Stray cat, don't know what to do with winter coming?

Question

I had a stray cat show up on my door last winter. I did everything imaginable to find his owner. Nothing turned up so I've been feeding him, got him neutered, & got him all his shots. I have been trying to find a home for him through local agencies as well as friends, family, etc. Let's face it, no one wants a full grown cat. The biggest problem is I have 3 other male cats of my own. It has turned into a constant spraying war in my house. I also have to run the stray off everytime my cats go outside or there's a fight. I've tried bringing the stray into the house when the others are outside & he just sprays where they have. Everyone is neutered. I'm afraid as winter approaches, & it gets very cold where I live, he'll freeze outside. Though I've set up a little make shift shelter. People are telling me he'll be fine outside. I don't know if he can handle the minus temperatures but I also can't handle a spraying war & my home smelling of cat pee. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I have had many outdoor cats as I will not tolerate spraying cats! Our outdoor temps in the winter get to -30 at the most and the cats never froze, I always made a little box and lined it with insulation or straw to keep heat in...the cats loved it and you put your hand in there it was warm. So that's my suggestion make the shelter with 4 walls/roof and a opening to climb in and line it with some insulation or some straw, the cat will be fine...and your home will not stink.

Answer 2

You have done a great job so far. Take a picture of this new guy and spread him around. A cat that is neutered and vaccinated and ready to go is a great incentive.

Cats are resilient creatures but make sure he is fed and kept warm as possible until you find a home for him. Perhaps keep your cats inside (not easy I know, but in the long run it is safer).

Cat pee is not a pleasant smell, I sympathize. Get a really good product and clean the areas really well ("Urine-erase" is good). If the area is not cleaned completely they will smell the previous pee and spray again. (You may not smell it, but they will). Neutered males should not be spraying. Maybe call your local vet and see what he/she suggests?

Good luck!!

Answer 3

what temperatures are you talking about? where i live the temperature drops to -10 C in the winter and there are many stray cats here which seem to do fine.

So with the makeshift shelter there shouldn't be any problems. Just try to cover up the shelter so air can only come from the door and put a blanket or something warm inside

Answer 4

First, the two close the flap at night or get the cat door with a sensor that for the time of uncomplicated terms we could your cat enter/go out and keeps the others out. next, the strays would be extra suitable off in the event that they have been neutered and relocated, so ask your animal shield in the event that they have a seize/spay/launch application and if so, they'd very own loan you a seize to seize the strays and you will take them in to the shield. Many aspects now have relocation to a place the place the strays could be enable flow and be cared for by ability of volunteers who feed them, so this would be a powerful element. ultimately, in case you little lady isn't spayed yet, get her spayed. she would be in a position to end emitting the scent that pulls the adult males while she's in warmth and this would help save them away. If all else fails, you will ought to do away with the door thoroughly and help her adapt to being an indoor-in uncomplicated terms kitty. reliable success.

Answer 5

We feed the outdoor stray here, he's about 6 years old now and lives completely outside (can't get him in, he panics and tries to jump through the windows to get out). We rigged a big knee high plastic tub with snap top lid up for him, a hole in the side, a cardboard box inside it, with newspapers between the two, and a chunk of foam rubber with two folded towels on top. That reflects the heat back at him and he's slept there when it's too cold to sleep under the bushes where he usually goes.

Unless it gets bitter cold--like a week of 10 below weather--his fur should keep him ok. Keep a dry food station out there for him so he doesn't use too much energy trying to find food, and get a $20 heated dog water bowl to plug in for a steady water supply. He should be fine.

Answer 6

It's not really fair to the cat to take care of it and feed and then run it off because of your other cats. I'm sure there must be a lonely elderly person in your neighborhood who would like to have a cat.

My neighbor took in 5 strays about 15 years ago. She got an old kid's dollhouse or playhouse, covered it with a quilt, put layers of blankets inside, and the cats wintered there. Cats can be tough, but they deserve a real home.

Answer 7

''Let's face it, no one wants a full grown cat''......that's far from true. MANY adult cats get adopted, on a daily basis. It's only hard for them, when it's ''kitten season''. Have you contacted local no-kill rescues to see if they're willing to actually take him in, and keep him safe until the right home comes along?

If people cannot see the cat, they're not going to fall in love with him....and that's required to decide to adopt a cat.

Answer 8

making a little shelter & keeping food out like you already did is probably the best youcan do if he can't come in the house. put a blanket or some hay in the shelter for him, it will keep him warmer. you already did 100% more than most people would.

Answer 9

Do you have a warm basement, attic, or spare room? you can maybe set him up in there for the winter.
Also what about putting him in a kennel for the winter? It may be expensive but if you want whats best for him it may be worth it. good luck.

Answer 10

if your cats get along with other cats you should keep for now and sonner or later someone will take him