Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/cats

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 10/23/2008


Question
I have a ferral cat which i hand reared from 2wks aprox, he is very loving and laid back,he is aprox 2yrs now, and this past day he has been spooked and won't come out from under the kitchen cupboard not even for food, this is very unusual for him, as he has firm trust with me, can u help?

Answer
Terry,

That is typical behavior for ferals. If something really scares them (a sudden noise, something out of the ordinary, etc.) they will hide until they feel confident and trusting again. It is something that is inherited and inbred in them.

I have 4 feral 'kittens' that I have had since birth (they are 1 1/2 now). One of them especially is like yours. If she sees a stranger or hears a strange noise, she is under the bed for hours!

Let him be. He will come out when he is ready.

There is a slight possibility that it is a medical issue. Cats will hide when they are in pain too. You may want to check him carefully when he comes out.

Tabbi  

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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