She's inside

Hi Everyone,

Nala was brought into the house tonight. She is in the upstairs room. I cleaned it out today. We had been using it as a sewing/computer room. I took everything out that I thought might be a danger to her. I did leave the sewing machine without the needle and thread. I also left the pc with everything tucked away.

I put in a cat bed, litterbox, large towel, food, water and some toys. Anything else you think I should put in there? She has been letting me pick her up and bring her inside for short periods of time. Today she came and I told her that her days of roaming are over...she's home now. Scooped her up and brought her in around 6pm.

I petted her a bit, showed her how to look out the window on the pc table, put another towel on the chair in there for her to lay on and she seemed ok. She was yowling a bit but she was purring and rubbing against my hand when I was in there with her. She did want out of the bedroom though. Tried to make a run for it actually but I scooted her back in quickly. I did turn on a night light for her in there too.

Any other suggestions? There is approx a 2 inch gap at the bottom of the door where the other cats can smell her and so can my dog.

Not sure what else I can do. Hubby thinks Im mean to put her in there. I told him that this way she can get used to the smells and sounds of the house and we can slowly control how she gets introduced to the cats and dog. I dont think he is convinced

Chat with you soon!

Tell your hubby that cats are all about territory, and before she can feel comfortable in your home, she NEEDS to be comfortable in a space that is all hers. This is the BEST thing to do for her!

Has she been to the vet? You need to make sure she doesn't have anything that can make your kitties ill. She probably needs to be de-wormed... and fleas? Ticks? And I'm sorry - I don't remember if she's been spayed.

But just spend what time in there - and spend time in there NOT paying attention to her, but just letting her get used to everything, as you said.

Originally Posted by LDG

Tell your hubby that cats are all about territory, and before she can feel comfortable in your home, she NEEDS to be comfortable in a space that is all hers. This is the BEST thing to do for her!

Has she been to the vet? You need to make sure she doesn't have anything that can make your kitties ill. She probably needs to be de-wormed... and fleas? Ticks?

And I'm sorry - I don't remember if she's been spayed.

But just spend what time in there - and spend time in there NOT paying attention to her, but just letting her get used to everything, as you said.

Click to expand...

^^ my thoughts, exactly!

congratulations on the rescue!

I guess she's not really a stray. She did belong to my elderly neighbor but he cant take care of her and the kittens she had last year.

She's been fixed, and is about 4 months past due for her booster shots. I applied frontline plus last friday also. I guestimate her age at about 3 years of age. I had all the vet records changed over to us as the elderly gentlemen used the same vet. She did get vaccinated against fel leuk but that has expired...so I dont want my cats to come in contact with her until she gets to the vet this week.

My indoor cats are due for their shots also. My vet believes in only vaccinating once every 3 years as they are totally indoor cats. So everyone gets updated when they get their rabies too which is due now.

Think they are in any danger of getting ill? I have been very careful not to let them be near each other nor eat/drink out any common bowls. I have been feeding her all summer and kept the items seperate. They do smell her on me though..can that be a problem? I wash my hands as soon as I am done handling her.

Thanks for the advice...my boy kittie is being the worst. Growling and hissing all over the place. The other 2 girls are just being laid back about it. My dog is all wiggly wanting to get to meet her but not yet...she needs to settle in.

Chat with you soon!

Im not sure you mentioned a scratching post. She should have one such. Or two.

In some variations soft, calm music can be useful. Although I dont think it is necessary here.

You are doing excellently!

It all sounds okay to me. Just don't start the integrations until she's been vetted and tested. I'd make sure the resident cats boosters were up to date first, too.

keep us posted!

She's been eating and drinking but hasnt used the litterbox yet. She was an outdoor cat so I took some dirt and sprinkled it on the top of the cat litter. I'm hoping that this will work.

I closed the bedroom window last night as it was dropping into the 40's. She didnt like that! She howled a bit this morning so I went in and she was all lovey dovey with head butts and rubbing. I petted her for a bit then left her to settle back down which she did.

She now has the window back open and is laying on the sill basking in the sunshine.

Thanks for all your help. I'll let you know how she does!

If she pees or poops on the floor, just sweep it right up (sprinkle litter on the pee) and put it into the litter box. that will show her what it's for.

thanks for the update!

What we used to do is put dirt in a separate litter box, and as soon as kitty went pee and/or poop, we'd transfer that to the litter box with litter in it. That was all it ever took.

...but as she's outside, there's no way to know what she has, so like otto says, it's best just to have everyone vetted before beginning intros.

I remember Nala's background now! I'm so glad you've decided to bring her inside!

Thanks LGD! She is a lover bug..and so danged cute too. Heh..maybe I'm biased

Anyway she used the litter box! I went upstairs to see her and it was all messed up. I had it nice and level so I could see if she used it and she did!

She was purring and giving me head butts the whole time I was in there. I scooted the other cats into the house off the porch and took her down there so she could enjoy some more sunshine. She perched on the extended window sill and layed in the sun purring/chirping away.

She's still yowling a bit when she gets lonely up there so I go and give her scritches, she then settles right back down. Must be a nervous thing..thinking she is alone. I am doing my normal Sunday routine of laundry, cleaning and cooking. I think that way she will get used to the sounds of the house.

What do you all think?

I'm calling the vet monday to get them all in and updated. Might have to make it two separate days. Get my house kitties updated then take Nala in after they have been. I only have 2 carriers. As long as they dont come in contact with each other and the food bowls/litter box that would be ok right?

Talk to you later =)

She sounds like she's settling in very nicely. It'll take her a little while to figure out she doesn't have to worry about anything anymore. But yes - you're doing just the right things!

Thanks! I was worried I was doing something wrong. I dont want her to feel like she has to worry about anything anymore. She's got it made All my cats were from the shelter or gotten as kittens so bringing in a semi stray was different for us.

We dont/cant have any children so my furbabies are just that. My babies. They are all spoiled rotten!

Talk to you soon.

Nala is settling in nicely. She even let the dog sniff her tonight...she was on a table and he was just poking his head over to see. She was calm and relaxed. Of course we petted her the whole time.

I gotta remember that cats are night creatures! I woke up to the sound of the balls (with bells in them) being played with by Nala .. at 4 am lol. I need some quiet toys! Hehehe...shes so darned cute.

Thanks for the happy update on Nala! In my experience cats usually eventually adopt their human's schedules

Mazy and Jennie always come to bed when I do. Tolly uses that time for his own Private Games. After I turn out the light he starts thundering around the house singing at the top of his lungs. He plays Chase The Mouse Down The Stairs and Bring It Back Up And Throw It Down Again. I usually fall asleep to his Game sounds and wake in the middle of the night to find him curled up in my arms!

We (generally) sleep through cat playing... but it's always so funny when they first come inside. The toys are always all rearranged in the morning.