cat-sitting: he won't come in!

[pharmacymum89]

hoping someone can help! cat-sitting for my parents, they're back on friday. they have 2 cats, one used to be mine so he trusts me and I know if he's in or out at night he'll be fine.

cat number 2 is a rescue cat, and hates me.

He's ok outside during the day, but at night I'm under specific instructions to get him in.

He won't come in.

Won't come anywhere near me.

How is this going to work?! This is night 3 of 7 and so far I've been scratched, hissed at, almost bitten, he honestly is a lovely cat (if you're not trying to pick him up) but seriously losing hope now

I can't stay overnight, I have 2 young children, and there's no space here

sooooo....anyone out there know of a way to convince this cat back in? please?!

(food, cat milk and treats not working)

Are there any toys they chase. Mine likes a pink ribbon

You could try sitting outside out of the way (don't pay the cat any attention) he might go in if your outside, once inside quickly shut him in?

Put some shelter for him out side .

Dreamies?

Nice bit of warm cooked chicken wafted out the back door?

How long has he been outside for, has he come in at night at all.

String tied to the open front door, dish of tuna left in house, retreat to far side of house, pull door shut when cat comes in.

Do not let cat out for the rest of your cat sitting duties.

thank you for your replies!

tried dreamies, and various other food, but not interested.

The garden is full of thick bushes and trees etc so there's plenty of shelter, I guess becuase he's not my cat I'm really worrying in case something happens.

ribbon didn't work, he looked at me as if to say "nice try, human, but no."

bloody cat!

Close the other cat away. Open a tin of tuna/salmon or some other really smelly food, place it at the far end of the kitchen, leave the door open and hide. When the little dick comes in, wait until he’s getting stuck into his food, then close the door.

Or, if there’s a cat flap, just turn it so he can come in, but not out, then go home. You can nip over later when you get a chance.

in his 'old' house, he was locked inside a shed and never let out.

my parents have slowly let him out and he seems to love it, but always comes in at night. always.

he just doesn't like me, i've never hurt him etc but we just haven't clicked.

At the moment I'm there first thing, just before the school run and after our dinner, so they're both in and out all day.

Cross post stayathomegardener. 😁

What attempts do you think your parents would think are reasonable? Do that if you can, but you will have to leave if not. He has shelter, you can leave food out and hopefully he won’t go far. He is bound to be unsettled with them away, my neighbours cats hate it when they are left.

brown: my dad is the worrier (where i get it from!) and he would probably stay up til the wee hours calling for him, pacing around etc.
mum would probably still worry but give up at 'bed time'.

I think if he doesn't come in in the next half hour or so I'm going to have to leave the bedroom window open a bit so he can get in.

He's got food outside, that he's been ignoring so far.

I'm torn, I have to make sure he's ok, but I have my girls to get home to. DH works nights, I have to go back.

Fingers crossed i won;t be updating tomorrow with news of a now missing cat