There has been a cat wandering about my block of flats for a few months now, especially when I took my own cat for walks on her leash. However, the cat has remained under my window, sometimes for full days and nights. I began feeding it, thinking it was a stray (it once ate a whole mouse outside my window), and eventually we built a shelter for it as winter set in. To ensure that the cat was a stray, I attached a collar with my phone number and a message to his neck, yet there was no reply and the collar dissapeared after a few days. The cat has always been well fed and groomed, but I am well aware that that could be due to the generosity of me and my neighbours. At the moment, it is very cold outside, and despite the shelter and feeding, the cat remains cold and wet. I have been gradually introducing him to my home, and plan to take him in, check for microchips and perhaps keep him. However, I am still not sure whether this is a good idea, and whether the cat really is a stray. He is quite friendly, neutered, and responds well to attention, stroking and grooming, and has become quite attached to my family. I am also slightly worried on the impact on my other cat, who seems to be fairly unfriendly, if not outright aggressive, to him (though the feeling is mutual) though this may be due to a competition for territory. I would also appreciate advice on how to catch him, as he is usually outside.
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Stray Cat Query
- Thread starter franek
- Start Date
The best way to catch him would be to use a humane trap. It would keep him safe. Yet you also could try feeding him in a cat carrier and once he gets inside, quickly close the door. I find a humane trap easier to work with. Have you ever tried to pick him up? If so , he might be easy to get into a carrier.
The first step is the vet. As you mentioned, to check for microchip as well as get up to date on vaccines and virus testing. You want him to have a clean bill of health first.
When you bring him inside, he will need a room of his own. You can use a spare bedroom, office, or even a bathroom is necessary. he will need this space to acclimate to indoor living before meeting your resident cat. If you plan to use a bedroom, be sure the bed is either flat on the floor or pick up. Under the bed is the first place a cat will go to hide and it's almost impossible to get them out. Also block behind and under large pieces of furniture. Do have a safe hiding spot for him such as a box with a soft bed inside or the hiding hole of a cat tree. Be sure that any cords from window blinds are out of reach.
Also be sure to have litter box or two. He may know about litter boxes, but be prepared. Keep his food away from the litter box.
After he is acclimated to your home and the humans, you can start cat to cat intros. Remember that cats are very territorial creatures. Your resident cat owns all of the territory and will now be asked to share. This process can take a few weeks to a few months to many many months. It all depends on the tempermment of the cats as well as the intro process.
Here are some articles and a video on cat to cat intros. The best advice I can give is to take it slowly. Most of us rush the process and the cats end of not ready. Slow and steady wins the race.
Thank you so much for wanting to help this sweet one.
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/
The first step is the vet. As you mentioned, to check for microchip as well as get up to date on vaccines and virus testing. You want him to have a clean bill of health first.
When you bring him inside, he will need a room of his own. You can use a spare bedroom, office, or even a bathroom is necessary. he will need this space to acclimate to indoor living before meeting your resident cat. If you plan to use a bedroom, be sure the bed is either flat on the floor or pick up. Under the bed is the first place a cat will go to hide and it's almost impossible to get them out. Also block behind and under large pieces of furniture. Do have a safe hiding spot for him such as a box with a soft bed inside or the hiding hole of a cat tree. Be sure that any cords from window blinds are out of reach.
Also be sure to have litter box or two. He may know about litter boxes, but be prepared. Keep his food away from the litter box.
After he is acclimated to your home and the humans, you can start cat to cat intros. Remember that cats are very territorial creatures. Your resident cat owns all of the territory and will now be asked to share. This process can take a few weeks to a few months to many many months. It all depends on the tempermment of the cats as well as the intro process.
Here are some articles and a video on cat to cat intros. The best advice I can give is to take it slowly. Most of us rush the process and the cats end of not ready. Slow and steady wins the race.
Thank you so much for wanting to help this sweet one.
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/
