Young cat moving slowly, reluctant to jump

[Lilith]

Hi Randall, sorry, I've been 'feral' for a few days lol

That Vetbed is marvellous stuff - it washes time and time again and never wears out. It's thermal and 'wicks' any moisture, say from a wet cat, to the base of the fibres; couldn't recommend it more. You can also buy a big piece and just cut it, no hemming or whatever, to several sizes required. I'd forgotten about it tbh - I used it in my Siamese breeding days and gave it away to cat rescue (it was still that good and usable after over 15 years!) when my old cats passed on and I thought I'd never bear to have another cat...famous last words, the ferals were waiting...

I'm so glad to hear that Paczski is improving - sounds like he's almost back to normal now, great relief.

Oh and as to ferals turning into soppy housecats - they do, they do! I've two of my own to prove it and have known others

[randall]

Thanks Lillith. I hope to make it to the local pet store this coming week.

Paczski is now hopping about and frisky, and for me the additional good news is that he apparently has found a new place to stay dry that is very much closer to the house. He suddenly appears in a flash when I walk out the door, and he's coming from a different direction. That will make it much easier to change bedding, or use hot water bottles if it gets very cold. It's been raining, and I think Paczski didn't like getting wet traveling all the distance from his last hiding place to the food bowls. I haven't quite figured out where his new spot it (and the dogs haven't either), but I have a general idea where to put his new igloo, carpeted with Vetbed, next week and we'll see how it goes.

Thanks to everybody who offered suggestions and help. I have no experience with strays so it has been a big help to hear what you know about their behavior, and what works for them.

[randall]

Just an update to say that I bought an igloo for Paczski but the store did not carry Vetbed bedding, so until I can order it online, I bought small fleece blanket -- which I know isn't a permanent solution, but thought the Paczski would like it for now since temps are falling, and it might tide him over.

However, I also bought a second little fleece so that Tang could have one in his igloo too. But later this evening, I found Tang sitting on the garden table, staring at the igloo with the new blanket. I took the blanket away, because I'm guessing Tang thought another animal had moved inside his igloo!

I am wondering if I buy Vetbed if Tang will be okay with that, or if he'll prefer shivering on my computer case.

I'm not able to tell yet if Paczki has even tried out his own igloo or if he is preferring to go back to his own hiding place. I took the fleece out of his igloo too, so he can see it is empty, but I might have to move the whole igloo nearer his hiding place (still haven't figure out exactly where it is).

I also discovered a toad making his way to the igloos, and saved its life (I hope) by relocating it well to the other side of the garden.

[Crewella]

Hopefully they'll get used to the changes and learn to appreciate all your efforts!

By the way, toads need a different sort of house ..... if you were considering it ......

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special ... -house.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[randall]

Toad was actually trying to get into my house -- but he or she was only trying to get away from me and the cat. I got the toad to hop into a small box, and I deposited him by the wall on the other side of the garden. We have a TON of toads living inside the dry stonewalls that make up the many staircases in the hills. They especially like to sit under the street lamps at night. They sit absolutely still without moving, and I think that it is how they survive the many, many cats who patrol the steps.

Whatever I do for these cats, I am not expecting gratitude!

But I would worry less if Paczski moved into the igloo. It's raining now.

[randall]

Okay, so -- this could have been predicted -- Tang moved into the new igloo!

And Paczski couldn't care less I bought him a house anyway.

What Paczski wants to do is sit on my window sill all day and watch me through the window. That's his home as far as he is concerned. Plus, my radiator is located inside right under sill, and it probably gives him a little bit of warmth.

Unfortunately, when it rains, there is no protection for him there, so it eventually it drives him off the sill. Plus, I need to close the shutters at night.

I am going to take one of the 2 igloos away from Tang (I guess Tang thinks one is his summer home, and the other his winter home) and put it near where I think Paczski goes when the window sill isn't available to him and he gets tired of waiting patiently for me to reopen the windows.

We'll see how that works.

[meriad]

How do you think Paczski would react if you let him inside? Stranger things are known to have happened

[Lilith]

Well, if that ain't cats for you!

Hopefully Paczski will get the idea as Autumn advances!

Aww I love toads - do you think they sit under the street lights because of the chance of any insects flying within reach? Sorry about my silly sense of humour but I'm suddenly struck by the notion of naughty female toads haunting the lamplight and swinging their handbags...

As for toad in the hole...no, Lil, that's quite enough! (Smacks own wrist...)

[randall]

I have previously let Paczski come indoors -- he is very fond of my girly-girl house cat, Miuccia -- but the minute I shut the door, he panics, running frantically, sort of lowing piteously, pleading, like a small bovine in terror. He once jumped against a closed window, looking to escape. I haven't risked having him inside again. I can't leave the door open all the time. Heat costs a fortune in Italy!

I think he might be avoiding the igloo because it is too enclosed.

I have now relocated the igloo to where i think he goes to stay dry and warm when it rains. But before doing that, I had the bright idea of putting the igloo on a large table, and putting the table by my window, thinking Paczski maybe likes elevation, feels safer. And then I closed the shutters because I had to go out. When I came back, Paczski was sleeping next to the igloo, as close to the shuttered window as he could get.

I am going to buy the cats a solar heat trapper, which I can turn into a big tent with a old glass table frame (missing the glass now). Paczski will be able to feel how warm it is in there without needing to enter an enclosed space:

http://www.piscineitalia.it/solar-sun-rings.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As for the local toads, the stories I could tell about their sex lives! I have no idea really why they hang out under the street lamps, but I had thought it was because they are cold-blooded and associate the light with warmth. Maybe it is just a teeny bit warrmer on the stone steps in the places the light is shining. Anyway, they often hang out in large groups, partying, but they freeze the minute the sense movement/mammals/heavy creatures around. Not moving, they look exactly like the clumps of leaves and chestnut husks that litter the stairs.

Well, I just looked out my window and Tang has now colonized Paczski's window sill. He is incorrigible! Fortunately they don't fight. But Paczski has vanished for now.