My pet kittens, Hedgehog and Stray Cat?

Question

Both of my two kittens have access inside and outside at most times during the day, however at night I usually leave them outside as we have a one bedroom house and they are too hyper.

Lately we have been having hedgehogs hanging round eating their food. They not only drink the kittens special milk but they drink the water and eat the wet and dry food. My kittens are not phased by them and happily eat next to them. I am scared they may infect my kittens. Should I feed my kittens indoors at a set time? They currently have access to food/liquid all the time outside.

We also have a stray cat hanging around. I've never heard my kittens fight with it, and they happily roam outside when its around. What should I do with this cat? I am unable to catch it but it likes to hang around. I wouldn't mind feeding it if it was more friendly. What are the chances of the sex of the stray cat? I have a male and female kitten who are from different litters.

For those of you thinking I'm horrible for keeping my kittens outdoors at night - they have a special kennel in the carport with warm blankets that they can sleep in. They're happy out there and are only usually outside between 11pm-430am

Answer 1

Hedge hogs can carry some things, but I think if you put food where they can get it elsewhere on the property you'll be ok. They're getting endangered, and can use the help.

If you feed the cats UP on something then the hedgehogs can't reach it.

Strays do work out things peacefully around a communal food bowl. I have a bowl of dry outside for the ones in our area, plus water available all year next to it as well. We've never had fights over food--only over one female that was in season and two males were jockeying for a place around her. It'd be nice if you could help feed the stray, an outdoor cat can't always find food so a reliable food source can keep them in much better condition and they can fight off illness much better.

Answer 2

First of all do NOT have a stray cat declawed unless you plan on keep it indoors ALL the time, if you make it stay outside it has no way to defend itself. You should get your kittens desexed though, that way you won't have to deal with more kittens running around. I would consider feeding them indoors but make sure there is plenty of water for them outside during the night. So long as your kittens like being outside, there isn't a problem having them there. As for the stray, it is up to you whether you wish to feed it or not. Though with strays, the usually don't warm up to strangers well, they mostly just eat and run. If the stray starts to cause problems for your kittens, you can always use a live trap and have it taken to the local animal shelter.

Answer 3

I think the best option is to get some sort of hedgehog repellant, take the stray to the vet to have it declawed and start feeding it.
You might want to consider building a structure outside for the cats' food that they can access only from the inside. Also, I hear it's bad luck to name strays.

Answer 4

It's a trust issue. You have to work to gain her trust. Be patient and spend time with her. Try petting her when she eats. That's how I tamed my feral cat who, by the way, also brought me her litter of kittens. I thought I'd never be able to tame her but one day she just came around. Just do me a favor: when she does, get her spayed. Better yet, trap her now and get her spayed before she has another litter. Trapping is humane and easy to do. You can borrow a trap from a shelter. Throw in some sardines and the cat pratically traps itself :) The good thing that she won't associate you with it because you're not running after her trying to grab her. You won't violate her trust. It worked great for me, the feral cat and all of her kittens!

Answer 5

I do not think that kittens should be put out at night they should be in where they are safe and warm.Hedgehog is not a problem simply put out extra food for it so that the kittens also get their share.The stray I would contact the cats protection league to try and trap it then it's sex will be determined and you can decide whether you want to give it a home or leave it with them to re home. Lastly please get your kittens neutered as soon as they are old enough, to prevent unwanted litters

Answer 6

hi i can see you love cat and so do i .I THING THE BEST IS TO FEED THEM IN SIDE AND STOP FEEDING THE stray CAT .ALLSO DO NOT LEAVE FOOD OR MILK OR WATER . stray cat can be inect just like you say if ther is no food ect. the cat after will not come back. you must think of your kitten fist have a great night

Answer 7

firstly it is VERY iresponsible to have KITTENS out at night, if anyone reports you the counsil will be at ur door. second u better get them desexed because ull have kittens soon as well, That tom stray will fight with your male over the female. the stray may have aids, and feed your cats inside..