Fear aggressive foster cat
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2022 9:28 am
Hi everyone,
First would like to say I'm new to the foster world, so thought I would give it a go as the Cat Haven is desperate and there's big overcrowding issues. I've always had cats and used to tame feral cats when I lived in the middle east many years ago.
So, my first foster cat Charlie Cat is 2 and was identified as timid, shy and was not doing well at the haven. I've taken him in and out him in the spare bedroom. I have a dog and a cat of my own, so Charlie cat has not had free reign over the house.
I've had him for 4 weeks and it's been a really tough run. Within the first week, I had to take him back to the cat haven to get his yearly vaccinations. I begged the foster coordinator to make it later, but due to comprised immunity she said no and that it had to be at this time. I had to trap him, not fun and coax him into his carrier.
While at the vet, the vet wrapped him in a towel and forced him to be petted. He also has a slight eye infection that requires him to get eye ointment.
I released him back in the spare bedroom and continued to sit in the room for 1-2 hours per day, talking gently, feliway diffuser is going, I'm using hemp chewables, using cat calming music as well as catnip spray.
I contacted the cat haven and said I've been unable to give the eye ointment to Charlie Cat, as he was so traumatised from me trapping him to go to his vet appointment. Foster coordinator said he really needs his eye drops and I just need to drape a towel over him and put the ointment in.
Well, I had to trap and wrap Charlie Cat to put the eye ointment in the first day. Second day, Charlie cat lunged, hissed, spat at me when I came to close to him. He then climbed to the top of the cupboard, continued to scratch, growl, bite. I ended up giving up after a minute or two of this, as he was beyond stressed.
Any relationship that I had built up in non existent now and I really don't know what to do.
Btw, I've explained all this to the foster coordinator, and I'm very close to giving the cat back and not taking another or doing this again because obviously I'm really not the right fit for this role!
Please help!
First would like to say I'm new to the foster world, so thought I would give it a go as the Cat Haven is desperate and there's big overcrowding issues. I've always had cats and used to tame feral cats when I lived in the middle east many years ago.
So, my first foster cat Charlie Cat is 2 and was identified as timid, shy and was not doing well at the haven. I've taken him in and out him in the spare bedroom. I have a dog and a cat of my own, so Charlie cat has not had free reign over the house.
I've had him for 4 weeks and it's been a really tough run. Within the first week, I had to take him back to the cat haven to get his yearly vaccinations. I begged the foster coordinator to make it later, but due to comprised immunity she said no and that it had to be at this time. I had to trap him, not fun and coax him into his carrier.
While at the vet, the vet wrapped him in a towel and forced him to be petted. He also has a slight eye infection that requires him to get eye ointment.
I released him back in the spare bedroom and continued to sit in the room for 1-2 hours per day, talking gently, feliway diffuser is going, I'm using hemp chewables, using cat calming music as well as catnip spray.
I contacted the cat haven and said I've been unable to give the eye ointment to Charlie Cat, as he was so traumatised from me trapping him to go to his vet appointment. Foster coordinator said he really needs his eye drops and I just need to drape a towel over him and put the ointment in.
Well, I had to trap and wrap Charlie Cat to put the eye ointment in the first day. Second day, Charlie cat lunged, hissed, spat at me when I came to close to him. He then climbed to the top of the cupboard, continued to scratch, growl, bite. I ended up giving up after a minute or two of this, as he was beyond stressed.
Any relationship that I had built up in non existent now and I really don't know what to do.
Btw, I've explained all this to the foster coordinator, and I'm very close to giving the cat back and not taking another or doing this again because obviously I'm really not the right fit for this role!
Please help!