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Kat

Sent to Pet Experts August 12 06:28 AM

We installed ceiling fans in our home with electricians doing some construction(lots of banging & noise) Our four year old feral will not leave her room (cross the doorway) she is eating and drinking water as well as using the litter box. Has always been very
skitish but not for days. This houswe have e is all she knows. It is her entire world since six
weeks old. Except the trips to the vet in carrier for shots. I've tried to nurture her along
but it like she fears crossing threshold from her room. I,ve tried carry her out after settling her down and get to doorway from her room and she bolts back to any cubby
hole with my skin under her nails. The last attempt resulting in her urinating on entry to
our living room.

 

Optional Information:
Age: 4; Female; Breed: feral

Already Tried:
calming and quieting her

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 12 8:36 AM (2 hours and 7 minutes and 39 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Hi! Having handled feral for 18 years, and owning 3, I found they have to make the move on their own time. Tripod lived under my bed for 7 months. I have know cats that have done that for years. Never force a cat. It will only cause them to retreat more so. Leave her be. She is not feral, she is shy and has her own fear issues. Some times they never get over it, but it you let them do so on their own time, many do. Leave her alone. You can move a dish with dry cat food closer to the door foot by foot, so she has a larger safty margin. What you want to do is re-define her comfort circle. Start in small steps, every few days move the treats, food a few feet farther away. This will take a lot of time and patience. If you act calm and reassuring, she may finally get it. Some cats are fine is a small area, but usually their curiosity will get the better of them and they will venture out. It may be in the late night, but most usually come around. Once she feels the threat factor is reduced or gone, she will feel better about taking the steps. If you have any other questions, please ask.

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Reply
August 12 12:10 PM (3 hours and 34 minutes later)
         
Reply to Marie's Post: Hello..

Thank you for your advice with Kat. I'm unsure about her not being feral. She is from a large colony though did not spend much time with it as moved here very young. I'm concerned that the every nook and cranny she has always enjoyed now frightens her. I suspect thst there may be a medical issue that a trip to the vet is in order. I think?
Answer
August 12 12:23 PM (13 minutes and 45 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Let's define feral. You have had her since she is 6 weeks, she is domesticated now. She is not wild. She comes from a feral colony, but you and the house are really all she knows. Some cats are much more sensitive then others. Give her some time from the noise and strangers and try the food dish thing. Work with her, be kind and gentle. It will work. Xanax for cats it not a good thing. If she is not using the litter box, licking herself or scooting across the floor, then time for Vet, she could have an UTI and needs meds. Call you Vet, run this by him, and get urine sample. My female Maine got a UTI every time a major change in house. So could be very real issue. Worth checking into for sure.
If you have any other questions, please ask!


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Reply
August 12 6:17 PM (5 hours and 53 minutes and 59 seconds later)
         
Reply to Marie's Post: thanks for your help! I'll give her space and hope for the best. her buddy stella is also confused by her isolation. don't believe it's a medical thing as she is eating and using litter box in her area of the condo. we have had many construction projects and this is the first time she has acted this way for so long. we wonder if the ceiling fan itself is frightening her. at any rate she's still chowing the food down & out. might have to move into her room for a while so she is not so alone. stella is our other cat and is also wondering what's going on.

thanks again

rich
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