poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
Quick background, although have talked about them on here previously so sorry if I'm repeating it all!
3 years ago we moved to a farm. In front of the house is a big field and at the bottom a pheasant release pen. Became apparent we had a resident cat living in the pen who kept having kittens (who always dissapeared) Started feeding the poor thing, trapped her and a kitten and had her spayed. Kitten, a boy was too young and we had to keep him longer so we tried to bring him into the house (thinking we could tame him!) and release her again but carry on feeding her. She kept coming back for her baby so we let her in and they have lived here ever since. Neither are friendly as such but they come for food, take treats and she will be stroked, they sit in the living room in the evening with us and the dogs. Weirdly they both refused to go outside, I'd leave all doors and windows open but neither ever went out. Except for a handful of times where she'd go out and come back the following night for dinner and come back in.
Just recently she left, We have seen her a few times around and she's ok. I leave food out but she hasn't taken it so far, she's not coming back this time that's obvious!
So we are left with just the very much more timid and nervous of the two. Since she left he's become more withdrawn. He still comes for his food and will have a few treats, not out of my hand, he's really regressed there. He also isn't around in the evening anymore. I think without her his confidence is really minimal. So he's spending much of his time hidden away under the bed. I am going to try one of those feliway diffusers in the bed room and see if that might help him.
Sooo, my other thought was maybe another cat? Is that a stupid idea/non-starter? I saw some kittens advertised locally just recently.
Theory being that a friendlier/normal cat without a inbuilt fear of life and people might bring him out of his shell a little and show him we are ok and not out to get him! He might follow them out into the garden and learn thats not terrifying either. Or he might just have a bit of company under his bed and someone to play with..... or he could be scared and beat it to shreds.
wwyd?
3 years ago we moved to a farm. In front of the house is a big field and at the bottom a pheasant release pen. Became apparent we had a resident cat living in the pen who kept having kittens (who always dissapeared) Started feeding the poor thing, trapped her and a kitten and had her spayed. Kitten, a boy was too young and we had to keep him longer so we tried to bring him into the house (thinking we could tame him!) and release her again but carry on feeding her. She kept coming back for her baby so we let her in and they have lived here ever since. Neither are friendly as such but they come for food, take treats and she will be stroked, they sit in the living room in the evening with us and the dogs. Weirdly they both refused to go outside, I'd leave all doors and windows open but neither ever went out. Except for a handful of times where she'd go out and come back the following night for dinner and come back in.
Just recently she left, We have seen her a few times around and she's ok. I leave food out but she hasn't taken it so far, she's not coming back this time that's obvious!
So we are left with just the very much more timid and nervous of the two. Since she left he's become more withdrawn. He still comes for his food and will have a few treats, not out of my hand, he's really regressed there. He also isn't around in the evening anymore. I think without her his confidence is really minimal. So he's spending much of his time hidden away under the bed. I am going to try one of those feliway diffusers in the bed room and see if that might help him.
Sooo, my other thought was maybe another cat? Is that a stupid idea/non-starter? I saw some kittens advertised locally just recently.
Theory being that a friendlier/normal cat without a inbuilt fear of life and people might bring him out of his shell a little and show him we are ok and not out to get him! He might follow them out into the garden and learn thats not terrifying either. Or he might just have a bit of company under his bed and someone to play with..... or he could be scared and beat it to shreds.
wwyd?
however, it would need to be the right personality rather than any old cat/kitten, which would be more tricky. He may never be a cuddly cat but he'll adjust to the new normal in his own time with the tricks above I imagine.