Taking in a Stray Cat

jazabelle

Hello all

I am taking in a stray cat that's been in my garden for awhile. I haven't been able to let him or her in (I will call the cat a her, but not 100% sure) yet as as soon as she steps foot in she sprays everywhere and it stinks.

I asked the local shelter to take her in, but they were full.

I couldn't just leave her, so am going to take her in myself, but they have very kindly agreed for me to use their vet.

The first step is next week she is going is in get spayed (or neutered!). The vet will check for fleas, and scan for a microchip. If no owner is found we will bring her home.

So I need to know what to feed her. I'm temporarily feeding her whiskers, but I want something better - any suggestions please?

And secondly, what should go in a litter tray? Should it have a lining? What kind? What goes in a litter tray?

I've borrowed a cat carrier and a cat pen to keep her in the night before to make sure she doesn't eat, and doesn't spray the whole house!)

What else do I need? Thank you in advance!

jazabelle

Here she is, in case anyone was curious.


Please excuse my bandaged foot in the background!

Buddingblonde

Sounds like she is a he - they spray and it stinks like no ones business!

jazabelle

Buddingblonde wrote: »

Sounds like she is a he - they spray and it stinks like no ones business!

Nooo, I've named it a girls name!

I don't mind really, but will have to get used to a new name.

I am hoping the neutering will be a help to stopping it. Otherwise it's a bit worrying.

jazabelle

Is it worth getting some Feliway to keep him/her calm please? It's expensive though.

LoopyLil_2

Puss looks a friendly sort and it seems she/he has adopted you!

Our cat litter tray is one that is covered, they can kick litter far and wide and it hurts when you step on it bare footed. I wouldn't bother with litter liners, they only rip them up. We use wood pellets for our kitties.

Is he/she nervy? If he/she isn't I wouldn't bother with the Feliway. His/her behaviour *may* change when you try to get him/her into the cat box. Ours hate the cat box, Feliway didn't calm them either!!

Kitties need somewhere warm and comfy to sleep, food, water, flea/worming treatments. A few cat toys, and a scratch post too. Though this might not prevent them from using your walls/furniture to scratch on!

jazabelle

She's very friendly, but also nervous at the same time. Very jumpy. I've been feeding her in the cat pen with the door open so she can see it's not a horrible scary place, although I haven't locked her in yet.

Thanks very much!

McKneff

Ah what a lovely lady you are and what a lovely cat.

Have a word with the vet, I personally wouldnt lock a cat in a pen on a night, cats are natural roamers, even if its inside it will be enough but he wont be happy locked up in a small place. The vet will advise, the spraying could well stop after that so it may not be a problem. He is just marking his territory after all.

We tried to contain a cat we inherited in the conservatory one night soon after we got her, we had to replace the carpet because she tore it to bits near the door, as soon as we let her have free reign of the downstiars she was fine.

Good luck, and Karma rules.

Oldernotwiser

Not sure why you want to feed her anything "better" than Whiskas; my 5 think it's Christmas when I spend that much!

LoopyLil_2

I would say Whiskas is fine too. Ours prefer Butchers Classic. Sometimes the odd bowl of biscuits.

Sometimes ours even get a treat of cooked fish, which they really enjoy.

jazabelle

McKneff wrote: »

Ah what a lovely lady you are and what a lovely cat.

Have a word with the vet, I personally wouldnt lock a cat in a pen on a night, cats are natural roamers, even if its inside it will be enough but he wont be happy locked up in a small place. The vet will advise, the spraying could well stop after that so it may not be a problem. He is just marking his territory after all.

Good luck, and Karma rules.

Thank you! I know it will seem mean to go into the pen for the night, but the little leg goes up every few seconds, and I'm not sure what else to do. It would just be the one night. The cat is very vocal, so I'm sure we will hear the objections all night anyway!

I don't yet know who the vet is, so I can't ask them.

Bit worried now!

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Not sure why you want to feed her anything "better" than Whiskas; my 5 think it's Christmas when I spend that much!

I just heard it wasn't that great for them. Will stick with it if it's okay, as I like the pouches rather than cans.