Why is a stray Clayton cat snubbing a nice shelter with a comfy bed?

DEAR JOAN: I have a feral cat that was born in my backyard about 4 years ago. I started feeding her, and she came around every day.

At first, she would hiss, but now she’s been domesticated by a very large margin. In the winter, I made a shelter out of PVC pipe and plastic and put an elevated bed in. During the rainy season, with the winds causing rain to go in any direction, her bed would get wet, so I decided to buy a house for her along with a canopy that covers it. She would run to it and take cover whenever it started to rain.

I recently decided to get her a house. She’s gone in it once. I have put food in the entrance, but she will peek inside, eat the food, then remove herself from the entrance. I am hoping once it starts raining, she will start to use it.

Do you have any other suggestions to get her to use it?  I spent good money on it, and I don’t want it going to waste. I really love her and want her to be safe and warm. There’s a nice thick pad inside, so I know once she gets used to it, she will love it.

— Claire Collins, Clayton

DEAR CLAIRE: One would think that a cat living rough would welcome any shelter and count themselves lucky, but we’re talking about cats here.

We might want houses with wide open spaces and plenty of room, but cats prefer tight enclosures that make them feel more secure and protected. You might need to rethink the house, if it appears too large.

You might also need to replace that wonderful bed. Cats aren’t seeking a comfortable spot. Warm and dry are their first priorities. Even if bedding doesn’t get rained on, it can feel cold and damp. The best choice for cat shelters is a generous amount of straw.

As with humans, it can be all about location. This one is harder to gauge, as it can depend on the cat. Some like to be closer to humans, others want some distance. Seclusion is usually a good choice, so if the house is too close to where people or other animals visit, you might consider moving it.

It’s not a good idea to put food in the house, even to tempt the cat inside. That food can attract other creatures, including neighborhood cats, and your cat isn’t likely to feel secure if she knows other animals have been inside. Instead, you can put food and water nearby, but keep it out of the house.

You can try sprinkling catnip inside as a lure, but if you decide to remodel or buy a new house, consider getting one that is the opposite in appearance. So if the house is tall, try a short one; if the house is wide, look for one that is narrow. Placing the house up off the ground can also be attractive.

DEAR JOAN: I live near open space and the other day, I swear I saw a mountain lion up on the hill. I alerted my neighbors and some of them said they’d be on the lookout, but one said what I saw was his large house cat.

What do you think?

— D.C., Lafayette

DEAR D.: It could have been either. Size can be difficult to judge in open settings like that, but it wouldn’t be unusual to see a mountain lion in that area. I say it’s better to be vigilant.

Animal Life runs on Mondays. Contact Joan Morris at AskJoanMorris@gmail.com.