I would stick to just food and clean water for a very long time. With cats, they will make friends if and when THEY decide to. Anything that you do beside feeding will be interpreted as a threat.
MY GARDEN IS PROTECTED !
- Thread starter susieqz
- Start date
Lee in Quartzsite
Member
It's possible, but he was in a group of 3-4 other cats that were definitely feral. His ear was notched which is a sign he was captured and neutered and then returned to where they caught him. We started leaving food out for him some distance from the house and then moved it closer and closer. He disappeared for a time, almost a month, then he returned for keeps. He was very aware of Coyotes and would alert us whenever one was near. The Vet said he was about 3-5 years old when he showed up. He was starving because he couldn't hunt at all! His diet was ants and other bugs....even after he was eating in the house he would go outside and eat ants. Took a long time before he stopped that habit.
We recently adopted a rescue cat from Petco a month ago. Her name is Molly and is about 1 year old and she all ready is well into training us!
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Two things....
First, I have a fig tree that is unbelievably hardy. I've cut the thing back to a stump and it grows so fast it is all on and through my fence and laying against the neighbors house. It's in a perfect place, sunny but sheltered and a LOT of water drains through our property. You would think the thing was on growth hormones. It put out fruit by the bushel, untll the lady across the street cut off the buds for some silly reason. She thought it would make more figs or something. It hasn't been the same since.
Now, stray kitties. It was starved so badly all of it's hair was broken off. It looked awful. After a few months of good food and TLC she's grown this ultra luxurious coat and is SO affectionate that she drives us nuts.
First, I have a fig tree that is unbelievably hardy. I've cut the thing back to a stump and it grows so fast it is all on and through my fence and laying against the neighbors house. It's in a perfect place, sunny but sheltered and a LOT of water drains through our property. You would think the thing was on growth hormones. It put out fruit by the bushel, untll the lady across the street cut off the buds for some silly reason. She thought it would make more figs or something. It hasn't been the same since.
Now, stray kitties. It was starved so badly all of it's hair was broken off. It looked awful. After a few months of good food and TLC she's grown this ultra luxurious coat and is SO affectionate that she drives us nuts.
snowman
Member
OP
susieqz
Absent Comrade
I don't go to town much, but today i did my monthly shopping. since the amazon order was delayed, i bot more friskies,
note i didn't buy the cheap store brand, i bot friskies that are almost as much as hamburger.
i knew there might be a problem because all week i was feeding chicken n pork because that's all i had.
well, it's friskies or nothing for her.
this animal looks like a concentration camp victom.
she's not even a pet n she's trying to push me around.
note i didn't buy the cheap store brand, i bot friskies that are almost as much as hamburger.
i knew there might be a problem because all week i was feeding chicken n pork because that's all i had.
well, it's friskies or nothing for her.
this animal looks like a concentration camp victom.
she's not even a pet n she's trying to push me around.
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We have three feral cats here at the ol' homestead. One we brought from northern California when we moved back home to Utah. She still runs away and hides from everybody except for Ms. Judy and me. But, she's a purring machine when we're with her. We pick her up, pet her, and she'll roll over on her back so we can stroke her belly.
Our second one is like the one you described. I had seen her hunting around my woodshed about six years ago, but the minute she saw me, she'd take off.
It took several months of me talking to her while "ignoring" her as I did my chores. Eventually, she didn't run off when I'd look at her. Then months later, I was able to approach her, then months later actually touch her...but she bit me on the hand. Yep...just took a big chomp, but fortunately I was wearing my heavy elk hide work gloves. Didn't even break the leather.
Then, I didn't see her for a couple of weeks until one morning I saw her drag herself out from under the woodshed. There was a large patch of hair, a little larger than a golf ball, missing from her right hind leg. It looked as though she had been bitten by another animal. The area was hot, red, and oozing with puss. She couldn't put any weight on it at all.
She limped over to me on three legs and just flopped over. I started petting her, then retrieved my big horse first aid kit. Believe it or not, she let me flush out the wound, then I packed it with nitrofurizone salve. Bless her heart...she didn't even flinch during the whole procedure. Go figure. It must've hurt like heck.
I continued to do that every day for two weeks. She'd just lie there and let me work on her. A little over a month later, she was putting weight on the leg. Now, she follows me around the place like a dog. Really. I'll be out in the corrals and there she'll be. Or I'll go out to the pasture and she'll be trotting along behind me. And every morning, she's there waiting for me to feed her. She spends most of her time around the barn or fields with me when I'm outside. Goes into the garage for her breakfast and dinner, but prefers to sleep in the barn. I have her sleep in the heated garage with our other cat during the winter, but for the most part, she prefers to be outside.
And, miracle of miracles, she's exceptionally friendly with other people, too. She lets the grandkids pet her and pick her up. It's taken years, but she's changed.
Now, our third feral cat is at the stage where he doesn't run off when he see's me. He'll sit there while I walk by, but he still doesn't let me approach him. He's been around for a few years now. We've made some progress, but it's been slow.
Sorry for this long, boring story, but I just wanted you to know that's it's possible. It takes time, but it's possible. I think it depends solely on the cat. They're all different.
Good luck. It sounds like you have a winner.
Our second one is like the one you described. I had seen her hunting around my woodshed about six years ago, but the minute she saw me, she'd take off.
It took several months of me talking to her while "ignoring" her as I did my chores. Eventually, she didn't run off when I'd look at her. Then months later, I was able to approach her, then months later actually touch her...but she bit me on the hand. Yep...just took a big chomp, but fortunately I was wearing my heavy elk hide work gloves. Didn't even break the leather.
Then, I didn't see her for a couple of weeks until one morning I saw her drag herself out from under the woodshed. There was a large patch of hair, a little larger than a golf ball, missing from her right hind leg. It looked as though she had been bitten by another animal. The area was hot, red, and oozing with puss. She couldn't put any weight on it at all.
She limped over to me on three legs and just flopped over. I started petting her, then retrieved my big horse first aid kit. Believe it or not, she let me flush out the wound, then I packed it with nitrofurizone salve. Bless her heart...she didn't even flinch during the whole procedure. Go figure. It must've hurt like heck.
I continued to do that every day for two weeks. She'd just lie there and let me work on her. A little over a month later, she was putting weight on the leg. Now, she follows me around the place like a dog. Really. I'll be out in the corrals and there she'll be. Or I'll go out to the pasture and she'll be trotting along behind me. And every morning, she's there waiting for me to feed her. She spends most of her time around the barn or fields with me when I'm outside. Goes into the garage for her breakfast and dinner, but prefers to sleep in the barn. I have her sleep in the heated garage with our other cat during the winter, but for the most part, she prefers to be outside.
And, miracle of miracles, she's exceptionally friendly with other people, too. She lets the grandkids pet her and pick her up. It's taken years, but she's changed.
Now, our third feral cat is at the stage where he doesn't run off when he see's me. He'll sit there while I walk by, but he still doesn't let me approach him. He's been around for a few years now. We've made some progress, but it's been slow.
Sorry for this long, boring story, but I just wanted you to know that's it's possible. It takes time, but it's possible. I think it depends solely on the cat. They're all different.
Good luck. It sounds like you have a winner.
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BigBill
Absent Comrade
I received three feral kittens. First they were almost dead from no food. They took the mother away too soon. These kittens were born outside no human touch at all. My first attempt was to had feed them with tuna. One in my hand could just pick up his head barely. He didn't like me but the smell of the tuna was overwhelming. I got all three kittens to eat. Now my problem was there traumatized. Still hissing at everyone. They would hide and keep to themselves. It took a longtime to gain there trust and lots of love. Still they had a chip on their shoulders about humans. It took me a few years. Every abondoned litter of kittens I find I adopt. There all tramatised from the ordeal. But they had human contact once so they come around quickly. Now my feral kittens are almost over a year old. When I took in a orange tabby with his tuxedo brother(black n white), the orange tabby is very outgoing. The three feral brothers really opened up with him. It was good therapy to adopt the tabby. It took another year for them to be friendly with me. I taught them to come to my call when their outside, now there learning to go to the front door or back door by command to come in or go out. They are special now. When they started licking me I knew they accepted me into their family. I just received two more kittens I have seven cats now. One is another orange tabby. The first orange tabby acts like there papa. He's the papa to all of them. It takes time and lots of patience plus love and care to get them to accept you. I never knew I could be so close to a pet. I just wanted to save the three brothers. Then I read online how to work with them. How to talk with them. Squint your eyes and nod your head up or down. They will return the squint. Trust me it works. Lots of patience.
When I adopt kittens I get two or more because their happier together. Males are easier to work with. Females are harder to work with, they let me pet them then the next minute I can't touch them it's on there terms. But another female can be the opposite and be a lap cat. Go figure. There's posts of info on the net about talking to your cat and training them.
Since the first orange tabby worked with the three brothers and got them to open up there friendly with strangers too cautious at first but then they open up. I tell them it's ok. There smart.
I lost outside cats to coyotes too. Now I don't cut the claws on the cats that go outside. This way they can climb trees faster and defend themselves better. My other four cats don't go outside.
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BigBill
Absent Comrade
Now I have a outside feral turtle colored cat that came from the water shed land. My wife put out food and water, she comes eats, drinks and leaves. Now she has not been here in while I think she had kittens. I seen a kitten in the woods before but by the time I put food out it was gone.
My only problem now is I have two opussoms and two raccoons eating the dry food too. I figure she's going to take the kittens here soon to feed them. The food is in my wood pile.
My only problem now is I have two opussoms and two raccoons eating the dry food too. I figure she's going to take the kittens here soon to feed them. The food is in my wood pile.
susie:
IIRC, GripMakersWife (Jennifer) has a lot of experience with feral cats. If she doesn't see this thread, send her a PM. I'll bet that she will have some ideas in addition to the excellent advice that I've already seen on the thread.
Best Regards, and Best of Luck with your kitty.
Les
IIRC, GripMakersWife (Jennifer) has a lot of experience with feral cats. If she doesn't see this thread, send her a PM. I'll bet that she will have some ideas in addition to the excellent advice that I've already seen on the thread.
Best Regards, and Best of Luck with your kitty.
Les
Give her time. And don't be upset about the Friskies, she may have tooth problems. Bad diet can do that.
A friend of mine had a feral hanging around her back yard so she would leave food out and it stuck around.It had a litter about 2 years ago and when they were weened Mary trapped them.3 are domestic now,one isn't.It took another year before the mother cat would let her pet it and 6 more months before it would go in her house
OP
susieqz
Absent Comrade
thanks tons guys. the more you tell me, the more i understand.
bill if you ever have an extra [especially orange, please send her here. i'll gladly pay shipping n your gas n everything. i really want an indoor kitty or two.
things are getting pretty funny here. it's almost dark, so cool enow to walk my garden.
that so called wild animal was out there pacing around her bowls, waiting for something better.
pretty cute.
on the plus side, she saw me thru the window n ran off. but, all she did was run normally.
before, she fled in terror, at top speed.
i saw no terror here, she no longer thinks i'm gonna eat her.
bill if you ever have an extra [especially orange, please send her here. i'll gladly pay shipping n your gas n everything. i really want an indoor kitty or two.
things are getting pretty funny here. it's almost dark, so cool enow to walk my garden.
that so called wild animal was out there pacing around her bowls, waiting for something better.
pretty cute.
on the plus side, she saw me thru the window n ran off. but, all she did was run normally.
before, she fled in terror, at top speed.
i saw no terror here, she no longer thinks i'm gonna eat her.
ACORN
Member
We had a mother and 3 kittens hanging around our yard a few years ago until one day the mother disappeared. The little ones would not let you get near them. All I had to do was make a noise at the back door and all you'd see were their fuzzy little behinds scurry under my lawn mower. We put out food and water. I couldn't let them starve. Summer led to fall and my daughter pleading with us not to let them freeze. I set a plan into motion. I put food just inside my back door with the door open and me behind it. I waited until they ventured inside for the food and closed the door. We had a box we cornered them in and then to the basement were we set up a old play pen to isolate them until we could get checked out by a vet. The were shy and huddled together when we approached except for the tabby. She was feisty and would spit and hiss at me. Luckily they were all healthy and we allowed them into the general population once they got used to us. Today they are family and are all inside cats. They all love to cuddle and get their share of loving.
kthom
Member
suzieqz,
It's my considered opinion that your cat is doing a pretty darn good job of taking care of herself without any attention from a vet. I sure would'nt impose a trip to vet on her unless I could see definitely signs of sickness or injury. Even then, it would be a big challenge, as well as expense. What you are doing right now is the best thing you can to eventually tame her a bit. She knows where those groceries are coming from, and she certainly knows the dangers outside your high fence. Just be really patient, try hard not to scare her, talk where she can hear you and get used to hearing it. As long as the chow you are putting out for her disappears, you know she's still on the job. Biggest danger is feeding her too much. Right now she's on her own and taking care of herself. You don't want to make a welfare cat out of her or she'll stop taking care of your vermin! Just enough to let her know she ain't gonna starve around your place and once she feels comfortable there, she'll stay. She already probably knows the next closest place is a long and dangerous journey away from your place.
You should know you never own a cat. It chooses you so just don't give her any reason to decide someplace else would be better. Good luck with her!
It's my considered opinion that your cat is doing a pretty darn good job of taking care of herself without any attention from a vet. I sure would'nt impose a trip to vet on her unless I could see definitely signs of sickness or injury. Even then, it would be a big challenge, as well as expense. What you are doing right now is the best thing you can to eventually tame her a bit. She knows where those groceries are coming from, and she certainly knows the dangers outside your high fence. Just be really patient, try hard not to scare her, talk where she can hear you and get used to hearing it. As long as the chow you are putting out for her disappears, you know she's still on the job. Biggest danger is feeding her too much. Right now she's on her own and taking care of herself. You don't want to make a welfare cat out of her or she'll stop taking care of your vermin! Just enough to let her know she ain't gonna starve around your place and once she feels comfortable there, she'll stay. She already probably knows the next closest place is a long and dangerous journey away from your place.
You should know you never own a cat. It chooses you so just don't give her any reason to decide someplace else would be better. Good luck with her!
OP
susieqz
Absent Comrade
acorn, i wish i thot that would work with an adult. i think if i trap her she will hate me n go away to die.
she can't live once the canal dries up.
it's 8-9 miles to the nearest crik.
i can't use any force that might drive her away.
kt, i'll go with what you say.
i know how to deal with housecats, this is different.
she can't live once the canal dries up.
it's 8-9 miles to the nearest crik.
i can't use any force that might drive her away.
kt, i'll go with what you say.
i know how to deal with housecats, this is different.
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susieqz
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sounds good, dad. not sure how to do it tho. if he sees me, he's over the wall.
i'm in no hurry tho. if she keeps the rodents out, i'm happy.
i just would like her to move nto the garden, into a cat house. that would extend her life better than anything else. sooner or later she'll make a mistake n end up as coyote lunch.
i'm in no hurry tho. if she keeps the rodents out, i'm happy.
i just would like her to move nto the garden, into a cat house. that would extend her life better than anything else. sooner or later she'll make a mistake n end up as coyote lunch.
We had a few in our old neighborhood. One was so hungry he snuck into our kitchen and stole cooking chicken out of a frying Pan! We stated feeding him and another and they began to trust us more. The little theif we called Dark Kitty. He would come in during the day but always had to be out at night....after eating well for some months he became a HUGE tabby. Lots of good stories about him and his brother cat...we had 17 living with us at one point, but that's another story.....best of luck with your buddy!
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Slow movments and kind words
will get your cat start trusting you.
But it will take time.
Our little stray is calming down some,
but won't sit in my lap.
When i start "meowing" he comes close enaugh for som stroking.
[/IMG]
I have no idea what i'm saying, but it seems to work
will get your cat start trusting you.
But it will take time.
Our little stray is calming down some,
but won't sit in my lap.
When i start "meowing" he comes close enaugh for som stroking.
I have no idea what i'm saying, but it seems to work
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