Need Advice: I have two kittens 6 months old living with GF. But Stray Cat grown attached to me.

Need Advice: I have two kittens 6 months old living with my GF.

I am living with family, and was leaving food out for cats. One stray cat started off scared of me, but now grown very close to me and meows when I even pull up home from work. 

But problem is I plan on moving this year, with my girl friend and our two 6 month old kittens. 

What should I do? Should I take in this stray cat into the same household as my kittens? Or should I take the stray but leave it a outdoor cat?

Or should I leave the stray cat here?

Advice?

The first step in caring for the stray cat is to get it to the vet.  You need to be sure the cat is spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccines and tested for cat diseases.  You do not want to bring a sick cat into contact with the kittens.  Your GF will want to be sure that her pair are also spayed/neutered.  This will make the introduction process much easier.

I would definitely try to to bring the stray with you.  He/she is dependent on you for food and by leaving it would be very hard for him/her. 

He/she would need a room of his own to start.  This would be to get him used to living inside.  The room would need to be cat proofed.  If a bed is in the room it should be pick up off the floor or laid flat.  Under a bed is the first place a cat will go to hide and it's next to impossible to remove them.  Also block off behind or under all other furniture.  I like to get on the floor and look around at the level of a cat.  Cats can hide in very small spaces.

You will need two litter boxes in the room to start and a place for food/water.

Once the cat is doing well with humans, you can begin the introduction process with the kittens.  Since they are still young, the process should not be too hard.  The key is to keep them separated 24/7 for awhile and do the introductions slowly. 

Here are some articles and a video on cat to cat intros.  I hope you are able to help this kitty and take the chance to give him a life in a safe loving home.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/the-ultimate-yet-simplified-guide-to-introducing-cats

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat

http://jacksongalaxy.com/2010/10/01/cat-to-cat-introductions/

thanks for this advice. Any advice on getting the stray cat groomed? 

Can you pet or handle the cat? If so, grooming the cat shouldn't be a problem, though most cats groom themselves fine without human help. Is there a reason you're concerned sbout grooming him? Your first priority is to get the cat fixed if he hasn't already been fixed by whoever previously owned him. Request a dose of Frontline to kill fleas. I would definitely take the cat into your home if he is healthy and keep him indoors. Most strays want to be indoors, and he will have a safer life. My experience has been that cats do adjust to each other in a matter of weeks or months, and sometimes sooner. Five weeks ago I took in a feral 5 month old kitten, and within a few days she bonded strongly with one of my other 4 cats. She hasn't had any conflicts with any of the others cats. I introduced them carefully for short visits in her room while I played with them with a wand toy in front of her. Now she has the run of the house and fits right in. So sometimes the process is easy. Even when it takes more time, it is well worth the effort. This cat will know you rescued him and will love you in a very deep way.

knighthonor said:

 
Need Advice: I have two kittens 6 months old living with my GF.

I am living with family, and was leaving food out for cats. One stray cat started off scared of me, but now grown very close to me and meows when I even pull up home from work. 

But problem is I plan on moving this year, with my girl friend and our two 6 month old kittens. 

What should I do? Should I take in this stray cat into the same household as my kittens? Or should I take the stray but leave it a outdoor cat?

Or should I leave the stray cat here?

Advice?

Click to expand...

You had got excellent advices already.  If you need more, please come back and ask.

I want to add here, this with leaving out food for homeless cats is nicely thought, but its not always the very best or wisest.

You must have a plan with it!   Planning on either spaying or adopting the homeless.  Otherwise they will just multiply.

And also, there is a risk, cats whom really DO have a home, perhaps a so so home, but still a real home, wont need to go back home.