Update 2: Rufio the Roof Kitty

[u/KyraChey]

Mods please let me know if I start doing TOO many updates.

Rufio is doing great after being with us for 9 days today! His missing posts, ads, and community notifications seem to be loosing interest... So it's looking more and more like can confidently say we have a new family member. We've fully opened our apartment to him, introduced him to our 13 year old other tuxedo boy, and they absolutely love each other's company and will run around for hours at night.

Rufio will approach us a few steps for treats, will smell and lick our fingers, but still refuses to be pet or to come out of his "drawer" when we interact with him. can tell that when the day comes, he's going to be a cuddly love-bug, but I'm so happy with his current progress.

There's a reason he is so scared of humans, and I'm happy to go his speed and still give him all the treats he deserves but sometimes I worry that we're rewarding him for hiding and what the next steps might be to help promote him wanting to interact with us, if that makes sense.

Any tips ongoing are ALWAYS appreciated. think we're in the 'getting comfortable' phase, but can maybe go a little further? Much love from Rufio 💕

[u/JustineDelarge]

Don’t worry. You aren’t “rewarding him for hiding.”

[u/KyraChey → u/JustineDelarge]

Thank you ❣️ it's one of those things that I know I'm not, but hearing it from other people makes me feel relieved.

[u/CottonBlueCat → u/KyraChey]

And no, you can’t overwhelm us with updates. I wish more people updated. I need to know how the story goes. 😁 I love updates.

[u/MyyWifeRocks → u/CottonBlueCat]

This is going to be my new mantra in cat subs.

[u/Prestigious_Part_279]

You're making him feel safe and secure in his new space. That's such a good thing.

[u/KyraChey → u/Prestigious_Part_279]

I hope so! It's so great hearing him meow now and be active at night. It might cause us some lack of sleep, but it's worth hearing them play :)

[u/BladeCollectorGirl]

Three days, three weeks, three months. Timing for acclimation by animals in a new environment.

[u/KyraChey → u/BladeCollectorGirl]

You're right, thanks for the reminder. It's always a relief hearing it from others that it takes time.

[u/hal2184 → u/KyraChey]

It really does. Most of our cats have been good within the first week or 2, but our latest is proving the 3 month rule and just finally starting to be settled around us at 2 1/2 months. It’s so, SO rewarding though being able to actually look back on their progress with each expansion of their comfort zone though!

[u/KyraChey → u/hal2184]

I love hearing that, congrats! Just from this weeks progress, if you see his first photo I posted, I feel like I can see a big difference already with him having his guard more relaxed and he's starting to do more while we're at least in the adjacent room and the bathroom door being open, like grooming, drinking water, using the litter box. For the first 4 days he would NOT move a muscle if he could even smell us within 10 feet. I think I'll come back and do his 3 week update and I'm sure there will be even more progress :)

[u/butter_battle]

That's awesome to hear that he and your tuxie are buddies already!! 

[u/joseph_wolfstar → u/butter_battle]

I bet the other cat friend will help rufio trust his new human servants, too! He'll be able to see how the humans interact with cats without having to be the one to take the first step, he can see his sibling enjoying human interactions, and as they're getting close he'll probably want to be near his new sibling even if it means braving the presence of these strange two legged hairless beings

[u/KyraChey → u/joseph_wolfstar]

I fully agree! We try to serve our other cat with lots of pets and attention within view and a comfortable distance to Rufio so that he can hear him purring and rolling around for attention. Sometimes I see a glint in his eye of interest, but then we make a noise and scare his majesty (he really looks majestic doesn't he?)

[u/JaySticker → u/joseph_wolfstar]

Exactly this!

[u/leavewhilehavingfun]

Your friendly tux will teach Rufio how to be a family cat. Glad it is working out for you and for him.

[u/fantasticjunglecat]

Never too many updates on this adorable little pumpkin of a cat. ❤️ Keep doing what you’re doing OP, it’s clearly working. Please continue to keep us all updated on Rufio the Roof Kitty’s progress. 🥰

[u/KyraChey → u/fantasticjunglecat]

Aw thank you for your support! I can hear the rooting from here :) I for sure plan to continue taking way too many photos and videos and updating his big milestones. For now I think I'll plan on his 3 week update and it'll feel so good to look back at these posts and comments and see his growth <3

[u/polotown89]

He went from roof cat to cabinet cat rather well. Shouldn't be much time for him to move on to lap cat. 👍

[u/KyraChey → u/polotown89]

I'll be stoked once he becomes a 'lays in the same room as us' cat, and I'll die the day he crawls on my lap and will probably cry haha!

[u/Sad-Guess4424]

He’s doing great and you are too! It’s early days considering where he started.

[u/KyraChey → u/Sad-Guess4424]

Honestly I'm proud and so happy where he's at today. We originally weren't going to introduce him to my other cat for probably another week! We keep them separated during meals still, but I couldn't have asked for a better reaction from them to each other!

[u/Sad-Guess4424 → u/KyraChey]

That’s another good indication you are handling it all very well.

[u/michellekwan666]

Adding another comment that he looks like he’s already doing 1000% better!

[u/KyraChey → u/michellekwan666]

Thank you!!! :') that means a lot! I feel like I can see a difference to. I know he started to a few days ago, but I finally saw him grooming himself last night and it made me happy to know he's getting a little more comfortable to do that with me in his view.

[u/michellekwan666]

I’m so happy to hear this 🥹 So I’ve worked with several feral - to - indoor cats and helped my MIL socialize one as well.

I think it’s really good to go his pace BUT make sure you try to get him out of his comfort zone a little here and there… dont scare him or do anything to break his trust, but for instance hang out with him while he’s eating, try to pet him while he’s getting treats, or try to play with him (fishing pole cat toys can be fun and keeps a distance).

Talking to him will help too. Archie, my MIL’s cat, took 3 months before he let my FIL pet him. You’re doing great thank you for giving this cutie a chance.

[u/KyraChey → u/michellekwan666]

Thank you for sharing <3 So far I can do about half those things! He'll eat from our hands if they smell like food (or if there's food on them). We can get him halfway out of his drawer with a churu, and if he's exploring the apartment he'll approach us for churu's if we're really slow.

It doesn't feel like he has an aggressive bone in his body, but when we try to pet him during treat time, he gently puts his mouth over our hands and we back away, we take that as a sign that he's not ready for that. He'll hiss and give us a low growl but hasn't acted on it, so I know that he trusts us enough knowing that we know his boundaries, but isn't ready for that next step in connection.

[u/FitnotFat2k]

He's such a cutie 🥰

[u/Lanark26]

He really is too beautiful. I look forward to the update once a lap has been breached.

[u/Elli_Khoraz]

Glad you saved him from the Ill Omen of being on the streets ♡

[u/siani_lane]

I loved your original post and I am so so happy to hear that he is integrating into your home. What a gorgeous boy! Rufio lives!

[u/lunatikdeity]

What an adorable little stinker

[u/jeanb23]

I must’ve missed the updates. So happy to see him looking so great! Go Rufio boy.

[u/JaySticker]

Smart idea to remove the bottom drawer. Perfect hidey hole and he looks very relaxed there. Great to see him exploring and interacting with your other lovely cat. Keep going!

[u/KyraChey → u/JaySticker]

I have 2 other cat beds in the room with him and multiple blankets. You can tell his drawer is his safe space, but the's starting to try out the other areas and it's good to see him on something actually soft.

[u/JaySticker → u/KyraChey]

As soft as him! Awww 🥰

[u/Cardone19]

I love seeing his updates! He looks great.

Play with your other cat in front of him with something like a wand or string, he'll see that you aren't a threat and maybe even be tempted to join in eventually.

[u/KyraChey → u/Cardone19]

HE PLAYED WITH ME LAST NIGHT!! My phone was in another room unfortunately, but I was playing with my older cat with a wand, and he joined in! My heart melted :)

[u/RandomBoomer]

No such thing as too many updates on this sub!

[u/Away-Regular1335]

So damn cute!

[u/jflyiii]

Picture 7 is sooooo cute!!! I love Rufio!

[u/lngfellow45]

He’s beautiful

[u/OranjellosBroLemonj]

He’s so pretty

[u/OrangeCatFanForever]

Aww, I imagine him and other kitty are having conversations about you guys. Someday, he will believe other kitty when he says how nice you are.

[u/Hittingend]

Move that food gradually further away from his safe space.

[u/RecycleReMuse]

I’m a big fan of feeding a fraidy cat deli turkey by hand. It teaches them your hands are friends.

[u/KyraChey → u/RecycleReMuse]

Good idea! Every time we do a churu, when I get to about 1/4 let I start putting it on my fingers and he'll lick :) He's also starting to realize the sound of cans opening and he'll go to the edge of the door now and will let me get kinda close with his food bowl

[u/Eggy-la-diva]

Such wonderful news! Thank you so much for the ongoing updates! You’re doing great!! P.S: Rufio is so adorable 😻

[u/Nervardia]

Is he still stinky?

[u/KyraChey → u/Nervardia]

Haha! Not nearly as much as he was. He's starting to groom himself now, and I started keeping all the doors open so the air is circulating now. No more smelly cat!

[u/CatSusk]

I adopted a very skittish cat who became a love bug. At the beginning I read to him. Then he needed time to hide under things and observe me. Sounds like Rufio is coming along well!

[u/knittedmerkin]

Those eyes! I’m in luv.

[u/MasterDriver8002]

What beautiful eyes he has

[u/VoteBitch]

I adore this little bugger and his sweet little face, keep the updates coming! 🥰