Would this be wrong? RE: Cats

[gritsar]

As most of you know, our household feline population increased by two in the last month.

First there was Bug, a tuxedo male kitten (approx. 13 weeks old or so). He will be neutered soon, my vet wants to wait until he is at least 20 weeks old. The day he arrived DH pronounced him an outside cat. However, one thing led to another, it's getting cold outside and Bug spends alot of time inside. Bug has horrible house manners, meaning he gets on counters, claws furniture, climbs the walls, etc. The squirt gun has worked for the furniture clawing. Of course I don't trust him at night and it's brand new furniture, so I have to cover it every night before bed. I have yet to break him of climbing on the countertops, the kitchen table or from putting his face/butt in our faces while we eat. Bug likes to go outside and will wait at the door to be let out for a little while at a time.

Now we have Cuatro, a female cat of unknown age. I suspect she's fairly young. She was pretty much emaciated when she showed up in our yard. I don't know what her house manners are like because she's never been inside. DH was very firm about three cats being this small house's limit.

I suspect that Cuatro may be pregnant, but won't know until I can get her a vet appointment. If she's not too far along she will be aborted and spayed at the same time (sorry if that's offensive to you).

Both cats have access to our shop, where there's food and a warm box with old blankets to sleep in. Cuatro stays in the shop alot; she seems to be afraid of a great many things.

Now for my question. Would it be wrong of me to put Bug out and try Cuatro in the house instead? At the present time I feel like she needs more intense TLC than Bug, seeing as how she's underweight and all. I feel so guilty having one out and the others in, but I know when my DH is serious about something.

Also, there's very little danger for an outside cat where we live as far as traffic and such is concerned. Our house is situated on a private road, 1/4 from the nearest county road. The only traffic is us, the letter carrier and the farmer that leases our pastures. We do have coyotes but Bug is an excellent tree climber and as I said, Cuatro hides in the shop.

 

[Ukiah]

If it were me, I'd bring Cuatro in and put Bug out. Especially if shes pregnant, underweight &
isn't very good at protecting herself (if I read that right) She would probably be better off
inside.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

If she hides in the shop, I'd try to give her the TLC there. Cats don't do well with a change of scene so leaving her where she is comfortable will likely get her better, quicker. That, after all, is the main thing.
Put out extra food right where she lives. If the others are inside, they won't get after it. I think plenty of quality food access is the best you can do for her. She can curl up on the blankets and snuggle in and put on the weight in peace.
In my farm experience, the ones that want to come in all the time want the easy life, are friendly, help themselves to your doors,furniture and whatever else they care to take. Others are perfectly happy in the great outdoors and really don't want to be inside with you. They prefer to be cats as cats were intended to be.
Some ( the very best kind, IMHO) like to be real cats and live outdoors but will willingly share their lives and your home when it's smart of them to do so. They will repay you with purrs, be polite, and say thank you before going outside again.

Bug? LOL. Good luck! Some are just plain brats.

For what it's worth, I agree with your hubby on the number of cats. I had two in here one winter and I said NEVER again.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

If Cuatro has access to the house but likes to hang out in the shop I'd just let her continue that way. She's picked the spot where she feels most comfortable.

If you decide to put Bug outside do bring him in at night into the shop. Cuatro may enjoy the company. If DH has been tolerant up to now and has put his foot down it seems that the decision has already been made. I've learned from experience that pushing the envelope doesn't make for a happy home. Let DH know that you're moving Bug outside
and Cuatro will stay mostly in the shop...let him know that you decided that his happiness and comfort comes before the cats. It'll score you some points

Now I just need to listen to my own advice!

 

[Mattemma]

I would put Bug out due to the behavior.Might bring the other in and get it set up in a room with all its needs.Dog crate is also an option.I brought in one cat.Had to syringe feed her.She was yellow from liver dying.I think she is better.Eat,ing,no yellow.She hated being inside.Still tries/gets outside,but I bring her right back in.

My dh was not happy about the sick cat coming in,but tolerates her.I promised to not bring anything else in and even rehome a few pets.Sadly all shelters have 200+ on waiting lists. I am grateful no other animals have showed up.

Best wishes!

 

[teach1rusl]

Personally, I think I'd keep them both in the shop. All of my cats are indoor/outdoor (although they don't choose to go out much in the winter

), and we do have a cat door in one of our shops. I know if we ever adopted another cat (our house limit is three - by my choice), it would have to live in the shop, so I'd want it to have company. I would think that within a few weeks, if they were both being fed out there and living out there, they'd adapt to one another and learn to appreciate one another. I sure hope they're able to abort the pregnancy (not to sound cold) - there's simply too many unwanted cats out there already...

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
My thoughts exactly. Right now Bug and Cuatro are avoiding each other like the plague, but I'm sure they'll get used to each other. I just feel bad when Cuatro comes and sits on the kitchen windowsill, meowing. I try to go out and pet her for a few minutes each time, but obviously I can't go out every time she beckons.

My husband tried holding her, but she freaked out. Apparently she doesn't trust men.

 

[sourland]

I'm guessing it will be really difficult to convince Bug that he needs to stay outside now that he knows the luxury of the easy chair.

 

[kitmarlowescot2]

Gritsar, this might be a stupid suggestion to you. But have you thought of maybe doing an outside enclosure for the cats ? I know you are already planning to build a third chicken house. So maybe an outside enclosure for them would be good too ? That way you won't end up with dead rabbits and birds on your back porch.
http://www.paws.org/outdoor-cat-enclosures.html
You could even build one going from a window for your other two cats. That way all four could go outside safely. A lady who's blog I read did it for her five Bengals, acourse they really needed that outside access safely because they were going stir crazy being inside. She couldn't let be outside because of the traffic living in the city.
http://blog.fabulouslorraine.com/2011/08/way-too-many-bengal-pics-in-leopard.html
http://blog.fabulouslorraine.com/2011/07/how-to-build-jungle-gym-for-your.html
http://blog.fabulouslorraine.com/2011/07/first-day-in-leopard-lounge.html

This cured one of her cat's spraying problems, and really brought joy out in her rescue half breed cat Magic. So maybe a safe comprise ?

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Meh. Let them both go where they want to go. It's easier in the long run.

Get a cat tower with the sisal scratching posts. It is a furniture saver for sure. I wish I had bought mine years ago. I got mine on Amazon. As soon as I have the money I am getting a second one. They LOVE it and now scratch on it and not the furniture. They completely ignored the small scratching posts I had before. This sucker is about 6' tall with kitty shelfs and sisal posts all the way up.