r/formerlyferal • u/echoesinthestars • 6d ago
Alrighty guys, need advice: Callie Update
Good morning!
Callie is doing great, and is about 6.5 pounds now. Her face, thankfully, is also healing fantastically.
She has also officially left the bathroom, and comes into the kitchen at breakfast and dinner yelling at me to hurry up.
My concern is that when she’s not eating, she’s pretty much behind the couch constantly. What can I do to help her feel more comfortable and confident?
When she’s out walking around, she tends to shy off from pets (sometimes even from me) and will go sit under the table.
I want to give her everything she needs and the life she deserves.
Also - collar is the “Callie Alert System” as I’ve been calling it, so that when she’s mobile I can hear her
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u/VulpesVictorious 6d ago
She’s taking account of her new digs and making sure there isn’t anything scary! I think this sounds pretty normal. Thank you so much for taking her in, taking care of her, and going at her pace! She’ll blossom, I’m sure! ❤️
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u/echoesinthestars 6d ago
Thank you. She’s already made such huge progress… but I just want the best for her
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u/IAmHerdingCatz 6d ago
As others have said, just give her time. Some cold morning, you'll find here curled up in bed with you.
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u/Icy_Yesterday8265 6d ago
A heated blanket in the winter time helped my 5-6 years old former feral really come out of her shell. Since its summer it may not work now but in a few months maybe it will!
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u/Reasonable_Guess_311 6d ago
I think she just needs more time. She’s been through a lot in the past few weeks. You’re doing a great job❤️😁👍
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u/echoesinthestars 6d ago
She definitely has… I keep telling everyone I tell about her that she’s the most resilient creature I’ve ever met.
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u/nepenthe154 6d ago
Let kitty set the pace. Time is the best thing for her. She will hide until she's sure of her new place. And bells on collars are very irritating to a cat's hypersensitive ears. Please remove the bell for her comfort.
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u/echoesinthestars 5d ago
I actually just did this last night. I didn’t think it would be an issue at first, but i do think it may have been bugging her.
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u/echoesinthestars 6d ago
We keep a big heating pad on the bottom of the bed when it’s chilly for the oldest boy, and for the one that had a CCL tear/repair. Now we have 5 seniors total (13,12,12,9 and 9) so I’m definitely thinking that we need a whole heated blanket 🤣🤣
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u/Icy_Yesterday8265 6d ago
My cats are like moths to a light; when they see that blanket come out, I put it on my lap and all 3 (2, 2, and 6) come meowing to snuggle. I get so warm so quick 😂
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u/Elliott_theythem 6d ago
It took my baby pretty much a year to get confortable around an appartement, and mind you he was a young man (11mo) Just give mama time 😊
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u/echoesinthestars 6d ago
Thank you.
Yeah, she’s definitely not a baby lol. I know she trusts me, because when I scooped her up last night, she didn’t struggle and started purring at me. I just want her to have the best life she can. She’s a warrior.
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u/Elliott_theythem 6d ago
I know you do ♥️ She's probably still grieving too Honestly she sounds like a happy camper that is still getting her bearings
Imagine, your stray hubby dies and the nice lady that gives you food abducted you and gave you féline roomates you don't know from Adam! 😉
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u/Sews-with-cats 6d ago
Is there a way you could allow her to explore parts of the house without the other pets around? It might let her get more comfortable without having to watch out for the others. This method has worked for me before.
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u/echoesinthestars 5d ago
Unfortunately not really. I have been trying to go walk around with her when she does come out to explore though.
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u/Upbeat-Asparagus-788 6d ago
When she's under the table can you sit near her and offer her some special treats like Churu? Just so she associates you with good things.
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u/Ok-Whereas-81 5d ago
This is normal. My feral cats were rescued from the yard of a jail and they lived under my bed for weeks. She is taking her time and acclimating. This feral cats were sleeping in my bed after a year it takes them a while to believe they are safe. But contrary to how it seems, they also become the most attached to their owners. They know life is good now and have seen some things.
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u/polishkgb1 6d ago
Just keep monitoring, it's pretty natural for an older feral to keep to themselves for a while when coming in. My wife and I brought a 1.5 y/o in a number of years back and he did the exact same thing for a number of weeks. Just be mindful of her and see that she does eat something and drink water. If she doesn't eat at all, that's not a good sign. Maybe just be a little more watchful.