Question:
I have owned two cats. The first cohabitated happily with a dog; the second lived to the ripe old age of 22. Both were raised from kittenhood and were thoroughly domesticated, indoor cats. They were happy members of the family and only occasionally went outdoors, but hung right around the house.
I guess my experience with those two spoiled me regarding my expectations for the newest member of our family. She apparently has been a feral cat, likely abandoned by her family. She was roaming around our neighborhood, looking for handouts. We started feeding her on our deck, but she wouldn't come inside at first. Over time, however, she became more trusting and came indoors, where she now resides.
She would habitually forage for food on our dining table and countertops. I broke her of that habit by yelling and squirting her with water. She now views me as a disciplinarian and won't come near me or let me touch her. She does trust my wife, though. What can I do to regain her trust? How do I break her of that habit without seeming like a monster? What is your advice in regards to her being outdoors?
Our vet has determined she has feline AIDS and is about 8 to 10 years old. He advises against her being let outside. Although she is basically an indoor cat, she does enjoy being outside for short periods of time. Do you think she will ever become truly domesticated? Did we make a mistake in adopting her?
R.H., Silver Spring, Md Oct 25, 2010
Answer:
According to those who take them in, truly feral cats rarely reach the point of allowing anyone to pick them up, even though they can adapt to and enjoy indoor life. We have been fortunate with our feral cat, Mr. Mark Twain, whom I can now pick up and briefly cuddle. Reaching this point took some nine months of socialization and the company of a human and a cat-friendly younger cat that served as a catalyst, transforming Twain's fear into trust.
Regrettably, you have made your poor cat afraid of you. I would never advise disciplining the cat for foraging on countertops. Simply make it aversive by placing mousetraps set to snap upside down under a towel or newspaper. This will scare off most cats.
I presume your cat has been tested (and treated) for worms. Internal parasites are a common affliction of feral cats and contribute to their poor condition, constant hunger and even death from malnutrition.
Don't let her get a taste of the outdoors again -- she might actually run off someday. You should be the one to call her for food, which may win her over. Stroke her with a long goose feather -- feathering is a safe way to pet feral cats. Spray a little Feliway on your sleeves when you want to be close to her. This is a cat pheromone that can help cats calm down. Also try catnip herb, even as a tea for your cat to drink or stuffed into a small sock tied to a string to get her to play with you.
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