My roommate and I have decided that the stray who has been outside our apartment complex for 2 weeks needs a home. It is skinny and you can feel its bones when you pet it. It is the friendliest cat you'll ever meet though, but it's getting cold at night! We have already discussed the financial aspects but we're not sure how to integrate the cat into the home. We already have one cat and don't want to overwhelm either of them. We bought a carrier so one of them can be enclosed at their first meeting. What is the best way to go about this? Thank you!
2006-12-11 18:39:46 · 12 answers · asked by mb20and151 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
Thanks for the responses so far. We haven't brought it in yet - it's still outside and that breaks my heart but I think we'll bring it in tomorrow. We're both college students so we don't have loads of money for a vet visit. I'm hoping the vet will be understanding and possibly give us a discount. We've both got final exams this week so we can't get to the vet until Thursday at the earliest - if I just keep it in the bathroom with toys, food, litter box, etc would that be enough to prevent my original cat from catching anything for a day? Thanks again for all your help.
2006-12-11 19:00:58 · update #1
Take the new cat into a room with food and water and toys, visit it often so it won't feel lonely. pet it a lot, then let your other cat smell your hand and it will get used to the scent of the other cat. And it will be mixed with your scent. Also let the new kitty smell your hand after you have petted your first cat. same scent thing. Also they will be able to smell each other from under the door.and my even decide to play with each other by reaching under the door. do this for a two days. Then bring kitty out for a while and then take her back, several times on day 3. By day 4 they should tolerate each other. And eventually they will become friends. cats that are forced on each other will fight hard for dominance. So this is the best way. You may think it sounds harsh to keep the new kitty in one room, but it's much happier than outside. and the situation won't last long. if you already have given both cats free run of the house, well, you will just have to let them work it out. It can take a month or more if one is very territorial. Good Luck. I love cats!
2006-12-11 18:55:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
doGbless you for trying. And remember, get them fixed and you will create a lot fewer potential strays!
See the link below for more info, but it sounds like you are on the right track so far.
***********after your update**************
If you cannot take this cat to a vet you could isolate it in the bath. Make sure there can be no 'paw action' under the door though as many diseases are spread though contact and be prepared to use a bleach solution on EVERY surface in that bathroom before you let your current cat in there. It's gonna be a bear, but see if the vet will sedate and bathe the new cat before you bring them home. Usually, if you explain that this is a stray, most vets will give you discount or free care just because you are saving a life. I see a lot of strays get run over by cars where I am, and I have a vet less than 1/2 milie away, I am constantly taking the poor things to them for euthanasia or care and it never costs me a dime.
Good luck, doGbless and HTH
2006-12-11 18:48:51 · answer #2 · answered by Star 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is very nice of you one of our cats was a stray but came from a cat shelter and she is very friendly what you should do is bring it inside and yeah keeping it in the bathroom should be ok just give it food and water feed it twice a day and have clean water always around then take it to the vet and then you wont even of known it was a stray after =) good luck to you and the cat.
2006-12-11 19:43:00 · answer #3 · answered by Mutt-lover 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations! and yea for the poor cat. most strays like that just got lost and miss there home, So I am very proud of you too. All 4 of our cats were strays that found there way to us on way of another. What we do is set aside a room with a cat box for the new cat, when she comes in, let him her have the room for there own, or if you don't have room let her stay in what ever room the other doesn't sleep in, so as not ot invade her space. We leave the door cracked and let the new cat come out when he/she feels most comfortable, try not to let the new cat out for about a week or so, so they know that this is a new permanent home. It will take awhile for the cat to build up trust again, esp if she was abandoned. make sure to give your home cat plenty of attention so he/she doesn't feel jealous.
2006-12-11 18:52:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best way to introduce another cat is just to bring it in. The older cat will eventually calm down , i rescue cats so i do it ALOT ! . First thing bring it to the vet before introducing it to your cat..you don't want to risk making it sick if the new cat has anything. Wet food will be great for the new kitty . she needs the nutrients etc and if she is thin now she won't survive the cold.
As far as financial .. I find I get so much enjoyment & love from cats I don't care. 2 cats aren't a big financial factor .
If your new cat hisses etc ..it will eventually make friends. once my cat took 4 months till it became friends.
2006-12-11 18:50:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1st and most importantly dont introduce your new kitty to the one u already have till u get new kitty tested for leukimeia. its very contagious between cats. assumming all is well w/ new kitty, (which shouldnt cost more than about $150 for all tests & shots) you can introduce the cats. Id really just let them be and let them aquaint themselves. Id break up fights and be sure to give the original cat a little extra love since her space is beeing invaded. I commend you guys for taking in the stray. if you change ur mind you could still catch the kitty and give it to the humane soceity or no-kill shelter.
good luck to you and ur new baby.
2006-12-11 18:47:39 · answer #6 · answered by jezabella 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have seen that often it's best to give the old pet ALL of your attention. Let the new pet see this, let the old pet feel reassured that he or she is still top dog / cat.
If they smell and growl a bit, that is normal. If they fight, then separate them, like with your carrier.
Give the old cat treats and hugs as often as the cat feels okay with that.
2006-12-12 01:00:57 · answer #7 · answered by WriterMom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think you should take the stray to a shelter or something just to make sure it is healthy and wont give u or ur kitty anything...if you deside to do this you mayb able to adopt the cat after being checked... the cat my not like being inside and might just run away anyway....hope it all works out for yas...good luck
2006-12-11 21:58:19 · answer #8 · answered by sarah f 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make sure you take it to a vet and get it's shots. You don't want your other cat to get feline leukemia or rabies or anything. Then just let them get to know each other, but watch out for territory marking!
2006-12-11 18:49:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
with cats the best thing to do is leave them alone and let them work it out, it may take weeks but just let them decide when and if they want to be friends
2006-12-11 18:44:04 · answer #10 · answered by Loollea 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋