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Cats/Relocating Outside Cat

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Expert: - 4/25/2009


Question
I've recently relocated an outside cat that grew up with minimal human contact and is only friendly towards me. We are currently keeping him on our screened-in back porch with the few posessions I had for him. He is refusing to eat, drink, or use the litterbox(he is not litter box trained but the problem is he has not gone at all). We also have two dogs and another cat living in the house. It has only been one day since relocation and I understand these things take time, but is there any way we can comfort him or help him understand that this is a safe environment?

Thanks so much!

Answer
Adrienne,

I've used a homeopathic remedy called Bach's Rescue Remedy which is a blend of flower essences designed to calm and reassure. This remedy can be purchased at naturopathic pharmacies, health food stores, some mainstream pharmacies carry Rescue Remedy in the aisle with vitamins and other nutritional supplements and I believe that this remedy can also be purchased online. I think that it would be wise to have the cat checked over by a veterinarian just to make sure that there aren't any health issues that may account for his behavior. In terms of making the litter pan more familiar to the cat you can use some dirt from outside to fill the litter box - that sometimes helps when a cat is accustomed to using the toilet outside. I'm quite worried about the fact that this cat isn't drinking, dehydration can happen quite quickly and result in serious health problems so if the cat doesn't start drinking water on his own soon you will need to have him assessed and possibly rehydrated by the vet. I would recommend that you try feeding this kitty some canned tuna packed in water, don't drain the water from the can - maybe your kitty will be tempted into eating and getting some fluids on board. A holistic vet might be useful in this case - these vets are trained in conventional medicine as well as one or more alternative therapies possibly including acupuncture, homeopathy, Reiki, or even massage to name a few. It's possible that this cat's answers lie with alternative medicine and I feel confident recommending these options - my family vet is a holistic vet who uses homeopathy in her practice and I've seen some amazing results when my cats have been treated with the appropriate remedies sometimes in conjunction with conventional treatments.

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Ali

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I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.

Experience

I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.

Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.

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