More Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral) Answers
Question Library
Ask a question about Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login
Awards
About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer
|
| |
|
|
| |
| | | |
About 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
***********
Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
| | |
| |
You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Cats > Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral) > cats
Expert: Dear Tabbi - 10/31/2009
Question
I have 6 cats and a 7th has joined us. He is a tom cat and I wonder if you could advise on the following.
1. Would he try to mate with my neutered females? Will he fight with any of my cats?
2. I have made a bed for him in our old cottage, but he is coming into the house and spraying.
3. I have to catch him and take him to be spayed. How should I go about this?
with many thanks
Fiona Jarrett
Answer
Fiona,
There more than likely will be some fighting over territory, either by your cats protecting their territory, or the tomcat trying to claim it (he is already 'marking' it). It will all depend on the personalities of the cats involved. If the tomcat, or your cats start behaving aggressively, let them know at the start that you won't accept that behavior (especially in your house) by raising your voice and slapping a rolled up newspaper down on a surface to startle them. You want them to associate the sound of the newspaper combined with your raised voice with being aggressive.
I would hesitate to let him into the house until he is neutered and tested for any diseases, such as feline leukemia, feline aids, etc. that he could pass onto your cats, especially through a bite by fighting (if that occurs). He may not have signs of any illness but he could be a carrier.
Even though your females are spayed if there are other females in heat in the area and the tomcat has a high testosterone level and a strong 'male mentality' he may try to mount the females as a reaction. Even some older neutered males will behave sexually towards other cats if there is a female in heat in the area. But definitely neutering the cat will help! It will take approximately 30 days or more though before the testosterone gets out of his system.
Can you pet the cat? If you can, have a cat carrier nearby standing on end with the door up and open. Quickly grab the cat by the scruff of the neck and drop him down into the carrier before he realizes what you are doing and close the door. You can also begin feeding the cat in a carrier with the door left open until he is comfortable with going into it, then when he is not expecting it quickly shut and lock the carrier door.
If none of those ways are feasible or workable you may need to trap him. There should be organizations that deal with feral cats in your area, or nearby. I would Google (or whatever search engine you use): FERALS (NAME OF YOUR CITY OR NEAREST LARGER CITY)
Example: Ferals Sacramento
You can also call the SPCA or the local animal control and see if they have any contact information for any feral groups or trappers near you. Also check for low cost (some are free) spay and neuter clinics specifically for feral cats.
Call or email them and explain about the tomcat. They can give you information on how to trap. Some will even loan you traps or tell you where to rent one, or even help you with the trapping.
Here are some links too that should be helpful also:
(copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)
http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/feral_cats/feral_cat_organiza...
http://www.sacanimal.org/humanetrapping.html
http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/HOW_TO_HARD_TO_CATCH_CATS
I hope this information helps, but if you have any further questions please feel free to send a followup.
Tabbi
Add to this Answer Ask a Question
|
|
