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Cat experts, I need help - 2/5/2012 3:17:37 PM

Iamsemisweet

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I am currently packing to move. I have a barn cat. I got him a couple of years ago from cat rescue. They told me he was 6-9 years old, and had been rehomed a couple of times. He was first at a stable, but they got rid of him because he was aggressive to other cats and drove them out of the barn. His second home was as a house cat, so he was declawed. Apparently, he did not enjoy being a house cat, which I took to mean that he pissed everywhere. So, he got sent back to rescue again, only now he is declawed and neutered.
I was looking for a barn cat when I contacted rescue. They delivered him to my house. He has been a great barn cat. He mostly stays in the barn, he has ended my rodent problem, plus he is really cute and friendly. He also has adjusted well to my pack of dogs. He stays away from them and doesn't back down when there is an encounter. I don't spent much time with him though.
I have to decide what to do with him. I really like him, although I am more of a dog person. But he will either have to live in a shed on a one acre lot near a busy street and with 5 dogs, or become a house cat. Would that be possible, based on his history?
My son said he would take him, but he is in college. I don't want anything bad to happen to my cat.
I also have some grooming questions, if anyone responds.

Now that I am moving

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Alice: But I don't want to go among mad people.
The Cat: Oh, you can't help that. We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.
Alice: How do you know I'm mad?
The Cat: You must be. Or you wouldn't have come here.

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RE: Cat experts, I need help - 2/5/2012 3:19:45 PM

Iamsemisweet

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Sorry, my message has a cut off sentence. I can't delete it because the editing system here doesn't work well on my iPad.

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Alice: But I don't want to go among mad people.
The Cat: Oh, you can't help that. We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.
Alice: How do you know I'm mad?
The Cat: You must be. Or you wouldn't have come here.

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RE: Cat experts, I need help - 2/5/2012 3:22:30 PM

Baroana

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Have you ever let him into the house? If not, try it and see how he does. But don't force him into the house or he will freak out.

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RE: Cat experts, I need help - 2/5/2012 3:23:36 PM

xxblushesxx

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I really couldn't answer that without meeting him.
Have you tried bringing him into the home you have currently, as kind of a test run?

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RE: Cat experts, I need help - 2/5/2012 4:27:07 PM

xssve

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Have you checked to see if the new owners are amenable to keeping him on in his current capacity?

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RE: Cat experts, I need help - 2/5/2012 4:32:17 PM

Iamsemisweet

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I deeded the house to the bank. It will probably be empty for some time.

_____________________________

Alice: But I don't want to go among mad people.
The Cat: Oh, you can't help that. We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.
Alice: How do you know I'm mad?
The Cat: You must be. Or you wouldn't have come here.

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RE: Cat experts, I need help - 2/5/2012 5:57:35 PM

DesFIP

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I would call other barn owners in your area and see if one of them needs a good mouser. We find that the barn cats usually become house cats and then aren't any good in the barn. Perhaps another barn owner has the same problem?

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RE: Cat experts, I need help - 2/5/2012 6:35:31 PM

Iamsemisweet

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I had a great barn home lined up for him, but they have an older cat that they don't want chased away. I was told that is what he does to other cats. Every boarding stable I have ever been to has a cat or two already. But I will ask the barn owner where I am moving my horses.
So, can an older cat adjust to the role of house cat? If I can work it out with the dogs, I would love to keep him, he is so sweet

_____________________________

Alice: But I don't want to go among mad people.
The Cat: Oh, you can't help that. We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.
Alice: How do you know I'm mad?
The Cat: You must be. Or you wouldn't have come here.

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RE: Cat experts, I need help - 2/5/2012 6:40:45 PM

soul2share

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Sweet, just do as others have suggested and see if he will adjust to being a house cat. Bring him in, show him a litter box and where food and water is. He may adjust to being an indoor/outdoor cat.

I hope something works for you, I'd hate to be in your position......it'd about kill me to have to leave someone behind. Good luck. I wish I had a better answer than those that have already suggested bringing him in.....that's what I was going to tell you anyway.

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RE: Cat experts, I need help - 2/5/2012 6:42:23 PM

littlewonder

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I think it's possible but a lot of work. Will you have the time for such a task? My daughter got another cat last year that was born and raised in a barn and even though it was just a kitten and even though she got him neutered he's still a handful. He's extremely rambunctious, full of energy, jumps up on everything no matter how high it is and constantly attacks her old cat who is extremely lazy and just takes it. She's been using squirt guns to keep him off of things and she's hoping as he gets older that he settles down. Your cat is much older though so I think the big problem you might have is spraying and teaching him to use a litter box. And your also going to want to take him to a vet to make sure he doesn't have any diseases from being outside and no ticks and fleas. I'm going to assume he's had his rabies shot.

Good luck. Hopefully you can teach him. You'll have to be extremely patient

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RE: Cat experts, I need help - 2/5/2012 6:49:52 PM

kalikshama

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My ex rescued outdoor cats of all ages. One took two years to become friendly with people (he was friendly with the other cats within a few weeks.)

We never had a problem with rescue cats learning to use a litter box or spraying.

I vote for bringing him in and give him plenty of time to adjust.

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RE: Cat experts, I need help - 2/5/2012 7:02:29 PM

Duskypearls

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Semi, without knowing the cat, or your skills, it's hard to say. Anything is possible, given the time, knowledge and attention necessary to invest in working to make an outdoor to indoor transition. I could be very wrong, but I'm not getting the feeling you can count on an easy adjustment from this cat. He feels like a true outsider to me, but that's not to say it can't be done.

Is the shed on the 1 acre lot w/dogs and a busy street the place where you'll be moving to? If so, unless you can find him a farm of his own, I would suspect he might be comfortable with the people and dogs he already knows. You just put a kitty door in the shed so he can come and go as needed. There should be enough moles, voles, mice, birds, etc., on 1 acre to keep him occupied.

< Message edited by Duskypearls -- 2/5/2012 7:03:16 PM >

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RE: Cat experts, I need help - 2/5/2012 8:06:45 PM

Iamsemisweet

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I would never leave him behind. I am taking all the animals with me, including him. Well, my SO is slaughtering all the chickens except my favorite. The cat would not survive up here on his own, I would prefer to see if he will do well in the shed. My new home has lots of coyotes, just like my old place. Hopefully, he will stay near the shed, just like he does the barn.

quote:

ORIGINAL: soul2share

I hope something works for you, I'd hate to be in your position......it'd about kill me to have to leave someone behind. Good luck. I wish I had a better answer than those that have already suggested bringing him in.....that's what I was going to tell you anyway.

_____________________________

Alice: But I don't want to go among mad people.
The Cat: Oh, you can't help that. We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.
Alice: How do you know I'm mad?
The Cat: You must be. Or you wouldn't have come here.

(in reply to soul2share)

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