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I'm about to become the proud "owner" (haha - as if!) of a couple of beautiful Burmese cats. But, sadly, they've been alone in a house for over three weeks, with food pushed through the letterbox.
So getting the cats into a carrier is likely to be a challenge. Besides taking thick padded gloves, any tips for catching them, please?
And, yes, I've already booked a vet appointment to get them checked out. Apparently they are likely to be constipated, so watch out for my "Picolax for Cats" thread . . .
Be patient. Let them come to you. If they’re Burmese they are very sociable so they’ll probably be pleased for some interaction.
If they are hesitant, sit on the floor and let them get used to you. They may feel threatened if you try to force it at your pace. Slow blinks should reassure them that you are their friend. Cat treats may help. Take some cooked chicken too.
Getting them in to a carrier is going to be a challenge whether they are friendly or not. You’ll just have to accept some scratches as part of the process. They’ll forgive you at the other end of the journey. Eventually....
With regards actually putting them in the carrier, you’re going to find putting an unwilling cat in tail end first is infinitely easier/less bloody.
(Owner of 3 Siamese)
"Herding Cats"...I thought this was going to be a thread about being a Beavers Scout Leader. 🙂
you’re going to find putting an unwilling cat in tail end first is infinitely easier/less bloody.
This. Very much this.
The element of surprise is also your friend here.
Great cats are Burmese although may be hard work if you're not used to them, they open doors but never close them, lie down face to face, snuggle under the duvet but can be fiesty at times. Think Siamese on steroids well my male Burmese was like that. Females are really good fun and affecionate but sit perched at the top of a door clinging on
The best tip I ever had for cat-catching is to use a couple of towels to bundle the cats up in- makes it easier (edit: and less bloody) to get them into the cat carrier if they're wrapped up.
Got to ask, why are they being fed through a letterbox?
Thanks for all the advice. It looks like there'll be a steep learning curve, once I've brought them home.
At least I've had the foresight to book a home visit from the new vet, rather than trying to repeat the process on Monday.
Immaterial - reasonable question, but I'd prefer not to go into details on a public forum. Let's just say RSPCA have been involved.
Not a problem, best of luck!
Sometimes I've found bum first into the carrier is easier. I put the carrier on its end rather than flat. Pick the cat up and try to cuddle it in a way that holds its legs under the body. Then post it down into the carrier not letting good the legs till they are through the hole. With the carrier being on its end it takes a short while for them to try to escape, by which time you should have closed the door.
The burrito wrap of the legs in a towel is also good for restraining them and containing claws. I have to use this method now for worming tablets on ours.
The trick to getting cats into carriers is to put the carrier so the open end is right on the edge of a worktop. Hold cat so it's going in head first, they have nowhere to put their front paws but in the carrier and the battle is won.
Try it - saves a lot of hassle
We're home! And it wasn't as bad as I feared.
Livia was cosy in the laundry basket, so I tied the lid on, and didn't need to disturb her.
Claudius was lurking under the bed, and we managed to corner him with pillows, then quickly pop him into the carrier.
They are very subdued, but don't seem distressed, and will let me stroke them.
Thanks again for all the advice.
Pics...??
Well done op, you’re proud owner of tuna eating experts. Hint hint 😉
Pics? Yes, in a few days, once I can persuade them out of their dens.
I was going to suggest these:
https://www.macrokunsafety.com/Ring-Mesh-Sleeve-with-shoulder-protection/10.html
but they’re not needed now.
What type of cages and how are they being transported?
If open cages on car seats spread a travel rug over the seats to save them being ripped.
We put newspaper in the bottom of cages with a small rug over the paper. Some cats like to burrow under the rug and hide some just lie there.
We also put a small blanket over the cage so they don't get frightened by stuff they can see out of the car windows. Again some like to be hidden others like to look out.
Try to keep the cages together so they don't feel isolated.
If I remember correctly Burmese are high level climbers and like to explore the tops of cupboards.
Good luck.
Can cats evaporate? Or turn invisible? Because these two seem to have vanished without trace!
I sensibly confined them to three rooms - hall, kitchen and study - and closed all the other doors. But today, there's been no sign of them. I've even removed the panels below the kitchen cupboards.
Good tip about the climbing, Mariner, although I've already checked the cupboards and bookcase.
It's quite upsetting to have "lost" them already, especially as friends are asking if they've settled in okay.
Legendary!
They’ll come to you when they’re ready either that or coaxed out with the lure of TUBA!
Mmmmm did someone mention tuna
In one of my sci-fi books, One follows a cat the find the ‘gaps’ that allow one (and cats) to travel between the parallel universes. Just a thought.
Because these two seem to have vanished without trace!
Inside the sofa for the win.
Vacuum cleaner can flush out my two.
with the lure of TUBA! Mmmmm did someone mention tuna
No, actually. 🙂 A tuba might be quite a good way of persuading them out, though.
We have 4 cats, they all vanish at some point, even the old one that's blind. Even the 'bright' ginger rescue and our 'bright' white ragdoll can hide. The hardest to find is our dark grey ragdoll.
And all are 'indoors' cats now (with a cat run outside)
These stories are reassuring - thank you. But I've searched EVERYWHERE. And checked the outside of the house to make sure there are no holes (eg from old tumble drier hose).
If I could catch a glimpse of them, I'd gladly feed them on tuna, or even caviar. Until then, I've put twenty biscuits in the food bowl, so I can easily check if any get eaten. Last night's food was still there this morning, and the litter tray hasn't been used.
It feels like I'm going crazy 🙁
So long as doors/windows aren't open, they will be under a bed, or behind furniture at first.
Take a look here for tips:
https://www.wwf.org.uk/project/conservationtechnology/camera-trap
Seriously, right now they are quietly freaking out somewhere, because they've been taken from everything that was known and certain, captured and transferred to a place with strangers that sounds and smells **wrong**. They will come around in time, but you are going to have to be ninja at keeping doors and windows closed for a few weeks, until they are certain you aren't going to hunt them down and hurt them.
Get some Whiskas treats, or Dreamies, it'll aid the process of gaining trust.
Have you found them yet?
All here awaiting next update...
Check round the back of your fridge and freezer. They like to hide in the gap behind the element. Literally in the base, you might need to pull it all the way out to see them.
Nothing to report, except that I've searched every possible nook and cranny, and can see no sign of them. Perhaps they've vanished into Lionheart's parallel universe?
It's quite ironic, because my cousin set up a charity after the Christchurch earthquakes, to catch and neuter the stray cats, and prevent a population explosion. And I can't even catch a couple of tame cats in my own house . . .
I'll report on the twenty biscuits in the morning. Night night x
Under the duvet, scratched scrotum alert
Night night? Night night? You cant go to bed now. That's what they want you to do. Just lying in wait, hiding until you go to sleep. Then they'll strike...
sadly, they’ve been alone in a house for over three weeks, with food pushed through the letterbox
There's a story there. It'll be rapidly apparent how important this is.
So getting the cats into a carrier is likely to be a challenge.
Correct, They may be very nervy and unaccustomed to human contact. Earning trust is important here.
Besides taking thick padded gloves, any tips for catching them, please?
Honestly? It'll be a battle unless you know what you're dealing with first. Go in quietly, give them a space to retreat to if they need it and take treats. If they let you feed them by hand and they're affectionate then getting them into the carrier won't be an issue. If they're hostile or very shy then it'll take a while for them to get used to you. Avoid eye contact, talk to them a lot, leave cat biscuits and let them explore on their own terms until they trust you enough to put them into a carrier.
Believe me, even the most well adjusted and socialized cat might go loopy in a cat carrier. We've one who'll always empty his bowels after a hundred yards in a carrier when we take him for his annual jabs.
Herding cats
Whats the point?
Its not so much that cats are difficult to herd.. its just so fruitless.
Goats, sheep, cattle - you don't just herd them because they're easy - its so you can milk them. Cats are rubbish for milking and the milk doesn't even taste that good.
Yay - the biscuits have all been eaten, and the litter tray used!
I've never been so pleased to see a lump of catshit!
That’s great news.
Great news - they'll be fine with a bit of time and love.
One tip for dealing with scared cats ( I recommend this for Bengals who are very play driven, but it should work for Burmese ). Go take a book/tablet/whatever into the room where you know they are hiding, *completely ignore the cat* sit down on the floor facing away from them, read book, talk softly about whatever to the cats, take in a feather pole toy, and at arms length just slowly wipe it across the floor.
The ignoring and soft talk will show the cats you are no threat, eventually the need to pounce and play should get them wanting the feather toy. When you have something the cats want, you start the process of becoming awesome.
💩 great news...
Good news! But where were they?
Lionheart, in a parallel universe, obviously. I'm surprised you needed to ask!
Good luck Esme!
We had a Burmese. She was absolutely lovely most of the time, put up with all sorts on nonsense from my children. But I used to put my leather jacket and motorcycling gloves on to take her to the vet.
These cats are clearly too cunning for you. Are you sure you want to be owned by them?
Mazeltov.
We used to have a house next to a busy road, our 2 cats had to be kept indoors. Their favourite sleeping/hiding place? On top of the built in fridge/freezer unit, there was a false top, with a 150mm gap at the back to the wall. They used to get under the false top, on top of the fridge.
Look somewhere like that, if they're not attracted to the tuna tin being opened.
I looked after a rag doll
Within half an hour It had wedged itself behind the washing machine by following a convoluted path through from a different room. Only found it when I saw the eyes staring at me malevolenty from the darkness.
Just an after thought the Cats Protection League usually have one of those strange cat whisperer people who make themselves available for catching caging and delivering cats.
For a small donation you could have someone who is able to handle cats and pacify them.
Brilliant news - I've actually seen Livia! I feel so much more relaxed now they are feeding (and shitting).
I popped out to the new vets this morning, to get them registered and transfer their records from the old vets. So, Livia is 9yo and second-hand (rescue cat), whereas Claude is 3yo and came new (as a kitten).
But . . . they are TONKS, not Burmese! That's a Siamese - Burmese cross.
Tonkinese Cat Club website
🙂
Well, yes, but one's hiding in a dark box, and I've no idea about the other one . . . so sorry but pictures will have to wait.
In other news, they scoffed a tin of tuna overnight, plus a few Dreamies. Thanks for this recommendation.
You need some of those wildlife cameras that are set up to capture images of rare species. Need cat photos 😕
Or David Attenborough‘s cameramen...
We used to have a Tonkinese, it was an extremely intelligent cat. Once they have got used to you and their new territory those two cats will be brilliant companions. Cats do like a refuge that gives them height, where they feel safe. When the Gato Negro comes around our cat runs up an apple tree shitting herself as she runs.
Still early days, we got a rescue cat and it hid behind the sofa for 3 weeks.
Cats are funny creatures, they're basically just using you
Dogs are far more straightforward 😀
But apparently Tonks think they are dogs.
Anyway, they are still hiding but in more obvious places, where I can actually see them. And Claude even came to talk to me, albeit briefly, so I gave him some Dreamies as a reward. Progress!
Dreamies for the win !
You know how crack is a bit... moreish ?
Dreamies is kitty crack.
Ada once found a full, unopened packet. A little later I found a pool of orange vomit, and a kitten looking for some more Dreamies.
Wait a minute. One of the cats cane to see you and we still have no photos.
They farkin move fast when you want to take a photo. Tried video'ing out two Raggies chasing each other around the house - impossible. Only when asleep is your chance....
I check this thread every there is a new post. Still no photos. Is disappoint.
[See also the thread about working away from home ... it can be dull]
Set up a video camera - even an old phone on timelapse mode will be perfect, it might even track down where they're hiding if you can set it up with a wide view over the food / litter tray.
We want pics! We want pics!
You're all trying to turn me into the kind of girl who posts pictures of cats on the internet, aren't you 😉
I promise photos as soon as possible. But in my defence, I've just been looking at Wendy's FB page and there are NO photos of her beloved cats. So they are clearly not easy to photograph.
Claude is getting a bit braver now, but Livia is staying put under the stairs. However, there'll be more people in the house from tomorrow, so I guess Claude will go back into hiding for a while.
You’re all trying to turn me into the kind of girl who posts pictures of cats on the internet, aren’t you
You know what needs to be done.
In the absence of your cats here is one of mine.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48479158471_082f991229_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48479158471_082f991229_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gRWmPR ]Ebay Rabit Mug, Hellebore Cups, Bowl etc + Moggy Shots 2016-02-24 001[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/140397021@N03/ ]michaelwex10[/url], on Flickr
We have a Tonkinese. They are very smart cats and very trainable. Ours also likes hiding, behind the fridge, in wardrobes and under kitchen units are his favorite places.
Ours is very vocal as well and will talk at you for ages, when he's been left for a while or when he wants the door opening.
Having said all that, he is highly strung. When we had our daughter our moggy couldn't care less, but it really stressed the Tonkinese out, to the point he was losing fur. All in all it lasted about 9 months.
Matt
Here’s ours, Tiffany. Not our name, breeder gave her it
Dammit, how do you post pics on here these days? Ah, there we go
Here’s ours, Tiffany. Not our name, breeder gave her it
Does it think you're alone now?
If it does, it's probably plotting to kill you...
In that picture there doesn't seem to be anyone around.
( the fact I can remember those lyrics is a matter of deep shame, I was young and in love )
🤬
🤬
LoddrikSchroedinger's cats
🤬
A couple of Tonkinese stories: ours used to love going round the room jumping from one piece of furniture to the next, which he did because it got him attention. When he reached the mantlepiece he would bat my Mum's horrible porcelain ornaments off so you had to get him down fast or remove the porcelain. He did it once when my Uncle John was staying; Uncle John was an extremely devout indoctrinated Catholic so when my Mum leapt forward to catch a falling pice of porcelain then shouted: "You ****ing little demon!" poor Uncle John got a bit of a shock. One of the staging posts in the round-the-lounge tour was a glass topped Habitat table. One fine day I took the glass away so when the cat jumped onto it he went clean through. The entire family erupted in laughter but everybody knows you never laugh at an embarrassed cat so he was pretty irritated and lashed his tail and swore at us. From then on he would always stop and put out a paw to check the glass was there before jumping.
Bed time was always fun as the Tonkinese would sprint upstairs and hide under a bed, from where he had to be hauled out and stuffed up my Dad's jumper. Dad was in advanced Alzheimer's by then so it was a welcome bit of fun and comfort for the poor old chap, walking back downstairs with the cat's head sticking out of his V neck.
We had a Tonk called George when I was a kid. He would literally never shut up. One day he disappeared and went and stayed at the local holiday park and then came back 6 months later!
We have to shut ours in the kitchen overnight if we want sleep - that means all 4 cats. It's the two ragdolls that chase each other round the house, culminating in both of them dashing round our bed, over the top of both of us, and then back downstairs for a lap of the lounge, then back up and repeat.
Can't get the female ragdoll in from the cat run at night - she loves sitting out in it in the dark, and as she is dark grey, we can't see her.
Lionheart
Member
In one of my sci-fi books, One follows a cat the find the ‘gaps’ that allow one (and cats) to travel between the parallel universes. Just a thought.
Spares?
Always love a cat thread