Please Help with a Stray Cat

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oceansoftime
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Please Help with a Stray Cat

Post by oceansoftime »

first time poster... i need help. :) i will try and give as much detail.

we have a female cat she is almost 2 years old. she is an indoor cat and she is not fixed but she is going to be fixed in a couple of weeks. appointment has been made.

our backyard runs into a huge rock pile and starting next year a construction crew is going to take all of the rocks away and build houses. over the years, we have seen stray cats hanging around and for whatever reason it seems to be only one kitten left and we have been watching him all summer. we live in canada and our winters are very cold.

the kitten that lives at the rocks ( he doesn't seem to be very old, less than a year ) has taken a liking to our family. i've never seen a stray cat be so willing to be around people. we have children and he will let everyone pick him up and play with him. he will come into our backyard and sleep in front of our door and of course we have started to feed him. :lol: he has gained a lot of weight and does seem to be in good health.

we are going to adopt him and bring him into the house. he has an appointment to go to the vets the same day our other cat gets fixed. they have seen each other and the female does a little growl and runs back upstairs.

obviously we cannot have the male cat come into the house until the female is fixed, we understand that.

does anyone have any suggestions that may help us out to take care of the kitten until it can come into the house?

thank you very much for reading. and i am sorry if i posted this in the wrong place.
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Tambrey
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Re: Please Help with a Stray Cat

Post by Tambrey »

can you try to get him closer to your home....placing food nearer the door and a warm place to sleep at night for the time being?

Sit out and play with him....get him ore used to you and thinking that this is "home" and where he belongs....

If you can and have the room to, you could bring him in now and just keep them in separate rooms for now...you do not want to start socializing until he has been tested and given his shots, and neutered if old enouhg to do so........even a bathroom for the time being....this way you know where he is at all times and do not need to worry and wonder if you do not see him when you go outside....

I have raised PLENTY of kittens/sick or injured cats in my bathroom over the years...just keep the door shut and make sure everyone on the household knows this as well....make sure chemicals are put up and any breakables are out of the room for now...and if you are attached to the shower curtain, you might want to fold that over the rod when not in use...or just for his own safety!!!
Toilet seat stays DOWN....make sure window screen is secure....no cabinets can be open....I have child safety latches on all of mine...basically, anything a toddler could get into, so could the kitten...and then some since he can climb adn jump higher!!

IF this is not feasible...how about a garage or shed that has been kitten proofed for now?

Congratulations and bless you for wanting to take him into your home....
oceansoftime
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Post by oceansoftime »

thank you for your reply ... today was really great, the kitten is right up against the side of the house under a shelter porch area with clean water and food. my husband made a bed for the kitten and he is sleeping on it right now. he hasn't left the backyard at all today. oh, i should mention that our backyard is surrounded by a 6 foot wooden fence, i don't think anything other than another cat could get in at the kitten.

tomorrow we are going to go to the grocery store and get an extra little box and move him into the laundry room for the time being.

my one twin daughter absolutely adores the cat and has spent all of her free time with him. she even washed him up a little bit. he is getting tons of attention and i have reminded our kids that they need to show the other cat just as much affection as before.

thanks again.
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Tambrey
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Post by Tambrey »

That is great to hear!!!

Remember to be sure to wash hands after playing with the kitten....as cute as he is, until he is tested you do not want to be spreading any illness or disease or even fleas if he has them to the inside kitty....

And yes...attention to both is VERY important....especially during introductions....which there is a link for in this forum....I will get it and post it here for you

Here you go

Feline Introductions
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Traci
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Re: Please Help with a Stray Cat

Post by Traci »

If you intend to adopt him, bring him in NOW, TODAY. So many times, people tend to say this, then when they go to get the cat/kitten, the cat is gone.

As Tambrey said, just keep him in a seperate room from the other cat, wash your hands after playing with him , try to get the appointment moved up to THIS WEEK, at least for the kitten's FELV/FIV testing and neuter.
..........Traci
oceansoftime
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Re: Please Help with a Stray Cat

Post by oceansoftime »

thanks for the suggestions ... we are planning on bringing him in tonight. we went out and got supplies. he is such a lovely cat. i cannot believe how affectionate he is. it looks like i have a lot of resources here. i do appreciate all of the suggestions and support. :D
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momPaws
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Re: Please Help with a Stray Cat

Post by momPaws »

Would love to see pictures of the little guy! Good luck with him and thanks for rescuing him.
oceansoftime
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Re: Please Help with a Stray Cat

Post by oceansoftime »

he is in the house now... the other cat is sleeping in my son's room. he is settling in nicely but i am not sure of the best way to litter train... i am placing him in his own litter box every half in hour or so. i was told to move his paws around the litter.

i will check the library for information but i'm sure you guys have some great tips...

i will post pictures soon. thanks again!!!!
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Tambrey
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Re: Please Help with a Stray Cat

Post by Tambrey »

he should fairly much take to it naturally...just make sure he knows where it is and can get into the litterbox easy enough....and it is not right beside his food and water dishes or his bedding....and he should use it....if NOT...when you CATCH him in the ACT of going outside the litterbox, pick him up and put him right into it....if you find a poo outside the box, you can pick it up and put it into the box, leaving it on the surface, in hopes he will get the idea!!

Can't wait to see pics!
oceansoftime
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Re: Please Help with a Stray Cat

Post by oceansoftime »

he is in his room right now. food, water and a litter box. he is meowing a lot.

he looks like a Maine Coon.
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