Semi-feral cat who bites when touched needs to see vet - Need advice (food, bite) - - City-Data Forum

Southerner1 · 05-16-2012, 04:24 AM

I have a semi-feral cat who I cannot pet at all. I tap him on the nose several times each day and he seems to like that, but that's the only way he allows me to touch him. Otherwise, he hates being petted and will try to scratch and bite me if I try.

This cat has some litterbox issues and needs to be examined by a vet, but I don't see how a vet can examine him since he is so aggressive when touched.

Do any of you have an experience with a situation like this? Is there a way you know of to get my cat the vet care he needs and also keep him and the vet safe? Thanks for your help.

Ohiogirl81 · 05-16-2012, 07:00 AM

The vet will know how to handle a "fractious" cat (that's what our vet used to call Cookie, our female, who still does not like to be picked up, and liked it even less when we first rescued her).

I'm more concerned with how you're going to get the cat in a carrier and to the vet! Thick towels are your friends.

Kittymom4 · 05-16-2012, 07:27 AM

You going to have to sedate him and pretty well. I moderately sedate my Grace before vet trips but this is because she's so shy and she just panics. She can't get a good exam otherwise and truthfully on her 2nd year check up (and one yr she was fine LOL) I really thought she'd give herself a heart attack or stroke

There was just no need for her fear. A little happy pill and she's fine.

There is a WIDE range in the acepromozine and Grace just gets enough to take the edge off - I'm betting you need more than that since you can't even handle your cat. Any type of pill you could slip into food to zonk him out and get him in a carrier would be great. They can handle him at the vet - the will ketamine him if they have to to examine him.

There is the less drastic approach of only feeding him in a carrier that stays in a room with him all the time. Get him used to the carrier being a pleasant place to sleep or eat. Then one day before the trip to the vet - put food in there then just close the door behind him. He won't panic because you will have done this before and of course immediately let him out several times

Should take about 2 weeks to acclimate him.

But I have to ask how long have you had this cat - and I kind of disagree with your term "semi feral" he still sounds pretty much like a feral cat living indoors to me if you can't even really touch him. It's not the best environment for either of you to live in. Obviously he doesn't trust you. What would happen if there was a danger in your home? You'd never get him out. It is a situation you really need to work on some how. The last thing I would do is use force - it will cause even less trust. Things have to be on his time.

BUT if he has run of your house and free feeds then the cat does not have any need for you. Feed him then stand next to him without touching him - Sleep in the same room with him (he can check you out while you are non threatening). Sit with him and just be or read out loud or whatever. He'll get used to your voice while you are not engaging him. Try to be on the floor as much as possible instead of standing over him.

Good luck!!

vermonter16 · 05-17-2012, 05:39 AM

I've worked in rescue for many years. What I would recommend to get him to the vet and in the carrier is to get him in a small room, like a small bathroom. Get yourself some thick work gloves, leather preferably or whatever you've got, and a long old coat. That way you will be protected. When you tap him on the nose or distract him with food or something, grab him quickly by the scruff and take your other hand on his butt and give him a quick push into the carrier. You're going to have to be confident to do this. If you're not....you'll lose your grip or get scared and he'll freak out more. My husband has tried but he's just not used to dealing with ferals. The added clothes are only protection from you getting scratched and bit. Most won't bite hard enough to break through the gloves to the skin.

Don't worry about the vet. Vets deal with ferals all the time and can even sedate them within the carrier. Just worry about yourself and getting the kitty to that point.

STLCardsBlues1989 · 05-17-2012, 08:14 AM

We had a feral cat that we got spayed. We even had to trap her. However, they seemed to have no problem with her. I think any time they worked with her she must have been sedated.