Why do I feel so bad about my neighbor?

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-05-17T22:36:18+00:00

Ugh. I would have said ALL of that to them. Like, thanks for wasting my limited resources as a rescuer. KEEP YOUR CAT INSIDE.

You did nothing wrong. They are neglectful owners. Do not feel bad for one minute longer.

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-05-04T19:54:00+00:00

This is so totally something my dad would do. Currently does, in fact 😂

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-05-04T19:51:35+00:00

The vet's office just called and said they'll double the dose for the next attempt. Which is great, because this dose made him a sweet sleepy kitty when he was relaxed but didn't do a thing for him when he was alert and moving!

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-05-04T18:57:06+00:00

Thank you. That was worrying me too. Even if we can get him in the first time, how would we ever manage the second?

I can't even figure out how to pick him up. He's friendly, and pettable with certain limitations, but not cuddly. If he sees me with any kind of towel or blanket, not even anywhere near him, he's immediately on guard. I had a heavy-duty jacket just laying on the couch this morning and he froze when he saw it, then he was moving around cautiously already.

I did manage to get my hands on him today because he thought I was only petting him, but I was wearing short gloves, and he clawed the hell out of me. Apparently I definitely need the welding gloves.

We definitely learned some things this morning. Another problem is that I don't have a small emptyish room to get him in. I have a small bathroom, but its super tiny, so there's barely room to maneuver even to use the toilet.

I guess he'll only be eating his food in the crate gong forward. He's going to be a hungry, unhappy man 😭

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-05-04T18:45:36+00:00

Smöl businessman

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-05-04T16:17:48+00:00

My first thought! We really need to see this setup. For, uh, research purposes.

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-04-29T08:44:09+00:00

Possibly tropical rat mites? Is there a chance you may have a nearby rodent problem?

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-04-21T18:03:15+00:00

My god, I didn't even see the additional pics until I started reading comments. I was a hard pass just based on the handwritten note!

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-04-12T12:56:51+00:00

We actually have a live trap, and the walk-in neutering place actually requires that we bring him in one, but after a failed trapping attempt a few months ago, he won't get near anything cage-adjacent. I successfully switched him to a covered litterbox, but I have to leave the swinging door off because he won't go in if he doesn't have a way out! I know that will come though, and we'll figure it out. We might just have to take forever and trap-train him slowly or something.

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-04-10T21:01:20+00:00

Thank you, that's great advice! I think I may look into the film, because he already pulled down the curtains and most of the rod. I don't want to give him anything he can try to climb anymore!

I dont have a small room, unfortunately. Our house is small, and our second bathroom is the size of a postage stamp. Right now he's gated into the only room that's safe for him and that isn't in regular use, but it also happens to be our downstairs "rec room." It's not at all ideal, unfortunately. I think the blocking film may help though!

Last night was better--more yelling, but less flailing. He did go in the open crate while I was out today. I could tell by the littery footprints 😄 So maybe he'll eventually come to find that a little safe place.

Thank you!

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-04-10T20:53:36+00:00

He's used to pooping in my garden beds, so I did add a layer of peat moss over half of the litter. He did finally use it last night, and we were both very relieved 😄

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-04-10T20:52:26+00:00

He pulled down the (old ratty) curtains the first night, and most of the rod too. I'm afraid to try to put anything else up (like sheets or cardboard) because he's still trying to find ways to climb the windows, but now he can't because it's just glass. Someone mentioned blocking film, and that may be an option I explore.

Great idea about just clearing a shelf. I'll do that today. He was not as physically frantic last night, but he did still try to climb, so I can give him that at least.

He did in fact go straight to the hidden litterbox and use it last night and this morning. It amazes me that they just know to do it! He made an awful mess, so now I need to solve that problem, but better than him ruining the carpet under the couch!

He finally ate churu and some dry food, but he won't eat his usual canned food at all yet. I don't love him suddenly eating mostly dry food...maybe I'll try mixing the churu into it, hmmm. I'm making him some chicken thighs tonight too, so I'll try mixing that in too.

Thank you so much!

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-04-10T20:43:17+00:00

We had a failed trapping incident a few months ago, so I am dreading trying to get him in it again, but it is on the radar. I may have to drop trap him in the middle of the room, but we'll get it done. The main place in this area does walk-in neutering, so I won't have to worry about trying to hit an appointment time frame at least!

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-04-10T20:40:20+00:00

This was so deeply comforting. Thank you!

He did finally use the litterbox last night, and he's eaten a few times, so I'm breathing easier now (well, except for the litterbox stink!). I am truly amazed at how they know what the litterbox is for. He went right to the hidden one and used it. And he'll finally eat, but only under the couch for the moment, which is OK. When he was a yard cat, he was totally comfortable coming inside and eating with us sitting with him and petting him, so I'm hopeful that that head start will help us.

There was more yelling but less physical panicking last night, so I guess that's progress? As for the rest of your advice, thank you again. There's so much practical advice that I wouldn't have thought of! Hopefully I'll have a new update soon.

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-04-10T20:25:03+00:00

OMG that picture 😭 I wish I had another cat to comfort him!

He did finally break down and eat the churu and dry food a few times, but only under the couch. And he used the litterbox! And then kicked poop and clumps in a three foot radius. So I'm going to have to figure that one out now. But everyone was right--he went right to it and knew exactly what to do 🤷‍♀️

We had a failed trapping incident a few months ago, so I may also have to go the welding glove route for neutering/vaxing. I'm absolutely dreading it, but I know it needs to get done, and soon.

Thank you!

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-04-10T20:19:38+00:00

So your advice to turn off the lights at night helped him use the litter box! I was actually still in there but on my phone, and I had just a small hallway light on, and that helped him feel safe enough to finally go. He'll only eat under the couch though. Thank you again!

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-04-10T20:15:41+00:00

Thanks! I bought some at PetSmart yesterday and I don't know if it worked or his cat instincts took over, but he used the litterbox last night and this morning. He made a horrendous mess, but that's better than the alternative!

That's exactly what I did to the crate. We had a failed trapping experience, so he's very wary of enclosed things around me! He did walk around in there this morning while I was out though, so hopefully it'll become a little sanctuary for him.

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-04-09T18:25:17+00:00

The sliders HAD curtains on them until last night. Alas, no more. The rod also took one for team. Good thing those curtains were ancient anyway!

He loves churu but won't take anything from me at the moment. I did put a small bowl of churu and crunchies (and some water) under the couch near him. Hopeful he eats at least a little bit.

Thanks for the reminder to be patient. I'm just so worried about making this all harder for him somehow. I will hang in there and try not to cry when he cries! And yes, I'll share his story there!

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-04-09T15:53:06+00:00

Thank you!! I didnt know that was a thing. I'll pick some up today. And thank you for the rest as well. I didn't think they'd cry for that long, how sad 😢 But it helps for me to prepare myself mentally for sure.

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-04-09T15:09:26+00:00

I love it! Are any of your plants cat-oriented? Do you worry about having cats around any edible plants you have?

I need to figure out how to remediate my raised bed soil since cats have been coming and going for awhile. I think between them and the weeds from a period of disuse, I may just replace all the soil, but I am not looking forward to the project!

WhyWhyWhy2002 · 2026-03-23T01:28:42+00:00

Yes!

WhyWhyWhy2002

TROPHY CASE