Hi all. I just wanted to let everyone know about
how Maj. Grey has being doing.
He disappeared for a few days and I really
panicked- I left out food -
it was eaten, but I never saw who was doing
the eating. I hoped he had been coming...
Then, last few days, he's been back - making
contact- sticking round the yard AFTER eating -
getting meowy with me.
I think he's eating - waiting and guarding food
from other cats, eating more, resting and
then going off to "do" his thing...
He comes in regular round 8:20 am ish (just
after I get out and call for him). Then he
meows demandingly and loudly (like where
the heck IS that food!?)... he backs off
while I put food down. Lately he
has been not eating the wet, which is funny -
he seems to prefer the dry kitten chow...
Then he wanders over
after I've moved to the deck stairs and sat
down. I talk softly to him while he is eating
and washing up. Lately the last few days
or so, he's taken to hanging in the yard and
resting up. Eats more than one serving -
I am not sure if this is because he is 'guarding'
food from others (there are 2 neutered male
cats that will chance encounters with him,
but that aren't agressive with him (back off).
Neither seems want to fight...Or, Maj. Grey
likes the yard because (oh I do hope so!) he
feels safe and knows he can rest...
At anyrate - I do not know if he is using the
Indy Feral Shelters I put out (I put out 2).
I have a blankie in each, and have checked -
there is fur of every color - black from my Lexi,
Tabby from 2 of the others... white?? and
Possibly grey?? From Maj. Grey??
I've also found alot of tapeworms
ugh! I know that it isn't Lexi, and prob. not the
2 neutered (owned) cats... I think it may be
Maj. Grey's deposits. but if he is using the
shelters at night, I've not seen him go in
or emerge...
When I put down the second shelter his reaction
to it was very funny. He sniffed all round, got down
and looked "under" it (raised up on bricks), poked
1/2 the head in, and waited till Lexi went into before
he disappeared into and explored...A very cautious cat
that seems to have had experiences of trapping??
I propted up pieces of plywood in front of each of the
entrances (there are two entrances
for each shelter - to make ferals more "secure").
This was to keep out rain/wind and provide
privacy entering and exiting...
I have snuggle safe disks which I plan to put
into the upper parts of shelters on Thursday - when our
temps are due to take a dive
Are there any other actions I can take to let
him/get him to go into and use shelters when
it gets cold and rainy?
I have put plenty of catnip round the entrances.
Should I add small bowls with "treats" or
anything??
I don't want to encourage bugs or skunks tho...
Anyway.. any feedback? I feel sometimes Grey
progresses with me then "forgets" or gets
scared and "regresses". Progress is slow.
I had hoped to be able to get close enough
to pet him by now. But then .. its all at the
cat's own pace I guess.
how Maj. Grey has being doing.
He disappeared for a few days and I really
panicked- I left out food -
it was eaten, but I never saw who was doing
the eating. I hoped he had been coming...
Then, last few days, he's been back - making
contact- sticking round the yard AFTER eating -
getting meowy with me.
I think he's eating - waiting and guarding food
from other cats, eating more, resting and
then going off to "do" his thing...
He comes in regular round 8:20 am ish (just
after I get out and call for him). Then he
meows demandingly and loudly (like where
the heck IS that food!?)... he backs off
while I put food down. Lately he
has been not eating the wet, which is funny -
he seems to prefer the dry kitten chow...
Then he wanders over
after I've moved to the deck stairs and sat
down. I talk softly to him while he is eating
and washing up. Lately the last few days
or so, he's taken to hanging in the yard and
resting up. Eats more than one serving -
I am not sure if this is because he is 'guarding'
food from others (there are 2 neutered male
cats that will chance encounters with him,
but that aren't agressive with him (back off).
Neither seems want to fight...Or, Maj. Grey
likes the yard because (oh I do hope so!) he
feels safe and knows he can rest...
At anyrate - I do not know if he is using the
Indy Feral Shelters I put out (I put out 2).
I have a blankie in each, and have checked -
there is fur of every color - black from my Lexi,
Tabby from 2 of the others... white?? and
Possibly grey?? From Maj. Grey??
I've also found alot of tapeworms
ugh! I know that it isn't Lexi, and prob. not the
2 neutered (owned) cats... I think it may be
Maj. Grey's deposits. but if he is using the
shelters at night, I've not seen him go in
or emerge...
When I put down the second shelter his reaction
to it was very funny. He sniffed all round, got down
and looked "under" it (raised up on bricks), poked
1/2 the head in, and waited till Lexi went into before
he disappeared into and explored...A very cautious cat
that seems to have had experiences of trapping??
I propted up pieces of plywood in front of each of the
entrances (there are two entrances
for each shelter - to make ferals more "secure").
This was to keep out rain/wind and provide
privacy entering and exiting...
I have snuggle safe disks which I plan to put
into the upper parts of shelters on Thursday - when our
temps are due to take a dive
Are there any other actions I can take to let
him/get him to go into and use shelters when
it gets cold and rainy?
I have put plenty of catnip round the entrances.
Should I add small bowls with "treats" or
anything??
I don't want to encourage bugs or skunks tho...
Anyway.. any feedback? I feel sometimes Grey
progresses with me then "forgets" or gets
scared and "regresses". Progress is slow.
I had hoped to be able to get close enough
to pet him by now. But then .. its all at the
cat's own pace I guess.