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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/cat constantly leaving new home
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Question
hi we moved house about 6 months ago with our 4 cats: 2 females & 2 males, one female is the mother to the other female and one male , 3 have settled in but one the oldest male keeps returning to the old house which is 1 kilometre away. He was a stray who followed me home one day and never left. We go around to the old house and he greets us happily and is keen to come back with us, but generally leaves after about 10 days. We have tried bach flowers; keeping him indoors; asked the old neighbours not to feed him. Any help would be appreciated. cheers heather
Heather,
The cat is happy at the other home and that is where he wants to be. You can't make him like his new home when he prefers the familiar of the old one. I would let the cat stay there and I WOULD let the neighbors feed him. Unfortunately you can't own a cat, they own you. He knows where you are so he can come back if he wanted to, but right now he doesn't. In time he might. Forcing him to stay at your new home will just make him unhappy and resentful of the new home and of you.
Tabbi
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Answers by Expert:
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).
Education/Credentials
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Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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