Adopted a semi feral tomcat...,

Hi All,

I'm new to this site. I came across it while researching on my new cat. At the start of this summer me and my mother began feeding the feral cats on my street and then called the rspca rescue and managed to get of the 8 of 10 spayed. They were then released back to my street.

One if them is a semi feral Tomcat who tested positive for FIV he is a real sweetie and I really developed a soft spot for him. I named him Tom. He has rough fur ans used to hiss at me but now he is totally a docile little softie that likes being petted. I didn't want to adopt him because I have a dog that hates cats but the rescue said that he may take a long while to be adopted because he is a black cat plus the FIV, which I thought is insane because black cats are so pretty. She said some people think they are common and some kids find them scary.

Anyways, I thought in that case I want to keep him because he is lovely and is happily staying in my kitchen without me ever having to get him used to being confined .,.he literally just walked right in and didn't ever want to leave since.

Tom has 2 kittens that live 2 yards down from mine in abandoned garden they love coming up to the door to see him. Thereis also another male cat that has adopted the kittens it seems but he doesn't get on with Tom...he's been inside my kitchen and walked up to my Tom and Tom let's out a cry. I need to get a microchip cat flap but I don't know what that's cats problem is.

Anyway, do you think I need to insure him? Is he supposed to eat something in particular if he has FIV?

Dear sweet boy!  He looks so happy to be safe.  You will need to provide the best nutrition for Tom and make sure he doesn't go outside.  Although he can live a long life with FIV, he will still be able to pass it on to other cats if he's in a fight.  I have a friend whose FIV positive cat is currently 16 years old; he was 6 months old when she adopted him.  But he's inside only and she feeds him the highest quality wet food she can afford.

I wouldn't allow the other tom cat inside anymore.  Your Tom doesn't need the stress.  I would also make sure he gets the best vet care.  Any infection needs to be tended to immediately, as they can get out of hand easily.

Thank you so much for helping this kitty.  He sounds like a love.

I don't get people's aversions to black cats either.  Tom is actually a tuxedo cat - all dressed up!

Just to agree with Ondine.  

Insurance is usually a good idea, although it is not common in USA.  In Sweden its very common, even among owners of moggies.

I suspect the insurance company wont give insurance to a FIV positive cat.  And if they do, they wil surely demand skyhigh monthly payment...

So forget this, use the money of good quality food - preferably vet food, and cooperation with a good vet.  Exactly like Ondine advised.

Is the other tom neutered?   What about the kittens living immediately near you?   They DO have protection from this other tom?   It would be swell to help at least these kittens.

As I understand, it is OK for these kittens and your Tom to meet - as they are not a danger nor a stress moment,

FIV isnt higly contagious.  So even washing shouldnt be dangerous.  Deep bites are - but he wont fight with them for life or death.

Of course, do read on before you do anything decisive..

Good luck!

Thanks guys,

To Odine, I feed him felix at the moment because he is soooo fussy and totally turns his nose up at high quality wet food. (No one would think he was ever a feral) but I supplement fresh chicken, turkey and rabbit every week so I hope this makes up for the felix. I read about giving him vitamin C and E with his food so thinking about that too.

Stefanz

Yes, I leave the door open for his kitties to come and see him they love licking his face.


The other Tomcat and the kittens get along they seem fine around each other. It's just my Tom he has a problem with. before Tom was spayed he used to hand around my patio and the other male came up to him and start staring him down, my tom just avoided eye contact with him then when I opened my back door they kicked off and started brawling it was scary. Even now he still has the nerve to walk into my kitchen to bother Tom when I'm not there so I supervise him when I open the door.

So relieved he is indoors and no longer has to fend for himself anymore he is non aggressive I am in the process of getting the other black cat spayed just need to get him in a feeding routine which is difficult because he doesn't seem interested in food at all ( pretty sure he is also fiv positive).

The other Tom may have a home where he gets fed but is looking to expand his territory.  That may be why he's so aggressive with your Tom.

The key thing with FIV positive kitties (and people) is good nutrition (it doesn't have to be the most expensive, just good) and a stress free environment.  So if Felix has the essential nutrition, it is fine.  If not, try to get a little better food and mix it, a little at a time, with the Felix.  Adding chicken, rabbit and turkey is a wonderful idea.

If you are so inclined, there's a raw feeding forum here on TSC.  There may be some info there you can use ...

http://www.thecatsite.com/f/65/raw-home-cooked-cat-food

Yes I agree totally about good nutrition. He has a great appetite which is a relief. I feed his kittens and the other Tom in my garden they are always on time to eat. The kitties have already been trapped and vaccinated/spayed so they are fine.

I have had a couple of complaints from neighbours saying that the cats poop in their garden and that I shouldn't feed them. But I'm feeling defiant because the cats are dedicated to me when it comes to feeding it would break my heart to stop feeding them.

Just to let you know I feed 3 in my back garden and 3 in my front garden. We get foxes at night so it could be fox poop not cat poop but I can't prove it.
I don't want to be known as the antisocial cat lady but I can't just stop feeding them.

Any advice?

Thanks you guys are great people :-)

You can offer to buy your neighbors some cat avoidance products.  Coyote urine is one.  You sprinkle it on the ground and cats won't go there.  You have to sprinkle it after each rain, though.

Another idea is to put mothballs in the beds.  Cheaper and just as effective.  There are also plastic sheets with sharp prongs that stick up.  You bury them just under the dirt and it keeps cats away (foxes, too, I'd think!)

Good for you for neutering the kittens.  If you could get the other Tom, you'd be set!