Brought in a stray much sooner than I had planned

thanks for looking out for this guy! sounds like he's just nervous to be confined after living outside for so long. once he realizes he's safe and protected inside he will relent. sounds like you're doing the right things to calm him down. if your other cat gets along with him, have her in the room with him. for cats that like other cats it can be soothing to see one who's relaxed in the same situation.

i would keep him in despite his protests, he will get over it one way or another. keep spending time with him if it seems to calm him down but be realistic too, you can't be in there 24 hours a day!

Get him to a vet as soon as possible to have him tested for FIV and FeLV, and get him vaccinated. Then start introductions. If he gets along with your other cat, he might settle down when he has a buddy to play with.

Is he fixed? That might be part of the problem... not completely. He's scared and unsure of being inside. I would get some Feliway... local big box and the smaller boutique pet stores carry it. That should help make the room smell "friendly" for him.

yes very important to get him tested, and, have him checked to see if he has a chip - oh,

and if he's been around your other cat, make sure he doesn't get out until you can get him tested to find out if he's contagious.

We just completed bringing our stray and his feral family inside - after less than a month they've settled in just fine - yes, there was some crying, etc., but unless you think he belongs to someone who just isn't caring for him (and that's why he wants out - to go "home") keep him inside is my suggestion.

Do you think he's been neutered?

RE: FIV and FeLV - I now have two cats with one of these diseases. The FeLV stray was in and about the house, and was able to get very close to one of my other very friendly cats - in fact, KiKi got licked by Buddy (FeLV), and that was before I knew better. So, by all means, keep them separated until you know. Our FeLV now has his own room and is thriving. The FIV is the stray that we just brought in with his feral family - and he isn't as contagious as the cat with Leukemia. So, going to the vet is the key.

After you've been to the vet, and he can be with your other cat, he will really settle in, I'm sure.

I think this website has some pointers as to what to do, or not do when introducing cats - I think the main thing is to take it slow.

As for the babysitting schedule - you guys probably will identify that solution on your on as you get more experience with him. You both sound so neat - this little guy, and his new sister are so fortunate to have you guys caring for them!

Bless you and your husband!!

Be sure and let us know about the vet visit, too.

Unfortunately, I'd still keep them separated. The FeLV vaccination is only 70-something percent effective about preventing vaccinated cats from contracting the disease.

The other problem is that Peacher may have fleas or internal parasites that he can pass on to your Sasha. It's really safest to keep them separated until he's been to the vet and gotten the "all clear."

While it may be an issue of Peacher not being neutered - it also may be him crying about his confinement, being in a new territory, being scared, feeling alone... this is all VERY normal. But as you can pick him up and he enjoys pets, and he kneads - all of this says to me he just needs a little time to adjust, and he'll be so happy about having a new home.

Here's a thread you may find helpful: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=210849

Up to date on vaccines - great!! Even leukemia - , - some resources say that the leukemia vaccine isn't 100% at protecting your cat.

One link that may be of some interest: http://vetsnyc.com/apage/84457.php
Is there a way that they could be close to each other, but not in actual contact? It's good news to read that he likes the other cat - a sure sign that they will become fast friends.

Maybe all you need is another box for him to use as a bed instead of the litter pan. BTW, since I require so many litter pans, instead of buying litter pans, I buy the Rubbermaid Rough Tote, 10 gal containers.

Do we get pictures soon?

Oh, he is beautiful !! I'm so glad you've adopted him. Thanks for the pic!
g

He really is gorgeous! He's a lucky boy to have you caring for him and even though he's not completely happy right now he's better off inside with you than out in the cold where he could be harmed. It's also best in the long run.

The other people are right, you have to keep him separated from Sasha a little while longer. One thing you can do though which may help a bit is to bring her scent in. Take a towel or something and rub it on her, especially her scent glands, and then bring it in to him. This is also a good way to get him used to her before you re-introduce them.

The reason he's laying in the litter box may have more to do with the box than the litter in it. Cats like to lay in boxes, especially if they are a bit scared. It's comforting. Try getting him another box that is just about his size for him to lay in. I've taken in a couple of strays that have done the same thing - laying in the litterbox - and they moved over once I got them another box.

It may take a while for him to get used to the indoor life. He's been out there for a long time and this new environment is scary to him. But he will get there. I would not let him out again. The last stray I brought in was miserable at first. She spent the first few weeks on a desk and only came down to use the litter box. She's the one that has taken the longest to settle in but now she's doing great and is definitely enjoying the indoor life. She's not even interested in going out anymore. She just want to hang out in my lap. And she is so much healthier. The vet believes that she may have been hit by a car in the past (something has happened to her) and it's just not worth letting them back outside to risk something like that.

Another thing you can do to help him calm down for now is to get him some Rescue Remedy. GNC stores sell it as does some well stocked pet stores.

Have you checked him for fleas? If he's been out for three years chances are good that he has fleas. If I were you I'd get him treated for fleas as soon as possible. It can spread to your other cat even if they don't meet. I would recommend treating Sasha with some preventative like Frontline or Advantage just in case. Frontline and Advantage is what's best to use for Peacher too and you can get it at Petco and even some big box stores like Meijer so you don't have to wait until you get to the vet.
You can also deworm him with some OTC stuff. They do sell wormer with Pyrantel Pamoate at some pet stores. Don't bother with anything else though.
If he has fleas ask your vet for some tapeworm treatment too. Almost all cats that have had fleas for a while have tapeworm and unfortunately it usually doesn't show up on fecal tests. I treat all my rescue cats for tapeworm, repeating it once, even if I haven't seen any because most of them do have it. For some reason many vets neglect to offer tape wormers so you have to ask.
And don't forget to have him scanned. Many previously owned strays are not abandoned but lost.

Thank you for helping this little guy. I bet you this is going to be the best holiday season he's had for years.

Sasha is an ex-feral? born by a homeless mom, you took him in as a young cat?

So he is of tough wood, and thus - the risks are somewhat lesser then with a typical home breed, inside kitty.

But better safe than sorry, so I agree with all the other. Vet etc first...


IF you were desperate, and letting them meet now was your best option - you could perhaps take a chance "calculated risk". Some rescuers do (their residents are also typically rescued ex homeless, and or freely outgoing cats).
But here you arent desperate, things are going on well anyway.

With the help of Feliway as suggested earlerlier it will go even easier.

Another tip, when you leave him alone, put on some calm music on.


Good luck!

sorry to hear about the teeth but at least he's healthy otherwise! sounds like he will settle right down once he gets his bearings. he's a good looking fella!

Can he be neutered at the same time as the dental? Then he only needs to be put under the anesthetic once. Something to consider.

I'm so sorry about his teeth - but otherwise great news! He's so lucky to have walked into DH's fish!

Great news on the tests. Also, it sounds like introductions are going well if they're head butting and grooming each other.

Aw that just makes me smile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (at the kitties, not his poor hurting mouth!).

What a wonderful update!
Find that battery charger !!

Find the battery charger!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peachy is one lucky guy. I expect his lack of interest in play is mostly because he was outside for so long. Whenever we have new rescues inside, unless they're young kittens, they usually want to sleep and eat for quite a long time - enjoying just being... safe. And then loved.

His mouth must be feeling SO much better with all those painful teeth out!

FYI, there are several completely toothless kitties here at TCS, and they do just fine. Hopefully he'll be able to keep those he has left though now that he's in your care.

OMG, my little Shunra made exactly those noises, like a hoarse wailing, when we first "tricked" her into coming indoors. I thought my heart would break, I'm tearing up just remembering how terrified she was and how helpless I was to explain to her that it was really for the best. Poor little baby. And with such pointy claws that I couldn't even sweep her into my arms and just cuddle her, either!

It took time, but everything worked out. The wailing stopped after a few hours, maybe a day, not that it helped, because she was still so terrified that I myself couldn't function at all, just overcome with how scared she was, and what could I do (not much). It took a few days for her to even move from the initial high perch she ran to, panicked, when she realized she was trapped indoors (at the top of the stairs to the attic). Eventually she got hungry enough and came down at night, when she thought no one was awake, to eat (and poop). After a few more days, she officially moved into her temporary home Under-The-Bed, and spent a couple of months there. I don't know how many hours I lay there with her, squeezing under the bed, singing off-key choruses "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine...", and reading the day's headlines, anything, to get her used to my voice.

Two years later, she's a happy, purring kitty who kneads on me for half an hour at a time till she falls asleep, with her head burrowed deep into my side. She doesn't much care for other people and will probably never be socialized, but what's important to me is that she feels safe and warm and snuggly. I can't describe the elation the first time I heard her purring - after more than a year indoors. By then I had given up, I just thought she was one of those cats that doesn't purr. Actually, she has a purr so loud I wish I could tape it and sell it as a relaxation aid.

It will take time, but everything will be fine (and the initial wailing, that is so heartbreaking to hear, will stop pretty soon, although the cat will still be quite scared for a while). I never thought about putting the cats back outdoors (there are two, one came in earlier and much less traumatically), and today they would certainly not be able to cope with life outdoors whatsoever. Shunra lost all her teeth within a couple of months of being indoors, and if she had continued to be outside, I don't think she would have survived. Of course here at home she gets medical care and proper food, and is thriving.

The first few days are awful, I know, I am reliving it as I read your post. Terrified kitty, human anxious about whether she made the right decision, it's an extremely difficult time. But it will work out, and you just have to keep reminding yourself - this little kitty won the stray cat lottery, to have found a human as good as you, who took her in and will see to it that she has good food and love and a warm place to snooze for the rest of her life. Keep reminding yourself that you know things that she doesn't realize, that she will never have to be outdoors in the cold trying to find some shelter under a car or between two buildings. Kitty lives in the moment, and at the moment, she's terrified. But you did the right thing and she will soon become accustomed to living well .

Good on you for helping Peachy-boy! For his mouth, ask the vet about Biotene Veterinary products. They have helped cats with inflamed mouths on here... mine included.

GOD BLESS YOU and YOUR HUSBAND
for rescuing this boy!
He was crying for fear, his mouth hurt and who knows....
He was talking to you!

We have 7 cats - 2 of the 7 were born outside and both rescued
around one year or so old. They are joys and adjusted fantastically.

Your new boy will continue to be a charmer - he would have died a slow
death out there - but you came along and saved his life!

You both are wonderful!

I have no idea how I missed this thread! What a gorgeous loving sweetheart of a kitty boy you have there. I am so very happy that he came into your family I can only imagine how much better his mouth feels...