Socializing A Feral

[di and bob]

4 months is not long in a cat's life, my cat's took a year to get along, As fro her not interacting, most females are not the most social, they prefer to stand back and observe. They are the rule enforcers and the disciplinarians. Can you approach her and touch her at all? Try to pet her when she is eating a good treat, offer shaved deli turkey or tuna. She needs more interaction, even if it is just sitting quietly in the room on your phone. After 6 months you might try just removing the gate and see what happens, it might give her more incentive to come down. Hissing, growling and even some tussles are normal, just not bites and deep scratches. I wish you well.....

 

[Anniemae]

I cannot approach her at all. Even tried the petting her with a long stick with a cat toy on the end. No way! This may sound strange but she seems to be more comfortable if I just leave her be. She'll come into the same room I'm in and eat or use the litter box but once I attempt to approach her or make a move she runs off. I guess there is some progress because for the last week or so when I wake up she's always sitting near my bed waiting for me to get up (I think). Once I'm up she'll get a treat (which is why she's most likely sitting there) and does some running around from room to room as if she's playing. I've given her toys to play with but she has no interest in them. I've even gone outside and got some Pine Cones and acorns but again no interest. I purchased a scratching post but she doesn't use it.
I'll keep trying. I got her through this horrible winter we've had so I'm thankful for that.
I don't want to let her go but I guess that decision will be Hers in the end.

 

[sweetblackpaws]

Ok, she is doing much better than I had realized, if she is venturing from room to room and sitting by your bed waiting for her treat. I think she will be just fine. Not all ferals can be tamed to the point of human touch, that's just the reality of it. But she sounds like she is getting less fearful. Plus, she is eating which is the most important thing - if they stop eating for even as little as 2 days, they can sometimes go into hepatic lipodosis. So I am very glad she is eating and pooping regularly.

The fact that she has gone to other rooms is phenomenal progress.

 

[Anniemae]

OK I’m back for more advice/support.
It’s been nearly 6 months now and I have seen progress but not sure what to do. Mama still won’t let anyone near her. Still won’t even come close to any of the other cats. She does roam around the upstairs rooms and sits in the windows but just seems so unhappy. I feel as if I’m keeping her in prison. Am I keeping her because I’ve become attracted to her or is it the right thing to do?
So many mixed feelings on what is in her best interest. Maybe she’ll be happier outside where she came from?
Safer? No,I get that but it appears that’s what she wants.
Outside happy?
Inside sad and safe?

So confused!!

 

[maggiedemi]

Do you talk to her a lot? That was the breakthrough with my 2 ferals. I taught them a lot of words. I didn't do the ignore technique. I went the other way and was constantly talking to them and making them a part of my life.

 

[orange&white]

Reading through your posts to refresh my memory, it seems your instincts keep telling you she may be happier outside.

Is you neighborhood environment relatively safe for her to be an indoor/outdoor cat? Outside is never going to be safer than inside of course, but if you have a patio or backyard where she isn't exposed to traffic, dogs, wild predators etc., then I think it would be ok to let her choose inside/outside. If your neighborhood isn't safe, then I probably would keep her inside even if she doesn't seem terribly happy.

My little Misfit still comes and goes at will, but she does tend to stay on or close to my back patio most of the time. When I don't see her in the yard, she will come back to the patio within a couple of minutes after I call her so she seems to be sticking close enough to home to be relatively safe, and she seems happy.

It's a tough call.