09-13-2015, 04:15 AM
Thanks Catherine.
I would know if a Badger or fox had been inside the room as I'm used to both scents. Also they would have to be very small/young to get through Sally's cat door. Full grown ones couldn't get in.
However... that doesn't mean one didn't try to, or poke its head through one night! That would have left (for me) little or no scent at all.
I guess even if one pushed its front paw through, that could have scared her -yes.
That is worth considering.
I might have made some progress!
Last night after midnight I was concerned about her and couldn't think of sleeping until I'd had another attempt. It had started to rain slightly. I went round there and she was in the hedge again.
She was hungry, so followed me to her room. At that point, she sat outside and refused to come in once more.
I went in, lit a little lamp, and brought cat treats to the door. Little by little -one treat at a time, we got her through and into the room.
I had tried that before however....
Anyway suddenly I had an inspiration. I moved one of her beds up to a wide shelf about 3ft off the floor. After enticing her with treats for 20 minutes, I then put some in her bed. She had to actually get in her bed to get them. I then purred and kneaded, and every time I saw her attention slip, got it back again by treats.
Soon, she started purring and kneading too. Then she flopped down and curled up after admiring the view from up there.
I stayed there about 10 minutes and she fell asleep looking content! I left a night-light on.
When I went back this morning she was still asleep on her bed!
She ate, then dashed out again. I thought we'd be back to square one. But interestingly after a little while, she came back in much slower and stayed there with me! I got her back in the bed again easily and she fell asleep. She must be exhausted.
Then I left and went home. I will see what happens later.
Hopefully we might have cracked it....but I am not sure yet....
I would know if a Badger or fox had been inside the room as I'm used to both scents. Also they would have to be very small/young to get through Sally's cat door. Full grown ones couldn't get in.
However... that doesn't mean one didn't try to, or poke its head through one night! That would have left (for me) little or no scent at all.
I guess even if one pushed its front paw through, that could have scared her -yes.
That is worth considering.
I might have made some progress!
Last night after midnight I was concerned about her and couldn't think of sleeping until I'd had another attempt. It had started to rain slightly. I went round there and she was in the hedge again.
She was hungry, so followed me to her room. At that point, she sat outside and refused to come in once more.
I went in, lit a little lamp, and brought cat treats to the door. Little by little -one treat at a time, we got her through and into the room.
I had tried that before however....
Anyway suddenly I had an inspiration. I moved one of her beds up to a wide shelf about 3ft off the floor. After enticing her with treats for 20 minutes, I then put some in her bed. She had to actually get in her bed to get them. I then purred and kneaded, and every time I saw her attention slip, got it back again by treats.
Soon, she started purring and kneading too. Then she flopped down and curled up after admiring the view from up there.
I stayed there about 10 minutes and she fell asleep looking content! I left a night-light on.
When I went back this morning she was still asleep on her bed!
She ate, then dashed out again. I thought we'd be back to square one. But interestingly after a little while, she came back in much slower and stayed there with me! I got her back in the bed again easily and she fell asleep. She must be exhausted.
Then I left and went home. I will see what happens later.
Hopefully we might have cracked it....but I am not sure yet....
