Taking in a Stray Cat

Oldernotwiser · 17 July 2011 at 5:37PM

jazabelle wrote: »

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.

Get him/her checked for a bladder infection; cats don't normally pee that much.

jazabelle · 17 July 2011 at 5:41PM

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Get him/her checked for a bladder infection; cats don't normally pee that much.

Thank you, I will ask the vet. I hope she's okay.

Just to add, it's only when the cat is in our house, and only when we stop stroking her. Outside she's fine, and if we stroke her/give her attention she's fine. Otherwise, she's spraying.

rising_from_the_ashes · 17 July 2011 at 5:48PM

I would lean towards a boy too if "she's" spraying that much!:D

If she's been outside and fending for herself for a while then she'll be marking her new territory - it should hopefully settle down once she's done.

She really is cute and has landed on her feet choosing you!:j

I wouldn't worry too much about changing the name if you don't want too - I know quite a few cats with names belonging to the other gender (including a huge boy called Missie) as they're quite hard to sex when little and when it becomes apparent what they actually are, the cat has often started coming to it's name etc - it doesn't really matter and no-one will know.

I'm glad you're getting her scanned for a chip at the vet as she may well have an owner desperately missing her - she's a friendly wee thing!:D

Please let us know how you get on.

rising_from_the_ashes · 17 July 2011 at 5:55PM

OOppppsss, meant to say ....

Re litter - Loopylil is right, don't bother with a liner & wood is excellent (it absorbs all the wee and doesn't smell and you can scoop/clean it very easily).

Re feeding - Whiskas is fine and Classic is a good quality meat (tinned so works out quite a lot cheaper than the pouches - you can get 24 tins for under £11.50 at Pets @ Home).

There's a huge debate about feeding dry -v- wet but if she's happy with the wet I'd try to encourage her to stick with this, although cats are grazers so a wee bit of dry to nibble on during the day may be appreciated.

An old pillow with a fleecy blanket (old jumper etc) on makes a great bed and, yes, a scratching post is a must!

jazabelle · 17 July 2011 at 5:58PM

I've also put her photo up at the local shelter incase she does have owners. I'm pretty sure she doesn't - just a feeling I have, as she's a little bit scabby in places (which obviously I will get treated) and with the spraying. But I of course could be wrong, and will happily give her back if she does have one.

She doesn't know her name yet, so again if she is a boy, now would be a good time to change it before she gets confused!

I will keep you updated.

jazabelle · 17 July 2011 at 6:00PM

Fab, thanks for all the advice.

jazabelle · 17 July 2011 at 6:13PM

Okay, we've come up with some new names to mark him or her becoming our cat.

Bailey, Piper, Jinx or Button.

We can't decide at the moment though!

Oldernotwiser · 17 July 2011 at 6:51PM

You'll need a name before you have her chipped, I think.

Button gets my vote - I always find two syllables is easier to shout!

(Whatever you do make sure you don't choose something that sounds odd when you call it. I had a friend who named his dogs Castor and Pollux which caused all sorts of embarrassment!)

jazabelle · 17 July 2011 at 7:30PM

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You'll need a name before you have her chipped, I think.

Button gets my vote - I always find two syllables is easier to shout!

(Whatever you do make sure you don't choose something that sounds odd when you call it. I had a friend who named his dogs Castor and Pollux which caused all sorts of embarrassment!)

I think we will go for Button, as she's cute as one.

Eek, yeah, I can imagine!