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 *
Question I have recently adopted an abandoned male house cat I believe to be less then a year old and he keeps trying to sit on, attack , and move my bird cage. It is very heavy I'm afraid to leave him home alone with the bird. And spraying him with warm water isn't working. I'm not sure if the citrus thing is a safe deterrent around the bird?
Answer Tracy,
Abandoned cat used to hunting for food + bird = disaster!
Birds are prey to a cat whether they are in a cage or in trees. That is an inherited trait. Spraying him with water will not work. That will only make him more determined. You cannot trust the cat to be alone with the bird unless the cage is completely secure and safe for the bird. The cat WILL try everything in his bag of hunting tricks to get the bird. Plus it will keep him occupied when you are not there. Even cats that have been raised with a bird and do not bother them have been known to suddenly 'revert to the wild' and attack them.
I would consider putting the bird in a room where you can securely close the door, or getting a cat proof bird cage.
