This is Kasimir, my ten year old male cat - he had been with us since he was about four months old. He is very outdoorsy, but since we live in a quiet rural neighbourhood and he is neutered and gets his shots, I’m fine with that. 

Two weeks ago, we had a series of unfortunate events, having to go to the vet for shots and bloodwork, and right the next week I found an abscess on his back that send us back to the vet and was NOT FUN to take care of. You can still see where the vet had to shave away part of the fur (and Kasimir‘s pride). 

However, Kasimir is doing fine healthwise, but has started to avoid my husband and me. He sits on the porch most of the time, where it’s cozy and dry, but won’t come inside except for food. If he gets in past 9pm, the cat flap won’t let him out until 6am, so we know he sleeps in the house at night. 

We are doing very slow process on getting back his trust (which isn’t made easier by the fact that he doesn’t eat treats). On Monday, I went out on the porch to sit with him after work, cuddle him and just be some company, and yesterday he seemed to be waiting for me, so that’s a good sign! Today, I was held up at work and got to the porch 20 minutes later than the other days and met with a stern look, haha! He still wanted his cuddles, though. 

My question: Is there anything I can do besides showing up and giving him space? It’s time for his flea and tick treatment in a few days, and I don’t want to spoil the progress we made by having to be bodily on him. (But also am very serious about not wanting to have fleas in the house ever again.) All kind advice is welcome!

Winning back my cat‘s trust