Stray SOS

[C1airey]

Fastest way to make friends with a cat is to ignore them. Eventually they get curious and come to see who you are/who fills the food bowl/who empties the litter tray. Can take a few weeks though.

I'd just make sure there's a safe, quiet warm spot for kitty and then crack on with life as normal. He'll come join you when he's ready.

Also, cats purr when they're stressed/frightened too, so don't take the lack of purring as a bad sign.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

He ate up well last night but I can't find him, I assume he must be somewhere in the house, have replenished his food ......

 

[Goldenstar]

My cats who are sisters came from a loving home , where they had lived since they where kittens .
They had a happy time being cat babies to a young couple until a real baby came along then it was a disaster they hated the baby when twins arrived quickly after the first baby they took to living in the attics of the house .
It was a month before I got to touch one I had them locked in a bit of the house where we have two studies , they had a much easier life than your boy had .
They also had to contend with dogs though which did slow stuff down .
It took time they have been here nearly and year and are still improving .
If you have no dog why not open up the whole house at night and just go in and sit on your sofa and put the telly on or read a book so he gets used to the sights and sounds of the house .

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Well the main reason is ventilation , essential when an animal is indoors , if he got out he would be in a much worse position.
I did find him in airing cupboard, but I wanted to check and groom him, plan went awry and he is jammed tight under kitchen units while I open windows elsewhere.
He would be gone in an instant if given the slightest opportunity.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

He is the noisiest cat ever, moving about the house and moving stuff to create safe places, back to the airing cupboard again and eating OK .... will try the ignore strategy as he seems a lot more active now.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

He was out last night to poo, pee and eat, but I can't find him, will wait to see if he comes out tonight, else SOS to SSPCA.

 

[touchstone]

Honestly it can take months for them to relax and trust, he is in a new environment with a new person he doesn't know won't hurt him yet.

I've taken in a few feral and semi feral cats, the first few weeks are terrifying as I'm convinced the cat will never adapt and be totally miserable. The worst cat is currently snuggled on my knee giving me headbutts and kisses. I'll bet yours will come round too and it is so rewarding when they do, you're doing a great job taking on a difficult cat, I'd let him settle for a few weeks before any health checks unless he's desperately I'll, it'll probably only stress hm more and take longer to integrate him into your home.

Have you tried feliway/ pet remedy/ zylkene? They can all help in this situation and worth a try.

Just to add I wouldn't keep checking him or trying to groomhim, pretend he isn't there and take things at his pace, the more pressure you put on him the more hell stress. Playing is a good strategy to get them relaxed, the flying frenzy toys are fab for bringing them out of their shells, also watch the Jackson Galaxy videos on YouTube, he is known as the cat whisperer and has some excellent tips.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Major breakthrough, early this a.m. he was looking out the window!... disappeared then came out to stay under the sofa all day, is moving about now it is dark.
He has been self grooming for a few days now [he is a longhair so plenty of evidence], also can feel his heart, whereas the first day he was shutting down on me, he is happy to let me touch him lightly provided he has an escape route, and I have roast chicken.
He is crashing about the house now, this seems to be his modus operendus.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

So pleased Bonkers

Let him dictate the progress as you are doing, don't force it. When he fully trust you he will show it, as I said it took 3 weeks for these two house cats to come out the cat flap too me when I went into feed them in their pens, though scarlet was more trusting even though she was the one who was run over by the scrots

 

[Goldenstar]

Sounds very positive

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Yep, he has decided to take up residence in living room, so I have set up the ironing board at window and have ordered a tunnel bed for him, as long as he can retreat he is fine, he made a noise today, not a purr, or a growl, more a meioux.
I don't think he is ready for toys yet, will try tomorrow.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

A bit of a health scare, but OK now, smooth sailing anticipated till we tackle the indoor/outdoor situation, we need three - four weeks of calmness first.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Two weeks on, and we get a bit of progress most days, though he still spends a lot of time under the sofa if I am too close.
I am still not too sure about a bed, tunnel, cave or clamshell ..... and what to do about [regular] hairball as I can't groom him yet, might call his SSPCA vet again ......
He likes nothing better than nocturnal play sessions, testing toys to destruction.
Getting better poops now on his high meat and fish diet 50/50 raw. Looks well in himself.

 

[C1airey]

Our cats (and dogs) have a billion beds and still they will drag a blanket to their favourite corner and sleep where they choose - if he likes being under the sofa, resign yourself to that being his 'spot' for now.

I wouldn't worry about the hair balls. Bit grim to keep finding I know (esp. with bare feet) but it is normal cat behaviour. If he's grooming himself that's a sign that he's happy in himself and settling in.

Glad to hear things are progressing

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

He only shoots under sofa because I am around,, if I go out of the house he moves to the window, behind the curtains

 

[Goldenstar]

Sounds like good progress.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Yesterday he came up to me [I have to be on the floor].
Today he is rubbing me like a mad thing, and loves being groomed, he is more adventurous, and happier, still a long way to go, but I can sit close.

 

[C1airey]

Super news, and great progress

 

[Embo]

Excellent news

One of ours will only allow us to come near/stroke her in certain areas of the house. We've had her nearly 4 years now. Some cats will always be timid, but you're making great progress together. Looking forward to the next update!

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Advice needed: so I had a bit of a step backwards, I tried lifting and holding him, but on third mini session he panicked and scared himself.
I was building a tunnel but he is now using it as his bed, so instead of see him lying on a bed in corner, allowing more interaction, essentially he prefers to hide away.
Should I move tunnel to some where a bit more public, he came out for five minutes grooming this morning.
He is not getting the smell of catfood, enticing him out of his refuge, which has been part of his re-hab and moving towards me.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

just leave him for a while it must be too fast for him, it will come I am sure Bonkers just at his pace.

OK, will do, have sent for a catnip banana, his squeaky battery mouse is his favourite at the moment.
yes ty , we are "catified"

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Whew, he is back in his little bed, has had breakfast and is blinking, as if to say "what's up Doc?"
No wonder they grilled me at the SSPCA .... had my two first kittties for thirteen years and they were just residents in my hotel ... this one is intensive care.....

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

The last two or three days I have been training him to use a feed ball and to ask [mew] when he wants fed, poor thing, so last night he decided to put this in to action at 2.00 am, actually entering my bedroom [first time], I was sure he must be in distress, but no, he just wanted Dreamies!...... The Dreamies were on a cushion in my room.

 

[C1airey]

but no, he just wanted Dreamies!

And so it begins: the slow irresistible wrapping of his human around his tiny kitty paw

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

And so it begins: the slow irresistible wrapping of his human around his tiny kitty paw

correct

 

[EventingMum]

Milton is very close to me, I always think of all the poor residents in there when I go past as I've had dogs from there before so I'm glad to hear things are going well.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Advice/ thoughts please.
A new vacuum arrived, and instead of just turning it on, I "shooed" him, which terrifies him, and though back in his bed, I have broken his trust and he has not come out for breakfast or grooming, I expect he will calm down soon, I have sent for more Feliway, [gave my spray to a friend with a distressed cat].
Now the above is understandable.
However , last night after his usual nocturnal play session he came in to my room [only second time], went to window a couple of times, even jumped on my bed, and was mewing, I got up and put out a tin of his favourite food, which he ate, but only a few nibbles. Is it possible he wants to go out? I can't let him, as he is too terrified of people at this time.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I have been forgiven, all pals again, he does not play with his latest toy, but ecstatic about the crinkly wrapping paper.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

You sound like you're doing a fab job, love reading your updates, but can we not have a pic yet .

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

You sound like you're doing a fab job, love reading your updates, but can we not have a pic yet .

He is pretty much nocturnal, but I will try if I can get a shot of him at the window.
He comes to get groomed quite readily now, and I bet he will ask to sleep at the foot of the bed pretty soon [I have just ordered a "luxurious satin and faux velvet" bedspread!]

Oh .... and he purrs ............ very, very quietly, but he is a lot happier, so it has been all worthwhile