Hello All.
My Fiance and I just took in our first stray cat and would like any and all advice you experts on strays have.
This here is "Sweetie" a stray I found starving for food and love on my deck. We believe she is still quite young (6 months maybe) because she is so tiny, but her being emaciated makes it hard to really tell. She has a sweet disposition, but its a bit twitchy, which is to be expected. We have a vet appointment set up for her to get a full medical exam done. Both of our other cats have all the vaccinations up to date, and sweetie is in isolation until we get to the vets.
So far everything seems to be going well, she's eating lots (dry food available at all time, wet food twice daily) and has mastered the litter box with no accidents.
My main questions are about when can I let her meet the other cats? I know this probably depends on how quickly she gets comfortable in the house and with us, but generally speaking are there any "signs" to know that she is ready?
Again I know this depends on each cat, but about how long does it usually take to socialize a cat? We sadly can't keep her as we're moving in 2 months to a smaller apartment with our other 2 cats, so I will need to find her a new home, but I'd love for her to be socialized prior to that.
Any other tips would be great. I do have some experience with strays and ferals having volunteered at an SPCA for a few years, but that was many years back now. And I wouldn't call her feral, just unsure.
Much Thanks All!
My Fiance and I just took in our first stray cat and would like any and all advice you experts on strays have.
This here is "Sweetie" a stray I found starving for food and love on my deck. We believe she is still quite young (6 months maybe) because she is so tiny, but her being emaciated makes it hard to really tell. She has a sweet disposition, but its a bit twitchy, which is to be expected. We have a vet appointment set up for her to get a full medical exam done. Both of our other cats have all the vaccinations up to date, and sweetie is in isolation until we get to the vets.
So far everything seems to be going well, she's eating lots (dry food available at all time, wet food twice daily) and has mastered the litter box with no accidents.
My main questions are about when can I let her meet the other cats? I know this probably depends on how quickly she gets comfortable in the house and with us, but generally speaking are there any "signs" to know that she is ready?
Again I know this depends on each cat, but about how long does it usually take to socialize a cat? We sadly can't keep her as we're moving in 2 months to a smaller apartment with our other 2 cats, so I will need to find her a new home, but I'd love for her to be socialized prior to that.
Any other tips would be great. I do have some experience with strays and ferals having volunteered at an SPCA for a few years, but that was many years back now. And I wouldn't call her feral, just unsure.
Much Thanks All!
