My first cat, I've got loads of questions!

Help me!

I have just taken in my aunt's exboyfriend's cat due to him not being able to provide for her anymore. She has been living outside in a doghouse and roaming the beach for the last year. My aunt has been feeding her but besides that she wasn't cared for. My aunt didn't want to surrender her to the SPCA for God knows what reason so I agreed to take her.

I am not the biggest cat person in the world but I will admit I am totally smitten with my new cat Spazz. I've had her for four days and she is just a joy. I was originally going to get a kitten but from first sight I fell in love. So here I am, totally clueless because I had yet to start my research, and needing some advice and answers.

Spazz is a small cat in height but obese. I am taking her into the vet but I was just wondering what can cause a cat to be so fat if over eating isn't causing it. What about if it is over eating? If I moniter her food is there a diet food that I should be feeding her instead of regular cat food? Whats a good quality cat food that will provide her with everything a cat should be eating?

Her coat looks rough around her back legs and haunches. She is matted in some spots. A few of the matts have fallen out but most have not. She seems to like me scratching them. Im not suer if I should cut them out or not. Suggestions?

Also I want to get her a collar with ID on it. Pros and cons of a collar? I also want to get her microchipped but I want her to wear a collar too just so if someone finds her if she gets out they can try and get in contact with me before the SPCA.

That was kind of long but I am just really wanting to make her life better. She is going to the vet but until then I'd like to get an idea of why she is so fat.

Im going to go see if I can find batteries to take pictures of her so you can understand what I am talking about.

Paige

Congrats on the new cat. It is good that you are taking her to the vet, she may have worms which sometimes make a cat look fat when they are not. The vet can tell you about other foods and about microchipping. Will she be an indoor, outdoor or both cat? If she will always be inside you don't have to worry about her getting lost as much. She also won't be exposed to as many diseases that can be very awful. Welcome to TCS Paige!

Hi and welcome to TCS! You have to come to the right place for information and knowledge about your new furbaby. She's in good hands now.

She is suppose to be a barn cat but she isn't really ever outside. She stays in the grain room all day and then she follows me up to the house at night and sleeps in there. But because she is able to wander I thought it'd be best to get her a collar. I just wanted to know if cats are ok wearing collars.... like is it going to annoy her a lot?

Hello and a warm welcome to you and your kitty Its great here, theres always lots to do, see and learn It can become a bit of an addiction but don't worry you are among good friends.

About your cats coat, do you think she will let you brush her ? Maybe just start a bit of brushing on her back for a couple of minutes a day until she gets more used to it. Theres some fantastic brushes specially designed for cats, I'm sure your vet can advise or even sell you one. Her scratching might be because shes picked up some fleas, again your vet can give you the correct products

I have fours cats and they area all micro-chipped, they never really got on well with collars and as they go out all the time I was worried about them getting caught and a nasty accident happening Also one of my cats had a bad reaction and his fur dropped out, so that was the end to collars !

Well glad you dropped in to join us, keep us posted about her progress and if you get change do post some photos we just love photos here

Enjoy the forums

Hello and Welcome to TCS!

hello and welcome.

if you're kitty is living in the grain house, that means she can catch and eat mice, which means she could have worms. So your vet will probably worm her.

I wouldn't put a collar on her, since she is in and out, they can catch on tree limbs and such and choke her to death, or hang her. A breakaway may work, but if she has long hair, it would cause more matting.

For the matting, I would take her to a groomer and have her shaved down for the summer. Mats are serious and can cause a lot of pain and even skin infection. Not very comfy for you cat.

I guess it sounds like a lot at first, but after the initial things get taken care of, it's just enjoying them and maintenance. Once you get over the hump, it's so worth it.

I'm glad you have her. We'd all love to see a pic.

Hello. Welcome to TCS.

She may be matted because she is obese. When they're big, they can't reach certain spots to clean.

Some cats can become obese if they are fed strictly dry food. I don't know what your girl has been eating up until now, but if you feed her some dry, and some wet, it may help her weight.

Hola y bienvenido a TCS, ...Catulina

y Milky

te saludan!!........

(Translate: Hi and Welcome to TCS, Catulina and Milky say hello to you!!!... )

See you on the forums!

Hello & Welcome

Hi welcome to TCS!

Hi