Schroeder...is up for adoption again #112

**Moesha** · 10-24-2009, 10:24 PM

Schroeder is so different than any other cat that I've been around. I've tried to give him toys to interest him. He hasn't shown any interest in any of them, the tunnel, the track with the ball, mice, balls with catnip, nothing. I'm going to try to get one of those fishing pole type toys tomorrow. He doesn't eat wet food. He will come running when I shake a bag of treats, but he hasn't eaten any of them when offered. I've tried 4 or 5 different brands and flavors. I'm at a loss. He seems to really want something, but nothing I have makes him happy. He is getting more used to it around here. Today I went in to his room and sat on the couch. He jumped up on it and came over to me for the first time. He walked across my lap a couple of times and actually started purring! Then he turned and bit my hand pretty hard. He didn't break the skin, but it did scrape some skin off.

I've been in contact with the rescue to see if I can get any information from a former owner about things that he likes or that would make him comfortable. The first owner, the one with cancer, hasn't returned the message that was left. Someone had him for a couple of weeks in August but had to return him because he was trying to dominate her cats. She loved him though. I have her phone number and will try calling tomorrow.

Aroara has hissed like crazy under the bathroom door. He hasn't shown aggression toward her, but he has growled at some of the other cats that are outside. Did I already post this? I know I typed it all out somewhere. Maybe it was in an e-mail. I put Aroara in the bedroom where he has been staying so she could smell him in there. I put the towel that he was on in the carrier under her food dish. She doesn't seem to notice anything with that. I am not sure he would like having a towel rubbed on him. He did not like it when I tried to use the lubglub. (A mitt used to help get loose fur off.)

I don't know what else to do to help him feel comfortable. I get really sad because it makes me miss Morgan even more sometimes. I'm trying to be patient. It kills me to think of him spending any more time in a cage where he is so unhappy. I'm hoping that he will get more comfortable and warm up to us. He hasn't really shown any signs of being the lap kitty that the rescue advertised him as. Any ideas?

**Grace** · 10-24-2009, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by Moesha

I don't know what else to do to help him feel comfortable. I get really sad because it makes me miss Morgan even more sometimes. I'm trying to be patient. It kills me to think of him spending any more time in a cage where he is so unhappy. I'm hoping that he will get more comfortable and warm up to us. He hasn't really shown any signs of being the lap kitty that the rescue advertised him as. Any ideas?

Time, just tincture of time. Our cat, Red, who looks very much like Schroeder, came to us from the woods. We have no idea of his history. He has been with us for 6 years now, and he still mystifies me at times.

Hopefully you can get some info from his last foster mom. Other than that - just love him and let him know he is safe with you. He will come around one day. Just imagine how you would react in his place.

**Moesha** · 10-24-2009, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Grace

Just imagine how you would react in his place.

That's what I'm trying to do. He had a home for over two years. He has been back in the rescue since June. He was adopted but the returned after 2 weeks. (The rescue will give $75 off the $100 adoption fee if it doesn't work out and they are returned within two weeks.)

I specifically wanted to help an adult who had been returned where he'd had a home. I must say kittens are easier. They are more adaptable to the surroundings. They are more work in other ways though. I really want Schroeder to like it here and for us to have a connection, so that we can help each other.

**krazyaboutkatz** · 10-25-2009, 12:59 AM

How on earth did I miss this thread.

Congrats!!! He's such a handsome boy.

I'm sure he's still trying to settle in. I sure hope that everything will work out. I think you both need each other.

All of my cats are rescues, Storm and Sky were from the Humane Society and it took Sky about 1 year to really feel comfortable in his new home even though he's a very social cat. He was found as a stray and later adopted but then he was returned because the people said that their other cats started peeing outside of the box. He was about 1 year old when I adopted him.

Sunny was from a small rescue group and his foster mom moved around a lot so it also took him a good year to really feel comfortable and realize that he wouldn't be going any where else. He was 8 months old when I adopted him. Both Pearl and Ziggy were rescued by another PT'er, K & L, in Arizona. They were both young kittens when I adopted them. Pearl fit in easily but it's taken Ziggy 3 years to really feel comfortable and to feel like she's a part of the family. Now she even acts goofy and is so much more relaxed than she used to be. She even comes to me for pets and gives me headbutts.

Try not to rush things. Cats like to come to you on their own terms. I'm sure you already know this. I sure hope that things will work out. Good luck.

**Taz_Zoee** · 10-25-2009, 01:19 AM

I agree with all the previous posts. Time. It will take time. Paizly took a couple days to even come up to us and let us really pet her. Even now she is very picky about when she receives petting. She is a lovebug in the morning, but try to pet her throughout the day and she'll slink off and not let you touch her.

Please don't feel bad that he is not all over you. He will be with time, I'm sure.

**Medusa** · 10-25-2009, 07:16 AM

Don't want to sound like a "me, too" person but I do concur w/the others; it's going to take time. As long as you have the patience, I'm sure he'll come around. Keep the faythe.

**Moesha** · 10-25-2009, 01:54 PM

I went to the Dollar Tree and bought a little fishing pole with a fish and a couple of ribbon type things on it. Schroeder has played a little with it! Finally something that he likes. AND...I bought a carpet thingie to hang on the door knob for him to use a scratching pad. It has little feathers at the top that he can play with. And I think they are used to encourage him to stretch up and then get the idea of scratching. It isn't exactly carpet, but it isn't the cardboard either. I know that carpet scratchers can confuse them, but I noticed that he liked a little cell phone holder that was hanging from the door. This was the only thing that was at WalMart that would hang from the door. So far he hasn't shown interest in scratching on any of the regular scratching areas. I have seen him try to scratch on the couch a time or two. Maybe this will help that also.

**3Catcondo** · 10-25-2009, 02:26 PM

Moe,
something to help attract him to the hanging scratch thingy might be the catnip spray. Here in Richmond I can get it from Petsmart. I spray different cat things with it and they are all over whatever I just sprayed. That might spark his interest, too. Just a thought. Good luck to you both

Amy

**catmandu** · 10-25-2009, 07:58 AM

I always found that cutting a piece of meat off my plate workes wonders!!
And Thanks to eals on Wheels I can offer them something good every night.
I felt that way many times when a New Cat would race like the wind in terror at my approach, but time , love and TLC will win Schroeder over, and that will make you so happy!!

**Pinot's Mom** · 10-25-2009, 08:05 AM

I'm going to be a copy cat, too. Time. As far as the biting; Pinot took some time with that one as well. She still, to this day, puts her mouth down hard on my skin, but every time I look at her (and don't move my hand) and say GENTLE, GENTLE, firmly and she seems to respond better each time. If you move quickly they'll grab harder. You'll get there.

**momcat** · 10-25-2009, 01:23 PM

Since he spent some time in what he thought was his furever home then found himself back at the shelter, poor Schroeder might feel unsure of his new situation and afraid he might be sent back to the shelter again. It will take some love, patience, and time to reassure him that he's with you to stay. Like all kitties, Schroeder just wants to be loved and cared for but his recent experiences make him uncertain. Give him lots of attention, tell him how wonderful he is, and give him lovies on his terms for now. Follow Schroeder's pace and reassure him. This will work out.

**cassiesmom** · 10-25-2009, 07:21 PM

A prayer and a candle for Schroeder.

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/...ng&cid=9436141

**Moesha** · 10-26-2009, 10:13 PM

Thanks for the candle.

We had some progress today. Schroeder came over when I woke up this morning and walked on me, ending by standing on my chest. He was purring and even sat down briefly once. I kept waiting for him to turn around and bite my face, but he didn't.

He's let me carry him across the length of the house also.

BUT...he saw Aroara today and that did not go well at all. I had her in the bathroom. I took her out and was holding her. She was hissing at him, but he was ignoring her mostly. I put Aroara down, and she walked away from him. My sister was over visiting and was inside while I stepped outside for just 30 seconds. Aroara came over to the door. Schroeder came sneaking up behind her. When I came in, Schroeder went after Aroara. There was hissing and screeching and running. My sister and I broke them up. I thought Schroeder had run back into his room. I went in there to find him and then my sister said he was in the living room. He went after Aroara again this time behind the couch. I finally got him to go into his room. By then Aroara was so mad she demanded to go outside. I wasn't sure she would come back in tonight. But I just got her back inside. I just don't know if this is going to work out. It kills me to think of him going back and having to live in the cage at PetSmart. He hates that, and he is just getting used to living here.

I also bought him a fishing pole toy that he does enjoy. But he gets worked up playing with that and then he gets worked up when dealing with people. He tries to bite and attack with his claws. He plays rough.

**Cataholic** · 10-27-2009, 02:54 PM

I have read things, but maybe not as clearly as I could. I just want to echo again what others have said, but, maybe more strongly. Please be patient with the introductions of two adult cats. The longer the time you can acclimate them to the house- separately, the better off the chances of a smooth transition. Cats are funny. I could not imagine introducing two adult cats to one another in less than a month. Bad first impressions can be lasting impressions. Don't rush it. Kittens- easy peasy. Cats- not so much.

I would get some phernome (sic) plug ins and put them in each room the cats are confined to. I swear by this stuff.

And, lots of extra loves to Aurora, so that she knows she is not being displaced.

Good luck, orangies are so special.