YABCU™

[kaasirpent]

When my friend ian_smith visited for just one night after Labor Day, Matt skulked around the house for 2 weeks, not coming out or letting me touch him, and staying only in my bedroom suite where Ian never set foot. They were the only "safe" rooms free of the Ian Taint™.

Then, just as he was getting over that, I had a leak in the ceiling of my living room, which caused me to have to move my TV and one of the recliners out of the way of the dripping water. This changed the room and it was therefore Evil.

When he was finally beginning to get over that insult, I let the roofer in to look at the interior damage.

After that, my friend geek_72 stayed the weekend.

Even after all that, Matt only took a couple of days to re-enter the rooms with Brian Taint™ or Roofer Taint™.

Then the roofer and the insurance inspector guy were in the house for a few minutes a couple of days ago.

For some reason I cannot fathom, he has completely regressed. He was getting better. Now, I can't get within 15 feet of him. He won't let me touch him. He won't come into the living room at all. He'll sleep in the bed with me, but not if I acknowledge him in any way, such as looking at him, petting him, saying anything, or moving.

He stays in the kitchen, cat-loafed on the little throw-rug between the sink and the stove, not daring to put his head down for fear that I might Acknowledge Him™

<sigh> I don't know what to do for him. I'm at my wits' end trying to figure him out.

Comments

[feuervogel]

A friend of mine who does cat rescue (botia) recommends a book called The Cat who Cried for Help for problem cats. She's probably got some simple behavioral things you can try, since she's working on rehabbing a feral cat right now. If you PM her, tell her I sent you.

[fontosaurus.livejournal.com]

Don't give up on the little guy. He just needs time -- and that you've gotten his trust before is a good sign.

[(Anonymous)]

Offer him freedom?

With so many housecats being euthanized, it seems a shame to spend so much energy imprisioning an outdoor cat who would be happier back outdoors. Why not rescue an indoor cat instead, who would appreciate your home?

[kaasirpent]

Because Matt is not a rescue nor an outdoor cat. He is a 16-year-old timid cat who doesn't see well or hear well and HATES change. He belonged to my grandparents and will live out the rest of his days with me not only because I promised my grandparents that he would, but because I genuinely think that he's worth the trouble.

[bramblekite.livejournal.com]

my housemate swears by this cat pheromone spray that was used by her vet's when she had 2 diseased feral kittens she was taking care of (eventually they settled down and became ringworm-free housepets.) She said it was pretty expensive, but the vet would spray it on howling, yowling, screeching baby kitties and they'd just settle down IMMEDIATELY. She considered purchasing it if the cat's hadn't calmed down on their own, and also said it also comes in a 'plug in' form sort of like home fragrance thingys.

I googled a little and found this: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8906

I don't know if it's the same product or chemical, but seem like. Otherwise, maybe ask your vet if there is something similar they can prescribe. It seems logical to me that if Matt's hearing and eyesight aren't so great, he relies on his sense of smell very heavily and so even small changes to his scent-environment are going to upset him a lot & make him feel lost.

[bramblekite.livejournal.com]

ps: sorry for the apostrophe abuse.

Ah...nutty kitty.

[ddreslough.livejournal.com]

Honestly, if you just keep him fed and safe, you're doing your job. I hope you can take satisfaction in that. I'm sure he's getting emotional bolstering from sleeping next to you, and from the other cat.

He'll come around when he's ready to come around...but from what I've read, that takes at least 4 months - sometimes years.

Yeah!

[ddreslough.livejournal.com]

I used that a bit.."Feliway" diffusers. Ian used it a long time ago in Chicago too. I didn't see a huge effect, but my cats weren't near it all the time. I think it did some good, though.