Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: tigerbaby on June 19, 2008, 20:42:13 PM

Title: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: tigerbaby on June 19, 2008, 20:42:13 PM
Jameson is around - I keep finding him meowing in the shrublands - and a few times managed to get him to our garden, but he won't go further. Twice now he's suddenly stormed off when he gets closer to the patio- and I have to start all over again. Is the best thing to do just leave him and let him do it in his own time? Because earlier I probably could have lifted him up and carried him home but I was worried it would freak him out, he would struggle, run off and then I'd be back on square one.
Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: blackcat on June 19, 2008, 20:46:38 PM
let him do it in his own time - if he is approaching that close and the other cat is indoors. Otherwise I would do what I recommended earlier. Approach him from a different direction an get him into a box to bring him home. Yes, he will struggle for freedom if he is feeling threatened, simply because he is already on edge. Check the other cat has not sprayed in your yard (you will be able to smell it if he is an entire tom) because that will have marked the yard as the visitor's territory.
Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: Catjane on June 19, 2008, 20:49:50 PM
Yeah, I've had this kind of fun and games with Shanti before.  You can leave him be until he gets hungry or bored enough to come in by himself.  Do you have a catflap you can put on in-only?  Also, if he responds to certain sounds like the treat packet crackling or something you could try luring him with that.  What I occasionally do with Shanti if I need her to come in is to play a game with her in the garden, which she can't resist, and wait until she's off-guard so that I can grab her.

I pre-empt this game now by not trying to get Shanti in except calling her, then it's up to her if she actually comes through the catflap, but if she does so right away she gets a treat.  I also don't let her (or any of them) out after she's been fed.  Most of the time she hangs around for 10 minutes or so and then realises I'm not going to play catch-me-if-you-can and comes in by herself.
Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: tigerbaby on June 19, 2008, 20:51:23 PM
Yes I wanted to do what you recommended, only that he hates the sight of the catcarrier and would get doubley stressed. Also its so hard to get him from the other direction as I have no idea whereabouts he is, cos he suddenly just turns up out of bushes.

I've tried rattling foodbowls - he would be hungry but only sniffed at the sardines (he'd usually scoff) and ran off. I will spray the yard again with the cleaning spray too , and let him come in his own time, it's just so hard to relax when I know he's out and confused.
Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: Maddiesmum on June 19, 2008, 22:07:11 PM
can  you put something with Jameson's scent on it outside the catflap once you have got rid of any tom cat smell?  Poor J
Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: tigerbaby on June 19, 2008, 22:12:24 PM
My baby is back  :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:
Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: sallyagdm on June 19, 2008, 22:13:43 PM
That is wonderful news ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: tigerbaby on June 19, 2008, 22:23:45 PM
He is still on edge and keeps looking at the catflap and sniffing around, but he seems pleased to be home. He has just eaten, got lots of treat and is now pawing his blanket right next to me. I'm so happy  :Luv:

I think he has 2 ticks on his tail though...  :sick:
Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: Catjane on June 19, 2008, 22:35:36 PM
Aww glad he's back :)  It's always such a worry isn't it?  I've had to train myself not to worry so much, but it isn't easy!  It's always wonderful when they finally come in!  :Luv:
Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on June 19, 2008, 22:42:49 PM
 :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy:

:yesss: :yesss: :yesss: :yesss: :yesss: :yesss: :yesss: :yesss: :yesss: :yesss: :yesss: :yesss:
Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: Maddiesmum on June 20, 2008, 06:20:04 AM
 :cheer: :yayyy:
Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: clarenmax on June 20, 2008, 09:25:54 AM
Yay, glad Mr J is back home  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: Kirst on June 20, 2008, 10:54:26 AM
Glad hs back home with his mummy! :Luv2:
Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on June 20, 2008, 12:06:55 PM
Glad he is back home ... even if he has got a cupleof friends with him  :sick:
Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: tigerbaby on June 20, 2008, 14:09:02 PM
Glad he is back home ... even if he has got a cupleof friends with him  :sick:
luckily they weren't ticks.. what a relief!

Title: Re: Best way to get kitty back indoors?
Post by: puddypaws on June 20, 2008, 14:41:02 PM
So pleased to hear the gorgeous Jameson is back home with you and you can stop worrying a bit.  Hope things begin to settle down again now.