How to get a feral cat to warm up to a new cat?

crackerjack4u

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
15
Hello All,

I'm a newbie here, and have a couple of questions.  We adopted a feral kitten, that was about 6 months old, back in November that was lonely, terrified of everything, and everyone, and was starving. It took me well over a week outside for her to allow me to touch her at all, and probably close to another month before I was finally able to pick her up.  The temperature outside the day I finally brought her in was to drop to 20 that night, with a wind chill below zero, so I knew I had to get her inside (whether she liked it or not) or she probably wouldn't survive the night.   When I approached her she ran to the neighbor's yard, climbed a small tree, and went up on top of their storage building.  I stood on a concrete block, and used a piece of ham to lure her to the edge. While she was eating I took off my jacket and wrapped her up in it, carried her into the house kicking and screaming, and she's been with us ever since. 

I took her to the vet the next day, with much fighting and several scratches, we managed to get her all of her shots, get her wormed, treated for ear mites, checked for feline leukemia, and feline aids, etc. and scheduled her to be spayed the following week.  The vet that day attempted to check her belly, but she was not having it, so that part was skipped.  I brought her in the following week to be spayed, and a different vet did her check in, and again attempted to check her belly, but she again would not allow it.  About 2 hours later, I receive a phone call that she had again tore up several of the staff while they were attempting to put her under anesthesia, but they final got her under, got her shaved, and determined she had a scar on her belly where she had already been spayed, as well as, a tattoo where she had been part of our cities capture and release program. (Our city no longer tips their ears they tattoo their bellies instead. (That in itself made me furious because that baby was way too little to have been just turned out to fend for herself, and by how skinny she was it was very apparent that she certainly wasn't doing a very good job of it).  Anyway, we named her Isabell, and call her Izzy. 

Since then she has been warming up to us very, very, well, and has come such a long way.  She still has a tendency to be scared of most things, but relies on me for comfort, and runs to the basement if things get too scary for her.  She will allow us to rub her lol until she gets done, or get over stimulated, and usually ends the rubbing sessions with a small nip before she jumps down, and takes off running. She loves one of our dogs and will hide behind the door when he goes out to potty, and when he comes back in, she'll jump out at him while up on her 2 hind legs, and start batting at his tail about a dozen times. (LOL it is hilarious to watch her do this.  She looks like a Ninja Warrior Kitty.).   The dog is elderly and is kind of a grouch and tends to get annoyed, and growls at her if she bothers him too much, so most of her attacks on him are done using the Hit and Run Method lol.  

About a month ago we had another starving cat stray in.  After many attempts to locate his owner was unsuccessful, we decide to adopt him too, thinking he'd make a wonderful companion for Isabell. We named him Sammy.  We took him to the vet had him checked out and found out he had already been neutered.  We started them out with her upstairs, him downstairs, and vice versa. The other one will sit at the basement door, and they'll talk to each other and reach their little paws under the door etc. Then we went to putting him in a crate, and allowed her to roam (she'd hiss and growl at times, and sometimes slap the cage, but she would also deliberately get up on top of his cage and walk across it). 

Sammy is one of the sweeties gentlest cats I've ever had. He never growls, hisses, or slaps at her.  He will take his paw, and lightly touch her with it, but that seems to scare her, and causes her to flip out and to slap him.  After the 1st few days, we brought in a 2nd crate, and put him in one, and her in the other, and every couple of days we'd move the crates a little closer together. We can turn her out now, and she voluntarily sleeps right beside his cage every night, lol that is as long as he keeps his paws to himself, and doesn't try to touch her.  If we put her in the cage, and let him out she has a screaming, hissing, fit.  I assume because she feels like she's trapped?  She's been sleeping beside his cage for about a week now, and doing a really good job, so today we decide to let Sammy out with Isabell just to see how it would go.

As soon as Izzy saw he was loose she jumped up on the cabinet, and started growling and hissing.  Sammy just looked at her, and rolled over on his back like whatever.  My husband and I were standing there ready just in case a fight was to break out, and one almost did, but we intervened before they made contact.  It was Sammy who had been just laying in the floor who got up, and all of the sudden charged at top speed towards her which is the way he plays with us too.  He'll charge at us like he's going to pounce, and when he gets there he'll just fall over on his side to get loving, but this is more than Izzy can tolerate right now.  She gives him all the warning signs that she's scared, and he needs to keep his distance, but he's not listening. (LOL my husband says it's because he's a male, but I'm not sure that's the case).  She was terrified.  I called his name 1 time, and he immediately stopped, turned around, and came back over to me, and laid down at my feet.  I left them out a little while longer, and then returned Sammy to the crate.  Shortly thereafter, Izzy went over, laid right down beside his crate, and they both went to sleep. 

I'm not exactly sure what to do at this point.  I do think more time is probably needed, but I'm not sure how to get them more comfortable with each other than they are now, unless I reverse the roles in the crates so Izzy will figure out that he's not out to get her?    

Questions:

1) Should I put Izzy in the crate and allow Sammy out and just let her hiss and fuss until she gets use to him being out?

2) Should I continue on the way I have been, and each day just allow them out together for longer periods of time? 

3)  Do any of you have any more suggestions of what might help Izzy not be so scared, or how I can stop Sammy from going into his running pounce mode, and scaring her even more?     

I know if I can get her out of her fearful mode, and get him to approach her more slowly, instead of like he's going to attack her, they will make wonderful play mates, and companions for each other.   Thank you all.  Any suggestions will be appreciated.                      
 

molly92

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
1,689
Purraise
1,565
Location
Michigan
Wow, it sounds like you've done such a great job with these kitties!

I would guess that while Izzy was an outdoor feral cat, she was bullied by other cats and that's the source of her mistrust of Sammy. To change that she needs to have lots of positive reinforcement when she's around Sammy, so if she's food motivated, giving her lots of little treats might help.

A feliway diffuser (or a few) might help her nerves. They make a version for multicat homes that emits synthetic pheromones that help cats feel more at ease with each other.

Sammy sounds very smart! Maybe you can do a bit of training with him on his own to sit on a certain spot or chair or something and stay there, like teaching a dog to sit and stay, and then have him do that when he's let out of the cage for time with Izzy. If Sammy can keep his distance from Izzy without the barrier of a cage, it might be a good intermediary step towards getting them comfortable being near each other without a cage.

I'm not sure about putting Izzy in the cage and letting Sammy roam free because she's having such a hard time with it, and it's making her more stressed about him. It could be some kind of territory issue, where Izzy doesn't like to see Sammy taking over her home (and gaining the power to potentially force her out) when she's confined and powerless. Since Sammy's so good with being in the crate, I would keep with that for now, and continue with very short sessions having them both out, and then slowly extending the length of the sessions as they get better. Ending them before there's a chance for any tension to arise would be ideal, so Izzy can be left with the impression that Sammy was free and nothing bad happened.

Overall it does sound like they're making a lot of progress, so I think they'll eventually get there!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

crackerjack4u

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
15
Thank you for the input.  This is my 1st experience with a feral cat.  I've had many strays, but none have been feral. (I have one, named Malcom, who was a stray that is 20 yrs old, but lol he thinks he's a dog). 

My husband and I had discussed that it is very possible that Izzy and Sammy may have had some kind of run in, or history when they were outside too?  Sammy is very well adjusted, and I can tell that he had humans before us that loved, and cared for him at one time, I can open his crate and tell him to get it and he'll walk right in there, but poor little Izzy had zero social skills when we got her.  All she knew (or at least thought) was that everything she saw wanted to kill her, but thankfully she has come a long way already.  I have noticed that if I am petting Sammy it makes Izzy's behavior towards him worse.  It's like she's saying: "That's my momma, and you need to get away from her, or I'll smack you in the head,"   lol.    Izzy wants so badly to be friends with 1 of our dogs, but like I mentioned before, he's old, set in his ways, and just wants to be left alone.  Hopefully with time and patience though Izzy and Sammy will become good friends. 
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

crackerjack4u

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
15
Well folks, things have kind of come to a stand still, and a backslide since the short introduction of the kitties the other day. 

Izzy rarely gets close to Sammy now when he's in his cage: When he's out she's in the basement, and when she's out, he's either in the basement or in his cage.  She stopped sleeping there by him like she was doing before, and pretty much just ignores him.  When he's in his cage instead of hanging out by him, like she did before, she prefers to go off into other rooms, or retreat to the basement where she doesn't have to deal with him at all which will never work in getting them use to each other.  So for now we've went back to putting him in his cage, and her in her cage multiple times a day, and through the night, so she has no choice, but to be close to him, and realize he means her no harm. Izzy has always been the type who is fearful of everything and has had no socialization.  If something scares her she just retreats and hides.  It's really odd though that she doesn't act this way with the dogs, only Sammy, so I'm still wondering if they may have had a not so pleasant interaction when they were both outside?   Her cage sits right up against his, and she doesn't appear fearful of him, she's not hissing, growling, or slapping, but still turns her back to him so she doesn't have to look at him, or interact with him in any way.  Poor ole Sammy still acts like he just wants to be her friend, and will take his big ole paw, (Sammy is a HUGE cat, and Izzy is very small), through the cage and gently touch her with it to try to get her to play with him, but for now she wants no part of it, and ignores his friendly gestures.

 Hopefully she'll realize that he's not out to kill her, and that he's a pretty nice feller, but only time will tell. So for now, we are kind of starting over again, and will again take things slow with them, and hopefully the next out of the cage introduction will go smoother with less negative effects than the last.    Our kitties (especially Izzy) has come a long way so far, but I think we still have quite a ways to go.
 

molly92

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
1,689
Purraise
1,565
Location
Michigan
Sometimes it is two steps forward one step back! Going back to what worked before is exactly what I'd do.

My cat is similar in that she absolutely loves dogs but does not want any other cats in her space. I think it has something to do with them sharing the same resources. 

Another little trick you can try is swapping their beds/blankets, even when they're not sleeping near each other, so they can get more used to each other's scent.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

crackerjack4u

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
15
Thanks Molly. I'll try that. 

Last night went well with both of the kitties side by side in their cages. Sammy went to sleep with his body as close to Izzy's side of the cage as possible, and his paw sticking into Izzy's cage. (I'll try to get a picture of this because it is just precious), but Izzy, however, moved to the far side of her cage so he couldn't touch her, but it wasn't from a lack of him trying.   I was woke up a couple of times around 3 AM to some banging noises, and went to check on them.  They appeared to be kind of sorta playing in there, but no fighting. 

This morning we let Izzy out 1st and kept Sammy in the cage Right now we've got Sammy out of his cage and Izzy in hers.  Letting him out and keeping her in was something I debated on because she generally freaks out when she'd confined, and he's roaming around her.  She hissed and growled once when he initially came out. He stopped and hesitated about walking past her cage because He was scared of her (my hubby said well I don't blame him I'd be scared too lol).  I just called him to keep him moving forward and Izzy hasn't made another sound at him.  Now it's time to go in there, and put Sammy back up, and let Izzy out for awhile because he's been out for about 2 hours.  Keeping my fingers crossed that this process will help her face her fears a little more without causing her to get worse.  
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

crackerjack4u

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
15
Today was such a sad day. When we found Sammy he was microchipped, but the chip had the wrong name and number on it, so we were unable to  locate the owner after multiple attempts.  The owner forgot that "Mr. Kitty"  AKA Sammy had a chip, found the chip paper, and contacted the service today with the chip number, and was given my number.   The chip place called, the owner called, and my sweet Sammy has gone back to his original home.  Apparently the owner had been in the hospital for a month and his dad was suppose to be taking care of the cat while he was away, but instead, the cat ran off and remained at my house for 30 days outside, and over a month inside with no fliers, or FB lost ads or anything to give me reason to think that anyone was looking for him.  I tried everything I could to try to keep him here including offering to buy him from the owner, who has already said I'm sure he'll be back because I let him play outside a lot.  So anyway my sweet Sammy is Gone, and my heart is broken. 
 

molly92

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
1,689
Purraise
1,565
Location
Michigan
Oh no! I'm so sorry. Sammy is an easy going at and I'm sure he'll be just as happy with his other family. But I'm sorry you had to lose him.

I was starting to think that maybe Izzy would actually adapt more quickly to a cat who was less friendly than Sammy and a little more like her, so she wouldn't feel as ambushed in the introduction stage. Maybe there's another cat in waiting to be saved in your future.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

crackerjack4u

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
15
Thank you Molly.  Yeah Sammy has a 4 yr old little girl and a Chihuahua dog to play with at his other home, so hopefully he'll be fine.  My biggest concern is him getting hit by a car, or getting feline leukemia, or something. They just live on the next block over about 2 houses down so I'm sure he'll visit sometimes.  The owners appear to care about him and turned down a good amount of money to take him back home because as they said, As much as we need the money, we're going to take him home because he's family.   Sammy is certainly the lucky one because he not only has 1 but 2 families that love him. All kitties should be so lucky.   

As far as a different cat, we actually have another feral stray that wandered in a couple of days ago, but I haven't decided yet whether I'm going to try to rescue and adopt it myself, or have it fixed and release it, or what.  It's a little gray tabby cat that's been sneaking out in the yard eating the scraps that I put out for the birds, squirrels, and bunnies.  It appears to be as feral as Izzy was when we rescued her, so I'm not sure if it will be a good match for her or not.  I'll continue to watch it, and lol of course feed, and water it (It had a hamburger and a hotdog tonight for supper), and I'll figure out what I want to do with that one, and go from there. 
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

crackerjack4u

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
15
OK, I am beyond furious to say the least.  Two nights ago I was out in the yard talking with my new neighbor, and the stray gray tabby cat was out there.  The gray tabby cat took off running, and then we heard a huge cat fight going on.   I went around the building to see who it was fighting with, and it was Sammy :(.  I called Sammy and he came running over to me like a big fluffy powder puff saying help me, help me.  I picked him up, loved on him a bit while telling the new neighbor the story of Sammy.  I took him into my house to check him for wounds, and to keep the gray tabby from attacking him again.  I called his owner (no answer).  About an hour later I again called the owner (still no answer). Sammy visited with our gang for about 3 hours, ate ham and cat food-as he looks like he has lost about 3 pounds already since he went back over there.  I plan to weigh him the next time he comes over if he survives out there.  He weighed 9.4 at his last vet visit which was up from 7 just a week before.  Sammy then curled up on his favorite pet bed just like he was really glad to be home.   The owner finally called, and I told him what had happened.  I asked if he wanted me to bring him home, and he said "Nah, just let him back out, and he'll find his way back home."  (So reluctantly I did, but I sure didn't want to). 

About 30 mins later, I got a knock on my door, and my new neighbor is standing there with Sammy in her arms saying the gray tabby had jumped him again in her back yard, so she brought him back to me.  I again brought him in, checked him for wounds, and again called the neighbor, and told him that Sammy had again been attacked by the gray tabby.  He said, "Well I guess I'll have to come get him."  He came and picked him up, taking him home in my pet carrier because he doesn't even have one, so I'm not sure how he takes him to the vet when needed-(Sarcasm because I'm sure he doesn't take him to the vet because when he reclaimed him I told him Sammy had an appt. to go get his shots because I didn't know if he was up to date on his shots or not so I had planned to repeat them just to be sure.  He looked at his paperwork and said, yeah I guess he does need them because according to his paperwork his last shots were in 2014-which I'm sure they were given before he got him.)

He also informed me he had bought Sammy a collar with a bell on it.  I said, "Oh I wouldn't put a bell on him if you're going to be leaving him outside because he can't hide from the other cats with a ringing bell on him. " I also questioned whether it was a breakaway collar, so he doesn't get hung up in a storage building, or a tree somewhere, and he said no it wasn't a breakaway.  I attempted to discourage him from using this non breakaway collar with a bell on it, but odds are it will be on him anyway. 

Well, last night I took my doggy out to potty, and he scared yet another stray cat out from under our truck. (They tend to come here when in the area because they drink water out of my birdbath.   This one is a big white and orange colored cat. Most likely a Tom cat as I'm suspecting there must be a female in heat somewhere close, and it is drawing all the Tom cats in).  After the cat ran from under the truck, I heard another big cat fight going on in the neighbor's yard, I walked to where they had been fighting, but I never was able to see who it was fighting with so it could have been Sammy, or the gray tabby , or ?  I called for Sammy, but he never came, so I'm praying that he was at home, inside the house where he belongs, and wasn't attacked again).  I went back out after taking the dog back in, and sat on the porch for awhile listening for a ringing bell, but never heard one.    

I am so discouraged by all this.  I realize he's not my cat, but I can not and will not sit by and allow him to get hurt if I can prevent it.  Seriously, what's one to do? If I call and report the owner they may or may not remove Sammy from his inadequate care, and if I report him I'm sure I'll never see Sammy again, but Sammy should not be out there having to fight for his life, and risk getting diseases because he doesn't even have his shots. :( 

I thought about trying to trap the other kitties in a tender trap, and taking them to the shelter to help protect him, but I'm afraid if I set a trap I'll catch Sammy instead during the night, and the other cats will jump him while he's confined in the trap. His owner has yet to bring my carrier back, so hopefully he's using it to take Sammy to the vet, but that's very unlikely.  I offered him $200 for that cat, and he refused it saying that he's family, yet allows him to be attacked, leaves his shot not updated, etc.   I'm thinking about upping the offer, and sending up a lot more prayers that Sammy will one day come back home to me.   Any suggestions appreciated.  Thank you!   
 

molly92

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
1,689
Purraise
1,565
Location
Michigan
Oh dear! I don't really know if there's anything you can do to save Sammy from his negligent owners. You can try calling your local shelter or animal control to see if you have a case for neglect strong enough to get Sammy removed, but I'm doubtful that route would really get any results.

To cut down on the attacks, it would really help if the strays and ferals could be neutered. Their violence is all due to hormonal urges. It sounds like there are a lot of them, though, and Trap Neuter Release can be tricky if you haven't done it before. Is there a TNR group in your area that you could ask for help?

A cat will usually only fall for a humane trap once and then never go near one again if they can help it, so maybe the next time you see Sammy you could set up a trap with some food and let him go into it under your supervision. He will not like it and be glad to get out of there as soon as you let him out, and then he should know to avoid traps if you set them out for the strays. Just make sure none of the strays are around, because sometimes just seeing another cat get trapped is enough to warn them away from them, so maybe that training session could be done inside.

If you could get away with just keeping Sammy the next time he showed up and not telling the owners, I might be for that. (That's how my family got my childhood dog, and later when we found the original owners, they mentioned they were relieved when he ran away and didn't come back.) But it doesn't sound like that would work with these people.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

crackerjack4u

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
15
Thanks Molly,

I'm sure if he came up missing the owners would know the 1st place to look for him.  
  I had much rather keep upping the offer (I know he needs the money because he told us so the other day, but decided to take Sammy home instead of taking the money).  I'm hoping that eventually he will accept it  That way I can legally get Sammy, his chip paper, along with a letter from the owner signing him over to me, so I can take him to the vet for proper treatment, and never have to worry about that person being able to get his hands on him again.  I'll probably venture over that way later today to retrieve my pet carrier if he hasn't brought it back by then, and perhaps a smile, and money in hand, instead of just the verbal offer will be enough to coax him into retrieving Sammy back to me? 
 

di and bob

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2012
Messages
16,582
Purraise
22,958
Location
Nebraska, USA
I truly hope you get to keep Sammy, the owner really doesn't sound like he cares one way or another about him. I'll pray for you to keep him, PLEASE keep us posted on how things turn out. I hope that if you tell them he is truly wanted and would be cared for with love and only the best of care, they will let you care for him in your home. maybe if you said they could visit whenever they wanted to see how happy he is? (I have a feeling that wouldn't happen for too long) I can't imagine people not wanting what is clearly the best place for someone they 'say' they love, I would be thrilled if I could find such a good home for one of my strays. You will be blessed for having such a big heart, GOOD LUCK in claiming Sammy!    PS cash in hand is ALWAYS a good enticement for someone like that who needs money, I'll pray he accepts it! 
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14

crackerjack4u

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
15
Thank you Di and Bob.  As the saying goes, "Money Talks..."  I got to see him this morning in the neighbor's yard, but I was on my way to a doctor's appointment, so I didn't get a chance to give him any loving.  I did, however, stop by the story and buy some yummies just for him for when I see him again.  He looks like to me that he's lost about 3-4 pounds since the owner took him back, so I got my big scale that I use for my Ebay sales that weighs in pounds and ounces, so I can weigh him the next time I get a chance.  He was so skinny and starving when I found him.  He was right at 5 pounds, and within having him a week I got him up to 7 pounds.  The last time I took him to the vet he was up to 9.4, and the vet said he could still stand to gain another couple of pounds because he's such a big cat.  So we were well on our way, but I'm guessing his owner has messed that up, and poor Sammy is probably not getting the nutrition that he needs.  Sammy also had tape worms and was due for another repeat fecal on the 19th to make sure we had gotten them all.  I told the owner that another one was needed, but I'm sure he'll not be checked again. Anyway, I've not went over there yet but will either today or tomorrow.  I'm hoping Sammy shows back up so I can get a weight on him, and get his tummy full.  If his weight is back down, as I suspect it is, that will be one more issue I can hold against the owner should I need to take matters further.

The thing is IF the owners were taking proper care of him, even though I love him to death, I wouldn't have said a word about it or them when I had to return him, but since they're not I feel because I do love him so much that it is my place to see that he is taken care of.  I'll keep everyone posted on how things progress. 
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15

crackerjack4u

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
15
Well folks, I have some great news, and some not so great news.  The Great news is not only did I get my pet carrier back, but I am now Sammy's official owner, complete with his chip card, and a letter from the owner relinquishing ownership to me.   :) :)

The not so great news is that the house that Sammy came from is having a full blown LICE INFESTATION.  Sammy was in my house last night, and again this morning before I found this out, so I have a 1:30pm CST vet appointment to see if he has lice too because if he does treatment of him, my other animals, us, and my house will be underway immediately.  Ugggggggg keep your fingers crossed that he doesn't have Lice.  LOL it may be a good thing since I know about the lice issue that the owner actually left him outside instead of inside. Hopefully this kept him from getting infested too.  I'll keep you all posted on what I find out.    
 

raina21

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Messages
995
Purraise
682
Well folks, I have some great news, and some not so great news.  The Great news is not only did I get my pet carrier back, but I am now Sammy's official owner, complete with his chip card, and a letter from the owner relinquishing ownership to me.   :) :)

The not so great news is that the house that Sammy came from is having a full blown LICE INFESTATION.  Sammy was in my house last night, and again this morning before I found this out, so I have a 1:30pm CST vet appointment to see if he has lice too because if he does treatment of him, my other animals, us, and my house will be underway immediately.  Ugggggggg keep your fingers crossed that he doesn't have Lice.  LOL it may be a good thing since I know about the lice issue that the owner actually left him outside instead of inside. Hopefully this kept him from getting infested too.  I'll keep you all posted on what I find out.    
C crackerjack4u

If this infestation is human headlice, you have no worries. Human headlice cannot live on cats.

Dogs and cats have their own species-specific lice, meaning that the lice that affects them cannot spread to humans. Therefore, if your cat gets lice, you cannot get lice from it.

It is awesome that you are now sammy's owner though! Congrats!! Pictures please!!!
 
Last edited:

hbunny

Cat herder - Pooper Scooper
Super Cat
Joined
Feb 10, 2016
Messages
1,190
Purraise
210
Location
West Tennessee
You might want to check if Sammy came back with a blanket, towel, or anything of the such, headlice can come into your house through fabrics.  A friend of mine's daughter brought them home on a coat another little girl had borrowed :(
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #18

crackerjack4u

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
15
@Crackerjack4u

If this infestation is human headlice, you have no worries. Human headlice cannot live on cats.

Dogs and cats have their own species-specific lice, meaning that the lice that affects them cannot spread to humans. Therefore, if your cat gets lice, you cannot get lice from it.

It is awesome that you are now sammy's owner though! Congrats!! Pictures please!!!
​OH Raina21 That takes a huge load off my mind because lol I was sweating bullets for sure.  Now if I don't get head lice from the Pet Carrier sitting on their carpet in their living room floor I should be good to go.  I'll post pics after his bath. 
 

molly92

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
1,689
Purraise
1,565
Location
Michigan
So wonderful that Sammy is yours! I'm so glad he's going to be taken care of now and get the attention he deserves. Congratulations!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #20

crackerjack4u

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 4, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
15
Thank you Molly, I am too.  We are so excited to have him back in our home as a full fledge member of our family. LOL I can't say Izzy is as excited as I am about it though, so tomorrow it's back to work on socialization, but for today we are all just chillin.  Today Sammy has seemed so calm, he  just laid around resting, and sleeping as if to say, thank goodness I'm finally home. 

My hubby who is not the biggest cat person dearly fell in love with Sammy when I brought him in the 1st time, and it broke his heart too when Sammy had to leave.  (We are both disabled.  My hubby is very ill, and is going blind from his diabetes so there are very few things he really shows an interest in anymore, but Sammy was the exception). Our fur babies are literally what gets us both out of the bed each morning.  It was like him and Sammy just immediately formed this special bond between them from day 1.  Anyway, when I told my hubby this morning that Sammy will never have to leave again, he literally cried.  I told him how much I had paid to get him back, and my hubby smiled with tears in his eyes and said, "And he's worth every penny of it." 

Update from vet visit:  Sammy went to the vet today, got wormed again, was given 1 1/2  pills for inflammation, and got all his shots. He of course has fleas from being outside, we started the preventative after his bath today, but no lice-yippy lol.  He has yeast and some heavy drainage in his ears, but the ear mites are gone since we treated him the last time at the vet for those.  I have to do daily drops for 10 days in his ears, and hopefully they'll get all cleared up.   His weight was down some,  but not as much as I had feared.  He has to return in 3 weeks to have a booster for his feline leukemia, and return in 6 months to ensure that the cat fights didn't result in a bite from an infected kitty, and then hopefully it will be smooth sailing from then on.    I'll try to get some pictures soon, today was a really rough day that started with me having foot surgery this morning, and then the vet with Ole Sam Sam, but tomorrow's a new day. 
     
 
Last edited:
Top