Need help convincing a cat to move

10 years ago

Long story short, when I was a kid, Dad built an addition to our home. Existing kitchen door opened into the garage and what was once the back door (opening from the garage) became the door to the second "wing" of the house. Basically the house is a "U" shape, with the garage being the base of the "U". DH and I moved in with Mom 20 years ago and occupied the addition. Mom passed away earlier this year and left us the house. We have now moved into the house. We have four cats (all came to us as ferals of varying ages). One boy is about 8 months old (we bottle-fed him when he arrived last October), two brothers are about 12 years old (also bottle-fed them), and the girl was about three months old when we brought her indoors after becoming semi-acquainted with her during mealtimes outdoors (I sat on a stool near her bowl and moved in closer every day until I was able to make contact).

We've been leaving the kitchen door and the door to the addition open at night for the last week. The litter box is in the garage and the food bowls are in the house. The eight month old wanders in and out, lays about in the house and sleeps with us at night. He's very comfortable. The brothers are a little less sure that this is the place to be, but they do come in to eat and they have no issue with the litter box in the garage. In fact, I found one of them sleeping in DH's chair in the house this morning. Little Bit, the most feral, just will NOT come into the house while we are visible. I know she is eating, because we have surprised her a couple of times, but she zips back into the addition as soon as she sees us. I've tried using a pointer to trick her into the carrier. This worked to get her to the vet for spaying, but I suspect she is not going to fall for that one again, LOL.

I would have no trouble bringing the other three cats in and that would be that, but I'm unsure what to do to convince Little Bit to come inside with us. One of my friends suggested that I just leave her in the addition with a litter box, but do not put food out for her overnight. The idea is that she will be hungry in the morning and come inside to eat. And if that doesn't work, do it again the next night. I don't want to be cruel, and that is why I am here asking if anyone can come up with another solution. Please help me.

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Comments (3)

Marigold Flower
10 years ago
A tough one indeed. I will be facing a similar issue when I move in a few months and I have already bought two humane traps to that end., I will get the outdoor feral to eat in there with the door safe open,then when the day comes.. Meanwhile he will eat where he has always eaten; outside. The fastest way is best I think.
donna_loomis thanked Marigold Flower
annztoo
10 years ago
If they're happy in the addition, why do you want to bring them in the house? I ask because as ferals they all may not adjust to being happy indoor cats. Have they all been neutered or spayed and have you observed the 4 of them together? It's very possible the female is fearful of the males and bringing her into a home that has 3 cats that may bully her could be why she is avoiding the house.
donna_loomis thanked annztoo
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donna_loomis
Original Author
10 years ago
The 12 year-old brothers and the 8 month-old boy were rescued when they were less than eight weeks old. We bottle-fed them and they are completely happy to be anywhere we are. The addition was one large room the length of the house and about 15 feet wide. My husband has a graphic and sign business and for quite a few years now, has worked at home. We partitioned off several areas so that the workspace, while still being in the same room, was separate from the sleeping area and the kitchenette (with a sink and fridge). The half-bath and stove were removed years ago, so while we "lived" in the addition, we spent time in the house with Mom as well, for meals and to use the bathroom. Now that we've moved into the house, the addition will be overtaken by DH's printers, cutters, computers, etc.

The true feral, Little Bit, gets along famously with the others. She plays ferociously with Mouse. For some reason, she thinks one of the 12 year-olds, George, is her big brother and literally walks side-by-side with him with no space between them. It's hilarious to see the "double cat" turning left and right, almost looking like a slithering snake. She has little to do with the other 12 year-old, Alfie. But Alfie is a bit of a loner, although he and George cuddle together to sleep and he loves to come and lie next to me on the couch or in my chair. None of the cats are bullies. We did have a bully who was very mean to the 12 year-olds when they were very young, necessitating more than one trip to the ER, but she passed away about 4 years ago.

We have already entertained the idea that if Little Bit doesn't like it in the house, she can be his "shop cat". But I would really prefer that she have the company of the friends she's made. And I definitely am not going to leave all of them in the shop.