Male adult cat

Question
I brought my cat Diesel inside when he was just a baby and kept him in the house for about a year and a half or so.  He was a defiant cat, but a very loveable one and was a "momma's boy."  He kept going to the bathroom in the house so I had to put him outside with the other cats we have.  He continued to be loveable and would wait on the front porch when it was time for me to come home and greet me every night.  He is a tough cat and fights away the tomcats that come around.  A few months ago he stopped coming to me he runs everytime we come outside.  Is it possible to get him to come to me again?  I know he's just being a typical tomcat, but is there anyway to get him to start coming to me, besides trapping him.  I know if I corner him he will probably fight with us and I don't want anyone to get torn up.

Answer
Hi Lisa,

It sounds like he is beginning to go feral. Try using something like deli chicken to tempt him to you. When he was going to the bathroom in the house he most likely had something physically wrong with him. Cats don't just change from using a litter box to not unless they are sick.

You can tame him again. it's going to take a little time. You have to feed him special treats. Also, is he fixed? Once you tame him I would get him fixed if he isn't. You could try bringing him back into the house if you do. Otherwise he stands a very good chance of dying young outside. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen