Rescued a stray cat a month ago. Skin and bones! Fattened her up and took her to the vet. All shots and tests completed and $185 lighter, she's refusing to come out of the furnace room and hisses at me and my family when we try to pet her.
What did I do wrong?
1
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Can you explain to everyone that it has to be on her terms?
Certainly try to pet. But best if she comes to you.
I have one that is semi-feral - (Rainey) a semi-housecat in my home. She's great with one of the two cats - and just tolerates the other. And she'll probably never be full on house cat with everyone.
She lets me pet her - on her terms. She cuddles in bed at night (Her choice). She likes having boxes to hide in - so I have boxes placed around the house so she feels safer.
It's just her. She had a very rough start. She's hale and hearty here though - no reason she can't be MY cat. And she even let's the roomie touch her from time to time.
I was never so proud of her the day I found her outside the bathroom sitting while my sister spoke to her. Very brave moment for that cat.
If this is a feral or semi-feral you are dealing with? You're just starting.
I have a second - it took him 1 and 1/2 years to figure out that my lap was a wonderful places and that HE loves pets. After he figured it out? No going back. He's up several times a day.
But still - on his terms. He's calmer than Rainey though. And lets almost anyone pet him - just don't try to pick him up or use both hands at once.
They did that at the shelter he went to after the hoard he was in. He hates it and he'll bolt.
One of the best resources: [alleycat.org] They have tons of articles look for the one you need.
RavenCT
Level 9
May 4, 2019
1
Feral cats are generally like that. Just love her, she may trust you one day
beejaay
Level 3
May 3, 2019
1
She was meowing all night. I went down to open the furnace door and she came right out...explored the kitchen, living room and went upstairs, meowing all the while. I didn't try to pet her.
We adopted a feral cat years ago. For 6 years she only came on the porch to eat. At eight years she let us pet her. At 10 she sat on our lap and at 12 she stood in the doorway of the house. She passed away at 16 , never did come in the house. But we loved her and she us.
Bigwavedave
Level 8
May 3, 2019
5
Had a similar experience. People in their ignorance and stupidity sometimes dump unwanted litters of kittens near a farm thinking they will be looked after. It's stupid because the cats can carry disease that may be transmitted to farm animals. This happened at a farm where my ex kept her horse so she took one of the kittens home. It hated being in the house and eventually lived out side and appeared to be fed.
It once disappeared for weeks and we thought it had been killed but it reappeared with the fur round it's neck worn away. Someone had obviously had it tied up and it had escaped and returned to us.
It is a feral cat, probably from generations of feral cats. Show her the vet bil;l! Keep feeding it good stuff and keep talking to her. eventually...
Spinliesel
Level 9
May 3, 2019
4
It is likely the cat is still feral. I would do some research online on how to domesticate feral cats. If nothing works then make it an outside cat and leave food for it during the day (there will be other animals eating it at night).
EthanRogers
Level 4
May 3, 2019
2
you cared about and spent money on a cat
JeffMesser
Level 8
May 3, 2019
2
Better than wasting it on most people.
@Sticks48 I do agree with that!
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