I can't seem to keep one going for very long. What do you need to do to keep one alive?
2007-01-22 01:56:59 · 12 answers · asked by Mike M 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Hi Mike,
I take it these cats are adults and not kittens, which need a completely different kind of care from their elders? If you keep finding them and they are sick or injured, you must take them to a veterinarian. You may not want to hear this, but if you can't afford a vet, you should take these cats to a local shelter where they can be treated for their wounds or illness. Please click on one of the links below to find a phone number for a local shelter.
Perhaps in making some calls, you will run across other charitable concerns that can help your cats. The third link below, for the Humane Society of the United States, has a short list of other links to non-profit organizations that help animals, and more scattered throughout their site. You will also find, if you take the cats you find to a shelter, that there will be others there who are much healthier who you can more readily adopt. The last link below, to Amazon.com, also shows some books for home cat care, but please understand your pet will still have to see a vet once a year at least to get innoculated against rabies and other horrible diseases.
I know just what you're going through, because I live in the country myself and irresponsible people are constantly dropping their unwanted animals off at our farm. Often when I find them they keep running away from me, or just sit there in shock and until I remind them to eat they won't take a bite- it's as if they have forgotten how. I sincerely hope you don't have any problems like this with your guys. I send heartfelt wishes for both you and your cats to be able to enjoy all the best there is to be had- food and toys and soft beds and good health- in the future!
2007-01-23 17:01:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had cats all my life, we have four right now they range in age from one 8 year old, two 6 year old and an 18 month old.
When I was a little girl we had cats...they youngest that any of our cats have ever died was 2 days shy of her 19th Birthday.
Our cats have always lead long, happy lives.
Plus they've all been strays that were adopted, so we've never seen any of the parents.
Seeing the parents does not insure a healthy kitten.
The first thing you need to do with a new kitten is take it to the Vet.
I needs to be checked for all cat illnesses such as Feline Lekumina, Feline AIDS, Feline Herpes.
It needs to be checked for worms , ear mites and fleas.
The eyes need to be checked and well as the teeth.
The Vet should go over your cat from head to toe.
It needs all of it's shots.
Fresh food and water is a must...free feed dry food and a little canned food once or twice a day.
A litter box that is cleaned at LEAST twice a day, we usie clumping litter and while it does last for a very long time, we dump all of the litter out once every 2 months, scrub out the box and the put new litter in.
A scratching post is also a must, not only for the cats benifit but also yours, so that it does not scratch furniture...DO NOT declaw a cat...they don't just remove the claws they amputate the first toe joint...animal crultey IMO and in fact is banned in several European counties...hopefully it will be banned in the US soon as well.
Get the cat spayed or neutered, it will prolong their life plus insure that they don't breed adding to the already severe over population of stray cats.
Plenty of toys to play with.
Keep it indoors only, there is no reason that a cat HAS to go outside...on average indoor only cats live to be well into their teens or early 20's...indoor/outdoor cats on an average live to between 6 or 7 years and an outdoor cat lives on average 2 years...IF they're lucky.
Yearly trips to the Vet for checkups...sooner if a problem arises.
That's what we've always done and our cats have all had very long, happy lives.
2007-01-22 11:00:45 · answer #2 · answered by gracieandlizzie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to give us more information if you are looking for an honest answer and this is a real question. When cat's turn 6 months they need to be taken to the vet to get shots the most important is a distemper shot that if they do not get they can get very ill and there is nothing a vet can do if this happens. Years ago this happened to one of my cats. But I have had cats all my life and that is the only one that died without living a full life.
2007-01-22 10:10:28 · answer #3 · answered by freyja5683 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously, you haven't picked from a healthy litter. Maybe you should at least see the mom (the Dad is usually long gone).
A kitten that will let you rub its tummy is always a good pick for an affectionate cat.
Eyes need to be shiny (no pus), feel for tumors, and check inside the mouth and make sure the palate is closed.
2007-01-22 10:01:33 · answer #4 · answered by poutine 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Feed it and keep it indoors and take it to the vet
2007-01-22 10:05:10 · answer #5 · answered by Chris 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cat food & water helps.
2007-01-22 10:00:16 · answer #6 · answered by Jo 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get one that can eat and drink by itself and keep it in the house, then it should be fine.
2007-01-22 10:00:33 · answer #7 · answered by sorce 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
feed it and make sure it eats (likes) the food your giving it... also put out water and a litter box- keep it warm too
2007-01-22 10:32:10 · answer #8 · answered by Amy S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can't do much. Your best and only option really, is to take it to the vet, and see if the vet can save it.
2007-01-22 10:01:50 · answer #9 · answered by Chihuahua Lover 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
keep it inside and feed and water it.
2007-01-23 08:14:17 · answer #10 · answered by page starshiine.™ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋