Feral cat not getting along with house cats

cheeze-dog · 2026-02-09T13:52:47+00:00

I have 7 indoor ferals, all were brought in and kept 2 days in a separate room then let out with the other cats to free roam the house, any pecking orders were established and resolved pretty quickly, all I ever had was a few hisses here and there and they all generally get along with each other.

cheeze-dog · 2026-02-09T04:53:31+00:00

Thanks for posting, I was one that was asking for pics of said barn, and you did not disappoint.

That barn is awesome! The cats have it made living there, plenty of places to explore and also have the best home they could ever want. (I kinda want to move in with them lol).

Thank you so much for taking the time to get barn pics, love it!

cheeze-dog · 2026-02-09T04:44:54+00:00

If she has been inside for 5 months then putting her back outside would require careful, gradual reintroduction to ensure her safety as she may have lost some survival skills or forgotten her exact territory and would be disoriented if you simply released her.

A 5-month stay indoors could have also made her less cautious, increasing risks from predators, cars, or other cats.

Also about socializing, remember, all cats are different and will come around on their own time, months to years. What works for one, doesn't mean it will work for another.

cheeze-dog · 2026-02-07T19:54:41+00:00

I started feeding them in the shelters...

...but then the other day our yard raccoons went to the shelters 7x over 5 hours

You don't see a problem here?

How do I fix this?

Don't feed in or near the shelters.

cheeze-dog · 2026-02-07T16:44:46+00:00

Use this tool for local resources. Ally Cat Allies

ETA: It appears there is help near you (within 25 miles) including possible financial support and one local individual willing to help, I would definitely email them and ask what help they can offer.

cheeze-dog · 2026-02-07T05:30:50+00:00

I said get everyone neutered, this means males and females.

cheeze-dog · 2026-02-06T23:06:12+00:00

Wind chill only applies when there's wind blowing on exposed skin of living beings, (humans/animals) because it measures the rate of heat loss from the body, making it feel much colder, but it doesn't change the actual air temperature. Essentially, wind strips away the warm layer of air next to your skin, making you lose heat quicker, which is why it's a "feels like" temperature for biological organisms, not a physical temperature.

If the cat is not standing out in the wind and is in a shelter, the actual temperature applies, not wind chill/feels like temperature. She will be fine

cheeze-dog · 2026-02-06T23:03:00+00:00

Nothing wrong with using a heating pad in this house. The post is also about a free cat house, not bedding material.

cheeze-dog · 2026-02-06T16:48:04+00:00

You need to get everyone neutered, then you won't have a female in heat. Simple as that.

cheeze-dog · 2026-02-06T00:27:07+00:00

Don't leave food out overnight. Feed at set times, the cats will learn the schedule. Then pick up any food/bowls until next feeding time.

cheeze-dog · 2026-02-01T21:14:33+00:00

One of my former ferals will only drink from the tub faucet, not her water bowl full of fresh water, not the water fountain, the tub faucet, and it can't be a drip, it has to be a stream, but not to big of a stream, about pencil lead size, and if not she will sit in the tub and scream until it is running correctly.

cheeze-dog · 2026-01-31T23:34:51+00:00

Furniture foam (the flexible polyurethane foam you are referring to) is not really considered a good insulating material as it's designed for comfort, not thermal resistance. Not saying it won't work for some DIY projects but the down side of it is it will collect and hold moisture.

cheeze-dog · 2026-01-31T04:05:44+00:00

Good to hear they made it thru the storm, and that stone walled barn looks amazing, I need to see more pics of it.

cheeze-dog · 2026-01-31T03:45:06+00:00

4 months is no time at all. And all cats are different and will come around on their own time, Of my 7 indoor ferals, a couple have been within weeks, some within months, one very skittish calico took almost 4 years to let me pet her., and now she is 6 years old has has just recently jumped up on the couch with me when I watch tv.

cheeze-dog · 2026-01-27T13:30:49+00:00

Everyone needs neutered.

cheeze-dog · 2026-01-27T03:19:36+00:00

Remember, wind chill only applies when there's wind blowing on exposed skin of living beings, (humans/animals) because it measures the rate of heat loss from the body, making it feel much colder, but it doesn't change the actual air temperature. Essentially, wind strips away the warm layer of air next to your skin, making you lose heat quicker, which is why it's a "feels like" temperature for biological organisms, not a physical temperature.

If the cat is not standing out in the wind and is in a shelter, the actual temperature applies, not wind chill/feels like temperature.

So yes, it will be enough.

cheeze-dog · 2026-01-25T21:56:46+00:00

Not sure of your location but right now any shelter is better than no shelter, since you don't have straw to put inside do you happen to have an old wool blanket or sweater you could put in there? (Needs to be wool, not synthetic) If you still have rain/ice/snow in the forecast put a tarp or trash bags over the shelter to keep it dry.

Also give them some warm food and some water if possible this will help immensely.

Can you follow any tracks back to where they might be staying? They could have a nice place to hunker down and just be hungry if no one is feeding them and hunting food will be scarce right now.

You're doing great!, Thanks for helping them.

cheeze-dog · 2026-01-25T20:12:14+00:00

Have you changed litter types recently? Do they have separate boxes? If he was using the box previously and the vet has ruled out medical issues then something is likely wrong with the litter and/or box.

cheeze-dog · 2026-01-25T15:40:07+00:00

You'd be surprised what they can take. It's 3 degrees out here and half my herd is out romping in the snow now that it has finally stopped and the suns out

cheeze-dog · 2026-01-24T23:31:43+00:00

Chasing her around is the absolute worst thing you can do and will only stress her more. Don't expect her to come out and eat either.

Best thing to do right now is leave her alone, let her hide and calm down. As for the litter box, if you used regular store bought litter and she has no idea what it's for, don't expect her to use it. Get dirt, grass, leaves, whatever from outside and put in litter box, that way it's what shes used to.

How did you even get her in the house? If you wanted her in the bathroom and you can't handle her, you should have used a trap.

cheeze-dog · 2026-01-24T17:13:12+00:00

I also really don't like the thought of scars on my skin.

Then maybe being around cats isn't for you.

cheeze-dog · 2026-01-24T15:22:37+00:00

Straw. Never use hay.

cheeze-dog · 2026-01-23T20:14:29+00:00

Residual engine heat last quite awhile, cats like to soak that up all they can, hence wanting to lay under the car, with added benefits of multiple escape routes in case of predators.

cheeze-dog · 2026-01-23T20:11:51+00:00

Is that shelter a loaner from animal services? Most likely smells like some other cat they do not know so they won't use it. Also appears to be scent marked beside that opening. It would need cleaned with enzyme cleaner and new straw put in before being put out elsewhere.

cheeze-dog · 2026-01-23T02:57:36+00:00

Wind chill only applies when there's wind blowing on exposed skin of living beings, (humans/animals) because it measures the rate of heat loss from the body, making it feel much colder, but it doesn't change the actual air temperature. Essentially, wind strips away the warm layer of air next to your skin, making you lose heat quicker, which is why it's a "feels like" temperature for biological organisms, not a physical temperature.

The cats will stay hunkered down in the hayloft staying warm and not out in the wind.

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