Found an abandoned Cat on a site I clean - Don't know much about Cats

houghj3

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I clean parking lots and this Cat was in a crate on the side of a Pet Store within a mall complex.  It was cold and windy and 2 AM, so I brought the Cat back to my place.  

The Cat is very docile, and cuddles regularly with me, there's no signs of abuse or of anything wrong physically with him/her.  I am looking for advice on 2 scenarios me keeping and me re-homing.

If I decide to keep, any suggestions for a first step or series of steps?  Also the cat is barely eating.  I have tried dried kibble, wet food, hots dogs, was going to try sardines.  

If I decide to re-home I will take any suggestions for that process as well.  I have a small apartment, might be mildly allergic (only been 2 days), and I work every night at a graveyard shift so not sure it's the best fit.

A lot of questions, I know.

Advice would be great, thanks.
 

Shane Kent

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You should take it to a vet as soon as possible. If you are tight on money maybe a local animal rescue or animal shelter will assist you. Some people dump sick animals because they cannot afford or do not want to pay the vet bills. Might be why the cat is not eating much. First step should be checkup, shots and likely deworming pill.

You should provide more details such as approx age of cat, if it has a disease, etc before looking for advice on re-homing. Re-homing a sick cat that has a disease, an older cat, etc will matter a lot.
 
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houghj3

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Hey Thanks,

Figured a Vet visit would be first on the list.  Based on on-line sizing charts he's somewhere between 2-5 years old.  He's nibbling at the kibble and I think he drinks a lot of water. Is a 1/4 cup of kibble to little for him to be eating daily, it's seems low to me?

I will phone around and get some Vet quotes.

Thanks
 

Shane Kent

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My work cats eat a whole lot more than my house cats. My work cats were feral and extremely active compared to my house cats. My work cats are also a different breed than my house cats. The work cats are far more stocky. I am not an expert on how much they should eat and I let my vet be the judge. Wish I could offer more help.

There is a good article here :

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-much-food-should-i-feed-my-cat

You are an awesome person for not turning a blind eye to that poor cat. I hope everything works out well for you and the cat.

Please keep us posted and people on this site love to see cat photos, photos please
 

If you post a photo and approx. weight maybe someone else on here would have a better idea on how much the cat should be eating.
 

shadowsrescue

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Thank you so much for caring about this kitty.  It is best to get the cat right to the vet.  He/she will need some vaccines, dewormed as well as to check for spay/neuter.  This is all most important and you will want to do this sooner than later.  You want to be sure the cat is healthy.  You can also check to see if there are any low cost spay/neuter clinics in your area that will also do low cost vaccines.  Pet stores around here (ie PetsMart or Petco) often have clinics where you can get your cat vaccinated for $5-10.  You might want to check with the pet stores too.  They can't do any test or spay/neuter, but they can help defer the cost of vaccines.

Watch carefully that the kitty doesn't try to get outside.  It's often best to first keep him in a room of his own for a few days to acclimate to your home.  You don't want him trying to hide from you though.  

If you can afford it, wet food is best.  Cats don't drink a lot of water and need the water that wet food offers.  It is fine to offer some dry food too, but wet food is very helpful.  Most likely the kitty isn't eating well as he/she is frightened.  You are new to him/her and who knows what happened to him/her before you came along.

Keep us updated here.  You are truly wonderful for rescuing this little one.
 
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houghj3

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Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the helpful info.  The Cat is eating more food now, the dry kibble was gone when I got home this morning, then the wet food I put out this morning got eaten very quickly, so that worry has been put aside.  I chatted with a local Vet Clinic, looking at early April for an appointment.

After observing the Cat for 3 days, everything seems good on the surface, regular self grooming, head bumps for me, Meows when I come home, sleeps with me, litter trained (but kicked some out).

.

Couple of more questions:

I am concerned that the Cat is bored at night while I am working as I am told they are nocturnal.  I would like to make sure my neighbors aren't affected.  Any suggestions for toys, or items that will provide entertainment?  I set up make-shift forts with blankets and chairs before I left last night, but clearly have no idea how that worked as was gone.  

Also any human foods that Cats really like? Raw Salmon, Raw Sardines, I tried Jumbo Dogs (but everything did in the first few days). 

Thanks all,


 

shadowsrescue

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You are just awesome and are quite smitten with your new companion!  So glad you can get a vet appointment in the near future!

As for being bored at night, cats can learn to adapt to your schedule which is what you want!  He may be bored some of the time while you are away, but he will adjust.  Some toys to try are some catnip toys that most cats will learn to enjoy.  He can roll around with them and bat them around.  I like to find the soft ones in the shape of a mouse.  You can also try small balls that he can bat around.  Just be sure he has a bit of food and water for when you are gone.  Yet in time he will adjust to your schedule.

Do try to play/interact with him when you are home.  Most cats love wand type toys.  The Da Bird toy is usually a winner.  Some cats like to play with a laser light too, yet often once they realize they will never catch it, the fun dwindles.  My cats love simple small pieces of paper scrunched up into a ball and then I toss it across the floor.  They will bat it all over and just love to chase it.  

As for human foods, its best to only give human food for a now and then special treat.  You can use canned salmon or tuna, but only a little bit. I like to use plain cooked chicken without any spices and no frying.   Cats need the proper balance of vitamins and minerals that canned food provides to them.  A small amount of dry is good for their teeth, but not necessary.  Cats don't drink much water so canned wet food is often where they get most of their water.  Too much dry food and they can become constipated or pass hard stools.  I like to give 3/4 of the meal as wet food and 1/4 dry.  

This little one is so lucky to have you.  Does he/she have a name?
 
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houghj3

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Hey,

No name yet, I was waiting for the Vet appointment to get the sex.  I will just use Him for now.  

I will pick Him up some some feather toys in the morning.  He got bored pretty quick with the makeshift aluminum ball I left and a super ball I found before leaving for work.

Outside of that, he probably hasn't adjusted to my schedule quite yet, as he's sleeping now.

Hey guys, cool inclusive forum, thanks again for the help.
 

Shane Kent

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I go to a used store and get small stuffed toys for my cats. If they don't like what I get I don't spend a lot so it is not a big deal. If you get stuffed toys make sure no plastic parts. You want stitched eyes, nose, mouth, etc because the cat may chew the plastic parts off. You want the ones with stuffing and not the ones filled with beans or little plastic pellets. I go to a dollar store and get ball and feather on a string that is attached to a plastic stick. The dollar store don't last long but they are cheap and if the cat doesn't like to play with it you are not out a lot of money.

Don't use string toys as an unattended toy. Only use string toys when you are playing with the cat. One of my cats almost strangled himself and I was fortunate my wife was home to get the string off his neck.
 

catwoman707

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Yes, basically check for nuts, a dumped cat didn't likely have a very responsible owner, so chances are decent that he/she is not fixed, which will be a priority to get taken care of.

No nuts means either female or neutered male.

Looks-wise, makes me think male, but that's sort of winging it.

Baked or rotisserie chicken, canned tuna and other fish, and other meats, lose the hot dogs though for sure! lol

Dry only should be about 3/4 cup or more per day, but canned is definitely best, especially for males who may have a tendency of getting urinary tract infections (UTI) or blockage from crystal built up that form from a lack of plenty of fluids.

Canned provides a good deal of water needed.
 

IndyJones

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Yes, basically check for nuts, a dumped cat didn't likely have a very responsible owner, so chances are decent that he/she is not fixed, which will be a priority to get taken care of.
No nuts means either female or neutered male.
Looks-wise, makes me think male, but that's sort of winging it.

Baked or rotisserie chicken, canned tuna and other fish, and other meats, lose the hot dogs though for sure! lol

Dry only should be about 3/4 cup or more per day, but canned is definitely best, especially for males who may have a tendency of getting urinary tract infections (UTI) or blockage from crystal built up that form from a lack of plenty of fluids.
Canned provides a good deal of water needed.
Really? Than why does my Kabby still look like he has balls? I have the certificate that says he was castrated though. Just wondering why he has this.
 

catwoman707

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Occasionally a vet will leave them, no clue why, but this is quite uncommon.

Neutering is the removal of testicles, occasionally a vet for whatever reason will perform a vasectomy instead, but uncommon due to being prone to infection, and is like blindly going in and snipping the right tubes.

It also means the cat still has the urge to have sex, vs neutering which stops this behavior.

Not to mention a lot more expensive.

This is not even taught in veterinary schools which makes it even more rare to find.
 
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IndyJones

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Occasionally a vet will leave them, no clue why, but this is quite uncommon.
Neutering is the removal of testicles, occasionally a vet for whatever reason will perform a vasectomy instead, but uncommon due to being prone to infection, and is like blindly going in and snipping the right tubes.
It also means the cat still has the urge to have sex, vs neutering which stops this behavior.
This is not even taught in veterinary schools which makes it even more rare to find.
I have no idea what procedure was preformed all I know is the SPCA seized him when he was a year old. He was neutered by the SPCA vet I assume. But he still looks intact but that's okay I love his chubby cheeks.
 

Shane Kent

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That cat is a good looking cat. Thanks for the photos. You should get some cardboard scratching trays. You can get them at dollar stores where I live. You should get a few of them. Can put catnip on them to draw the cat to them. Far better the cat learn to scratch those than your furniture. Good chance as the cat gets comfortable it is going to want to claw at something. You may want to cover your couch with some blankets for a while. Can always pull them off if company comes. A small scratching post would also be a good investment.
 

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Hello houghj3, welcome to TCS :wavey:

Thank you for saving this kitty and bringing it home and giving it a warm and loving home. Bless you.

You've got great advices from the above posters. This is a great site and feel free to ask questions and do check out the important articles in the articles tab and also the other forum pages.

Do introduce yourself and your kitty to the community in 'New Cats in the Block' under the General Forums and get to know more cats here and please post more photos of your kitty.

He/she is beautiful and looks like a Domestic Shorthair Classic Tabby ;)
 
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houghj3

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Hey Everyone,

Thanks for all the help.  I hit the Dollar Store and PetSmart for some toys.  Will get him into the Vet by end of the month for a check-up and recommendations.

I will jump into the Introductory thread that Tom mentioned as well  

Thanks again, cool community.
 

anahidrose

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You got good advice here..all I want to say is, I love you for being an animal angel...I think this cat found you..and he may be a keeper...
 
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houghj3

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Hey Just an update on this thread.  I have a Vet appointment on Friday for Thermose, as a starting point.

Thermose is all over me most of the time that I am at home, and stands guard when I go out (or at least leave).  So a bit of bond has been fostered.

I have bought various toys, but she seems somewhat apathetic to most of them.  I just want to avoid boredom (especially while I am gone (8-10 hours every night).  Toys I have are a scratch toy,ramp, a tunnel, I leave the TV 

on.  I am game for suggestions.  Was considering Dig and Play for treats.

I play games with her but she only seems interested in the Dollaram laser light which after 10 minutes starts to too seem mean, thoughts.

She really likes just hanging out, which I am fine with.  I guess I a concerned being away all night with varying return times.

Jason..Thermose

 The 

 

shadowsrescue

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She is doing so very well.  Don't worry too much about her being bored.  Cats sleep a lot.  Some sleep as much as 20 hours a day.  As for play, some cats like to play while others you just never know.  Have you tried taking a string and covering all but the end with a towel?  Then start to slowly pull the string.  Most cats just love this game.  Also give her time.  When cats are in a new situation, it can take them awhile to fully adjust.  The strays I have rescued have taken a few months to want anything to do with play.  

Best of luck at the vet.  I hope it all goes well.  You might ask for an estimated age.  Vets can sometimes tell by a cats teeth.

Keep us posted.
 
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