following steps to begin her domestication process;
- Own bedroom adjacent to the living room (door left open with a small temporary gate installed so she can hear and see us but stops my other cat from venturing in yet.
- Hiding safe places for her in the bedroom
- Feliway calmer plugged in
- Her own bedding, scratching post, litter tray etc all within a few metres of her favourite hiding place.
She used her tray for the first few days without issue but suddenly decided to do her pees and poos on the bed. I kept washing the sheets etc with enzyme cleaner but she persisted so in the end I removed the whole bed from the room to break the habit. She also has the habit of dragging any loose bedding she can get her paws on into the litter tray and leaving them there. Any ideas why?
I'm trying to use food to gain her trust. I put her food down next to me and she will slowly come out and eat it in front of me. But she eats like a bird, constantly looking up and checking what I'm doing.
I haven't been able to touch her yet. I have encouraged her to sniff my hand but she is still fearful. I tried to gently stroke her head yesterday and she did lash out.
Is there anything else I can do to help her settle? I'm struggling to find a balance between giving her quiet time and space in her room so she can relax and sitting in there with her (I think my presence stresses her a little as she stares at me). Do I leave the current set up in place until she decides she wants to venture out or at some point will she need a gentle "push" in the right direction?
Thanks for any advice - she is probably around 4 years old.