It's Caturday- Post some cats (vol 3)
Discussion
Hi Everyone, first time posting on this thread, could do with some advice...
Meet Storm and Tuna, we recently adopted these two from the RSPCA whilst in lockdown but under their new contact free process they had put in place. We were told that they believe the cats to be around 1-2 years old. Both seem still quite young and playful (with each other). All we know of their background was that an old man was feeding them through a window and that they are very nervous cats.
We've now had them for three months, they've come a long way from hiding under the bed in the spare room to now knowing when meal time is, patiently waiting for food to be prepared in the kitchen and walking to their feeding spot with tails up high. They are also happy sitting with us in the living room now as well and can hand feed them treats but they still have a tendency to run away from us if we come too close. We can stroke them at times, but it's only when they can't be bothered to move, although the OH is having more luck with Storm and he will headbut her hand for more strokes occasionally.
With all this in mind we are trying to decide when we should let the cats out into the garden and here's where I'm after some advice.
We were told by the RSPCA as they were really nervous that we should give it a couple of months before letting them out, we've gone a bit longer than the advice given but still feel that we need to build a stronger bond with both cats before letting out to the open world.
Can anyone give advice around letting two very nervous cats out for the first time?
Meet Storm and Tuna, we recently adopted these two from the RSPCA whilst in lockdown but under their new contact free process they had put in place. We were told that they believe the cats to be around 1-2 years old. Both seem still quite young and playful (with each other). All we know of their background was that an old man was feeding them through a window and that they are very nervous cats.
We've now had them for three months, they've come a long way from hiding under the bed in the spare room to now knowing when meal time is, patiently waiting for food to be prepared in the kitchen and walking to their feeding spot with tails up high. They are also happy sitting with us in the living room now as well and can hand feed them treats but they still have a tendency to run away from us if we come too close. We can stroke them at times, but it's only when they can't be bothered to move, although the OH is having more luck with Storm and he will headbut her hand for more strokes occasionally.
With all this in mind we are trying to decide when we should let the cats out into the garden and here's where I'm after some advice.
We were told by the RSPCA as they were really nervous that we should give it a couple of months before letting them out, we've gone a bit longer than the advice given but still feel that we need to build a stronger bond with both cats before letting out to the open world.
Can anyone give advice around letting two very nervous cats out for the first time?
TheLimla said:
Can anyone give advice around letting two very nervous cats out for the first time?
My advice would be not to do it unless you can control the possible extent of their movement in some way. If one or both of them gets frightened and panics they are not necessarily going to run in the direction of the door they've been let out of. The ideal is a catiosinglecoil said:
TheLimla said:
Can anyone give advice around letting two very nervous cats out for the first time?
My advice would be not to do it unless you can control the possible extent of their movement in some way. If one or both of them gets frightened and panics they are not necessarily going to run in the direction of the door they've been let out of. The ideal is a catio
We took on 2 rescues who took many months to adjust to us in the house, so they have been house cats ever since. The plan is to build a catio when we gut the kitchen so they can have outside space.TheLimla said:
Thanks, hadn’t really thought about a catio. Our plans were always to let them have access to the garden at some point but at the moment we can’t really control their direction. We can vaguely herd them!
Playing with them really helped ours bond with us, add that to treats and it does help the process. Make sure you don't use dreamies, they are horribly bad for them. Use a freeze dried pure meat like Thrive tuna or chicken.One of our other cats now sits on command when we get the treats out
Gretchen is the resident expert on cat training and integration though. 
Firstly do they want to go out? Do they show signs of crying at the window/door, or attempting to escape? They may well be content where they are. Lots of toys and stimulation, occasional raw meat treat, boiled chicken, fix some shelves to the walls and make some ladders for them to climb and play and there’s no need for them to venture outdoors.
Alternate to a Catio you could look at something like the https://protectapet.com/ fencing. Basically brackets you attach to your fence with a mesh overhang so cats have the use of the garden without being able to escape over the fence.
In my experience nervous cats are the least likely to stray or venture far. They usually hide quietly under hedge or bush close to home.
Alternate to a Catio you could look at something like the https://protectapet.com/ fencing. Basically brackets you attach to your fence with a mesh overhang so cats have the use of the garden without being able to escape over the fence.
In my experience nervous cats are the least likely to stray or venture far. They usually hide quietly under hedge or bush close to home.
Gretchen said:
Firstly do they want to go out? Do they show signs of crying at the window/door, or attempting to escape? They may well be content where they are. Lots of toys and stimulation, occasional raw meat treat, boiled chicken, fix some shelves to the walls and make some ladders for them to climb and play and there’s no need for them to venture outdoors.
Alternate to a Catio you could look at something like the https://protectapet.com/ fencing. Basically brackets you attach to your fence with a mesh overhang so cats have the use of the garden without being able to escape over the fence.
In my experience nervous cats are the least likely to stray or venture far. They usually hide quietly under hedge or bush close to home.
Hi Gretchen, yeah they want to go out! We just bought a bungalow with a big garden and they sit at the windows longingly looking out at all the birds and occasional cats that enter the garden! There are times when they don’t appear nervous but it changes frequently! Maybe they just need more time to get used to us...Alternate to a Catio you could look at something like the https://protectapet.com/ fencing. Basically brackets you attach to your fence with a mesh overhang so cats have the use of the garden without being able to escape over the fence.
In my experience nervous cats are the least likely to stray or venture far. They usually hide quietly under hedge or bush close to home.
TheLimla said:
Hi Gretchen, yeah they want to go out! We just bought a bungalow with a big garden and they sit at the windows longingly looking out at all the birds and occasional cats that enter the garden! There are times when they don’t appear nervous but it changes frequently! Maybe they just need more time to get used to us...
That may not be a desire to go out. My 2 would sit and chatter away merrily at the birds or other cats in the garden. We decided to try them outside. We got them used to wearing a harness etc etc in the house for several weeks and then tried them outside!Never seen them run inside so quickly! They really didn't like it.
When I move back to the UK and get a house I'm definitely going to build a catio though as I do want to have the ability to have the back-door open etc etc and they may eventually let their curiosity get the better of their fear
Building my Catio was a revelation. Knowing my cats are safe and happy is priceless. I’d have the protectapet. Fencing but my garden is large and an awkward shape so it wouldn’t work.
I’m still planning on extending the Catio and running tunnels around the side of the house in to the barn at some point but have a busy month ahead but it’ll keep.
First of my CPL foster kittens arrive on Friday. I feel so privileged and can’t wait. Will post updates and pics.
I’m still planning on extending the Catio and running tunnels around the side of the house in to the barn at some point but have a busy month ahead but it’ll keep.
First of my CPL foster kittens arrive on Friday. I feel so privileged and can’t wait. Will post updates and pics.
Ace-T said:
Gretchen, if you are taking pics and photos of the kitties, why don't you you tube them and monetize it? That way you can raise more funds for Cats Protection.
My cats have an Instagram account but I never considered YouTube, is there honestly any money to be raised doing so? (All for CPL of course). Catios are ok, but for me, actually walking my cat has proved quite beneficial...Smokey loves going for a wander!
A neighbour’s dog actually yelped on seeing her, I don’t think it was expecting a cat on a lead.
Gratuitous tummy rubbing picture ( followed closely by her falling face first off the bed, cute, but a bit thick).
Gratuitous cute cat picture...
A neighbour’s dog actually yelped on seeing her, I don’t think it was expecting a cat on a lead.
Gratuitous tummy rubbing picture ( followed closely by her falling face first off the bed, cute, but a bit thick).
Gratuitous cute cat picture...
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