im a dog person and a stray kitty chose me

All good with juda

Hi, and welcome to TCS

Thank you for caring for Judah. It certainly seems meant to be. You'll be discovering your inner 'cat person' before you know it I love dogs too, as do a fair number of us here. You're not alone.

Firstly, I'd guess Judah has worms, and quite possibly other parasites such as giardia or coccidia too. He'll also need treating for fleas, and may have the odd tick too...hard to tell under all that fur.

Definitely keep him well separated from Lucy for now...none of these things are hard to treat, but it makes sense to avoid spreading things if you can. Judah needs time to settle in and relax before meeting Lucy properly anyway.

I'm not experienced with long haired cats, but it sounds like Judah may need his back end properly bathing (if not a full bath), and may well benefit from a 'sanitary cut' (the hair around the bum, thighs and possibly tail is cut fairly short to make the area easier to keep clean)...at least until he gets strong and well again. It's pretty common for cats who aren't healthy to stop grooming themselves. As he gets well he'll have the energy to take better care of himself.

When you take him to the vets, but sure to get him scanned for a microchip - just in case he has an owner searching for him. Be sure to get him tested for FIV and FeLV - both are manageable conditions, but it's important to know if he has them.

I know this must seem like information overload, but there really is so much to think of when taking in a stray in this state.

Further down the line, these articles may be useful :-
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-dogs

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/caring-for-cats-and-dogs

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-keep-the-dog-out-of-the-cat-s-food-and-vice-versa

A dog crate can really help with first meetings too, as Judah will be able to see Lucy without feeling too threatened.

Good luck with it all. Ask as many questions as you need to...there's sure to be someone here who can help

I agree. He was probably a home cat once, but got astray or got dumped.

He will surely get friends with your dog with time, even if its most swatting at this moment, even swatting with claws out...

I agree he has surely worms - this is why he has diarrheas, needs defleasing and deworming.  But as you are visiting the vet, the vet will surely help you with this, or at least, advice which OTC preparates are attainable at your area, and are both good and safe.  Some OTC preparates arent good, others are good for dogs, but not for cats...

You can change flavors and brands, but try to not make the changes too hasty - some cats have iron stomach, and the changes dont means much.  Others are more touchy..

Wet food, ie canned wet food, is usually better than dry foods.  Although its vrey convenient with dry...

Your title reminds me of an eyeopener I read once on a Swedish history Forum, their Lounge.

It was roughly as follows.

Im a dog person.  I do live with several dogs, and had always done that, buyed them and had them.  Yet, there is almost always a cat living with us.

The usual is, it just appears here around one day. Makes itself a pal with the dogs, and moves in.   And when he is pal with the dogs, and wants to be with us, and doesnt make no nuisance, of course I let him live with us, and take care inclusive vet care, now when he is a member ouf our merry household...

Something like that.  Not too much difference from your story, although Judah isnt so eager to make friends with Lucy.  He is instead  careful to make friends with the Government, ie you.  

Tx for caring!

Good luck!

Thank you again.

He's gorgeous [emoji]128571[/emoji] "well trained but very interested" exactly describes my lab Leah :lol3: I took a new girl in in March...actually in a worse state than Judah. Leah was used to our current cat, as she's known him all her life, but we had to teach her that Asha wasn't fair game (my other dog is an aging greyhound who's sight isn't fantastic, and he couldn't care less about the cats so long as he has his (my) bed, his pillow and his duvet :lol3: ). It actually worked pretty well. Just like Judah, Asha showed her nerves with well placed swipes to the face with much hissing. We went through a phase where both dogs were scared of this little 7lb cat...and they've now all settled down nicely.

The only thing I'd say, long term, is be very, very cautious about leaving Judah and Lucy together unsupervised. When I brought Pixie (greyhound) home, he was still very much a sighthound - well trained, but into prey when on walks. I think it was a full year before he was left loose with the cats unattended. We'd crate him when we left the house (that way he couldn't engage in his separation anxiety driven destructive digging ...rescue dog who was previously abused), and he'd be shut in with me overnight.

You just have to keep in mind that it only takes a split second for a dog to kill a cat...however accidentally. Someone here lost a kitten recently because their lab snapped as the kitten jumped away from her food bowl....absolute fluke, and the family, including the dog, was heartbroken...but it really made me think about potential risks.

(Please note - I love pitbulls, and I'm not saying this out of breed prejudice...I'd say the same of any large dog with any new cat now).

I will take good care of my new friend.

Thank you too StefanZ.

Looking at the picture I think odds are good that your "lion" is a "lioness." I see white, orange-red, and black. That's a color patter called calico in cats, and they are almost always female.

Quality food labels always start with meat as the first ingredient.  There are many available, it just depends on your budget.  I feed both wet and dry.  Judah is a calico cat...most likely female...(genetics).  I love calicos!  I too, am a dog person (groomer)  that has recently converted to cats.  Now I'm caring for eight.  Watch out...the cat bug will bite you!

No no no cat bug lol

Very pretty cat!' You can always go with Juda for a name. [emoji]128522[/emoji]
Thank you for rescuing her!!!!

Thank you all for responding.

[emoji]128570[/emoji]

Good luck at the vet. Best thoughts for you and the little one.

Just spotted something I missed in your first post - screaming while she poops simply means it hurts to go...not surprising if she's had this diarrhoea for a while. I bet she's pretty raw back there. Try not to worry too much though. So long as she's able to eat, drink, pee, poop and move about easily...and all under her own steam...then I wouldn't start panicking just yet. Yes, she needs veterinary care, but it doesn't sound like she's at death's door quite yet

Poor Lucy. What a dreadful start for a sweet, innocent puppy. No wonder she's still scared of some things. She's lucky to have found you...as is Juda. I'm certain they both know it too

Good luck with the vets.

shes got the good life now.

Sweet Juda.

Such a young little girl. She's really lucky she found you. Glad that she's basically ok, and that it went well at the vets. Great news that she's had a sanitary trim done...she'll be much easier to keep clean now. I hope her eye heals soon. Kittens of her age have an amazing ability to bounce back though. She'll doubtless be into everything and driving you crazy in no time

Cats are often less accepting of travel than dogs are. A decent cat carrier will keep her safe, though.

So great that she's found such a good home

I applaud all of your actions with this lucky kitten.  You are truly living up to your screen name, I think.  If the kitten was born outside I would think that she would have a natural fear of humans.  Given that she approached you and is trusting of your handling, maybe she was born inside and released later when they were unable to find her a home.  That little girl is very very lucky.  It is better for you if she was born inside, taught some manners and received some socialization.  I hope you have a  long and happy life together.

[emoji]128008[/emoji]
Thank you