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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / April 2005

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Feral cats invade my life

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Charlie Wilkes - 15 Apr 2005 03:08 GMT
Cat#1...

...is living in the crawl-space under my singlewide residence.  The
insulation is sagging and she holes up in there.  She is pregnant and
oughta be due any second from the looks of her.  I monitor her with a
nannycam near the feeding station I have set up under the trailer.
The camera has an IR light, and I talk to her (from within the house)
when she shows up.  She seems to sense that the camera is a benevolent
eye, and spends a fair amount of time in front of it.

My plan is to trap the cat after she has had the kittens, because I
have been reluctant to stress her in the late stages of pregnancy, nor
do I want to do anything that will interfere with lactation.

Somehow I want to get the whole family transfered to a big, safe
enclosure in my back yard so I can socialize the kittens and look
after the health of mom and litter.  A nearby feed store will put the
kittens on display and sell them for vetting/spaying costs.  At that
point I will have the mother spayed and release her and continue to
feed her if she decides to hang around.

QUESTION -- When should I trap the mother cat?

=====================================================

Cat#2...

...is a young unneutered male about a year old.  I found him sprawled
across the road, dazed from a head injury and bleeding from his eyes,
ears, nose and mouth, but otherwise sound.  He was a feral from a
nearby livestock barn.  He recovered over the course of a week and
soon revealed that he was not meant to be a feral, but rather an
indoor lap cat.  He is quite needy and troublesome, but his
personality also has many endearing features.  

But he has taken to pissing on everything and crapping on the kitchen
floor, even though he has a litter box and has shown he knows how to
use it.  Moreover, he harrasses my dog.  It is comical to watch a 3
pound cat beat his tiny paws on a dog who will stop a full-grown man
in his tracks, but the dog doesn't like it.  She wants to be friends
with the cat, and actually they are most of the time.

QUESTION -- How soon after neutering can I expect this behavior to
stop?  The neutering will happen in the next couple of days.

Also, what other measures can I take to modify the cat's behavior?   I
hope to keep this cat as a pet and an animal companion for my dog, who
will protect him and dote on him if given a chance.  I have named him
Tweaker, BTW.

=======================================================

Thank you for your help.

Charlie
Karen - 15 Apr 2005 03:43 GMT
> Cat#1...
>
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> QUESTION -- When should I trap the mother cat?

Others with more experience will answer, but I would trap kitty before the
kittens are born and give her a safe place to have the kitties and also then
begin working on socializing. Has she actually seen YOU? She needs to
connect you as being food bearer.

> =====================================================
>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
> Charlie

My mom's intact cat began spraying and she took him in to be neutered two
days later. The spraying stopped immediately. I don't know how long yours
has been spraying but it will probably stop pretty quickly. Did you take
kitty to the vet when injured? It didn't necessarily sound like it. Be
CERTAIN you tell the vet about this if not. Vet may need to be extra
cautious about the anesthetic. You are good to take care of these cats.
zuzu22@webtv.net - 15 Apr 2005 05:11 GMT
>When should I trap the mother cat?

Trap her NOW. It will make things much easier and you will be able to
access the kittens at any time. If they're under the house and problems
arise you'll likely be SOOL. Don't worry about the stress of being
trapped affecting her pregnancy. It won't. I trapped a pregnant feral
that was about ready to give birth and she adjusted well. In fact, with
a warm, clean place to sleep and unlimited food and water, she almost
seemed relieved. Even though she was extremely feral, she let me handle
the kittens right away and was a very good mother.
So catch mom and set her up inside in safety where she can have the
kittens and they'll get used to humans immediately, (which will make
them easier to adopt out.)

WRT your other cat, it will take several weeks after neutering for
hormonal changes to be complete, so be patient and the disagreeable
behaviors he is exhibiting should go away.

Megan

                                   
Signature


"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing."

-Edmund Burke

Learn The TRUTH About Declawing
http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Zuzu's Cats Photo Album:
http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and
splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then
providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and
material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his
way."

- W.H. Murray


Phil P. - 15 Apr 2005 07:44 GMT
> QUESTION -- When should I trap the mother cat?

Now! Just be sure you don't leave the trap unattended and to get her out of
the trap and into a safe pen as soon as possible - this will keep her stress
at a mimimum.  Keep the pen in a warm, quiet, dimly lit, low-traffic area.
Feed her as much kitten food as she wants.  Kitten food is packed with
nutrients - pregnant and nursing moms need all the nutrition they can get.

=====================================================

> Cat#2...
>
> QUESTION -- How soon after neutering can I expect this behavior to
> stop?

Hard to say for a year-old male - a few weeks to a month or longer - depends
on how ingrained the behavior is.

Even though the hormones dissipate after a few weeks, the behavior could
take longer to "unlearn".  This is why its always better to neuter a cat
before he develops the behavior.

Best of luck,

Phil
Charlie Wilkes - 15 Apr 2005 10:03 GMT
Thanks for your replies.  I will trap this cat tomorrow, if it's not
too late.  She won't have to stay in the trap long as it will be in
front of the nannycam, which I check often.

I posted a couple of pictures at:

www.geocities.com/wallofgrays/catcam.htm

As for the other cat, I am doing what I can to reduce his stress.  My
dog, Holly, is showing her noble character by indulging him and
keeping a paw of friendship cautiously extended.

Charlie
Ashley - 15 Apr 2005 10:06 GMT
> As for the other cat, I am doing what I can to reduce his stress.  My
> dog, Holly, is showing her noble character by indulging him and
> keeping a paw of friendship cautiously extended.

Give Holly a pat for me, and tell her to hang in there ;-)
Phil P. - 15 Apr 2005 11:08 GMT
> Thanks for your replies.  I will trap this cat tomorrow, if it's not
> too late.  She won't have to stay in the trap long as it will be in
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> www.geocities.com/wallofgrays/catcam.htm

That's a great idea!  She looks about ready!

I have a wireless Linksys internet camera that has its own URL so I can
monitor my clinic cats from anywhere - even from my truck on my laptop using
my cell phone as a modem --- but I can't figure out how to monitor my traps
in the field on camera! ;-(

> As for the other cat, I am doing what I can to reduce his stress.  My
> dog, Holly, is showing her noble character by indulging him and
> keeping a paw of friendship cautiously extended.

They'll probably become life-long friends!

Post some pictures of the kits when they're born.

Best of luck,

Phil
CatNipped - 15 Apr 2005 14:06 GMT
> Thanks for your replies.  I will trap this cat tomorrow, if it's not
> too late.  She won't have to stay in the trap long as it will be in
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Charlie

Wow, she is *very* pregnant!  ;>

Charlie, bless you for doing this - you've earned your place in heaven with
the size of your heart!

Hugs,

CatNipped
Libby - 15 Apr 2005 14:20 GMT
Now that's a big cat! She looks like the back end of a bus...After she
gives birth, she has to use Suzanne Sommers Thigh-zer-cize contraption for
the next six months to get her figure back!
Mary - 15 Apr 2005 15:13 GMT
> Thanks for your replies.  I will trap this cat tomorrow, if it's not
> too late.  She won't have to stay in the trap long as it will be in
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> www.geocities.com/wallofgrays/catcam.htm

Oh, she's a tabby! That's a neat setup you have, is
it a special camera?

> As for the other cat, I am doing what I can to reduce his stress.  My
> dog, Holly, is showing her noble character by indulging him and
> keeping a paw of friendship cautiously extended.

Good luck, Charlie, you're great for helping these kitties.
Charlie Wilkes - 16 Apr 2005 16:13 GMT
Again, thanks for your helpful advice and flattering comments.  Here
is an update on the situation:

Cat #1, the crawlspace cat, ate a meal consisting of two cans of
Safeway Select catfood and about a dry pint of Friskies Ocean Fish
kibbles.  She still hasn't given birth.  After dinner she faced the
camera and groomed herself for about 15 minutes, as she generally
does.  She looks healthy, and her coat is glossy from all the rendered
sewage fat in her diet.

I tried to rent a trap today, but they are all in use.  I don't want
to spend $65 to buy one at the farm store.

When she gives birth, I will find the litter so I can set it up with
proper bedding and get the trusted camera on it.  Then I will disturb
the scene on a daily basis to interact with the kittens.  This cat
avoids me because of instinct and habit, but she is aware that I am
giving her lots of food and taking a friendly interest in her.  I
expect she will merely keep a distance until I am gone, and soon
accept my interruptions as part of the normal pattern.

==================================================

Cat #2, Tweaker the road casualty, has greatly improved his behavior.

He wanted my constant attention, and he was pissing everywhere and
sh.tting on the floor after having used a litter box for a couple of
weeks.  He was also harrassing my dog, who has been friendly to him.

I have had good luck with my dog by spending a lot of time with her
and indulging her needs.  So, I decided to dote on the cat by
encouraging him to sit in my lap as much as he wants, spending a lot
of time grooming and petting him etc., and talking to him.  He has
been soaking it up with pleasure.  He has also gone back to using the
litter box, and now he is consistently friendly toward Holly.  He
seems to have stopped spraying as well.  Next week I will get him
neutered and vetted.

I should mention that I also plugged in Jerry Howe's ultrasonic tone
box and squirted the joint with feline-facial-horomone-analogue spray
from Rite Aid.  Everything is working 100% as advertised.

I posted a picture of Tweaker at
www.geocities.com/wallofgrays/tweaker.jpg

Charlie
zuzu22@webtv.net - 16 Apr 2005 17:46 GMT
>I tried to rent a trap today, but they are
>all in use. I don't want to spend $65 to buy
>one at the farm store.

Please, try the rent-all place *every day* as you might get one when
someone returns it. Better yet, since time is of the essence, bite the
bullet, spend the money and get a trap today. You could donate it to a
non-profit rescue when you're done and deduct it from your taxes. You
can't wait on this.

>When she gives birth, I will find the litter
>so I can set it up with proper bedding and
>get the trusted camera on it. Then I will
>disturb the scene on a daily basis to
>interact with the kittens.

NO, NO, NO! Please don't do this. You are more likely to upset the
mother and she will move the kittens and then you'll have a bigger
problem on your hands. Again, please get a trap and get her before she
gives birth (have you tried contacting animal control/shelters/escues to
see if you can borrow one?)

Megan

                                   
Signature


"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing."

-Edmund Burke

Learn The TRUTH About Declawing
http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Zuzu's Cats Photo Album:
http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and
splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then
providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and
material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his
way."

- W.H. Murray


Charlie Wilkes - 17 Apr 2005 02:04 GMT
>>I tried to rent a trap today, but they are
>>all in use. I don't want to spend $65 to buy
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>non-profit rescue when you're done and deduct it from your taxes. You
>can't wait on this.

Ok, Megan.  Your impassioned plea did the trick.  I am on your program
as of now.  I went to the farm store and bought the trap, and it is
now set and baited in front of the nannycam in my crawl space.  I hope
it's not too late.

I also bought a jumbo pet porter to lodge the cat in once she has been
secured.  I rationalized this purchase because I will need it for
Holly if I ever decide to fly somewhere and take her along, which is
quite possible.

Charlie
zuzu22@webtv.net - 17 Apr 2005 03:36 GMT
>Ok, Megan. Your impassioned plea did
>the trick.
Yay! Thank you! :-)

>I am on your program as of now. I went
>to the farm store and bought the trap, and
>it is now set and baited in front of the
>nannycam in my crawl space. I hope it's
>not too late.

Me too. However, if you can't trap her before she has the kittens and
you have the ability to retrieve them from where they are, I would
definitely continue to set the trap and hopefully you can catch her
while the kittens are still very tiny and don't have the ability to run
away. When you catch her get her set up in her new acommodations, grab
the kittens, and put them back in with her.

Thanks for looking out for this kitty. You're a good soul.

Megan

                                   
Signature


"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing."

-Edmund Burke

Learn The TRUTH About Declawing
http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Zuzu's Cats Photo Album:
http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and
splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then
providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and
material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his
way."

- W.H. Murray


Mary - 16 Apr 2005 18:37 GMT
> Again, thanks for your helpful advice and flattering comments.  Here
> is an update on the situation:
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
> box and squirted the joint with feline-facial-horomone-analogue spray
> from Rite Aid.  Everything is working 100% as advertised.

What is this? It sounds intriguing.

> I posted a picture of Tweaker at
> www.geocities.com/wallofgrays/tweaker.jpg

Another Tabby! He's handsome.
Charlie Wilkes - 17 Apr 2005 02:20 GMT
>> I should mention that I also plugged in Jerry Howe's ultrasonic tone
>> box and squirted the joint with feline-facial-horomone-analogue spray
>> from Rite Aid.  Everything is working 100% as advertised.
>
>What is this? It sounds intriguing.

The tone box or the spray?  I know nothing about the spray except it
is sold at Rite Aid for the purpose of calming cats and it's expensive
at $20.

The tone box is made from a chip used in cell phones and sold as the
"DDR" (Doggy Do Right) by Jerry Howe, who posts in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior and is disliked by most of the regulars.  I get
a kick out of him and I think he is more right than wrong.  Ultrasound
seems to be an effective teaching aid for autistic children, so it is
not impossible that it has some benefit for stressed-out pets.

Mainly I think Tweaker needs more hands-on that I had been giving him,
and now that he is getting it, his behavior has improved dramatically.

Charlie
Mary - 17 Apr 2005 16:22 GMT
> >> I should mention that I also plugged in Jerry Howe's ultrasonic tone
> >> box and squirted the joint with feline-facial-horomone-analogue spray
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> seems to be an effective teaching aid for autistic children, so it is
> not impossible that it has some benefit for stressed-out pets.

Jerry's heart is in the right place, that's for sure.

> Mainly I think Tweaker needs more hands-on that I had been giving him,
> and now that he is getting it, his behavior has improved dramatically.

This simple and astute observation appears to escape many people,
who instead spray water, make loud noises, etc. I share your
experience with positive reinforcement.
 
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