Any chance I can make a stray into an indoor cat?

So there's this stray... I've let him in a few times and he howls to get let out after an hour or so. But he is still intact and spraying outside my house. I do suffer from allergies so hoping he's a siberian as he does look like it to me. His ears look folded but are just frostbitten. My question is does anyone have experience adopting and neutering a stray then him becoming comfortable living indoors? I'm hoping he doesn't give me a hard time as my husband is already weary about the whole idea.

I adopted a stray, then had him neutered because he was spraying in my house.   I told him that he was going to the vet to get tutored.   He stopped spraying but I have always let him go out if he wanted to.  So I don't know what to tell you.  The books say that a cat can enjoy being indoors, especially if you play games with the cat.  The fact that he doesn't spray inside your house is great!  

There is absolutely no way to tell if this cat is a Siberian or if he would affect your allergies. I can say it's most unlikely.

A few questions. Are you sure it's a stray and not someone's outdoor cat? If you aren't sure try posting a "found cat" around your neighborhood.
Second, if you are intent on bringing him in, do your homework, and shopping. A small crate might help, if it's large enough for a litterbox. Call your local vet and ask how much beginner shots might be, as well as flea meds. Buy some food.

You could also try Allerpet C, which is rubbed into the fur. I have it and it does reduce allergies; however, you may have a serious issue getting close to a new or feral cat in order to apply it.

I strongly urge getting to know this kitty before attempting to bring him in. You don't know if he's had a rabies shot...or if it has fleas, or worms. There's an awful lot to taking in any cat, and if he truly is a feral adult you really will have some work cut out for you.

I took in my cat as a feral kitten. Supplies came to about $200 and his initial vet visit, covered by the local SPCA (do call them!) came to over $400. Then (I do apologize but had no choice as it was life or death to find another place to live--my life ir death) I had him declawed.

I swore I didn't want another cat, but his situation was dire. If it hadn't been Id have fed him from my porch. But as he came from a colony, and I lived next to a highway, and a winter storm was coming on, and he was too ill to survive it, I had no choice. But a healthy feral? Might be worth taking a little slower.

He is a lovely cat. I wish you all the luck in the world!!!!

reen1118 said:

So there's this stray... I've let him in a few times and he howls to get let out after an hour or so. But he is still intact and spraying outside my house. I do suffer from allergies so hoping he's a siberian as he does look like it to me. His ears look folded but are just frostbitten. My question is does anyone have experience adopting and neutering a stray then him becoming comfortable living indoors? I'm hoping he doesn't give me a hard time as my husband is already weary about the whole idea.

Click to expand...

So you took him after all?

First of all, you must neuter him. There are several reason, but one of them is exactly because you are allergic.   Spayed / neutered adult cats are quite safer than fully fertile ones!!!!

Also, being neutered, he will be more willing to stay inside and allow him to be fostered.  The urge to go out, to seek female, will be less.

To your basic question: yes, its usually fully possible to turn an ex homeless into a home cat.  It may take time, patience, and love, but usually it isnt that difficult.

It may even go easier with an ex homeless, than a bough home cat  who was used to roam outside if he wished.   For a home kitty, allowed to be outside, the outiside is just fun.  If he gets hungry, scared, or cold, its just to run home.

But a homeless must endure all the hardships and horrors on his own...   So its a paradox, but ex homeless are surprising often very easy to turn into home cats, inside only.  The neutered ones, it is.

Being fostered into loving pets, may be more difficult, but as said, with enough work, time patience and love, this too is entirely possible.

Good luck!

ps.  How to treat him to lessen the dangers of allerigies, I did wrote in your other thread.

Thank you I haven't taken him in fully yet I'm waiting to get him neutered and given shots to make sure he will be a safe pet for my daughter. I hope it all works out. I did sneeze a couple times after playing with him and sniffing his fur but he smells strongly of urine. My reaction was mild compared to other cats though.

You really need to be careful and not get your hopes up too much until the cat has been vetted. Contact the local shelter to see if anyone is looking for this cat. Check him for rabies, fleas, and any sort of contagious infection. Yes feral cats can get used to living indoors, but it takes a lot of time, patience, and money, so please give your husband realistic expectations. 

It is possible I took in the neighborhood Tom cat after it was clear a new Tom took over. It took several months for him to get used to staying inside. I was never able to pick him up to take him to get neutered but luckily he never sprayed. He was already about 10 when I took him in. They all howl at first and that's normal. It took me a year and a half to have him trust me enough to come inside. He is gone now but he lived 5 years with me as a retired Tom. It did take him some getting used to and he did escape a few times but he always came back.

Update: he's in the garage now with food water and litter box... although he's probably not litter trained. Tomorrow morning is his vet visit so fingers crossed he has a clean bill of health.

Fingers crossed here!!

hey!!! Good luck to you and the pretty kitty!!

I'll be really interested to hear how you go.

Also there are quite a few people on TCS with allergies.  If he doesn't belong to anyone and you want to keep him, it would be good to have a chat with them about how they deal with it.

And you'll certainly get good advice about introducing him to his new life.

I took in a stray/feral in May of 2013.  I had him neutered and shots first when he was still living outside.  It took him awhile to adjust to indoor living, but he is now the sweetest cat.  He had his own room for exactly 1 year.  This safe room allowed him to adjust to indoor life first.  I completely cat proofed the room.  It was a guest room, so I took the mattress and box spring and put it up against the wall.  I did not want him hiding under the bed.  I blocked off behind the book case and put the cords from the blinds out of his reach.  I placed a small cat tree by the window, litter box ( you may need to start with a mix of cat litter and soil or get some Dr. Elsey's Litter Attract), food, water and a cozy bed.  It's important to have a small hiding spot for him too. 

Please get him neutered and vetted soon.  Even if you decide not to take him in, I hope you find a rescue group to help him out.  He really needs to be neutered.

Turns out he is a she and she's spayed!but unfortunately I'm allergic. I don't know what to do. My husband thinks I shouldn't have to live uncomfortably for a cat. . I can't take antihistamines because I'm breastfeeding
.. ugh

They tried to see if she had a microchip but nothing. . The vet said she looks like she had a hard life due to the frostbitten ears and the look of her. She's still super friendly though

So what are you going to do with her?  Thankfully she is spayed so she must of had a home at one point.  I hope that you can find a home for her or look into ways to live if you are allergic. 

When we got our first cat from the Humane Society almost 7 years ago, my Ds and I never thought it would be possible to have a cat.  My DH had been allergic his entire life.  My DS wanted a cat in the worst way.  For our cat fix we had been volunteering at our local Humane Society.  DS fell in love with a small kitten.  We had DH come to the facility and see how things went.  He didn't seem to react at all.  I looked into all kinds of alternatives to living if you are allergic.  Here are a few articles I had saved.

http://www.petcarenaturally.com/articles/people-with-allergies-to-pets.php

http://www.abyssinian-rescue.com/allergies.htm

http://www.demite.com/allerpet/

I can't recommend any of the above remedies as I never had to use them.  I also spoke with my vet who had lots of ideas.  Try asking the vet and searching the internet.  It might just be possible.

I'm not sure what to do.. for now she's got a warm place in my garage with food water litter box and visits daily. But I tried to bring her inside today and she refused. I don't think I can keep her though... I can't handle the allergies.

Can you buy Allepet C to see if it helps?

OMG I've never heard of it but I just seen on another forum on here someone said it's a miracle product! I HAVE TO TRY! I hope she will let me bath her. She seems to love being groomed but.... cats and water don't really mix.

I don't bathe my cat in it. I put a little on paper towels and rub in--or put some in my hands, rub all over, repeat, and dry if too wet. About every 3-4 days but to each their own. I think it helped me when I used it, and it left Robins coat really nice, as well.

In my experience most cats kinda like the wet paper towel thing. It reminds them of being licked, I suppose.