Saga Zone | Forum | How do I stop cats trying to adopt me?

Original Post How do I stop cats trying to adopt me?
Posted At 06/11/2009 Elija	This is a serious question. I now have a fifth cat trying to move in and he is getting harder and harder to chase out! My other cats don't seem to give a monkeys. Why would they? Half of them moved themselves on in and made themselves at home anyway. I have a cat flap but I need it for my lot to go in and out during the day. What can I do to stop him and others; without hurting them of course.

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sadie1234 Posts: 627	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 12/12/2009 14:46:36 I had two cats years ago. Then I started to notice a black cat watching me when I was gardenig. She eventually had two kittens. I was feeding them all and eventually Cat's Protection rehoused them for me. Another cat protection, Feline, had Rosie spayed and she lived with me and my two cats. One night while I was combing her she struggled our of her collar with her name tag on and rushed out of the cat flap. I never saw her again. I contacted vets, neighbours to look in the sheds and put cards in all the local shops. I was devestated that she had gone.
China Pig Posts: 78	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 18/12/2009 12:54:02 Elija: My problem is the exact opposite of yours, a cat that I want to adopt but he won’t come into the house! For years I’ve been putting out scraps of food overnight for the local foxes. A few months ago they stopped coming around but the food was still disappearing. I eventually found out that it was being taken by a feral cat. At first he wouldn’t stay in the garden if I opened the front door, but very slowly he came to understand that I meant him no harm. He now eats food from a dish on the doorstep and occasionally lets me stroke his head. Any quick movement, though, and he’s off. He has changed from a skinny, fur-matted moggie to a healthy-looking cat, but he still won’t cross the doorstep. In this cold weather I’d like him to come into the warm for a night’s sleep - last night he ate his food in a heavy snowfall and turned white! I’d like him to use the catflap but he’s too nervous at the moment. All I can do is persevere and hope he loses his fear. Don
dinnerlaydee Posts: 6269	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 18/12/2009 13:07:46 hi China Pig...I hope you succeed in your noble wish but there is going to be scent of other cats on and around the cat flap that will be putting him off using it. As you say - persevere
Celyn Posts: 3202	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 18/12/2009 13:48:14 Welcome China Pig (I'm from South Glam. but living in Hampshire) It depends how long he has been feral, how old he is and what has happened to him in the past. If he has ingrained distrust of humans, it will take time. He isn't going to accept going through a restricted space (cat flap) for some time, if ever. Your task will be easier in warmer weather when you can leave a door open and very slowly move the food inside your back door. In the meantime move it a little nearer the house. If he does get used to coming in your house, in the future, you can then leave the food just inside the cat flap with the door closed. He should be inquisitive enough to try and investigate. For the moment do you have a shed that you could place food, and a bed, inside, so that he can get used to going into a restricted space that is warm and dry. Cats are canny creatures and he will be finding some where warm and dry to sleep. What you must not do is try to speed up the whole process. Just keep up the feeding etc. you seem to be doing well in the fact that he is now looking more like a well fed cat than a stray. Celyn
China Pig Posts: 78	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 20/12/2009 11:21:57 Quoting Celyn (18/12/2009 @ 13:48:14): Welcome China Pig (I'm from South Glam. but living in Hampshire) Thank you Celyn. Get back to Wales immediately! Quoting Celyn (18/12/2009 @ 13:48:14): It depends how long he has been feral, how old he is and what has happened to him in the past. If he has ingrained distrust of humans, it will take time. I live out in the country with few neighbours, but a family living not too far away may be the cause of his problems. You know the type: garden full of cars in various states of disrepair, loud music at all hours, similarly the shouting, police visits regularly, etc. They also own a rotweiller! I think our stray may have been one of their cast-offs. Quoting Celyn (18/12/2009 @ 13:48:14): For the moment do you have a shed that you could place food, and a bed, inside, so that he can get used to going into a restricted space that is warm and dry. Cats are canny creatures and he will be finding some where warm and dry to sleep. Unlocked sheds are too vulnerable these days, unfortunately, but he seems so healthy now that I'm sure he has a safe place to sleep - probably a warm farm outbuilding. I'll keep feeding him through the cold times and hope for the best. Don
Celyn Posts: 3202	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 20/12/2009 12:38:26 Hi China Pig I do have strong connections and get back to Wales pretty frequently, as all my relations are in South Glam. mainly around the Cardiff, Penarth, Sully area. Keep up the feeding and he will soon learn which side his feline bread is buttered. Do you know that there is a Welsh Forum too. It would be nice to see you there. Go into the main forum page, Under Chat are sub forums, go into Clubs and you will find us lurking there. Celyn
Calamity Jane1 Posts: 16	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 19/01/2010 20:12:28 I had the same problem. I have 2 cats, a 13 yr old and a 7 yr old, and I also have a cat flap. Been having so much trouble with cats coming through the cat flap, eating my cats food and going through the bin, I also really love cats so if there is one in the garden I can't resist giving it a stroke. However, I now have had a new cat flap that actually locks and as it is winter, I am keeping mine in, if the younger one wants to go out, I open the front door for her and she scratches on it when she wants to come back in. Works fine.
gilliand Posts: 7582	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 20/01/2010 09:16:39 My cats have never had cat flaps. They have servants!
Celyn Posts: 3202	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 20/01/2010 14:55:35 Quoting gilliand (20/01/2010 @ 09:16:39): My cats have never had cat flaps. They have servants! Same here gilliand. A cat soon learns to ask to go in and out. It doesn't then cause any problems when it may be necessary to keep a cat in for, perhaps, medical reasons/at night etc. Celyn.
G.G Posts: 1781	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 20/02/2010 16:26:24 My cat flap has a magnetic 'key' which is on Missy's collar. Only she can get in or out. I lock her in at night, not only to protect her but to save me finding mice, dead or alive in the mornings..
Elija Posts: 638	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 02/03/2010 13:15:29 Well. He seems to have pretty much moved in. I have named him Percy (he was very persisant) and is very talkative.
G.G Posts: 1781	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 02/03/2010 13:20:44 Elija you are a gem! I hope Percy appreciates you as much as you are kind to him..
old bird Posts: 6795	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 02/03/2010 13:23:03 As we suspected - you are a bit of a soft touch! Are the others Ok with him? And has he had that important little operation?
Elija Posts: 638	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 02/03/2010 14:03:46 They're mostly OK. Still sorting out the pecking order so theirs lots of swearing going on and the occasional fight. It seems my old boy is still top of the heap and the others are working it out. He hasn't had the operation yet but he will have it even though I always feel guilty for doing that
Celyn Posts: 3202	Subject: Re: How do I stop cats trying to adopt me? Posted At: 02/03/2010 14:14:04 Quoting Elija (02/03/2010 @ 14:03:46): He hasn't had the operation yet but he will have it even though I always feel guilty for doing that You need to get him sorted out before the next one arrives on your doorstep It will also make for a more peaceful existence. Celyn
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