Never had a cat before...need some advice!

alisonl

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Hello!

I'm in need of some advice, mainly because I know next to nothing about cats and a new friend has meowed his way into my heart. 


One night about 6 weeks ago, the door to the basement was left open and we found a black & white cat, no collar, sitting at the top of the stairs meowing in the morning.  We had never seen him before in the neighborhood.  We live in the center of a suburban town with plenty of backyards/houses so we can't be sure if he belongs to someone else.  After that, he started coming to visit every so often.  We didn't feed him right away (we didn't have cat food) but he would still visit, let us pet him a bit and then scoot.  We started feeding him a few days later.

Over the past 3-4 weeks he has been coming to visit every day.  He meows to come inside, likes attention & petting, then enjoys napping for a few hours at a time on the couch next to us.  We see him at different times:  6 a.m., 4 p.m., 8 p.m., etc. etc.  Sometimes, he'll visit late afternoon-evening and leave after dark and not return until the next afternoon.  Sometimes, he'll come by after dark and sleep on the couch until morning and not want to go out.  Sometimes, he'll move the blinds around to indicate he is ready to leave at 4 a.m.  He's schedule is unpredictable; we tend to see him at least once a day however.

We feed him (I think it is male) although he never eats more than 1 pouch of Wellness brand cat food per day, never drinks any water, nor goes to the bathroom in/near the house even though I bought a litter box just in case.  He always seems clean with the exception for the white fur on his legs which is dirty, smells clean, and is obviously friendly.

This past Friday, we noticed Patches (I named him) licking his tail/seeming very sensitive about being pet there.  I saw a small area of hair missing, and he licks there all the time which makes us think he got bit by something.  I tried to take a look, and it seems like a small white area is under the missing fur, no blood or anything.  When Patches came to visit Sat/Sun/Mon, he went into our bedroom closet and slept on a pile of towels for hours and hours, something he has never done before.  He also doesn't seem to want to be around us too much anymore or be pet too much when before he loved that.

I suppose what I am asking is:

1)  Does his previous behavior suggest he has an owner?

2)  Is it normal for cats, post-scuffle, to hide more/want to be alone?  Once his bite heals, will he be back to his old cat self?

3)  Can Patches heal his own wound by licking it?

4)  Any advice on how to find out if he has an owner?

Thanks for any advice/comments!
 

feralvr

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Welcome to TCS :clap::clap::clap:. It seems to me that you have been chosen by Patches :rub: Sometimes that is how many people end up with these beautiful creatures - these kitties - they find us and worm their way into our hearts :heart3:

First off, I would bring Patches to a vet immediately. There the vet can check for a microchip as to a possible owner. If no chip, and it is unlikely but possible, then he needs to be neutered (if he is not already :dk:) have his shots,, tested for Feline Leukemia and FIV, and have a poop sample checked for worms. He most likely has some intestinal parasites from living outdoors BUT don't worry, they are easily treated under a vet's care. :nod: Then you can also have the vet look at this spot near his tail that is missing hair. Could be many things and only a vet will be able to tell you. Sometimes a picture helps us to identify something, but then that is only a guesstimate anyway.

He sounds super loving and friendly. I am certain he was someone's cat at one time. AND maybe someone IS looking for him. I would put up some flyers at the local vets/pet stores/ and groomers in your area. Talk to neighbor's and spread the word, see if they have seen this cat roaming around lost. If no claims him, then I would think you have yourself a lovely new little family member :heart2: OH and then I would also recommend that you keep him as an indoor only kitty. Much safer that way and he won't be exposed to the dangers and diseases of the outdoor life anymore. We are here to help in anyway we can!!!! :hugs: :rub: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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who it is

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Feralvr has given you all the advice you need. In addition, Wellness is an excellent choice for food :) and wet is better than dry. This is why you don't see him drinking water....cats are normally low-thirst animals and they rarely drink if they are fed a proper diet.

One other thing you could do to make sure he doesnt have an owner is to put a break-away cat collar on him with a note attached that has your phone number.  But, like Feralvr said, sounds like he chose you :) 
 

ldg

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Aw, welcome to TCS AND the wonderful world that is cats! :lol3: I don't have anything to add here, just that for ANY questions about cats, you're in the right place! :D :rub:

In the meantime, I would get two litter boxes, some food & water dishes, and keep him inside. It's dangerous out there for kitties!

And being new to cats, you should know that the best food for them is a grain-free wet food. It's not as convenient to feed them timed meals, but it is MUCH MUCH better for them. Cats are carnivores - obligate carnivores, in fact - and just are not designed to eat carbohydrates or grains. Those kibbles and wet foods high in carbohydrates can cause a lot of problems long term. :nod: Those of us that feed timed meals typically feed them in the morning before work, when coming home from work, and before bed. :)

Also, I wouldn't even bother having his poop tested for worms. I'd just ask the vet to treat him for them, just assume he has them. The vet can also make sure he doesn't have fleas or ticks - he may need to be treated for those too. If he does have fleas, do NOT put a flea collar on him (the only safe treatments are vet products), but get one and cut it up into pieces and put it in your vacuum cleaner. That will kill fleas and eggs when you vacuum. :)
 
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alisonl

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Update:  the spot on his tail has gotten way worse.  Now a lot more hair is missing, it is very red & wet - I'm not sure if it is from something oozing or from him licking it constantly.  I think it also smells a bit.  He really doesn't want me to touch his tail area at all know.

I put a break-away collar on him Tuesday night with a PetHub tag on it.  This tag has a bar code you scan with a smartphone that takes you to a special web page with Patches' picture and a little blurb written by me with my contact info, asking his owner to contact me.  If you don't have a smart phone, there is a web address printed on the tag too.  It's pretty cool.  I figure his/her owner will see this tag, wonder why the cat has a collar on now, and will investigate.  So far, no contact.

I think he is in pain and very uncomfortable.  He wants to be outside only - does not want to be inside.  I saw him yesterday - still had the collar/tag on.  he visited for 5 minutes before he meowed & cried to be let out.

I made a vet appointment for Saturday - I wanted to give time for the owner to contact me before I swoop in and take Patches to the vet BUT the vet is open until 9 p.m. tonight and I called & they said I could bring him around 7 p.m. if I can get him.  He will absolutely hate the carrier/vet experience.  Plus, I think followup care will be extensive - that's why I don't want to take him until I know he is a free kitty.  However, knowing how hurt he is, I can't believe an owner would allow him to get worse and not do anything!

If I can get him - he's going to the vet tonight.  Keep your fingers & paws crossed I can!
 

ldg

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Turn the radio on in the car to a classical music station, or if you have any classical music CDs, play something calm. Crack the windows a bit, but not enough he could get out if he's able to get out of the carrier (hope he doesn't, but it has happened). Talk softly to him while you drive, and cover the crate with a light blanket, just leaving one end a little open for air, this might help him calm down (we always cover the traps with feral cats, and it calms them right down).

Many vibes you can get him crated and to the vet! Poor baby!!!! :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 

feralvr

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Great idea on the PetHub tag. :wow: have not heard of that before. Gosh - a sign of the tech times :lol3: I am thinking that spot you are describing is similar to a spot my feral cat, Willow had on his back. Very, very red, bloody and raw. Got him trapped and to the vet who gave him an antibiotic injection and steroidal injection. Said it was a "hot spot" from the weather being so darn hot too early in the season with no chance for the cats to shed those thick winter coats. Just got too moist under all of that fur and basically started the skin infection. It cleared up SO fast after the vet visit. Not saying this is what the sore is, but it is possible. Others have posted about these "raw, bloody patches" recently in Health.

I sure hope you were able to get Patches to the vet :cross: Let us know !!! :hugs: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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