My family just found a stray cat and I wonder if there's anything that I need to do with it, like how do I play with it and what do I need to have to play with it?
2006-08-10 03:25:46 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
without paying any money.
2006-08-10 03:26:35 · update #1
This cat has had it's front paws declawed, so we guees it's been a pet before.
2006-08-10 04:14:09 · update #2
well first i would take it to a vet and get it checked out to make sure its in good health. If you are deciding to keep it it would be best to get it spayed or neutered....and get its shots all taken care of.
Cats like a variety of toys, some like bells, or balls that jingle, others like strings and sticks, and some like little fake mice....it really depends on your cat....buy a few different toys and try them out, your cat will tell you what he likes.
If price is an issue try using a shoelace or some yarn from around the house, you would be amazed what you can make into a toy from household items.
Cats are awesome - have fun! :)
2006-08-10 03:33:59 · answer #1 · answered by friskygimp 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't now if libraries carry "Cat for Dummies" (and I am not implying I think you are one). It is just a great book if you've never had a cat before. It covers all topics, health, diet, what medical attention it needs, their nature's. Playing with a cat is the easy part. They usually have fun chasing anything that moves. So a piece of string can be a toy. They like toilet paper rolls, paper bags. Depending on its age, lot of household things can become toys for cats. And you need to know that you shouldn't leave string or thread or needles around as the cat can swallow them and then it can be big trouble.
Unfortunately, having a cat in your life will costs you money. The vet check and shots are obligatory. Start a little "cat fund" and have family members put loose change into a large jar every week. You'll be surprised how fast it will add up.
I am glad the cat has taken your fancy, that you want it in your life, etc. It is a responsibility and a great pleasure. You must assume the obligations and you will undoubtedly receive a lot of love from the cat.
2006-08-10 03:44:57 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you don't want to pay for a cat, then take the cat to a shelter. A cat espeically a stray cat needs to go to the vet and get shots and get fixed. Cats need food and water and if it is going to be inside a litter box. You can play with a cat with just about anything, a string, some rolled up foil, even a paper bag. You will want to be careful because a stray cat can have diseases and you probably shouldn't play with it too much until it has had its shots. If the cat will allow you to cutting the ends off its nails will make play time more fun , because an accidental swat won't lead to bandages and pain.
Just see what the cat wants to play with, but don't keep the cat if you don't want to pay for it.
2006-08-10 04:03:38 · answer #3 · answered by Lady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without paying any money? Ever? I'm not sure what you mean there but having a pet is going to require some money. Have a happy and healthy pet will require money.
More important than what you need for playtime is getting him to the vet. A stray cat can have diseases, fleas, etc. Imagine taking a homeless person off the streets into your house who can't communicate with you to say "oh, by the way, I have this thing where I have raging diarhhea with worms coming out of my butt." That is what can happen with picking up a stray animal. It's commendable to do but you need to make sure he has a check-up to get current on shots and check for existing conditions.
As for toys, some cats like balled up alumnium foil like the size of a ping pong ball. One of our cats LOVES the tab you take off of a plastic milk container (the round plastic tab that holds the top on). If you have any old costumes with feathers like an old feather boa you don't need anymore.
They also like just wiggly hands. You can put your hand under a sheet or between pillows and pop your fingertips out and back in.
Caution: if you don't know this cat and don't know if it has a clean bill of health you shouldn't be playing with it in a way that could cause you to get scratched or bitten!!
If you want to play safer and are using your hands, put a few thick socks on your hands/arms in case the cat grabs a hold of your arm and starts. He should begin to associate that it's OK to kick and grab at you when you have the socks on your arms but at no other time.
2006-08-10 03:38:04 · answer #4 · answered by stimply 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I was going to say that you first need to take it to a vet to give it its shots and make sure there is nothing wrong with it. But then you said that you don't want to spend any money. Unfortunately any pet you get will cost you some money between vet visits, food, and in the case of cats kitty litter. The good news is that cats are usually easily entertained Get a 2-3 foot piece of string and wave it in front of its face or a paper bag and put the cat in it. You'll be surprised at how much fun they have. But seriously, get it to a vet-- you don't want to catch anything, like rabies.
2006-08-10 03:35:00 · answer #5 · answered by Hugo Reyes 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If it was a pet before it probably has had it's shots and possibly is fixed. So clean it up and feed it. Pet it if it wants that but basically let it get used to you. Then when it is comfortable and used to you, you can play with it by singing to it, petting it, dangling things for it to grab at, walking around in the yard with it and there are cheap cat toys at Walmart. Get it a good dry food and a flea collar too.
2006-08-10 04:22:09 · answer #6 · answered by a_delphic_oracle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you want to feed it quality food, I recomend natural choice complet care inodoor formula. Make sure you clean the litter box at least once a day. Get at least one scratch post, personally I have 3 scratch posts and a cat tree and I have 2 cats. (2 of the scratch posts were given to us and we bought the cat tree and the 3rd scratch post because we liked it)
things to use to play with your cat some string it will love chasing after the string. just don't leave the string out when you aren't using it because your cat will eat it and it may cause intestinal blockage which may need surgery. another thing to use as a toy is balled up piece of wax paper, never alumum foil, that can harm a cat if they ingest it. empty toilet paper rolls, empty paper towel rolls, water bottles. my cats like to bat around combs. those are some ideas with out going out and buying toys.
2006-08-10 03:36:00 · answer #7 · answered by macleod709 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You said you don't want to spend money so I'm assuming that your family doesn't want to keep the cat. You just want to play with a stray cat outside? I'm sure it has fleas and worms (from eating rodents) so I guess you could play with it with a string without really touching it. I found a stray and decided to adopt it. I spent money on shots, tests, flea medicine, and dewormer so he could live indoors with my children and I.
2006-08-10 03:38:26 · answer #8 · answered by lena b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seriously? Okay, get a piece of string and dangle it in front of the cat. That will give it hours of entertainment.
2006-08-10 03:31:19 · answer #9 · answered by Pam E 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They like to chase yarn and those little fake mice you get from the pet store.
2006-08-10 03:57:47 · answer #10 · answered by newsbug2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋