Is my one stray lonely?

glittermom

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Hi,

I live in a city suburb and we are surrounded by woods and a creek. I have taken care of 3 stray cats 2 years ago. They would show up together for feeding time. Eventually, I was able to get 2 of them to come inside.( they joined my 3 indoor house cats and all 5 of them are happy indoor cats). The third one just never came back. A few months ago, a new stray showed up. She is small and thin and maybe is one year old. I am not sure. Turns out it was a nursing mama. She brought her one kitten around after 2 months of my feeding her. Sadly, the kitten died the next day. It has been about a week since the kitten's death.

I plan to TNR as soon as I can manage it along with testing and vaccination for diseases etc. I am not sure I can eventually bring her inside as I already have 5 indoor cats. My husband will not be happy if I bring in anymore cats.

I have never seen any other strays that show up at feeding time. I am worried that this poor stray is outside all by herself and no other cats to socialize with. Does anyone else car for only one stray or feral and do they seem happy?

Thanks for your help.

Sherry
 

shadowsrescue

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I have had one that has lived outside off and on by himself.  Shadow started out alone at the age of 7 months.  Shadow was a feral.  A stray showed up about 6 months later and he stayed for a year then left.  So Shadow was alone for about 5 months.  During that time period he was a bit lonely, but I gave him lots of attention and lots of play time.  I was able to socialize him with lots of work and patience.  He continues now, 3 years later to still live outside on my deck.  Another stray showed up in June so he has a companion again which he just loves.  They may get lonely, but cats are not pack animals.  They are used to being alone.  Just provide toys and play time.

It's wonderful that you take the time and patience to care for all of these cats.  I hope you can trap her soon so she won't get pregnant again.  Thanks for taking good care of some many kitties.
 
 

ondine

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I have one outside cat, Schofield.  He is in his own enclosure.  I worried about him being lonely, too, so I introduced a foster cat to him.  (The enclosure is in two sections, so they couldn't get at one another).  After a week, neither cat has adjusted well, so we are working on finding the foster cat a home.

I think there are some cats who prefer being alone.  Even though Schofield cannot get out of the enclosure, I have noticed no other cats in my yard since he took up residence in February.  And I used to have a new cat here very three to four months!

Even the neighbor's cats avoid my yard and they used to frequently drive my inside cats wild by sitting on the patio, staring into the window.
 
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glittermom

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So, maybe another stray will show up to keep her company. I feel so guilty leaving her outside in all kinds of weather. I have an empty doghouse for shelter but she doesn't use it. I think she would prefer a shelter that is more open and easy to escape from. She seems very alert and attuned to every little noise, even dropping leaves that fall to the ground. I live in the south, so the rain is a big issue now. By January the cold rain and ice will be here. I have thought about trying out some other types of shelters. I am not sure she will use them. Any ideas out there?
 

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Thank you for caring so much about her. I would first and foremost get her spayed. As long as you are providing her with food and shelter, she will be fine. There are so many shelters to choose from. My personal favorite us the Feralvilla shelter. It is great in all kinds of weather. I had to relocate my two ferals to an enclosure in my yard, both girls are using that shelter. I know they are safe in it.
 

shadowsrescue

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I have a feralvilla too that my DH made.  Unfortunately my feral didn't like it at first.  We had to make some modifications such as a rear exit  and a plexiglass window.  It is still only used occasionally.  I have a large 6x6 tent like structure that I put up on my deck around late October.  It is from Logitech Shed in a Box.  I like it since we can take it down in the spring.  In this structure I have an outdoor love seat that is covered in thick blankets and then I have heat pads.  Mine are electric as I have an outdoor outlet.  You can also get microwaveable heated discs that hold their heat for 8-12 hours.  I have used them as well.  I leave the opening about 1/2 way up as the cats don't like feeling trapped inside.  They are dry from the snow/rain/ice and it does block some of the wind.   On sunny days even in the winter, it gets nice and warm inside from the sun.  I also have 2 of these small tent/houses I have purchased from Amazon    Sometimes you can find them cheaper on other sites.  These are awesome as they have a back and front entrance and a heat pad.  I sometimes take the sides down and place 2 of them together.

You can also make a very easy winter shelter out of rubbermaid containers.  If you do a google search on outdoor cat houses you will find lots and lots.  Many have instructions on how to do it yourself. 
 
 
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glittermom

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Oh, I love the idea of the tent like structure. I was thinking about a tent. We live in Georgia where the winters are not brutally cold. A tent with some hay and a heating pad underneath just might be the ticket. I also could see if my handyman can cut out second opening in the doghouse. The plexiglass window is another idea.

You all have given me some great ideas. I just have to pick one and go with it. Getting her to actually go into the shelter will be another challenge. I guess the best idea is to begin moving her food closer to the shelter and progressing to putting the food into the shelter so she gets the idea that it is a safe and warm place to be. Right now she sleeps on a blanket right at my sliding glass door. 
 

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Have you been able to TNR her yet?  You really don't want her pregnant again. 

The small tent from Amazon can be purchased with a heating pad.  You wouldn't need straw too.  The heated pads work really well especially when they are inside of something like a tent or dog house.  She will need something to help keep her out of the elements this winter.  I tried stray in the rubbermaid containers as well as in the feralvilla when we first made it.  My feral hated the straw.  When I removed the straw he was much happier, but still just didn't like the small space.  His first winter, he spent his nights under my neighbors screened porch.  The following year, I added the Shed In a Box and this will be his 3rd winter in it.  This year he will have a companion so that will help them to stay warm.
 
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glittermom

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I am going to try and trap her on Monday at dinner. then take her to the vet for vaccines, check up and neutering.. Wish me luck. I have been gradually moving her food into the Have a Hart trap ( the opening is twist tied so it won't accidentally shut). I have the food right up close to the trip plate and she has been eating it. So Monday night I will put her dinner beyond the trip plate. I hate the idea of her having to be in the trap until I can get her to the vet Tuesday morning, but the vet does not want her to eat anything after midnight.
 

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Good luck with the trapping!  I too hate keeping them overnight before the surgery and then again after the surgery, but they quickly forget all about it.  Just keep the trap in a quiet place in your home with a towel or sheet over it.  I usually keep a small light on as well as come calming music.  I do the same thing when I bring them back home. 

Keep us posted on how it all goes!
 

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You are doing the exact right thing.  She will be a little upset but will calm down when you cover the trap.  Make sure you put a pee pad under it.  She will probably pee or poop and you'll want to protect the floor.  Good luck and keep us posted!!!
 
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glittermom

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I trapped her late yesterday afternoon. She is a little clever. Twice she went in the cage to eat and did not step on the trip plate! I was more clever. I stayed close to the trap and when she entered that second time without stepping on the plate, I quickly unlatched the door and it slammed down. Success.  I just took her to the vet. The kept her overnight. She has 2 intestinal parasites and one treatment requires liquid for 10-14 days. She is to have the spaying this morning around 11 am.  Any ideas on how I can manage to give her this de worming medicine orally for 10 days? Seems like an almost impossible situation to me.
 

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I trapped her late yesterday afternoon. She is a little clever. Twice she went in the cage to eat and did not step on the trip plate! I was more clever. I stayed close to the trap and when she entered that second time without stepping on the plate, I quickly unlatched the door and it slammed down. Success.  I just took her to the vet. The kept her overnight. She has 2 intestinal parasites and one treatment requires liquid for 10-14 days. She is to have the spaying this morning around 11 am.  Any ideas on how I can manage to give her this de worming medicine orally for 10 days? Seems like an almost impossible situation to me.
Yea!!!  Yuck on the liquid for 10-14 days.  When I have taken strays in for vet care and spaying/neutering, they have always given a deworming pill that then required another pill a few weeks later.  It did mean another trip to the vet.  Marvin, my latest stray that I brought inside tested postive for Cat Scratch Fever (Bartonella).  He had to be on meds for 21 days.  I tried 2 different liquids mixed in his wet food, but after a few days, he refused it.  I was unable to hold him to give it to him orally.  I then I was able to get it compounded from a compounding pharmacy in pill form.  It was really tiny and I used cat pill pockets.  Marvin loved it.  You can mix the liquid with wet food.  My feral outside has had to have antibiotics 2x when he was attacked.  Each time I used liquid Clamamox and mixed it in baby food.  I used Gerber Stage 1 Chicken or Turkey.  He loved it.  I even had to give it 2x a day.  I hope that the liquid medicine you are having to give is at least flavored. 

I would ask for alot of help regarding the medicine.  I did have the option of having a vet tech come to my house for $10 per day to give the meds, but I needed to exhaust all other trials first.

So glad they keep her overnight.  Will you let her go tomorrow or keep her inside for a day or two.
 
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glittermom

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Well, she was in the early stages of her second  pregnancy. The vet estimates her age at 7 months! She must be a bit older because she had that one kitten this summer. She is a very tiny kitty.  My vet ideally wants her to wear that collar shield for 2 weeks in a confined area. I may be able to keep her in my garage. I do have a shed with windows, but I hate having her locked up someplace where I cannot see her very often. My garage is just off the kitchen. I could see her all the time. It depends on how cooperative my family will be. 

Thank you for the tips on giving her the medicine. I have no idea if the medicine is flavored. No way I can force feed it to her. Either she takes it in food, compounded as you did or maybe there is a vet tech who can come to the house. I will keep you posted.

The good news is that Chloe is free of  all of those nasty fatal cat diseases. I did have her vaccinated for those. Though she needs a booster in 3 weeks. Any idea how I can catch her for that? I don't think she will go near the trap again.  I have 5 indoor cats and would like Chloe to be an indoor/outddoor cat eventually, if she goes for it. That is why I want her vaccines up to date.
 

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It may be too late but you could get a large dog crate for her to live in while she recuperates.  It will help keep her confined (so she doesn't jump around, looking for a way out).  It will also help you socialize her, as you won't have to chase her down to give her her meds.

If not, keeping her confined to the garage will be fine.  Just make sure there are no places where she can get stuck, although if she's wearing a cone, those places will be limited, I guess.

Just remember to be calm and quiet whenever you go into her "territory".  It probably won't take her long to understand she's got it made!
 
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glittermom

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Update on Chloe: She is doing really well. She is taking her medicine in her food. What a huge relief that is. Chloe really does not like that e-collar and tries to get it off. I hope slowly she will get used to it. Being in the garage is boring for her, but I try to visit her several times a day. My daughter was home from college and she was able to make friends with Chloe. 
 

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Update on Chloe: She is doing really well. She is taking her medicine in her food. What a huge relief that is. Chloe really does not like that e-collar and tries to get it off. I hope slowly she will get used to it. Being in the garage is boring for her, but I try to visit her several times a day. My daughter was home from college and she was able to make friends with Chloe. 
So glad she is taking her medicine. I am sure she hates the e collar, but I bet she will adjust.  Will you have to take her back to the vet or will she be free and clear once her medication is done and the e collar is off? 
 
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glittermom

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She will be on the medicine for 10-14 days. Then one week later, she returns for her booster shots and I have to bring in a stool sample to be sure both the hookworm and lung worm are gone. Yuck. I hate helminths.
 
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