the sweetest stray cat i want to adopt but scared

[nashchow]

We have had a stray cat (i think he is older) who has been coming into our backyard for the last 2-3 years now on and off. However as of this year, he has been here everyday since May and spends most of his day in my backyard. At first he was so scared of me. I would feed him and he would not even come near the food if I was present, he would only come to the food once I had left (I would watch him through the window). But gradually he has trusted me ALOT and I have genuinely discovered he may be one of the sweetest cats I have ever ever seen. He does not scratch, hiss or fight. He loves snuggles, he purrs very loudly when i pet him and constantly rolls around and shows his belly to me. He loves headbutts and now has formed an attachment to me. Other stray cats come around and steal his food while he is eating and he does nothing. I bought him a outdoor home and he stayed all day and night there during summer time. However I am in new york and the winters here are brutal. It has already started and he barely leaves his little home now. whenever he comes out to eat, he is physically shaking (we are in the low twenties). I genuinely feel so so so bad so I started feeding him indoors. But he is just SUCH a scared cat. He runs out the door at any slight noise and does not want to come back in. he grudgingly comes in and leaves right after eating inside for a little bit, takes a look around but does not care to explore. He just goes back to his outdoor home. My heart is breaking because I know he is older. I also know he is cold. I want to bring him in but he seems like he does not like the indoors. I tried to close the door while he was inside once and he freaked out and was running and slipping. I dont want to overwhelm him at all, but I want him happy and warm for the winter. What do I do? Im not a cat person at all but this boy has stole my heart. I have received some opinions from others saying to let him live outdoors as outdoor cats are happier that way. But some told em to take him to the vet and put him in a room with all his essentials and he will eventually adjust. What is the best option for him? I want him to be happy and healthy. (Side Note: He also has one ear thats cut off and another thats snipped).

 

[Norachan]

Hi nashchow Thank you so much for trying to help this boy. He sounds adorable.

I would definitely bring him indoors. I`ve taken in well over 20 feral cats now and they`ve all adjusted to being indoor/enclosure only cats. Some take longer to get used to it than others. One cat lived in my closet for a month, another hid under the sofa and howled for almost a week, but eventually they get used to the good life.

All cats find change difficult. Even if you had the sweetest, tamest indoor-only cat ever and you moved to a new apartment it would take them time to adjust.

We have some articles here that might help you

The 5 Golden Rules To Bringing An Outdoor Cat Inside - TheCatSite

How To Make Your Home Bigger (at Least For Your Cats) - TheCatSite

Please let us know how it goes.

 

[tabbytom]

We have had a stray cat (i think he is older) who has been coming into our backyard for the last 2-3 years now on and off. However as of this year, he has been here everyday since May and spends most of his day in my backyard. At first he was so scared of me. I would feed him and he would not even come near the food if I was present, he would only come to the food once I had left (I would watch him through the window). But gradually he has trusted me ALOT and I have genuinely discovered he may be one of the sweetest cats I have ever ever seen. He does not scratch, hiss or fight. He loves snuggles, he purrs very loudly when i pet him and constantly rolls around and shows his belly to me. He loves headbutts and now has formed an attachment to me. Other stray cats come around and steal his food while he is eating and he does nothing. I bought him a outdoor home and he stayed all day and night there during summer time. However I am in new york and the winters here are brutal. It has already started and he barely leaves his little home now. whenever he comes out to eat, he is physically shaking (we are in the low twenties). I genuinely feel so so so bad so I started feeding him indoors. But he is just SUCH a scared cat. He runs out the door at any slight noise and does not want to come back in. he grudgingly comes in and leaves right after eating inside for a little bit, takes a look around but does not care to explore. He just goes back to his outdoor home. My heart is breaking because I know he is older. I also know he is cold. I want to bring him in but he seems like he does not like the indoors. I tried to close the door while he was inside once and he freaked out and was running and slipping. I dont want to overwhelm him at all, but I want him happy and warm for the winter. What do I do? Im not a cat person at all but this boy has stole my heart. I have received some opinions from others saying to let him live outdoors as outdoor cats are happier that way. But some told em to take him to the vet and put him in a room with all his essentials and he will eventually adjust. What is the best option for him? I want him to be happy and healthy. (Side Note: He also has one ear thats cut off and another thats snipped).

and welcome to TCS!

From what I read, this cat has put his trust in you by the way he behaves. It is better for this cat to be indoors than the outdoors and cats living indoors are safer and happier than cats living in the outdoors as they don't get human affections.

It is natural that he is afraid of sounds indoors as the sounds and sights are all new to him and there are no familiar scents that he can relate to.

Please bring him indoors as it is easier for you as you currently you don't have a cat. It'll be easier to do the transition although it may take awhile.
Please prepare a safe room for him. Have a cardboard box in the room for him to retreat to. Have a litterbox for him too and place it away from his food and water. Have some towels to soak up his scents while he is outside in his little home and bring those towels in and place it in the safe too for him so that there'll be familiar scents to keep him calm.
Also leave some of your clean unwashed non perfumed garments in the room for him as he knows you and your scents are very important to him.

Keep all unnecessary sounds down so that it'll help him calm down. Give yourself and him some time to adjust and I see that this task is not difficult given that the relationship between the two of you has kind of sealed.

It's just love, patience and routine that will help make the transition smoother and quicker.

For now, your plan is to get him in ASAP and after that, feel free to ask questions and we'll move on from there. As I'm replying this message, Norachan has given you wonderful advice.

Please keep us updated. We are here to help.

 

[nashchow]

Hi nashchow Thank you so much for trying to help this boy. He sounds adorable.

I would definitely bring him indoors. I`ve taken in well over 20 feral cats now and they`ve all adjusted to being indoor/enclosure only cats. Some take longer to get used to it than others. One cat lived in my closet for a month, another hid under the sofa and howled for almost a week, but eventually they get used to the good life.

All cats find change difficult. Even if you had the sweetest, tamest indoor-only cat ever and you moved to a new apartment it would take them time to adjust.

We have some articles here that might help you

The 5 Golden Rules To Bringing An Outdoor Cat Inside - TheCatSite

How To Make Your Home Bigger (at Least For Your Cats) - TheCatSite

Please let us know how it goes.

this helps alot. thank you so much. I will be making a vet appointment soon hopefully and bringing him in.

 

[nashchow]

and welcome to TCS!

From what I read, this cat has put his trust in you by the way he behaves. It is better for this cat to be indoors than the outdoors and cats living indoors are safer and happier than cats living in the outdoors as they don't get human affections.

It is natural that he is afraid of sounds indoors as the sounds and sights are all new to him and there are no familiar scents that he can relate to.

Please bring him indoors as it is easier for you as you currently you don't have a cat. It'll be easier to do the transition although it may take awhile.
Please prepare a safe room for him. Have a cardboard box in the room for him to retreat to. Have a litterbox for him too and place it away from his food and water. Have some towels to soak up his scents while he is outside in his little home and bring those towels in and place it in the safe too for him so that there'll be familiar scents to keep him calm.
Also leave some of your clean unwashed non perfumed garments in the room for him as he knows you and your scents are very important to him.

Keep all unnecessary sounds down so that it'll help him calm down. Give yourself and him some time to adjust and I see that this task is not difficult given that the relationship between the two of you has kind of sealed.

It's just love, patience and routine that will help make the transition smoother and quicker.

For now, your plan is to get him in ASAP and after that, feel free to ask questions and we'll move on from there. As I'm replying this message, Norachan has given you wonderful advice.

Please keep us updated. We are here to help.

thank you so much for all the detailed advice. I will be doing all of the above and will update with pictures and videos soon. My vet appintment is this week and I just ordered all essentials for him after your and Norachan replies. thank you again <3

 

[tabbytom]

thank you so much for all the detailed advice. I will be doing all of the above and will update with pictures and videos soon. My vet appintment is this week and I just ordered all essentials for him after your and Norachan replies. thank you again <3

That's good. Feel free to ask questions. There are no such thing as a stupid question here.

 

[Kwik]

Welcome to TCS nashchow - very happy to hear you've opened your heart to this boy and will be transitioning him to indoor life- being such a scaredy-cat indoors for a cat that has survived outdoors for their entire life or the most of it is very normal- everything they've ever seen,heard or smell is different and thsts extremely scarey for a cat- thst in no way means they were happy outdoors,it means it's what they were familiar with and knew no better

When transitioning a boy like this( what's his name btw?)keep in mind that the smaller his space the easier the transition- firstly he will not have the space to run around panicked ( as you described he " freaks out" when you cut off his exit in the house).... some cats will try to get back to their familiar place ( outside) and can even hurt themselves running into windows etc...." some" not all but it is not uncommon with older ferals

Be great if you had an enclosure or large crate to start him off in- you'll have close contact with him,it won't be long until your petting him again at feeding time - being contained does help them to settle in easier( partially covered) to adapt to the scents and sounds of inside the home.... remember he doesn't know what the heat kicking on sound is,a refrigerator motor,TV,toilet flushing- he will get used to all of it

If you're going to start him off in a small room then be sure to cat proof it- bring his little outdoor house inside.... you must also know he has no clue about a litter box,he goes wherever he likes and never in the same place to hide his scent from predators---- it's a good idea to fill a litter box with dirt from your yard,what he is familiar with plus pick up some DrElsys Touch of Outdoor cat litter for when you begin mixing in litter with the dirt...... litter training is also easier in a confined space

Have your boys space well prepared for him ,water source away from food,food way from litter,litter away from bed ( or house)..... it's takes a minimum of 30 days for a cat to establish a new place as " their territory " at that point they start to feel more confident & comfortable.... it more important he feels comfy with " where" than with " who" - territory is top priority in a cats mind- love,patience and consistency will result in a very " happy kitty"- thanks to you,thank you for giving him the chance to have a great life and a forever home with someone to love

 

[DeesCats]

Welcome to TCS nashchow !

I had the almost the exact same experience you have with an outdoor cat. I was feeding an outdoor intact male for a couple years, trapped him and got him TNR'd and returned him to my yard. Over the next year he became more friendly, slept in his outdoor heated shelter and began letting me touch him with a closed fist when I went out to feed him. I named him Colly.

Last January he was injured with a huge abscess on his cheek/throat so I trapped him and took him to the ER where they cleaned him up and gave me medications to treat him for infection. I immediately moved him into the spare bedroom in a sheet covered large dog crate with a litter box and a cat carrier to hide in. He adjusted extremely well to being inside the crate and then a couple weeks later, free reign of the room.

I already had 2 other cats so integrating him into the home took a few more months but he is now the sweetest lap cat. He is still a bit uncomfortable if I need to pick him up or trim his nails but does well at vet visits, isn't bothered by household noises for the most part and it's one of the best choices I've made for both him, me and our household.

Every cat reacts differently in these kind of situations. I've read lots of stories on TCS with other members experiences taking in outdoor cats; some cats take longer to adjust, some fit right in right away and others remain standoffish for months or years.

IMO, if you really want to have him move in, I'd say go for it.

 

[nashchow]

Hi everyone. Not the best update. So I made a vet appointment, set up his small room with toys , a cat bed, litter and everything. Followed all the directions everyone suggested here. I got him in the carrier and as I was closing he ran out super fast and didnt return for 2 days. He came back and I tried again but then the same issue. I finally tried a last time and he just got upset and now doesnt trust me the same way he used to. Its -4 degrees in new york now. I have a outdoor shelter with a heating pad for him that he loves and spends his day there. I give him food, he refuses water. But now my heart is breaking because it is so cold and the heating pad only does so much with this weather. He is still ice cold when I touch him. He is SO hard to capture. I even opened our door for him and he just waits right at the door and looks at the floor of my house. he doesnt dare to put his paw in anymore. It seems he has no interest of being inside because even when I put food inside for him, he sees it and wont come inside. i want him in my house asap. I just dont know how or what to do.

 

[Kwik]

Hi everyone. Not the best update. So I made a vet appointment, set up his small room with toys , a cat bed, litter and everything. Followed all the directions everyone suggested here. I got him in the carrier and as I was closing he ran out super fast and didnt return for 2 days. He came back and I tried again but then the same issue. I finally tried a last time and he just got upset and now doesnt trust me the same way he used to. Its -4 degrees in new york now. I have a outdoor shelter with a heating pad for him that he loves and spends his day there. I give him food, he refuses water. But now my heart is breaking because it is so cold and the heating pad only does so much with this weather. He is still ice cold when I touch him. He is SO hard to capture. I even opened our door for him and he just waits right at the door and looks at the floor of my house. he doesnt dare to put his paw in anymore. It seems he has no interest of being inside because even when I put food inside for him, he sees it and wont come inside. i want him in my house asap. I just dont know how or what to do.

You can remove the door from the carrier and have a small board to guillotine the opening - you butt the carrier against the outdoor house doorway- it helps with an assistant to bang the back of the house so he runs unto the carrier and guillotine the opening - carry in the house with your assistant and once inside re- attach the door - as you close the door you slowly slide away your board.... I've done this probably hundreds of times( no exaggeration) over the years with ferals that do go into outdoor houses and cubbies- it's sounds harder than it is
Or you can use an animal trap that has a guillotine door ( like a transfer cage also) ....

If my Timmy would've gone in a house or cubby box outside I'd of caught him immediately but he'd not go IN side of anything..... a friend of mine said you can probably find videos on what I'm trying to explskn( try looking for transfer cats from cage to carrier) or something like that- if you use a transfer or any kind of cage ,cover it- they are more apt to ho into dark spaces .....Hope that helps you- you just have to get creative and be more determined than he is!

And eventually he will trust you again,dont let that thought deter you- I promise you,he will

 

[tabbytom]

Hi everyone. Not the best update. So I made a vet appointment, set up his small room with toys , a cat bed, litter and everything. Followed all the directions everyone suggested here. I got him in the carrier and as I was closing he ran out super fast and didnt return for 2 days. He came back and I tried again but then the same issue. I finally tried a last time and he just got upset and now doesnt trust me the same way he used to. Its -4 degrees in new york now. I have a outdoor shelter with a heating pad for him that he loves and spends his day there. I give him food, he refuses water. But now my heart is breaking because it is so cold and the heating pad only does so much with this weather. He is still ice cold when I touch him. He is SO hard to capture. I even opened our door for him and he just waits right at the door and looks at the floor of my house. he doesnt dare to put his paw in anymore. It seems he has no interest of being inside because even when I put food inside for him, he sees it and wont come inside. i want him in my house asap. I just dont know how or what to do.

You can change tactics by distracting him. Do other things other than getting him into the carrier for the moment. Once they are distracted, they sometimes forget about the carrier.

The other thing is to disguise the carrier. You can either place the carrier in a cardboard box or in a big supermarket paper bag. Cats like cardboard boxes and paper bags.

Here is one example :-

 

[Kwik]

You can remove the door from the carrier and have a small board to guillotine the opening - you butt the carrier against the outdoor house doorway- it helps with an assistant to bang the back of the house so he runs unto the carrier and guillotine the opening - carry in the house with your assistant and once inside re- attach the door - as you close the door you slowly slide away your board.... I've done this probably hundreds of times( no exaggeration) over the years with ferals that do go into outdoor houses and cubbies- it's sounds harder than it is
Or you can use an animal trap that has a guillotine door ( like a transfer cage also) ....

If my Timmy would've gone in a house or cubby box outside I'd of caught him immediately but he'd not go IN side of anything..... a friend of mine said you can probably find videos on what I'm trying to explskn( try looking for transfer cats from cage to carrier) or something like that- if you use a transfer or any kind of cage ,cover it- they are more apt to ho into dark spaces .....Hope that helps you- you just have to get creative and be more determined than he is!

And eventually he will trust you again,dont let that thought deter you- I promise you,he will

Also a good idea to leave your carrier beside the house so he's used to seeing it for a time just sitting there ,non threatening object.If you decide to do the transfer method you do not want go just approach his house carrying that scary thing to put him on alert.....especially after his little recent fright