Cat Chat Feline Forum

Hi

I've had a rescue cat now for 4 years, well one of 2. He's quite a scared cat and will only come to me and one friend who he's used to. His behaviour was great though.... stayed out until late evening and then would comne in with his sister to settle down for the night. Last year I decided to try cat fostering, which I did on and off for around 8 months. It seemed a worthwhile thing to do but I admit, rather stupidly, I didn't realize the effect it would have on my male cat.

Its now been 1 month since the last foster cat was here and Fanta (my boy) just doesn't want to come in to the house at all. I've managed to get him in a few times and kept him in for a few days but as soon as I open the door for him he's out and we start all over again. Currently he's on his 6th day out, only popping his head in the door to have his food. I'm not sure whether to keep on going allowing him to be outside or whether to take steps to keep him in for a good few weeks to get him used to the house again. Obviously I dont like him out all night but I am hoping he'll start to realize that if I'm not forcing him to stay in he'll be OK coming in without being scared. My thoughts are he's both not happy being kept in and has also been spooked with the foster cats in the house.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks
Bob

I suspect he's still spooked by all the new cat smells, and doesn't recognise it as his safe place anymore as a result. Give the house a really thorough clean to try to remove the scents of the foster cats, get a feliway diffuser going, and bring your lad in and keep him in for a week or so, making sure he gets plenty of attention from you to reestablish his position in the household and to reinforce your relationship with him (and also to stop him getting bored and frustrated). As he's a nervous cat, he really needs a refuge in his little world, and you need to help him feel he can find that in your house.

does he stay out regardless of the weather? if he doesn't come home when it's pouring with rain, he must have somewhere else he is holing up

does he still eat a full day's food from you? or could he be getting rations elsewhere?

he may, I suspect, have found himself a second home when the foster cats were there, and is now hedging his bets foodwise - if you think this could be the case, try attaching a note to a collar asking anyone who is sheltering and/or feeding him to get in touch with you

Hi

Thanks for the replies.

He stays out if its raining but I have an outside cathouse that he goes in to thats warm and comfortable. Still eating fine and he's recently been flead. When I go out he'll come over for his usual attention but is wary of me picking him up to carry him in.

There's no way on this planet he's found a second home, I'd stake my life on it.... he's scared of everyone and has been since I adopted him as a young kitten. Lost the end of his tail when he was born in a garden and I think thats stayed with him.

I think making the house feel safe for him is the key as you say. It'll be a struggle getting him in as he has a sixth sense about these things but I think thats what I need to do. I've kept him in for a week before but that doesn't work so it may be that I have to go longer, as if he's a new cat. Aslo I agree that play etc is important and we seem to have lost some of that since he's out and about.... even before all this happened.

Thanks
Bob

Hi, something similar happened to a friend of mine. Her tomcat, whom she had since he was a kitten, completely changed behaviour after the introduction of a second kitten. He has been "sulking" for 3 years now and hardly comes in anymore. He might come in when he can be sure the air is clear, but as soon as the kitten appears, he's off again. The kitten (now a grown cat) loves him to bits, but he just never "forgave" his owners.

I think part of it is the divided attention: a kitten or foster cat is sure to occupy you and if your rescue cat is shy and finds it hard to trust, he might not feel safe or "special" anymore. However, not fostering any longer sounds like the right decision. Fingers crossed, your cat will relax and learn to trust again.