Taming of a feral cat

ly0ness

I rescued a 5 yr old former feral cat in March of last year, she had been with a foster home for about 2 months and been "tamed" & had all vet treatments done. The night I got her she freaked out so on advice from the rescue I crated her for a while until she got used to me. I was able to pet her in the crate and she seemed to enjoy it. The fosterers were able to pet her outside of the crate - in fact when I went to see her I was able to pet her. She gradually came out of the crate and I haven't been able to pet her since! I decided to let her come to me. She rubs up against my leg if food is coming and she seems to have accepted me and is happy. I have another cat also and they get on well. However when I reach down to pet her she jumps out of the way. It’s been over a year now and I think if I leave it to her it will never happen! She needs her vaccinations done and I can't bring her to the vet if I can't get near. Any tips? I actually think now she allowed herself to be touched in the fosterers through fear and not choice.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Cat nip or Dreamies in your hands will encourage her to see your hands as something good, not threatening. And Dreamies in the carrier will be a price she is likely to be willing to pay (keep it out as a handy hideaway for her as well, so there isn't the 'oh my God, it's time for THE VET' reaction many cats have when the previously unseen carrier turns up).

Mind you, one of mine will still shy away if your hand comes in at the wrong angle. This is a cat who will allow themselves to be carried around like a rag doll and has never even got their claws out in anger. Maybe she needs a different angle of approach?

meritaten

you say 'when I reach down to pet her'...........I am wondering if this is what makes her react that way? is she the same if you are on her level and reach to pet her? many cats do not like humans 'looming' over them. My own Barnes can react this way if I suddenly bend over to pet him - yet he is the soppiest cat ever!

pinkteapot

Agree with meritaten - I'm obsessed with watching My Cat From Hell, even though it's terribly formulaic American TV! And there are good tips buried in it. Hand-biters are regularly featured and the first thing owners get shown is not to bring the hand in from above/coming at the face as it's seen as threatening. Get down on the floor and move it in slowly from below - like you're aiming for their chin.

Treats held out in the hand, as mentioned above, would be another good one to try. Start by just letting her eat them and run, then slowly move onto she eats them then you do a little pet of her cheek.

It'll take time and if she stays semi-feral then taking her to vet may just be a case of brute force (for her own good). Grab and stuff-in-the-box wearing gardening gloves! We have a loving cat who loves cuddles and pets, but as soon as the box comes out of the cupboard we don't see him for dust. It's a two-person job to get him in it. We tried leaving it out to get him used to it and he just avoids it. Even Dreamies won't get him near it and he's completely addicted!

And well done for taking on a tricky case - so many people wouldn't.