I adopted a cat today!

lemur 6

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Hey everyone,
I just adopted a cat from the humane society today. The last time I had a cat was when I was a little kid, and I missed having one ever since. She's going to get spayed Monday, so she should be home that afternoon. I'll post pictures too once she comes home and settles down. She's a 2 year old tiger/white mix stray, and has little socks, a white belly and little white wings. Haven't thought of a name yet...

I've got a question though, I've been visiting her at the shelter everyday for a week before I decided to adopt her and the whole time she was in heat. She was pretty friendly for the most part, but occasionally she got ornery and gave me a few swats, and yesterday she hissed at me briefly before returning to her happy self. Are cats in heat unpredictably aggressive like this sometimes or is that just her personality? I gave her a little tiny bit of fresh catnip today too and she got excited and had both paws on my sleeve and wouldn't let go, couldn't tell if she was mad or happy. Had to lightly touch her paws a couple times for her to get her claws off me.

-Lemur 6
 

wellingtoncats

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Hi Lemur 6,

First of all Welcome to TCS and congratulations on adopting a new cat. Just a question, how come she isn't spayed? Hopefully you will get her desexed ASAP. I'm wondering why they didn't do that at the shelter? Cats in heat are unpredictable and the best way to fix this solution is to get her fixed.


All the best,

Sam.
 
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lemur 6

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Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

Hi Lemur 6,

First of all Welcome to TCS and congratulations on adopting a new cat. Just a question, how come she isn't spayed? Hopefully you will get her desexed ASAP. I'm wondering why they didn't do that at the shelter? Cats in heat are unpredictable and the best way to fix this solution is to get her fixed.


All the best,

Sam.
Oh I think they spay/neuter cats AFTER they get adopted rather than before. I guess it cuts the shelter's costs down if the animal doesn't get adopted (seems like the number of unadopted animals is pretty high, especially adult cats). Her surgery is scheduled for monday morning so hopefully she'll go through without any problems. So you think spaying her will give her a more even temperment?

Is there any "special treatment" I should give her while she heals? Any special foods? I know I have a week to bring her to a vet to have her get a look over, and the guy at the shelter said after two days it should be okay to do, but I'd like to hear other people's opinions.
 

mikonu

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Congratulations on your new kitty! I can't wait to see their photos.


ekseabolt - Your cats are GORGEOUS!
 

cirque

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Welcome to TheCatSite. I hope you get those pictures up soon! Spaying should help a little with her temperment, but mainly you want to provide her with a home that is loving and kind. She needs to not be afraid of you or her new home. It may take some time even if her temperment is a little fiesty, but she should come around eventually.

This forum is full of great tips on things to try and I am sure lots of people will offer even more. I look forward to hearing more about you and your new experiences with your kitty.
 

yayi

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Originally Posted by Lemur 6

Oh I think they spay/neuter cats AFTER they get adopted rather than before. I guess it cuts the shelter's costs down if the animal doesn't get adopted (seems like the number of unadopted animals is pretty high, especially adult cats).

Is there any "special treatment" I should give her while she heals? Any special foods? I know I have a week to bring her to a vet to have her get a look over, and the guy at the shelter said after two days it should be okay to do, but I'd like to hear other people's opinions.
I hope in that shelter separates the males and the females or they'll be spending more than cutting on costs.

My last spay was Skinny. The only special treatment she received from me was extra attention and love.
Talk to the vet at the shelter. He'll probably prescribe antibiotics and maybe painkillers (my Skinny never complained though).
Her behavior shows that she may be a little wary of people. You'll have to be patient with her.
 

ruthiesmom

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Welcome, Lemur 6! When you bring your angel home, just make sure she has a quiet place to rest. She'll probably be nervous about being somewhere new and will want to hide for a bit. Don't worry about this; as she becomes more confident she'll come out and start exploring. You shouldn't have to feed her anything special. She's liable to be sore not to mention groggy from the anesthesia. It won't take her long to recover.

Enjoy your new baby!
 
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lemur 6

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Hey everyone,

So she came home today, and she's lying in front of her carrier being very attentive and observing everything. I posted a quick picture of her over at the fur pictures section of the forums, here's a linkie:

Kitty's Picture

have fun!

-Lemur 6
 

talon

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Awww, her eyes are so sweet - they are just begging to be loved!
 

kitty_lady48

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A few weels ago I had to take my son's cat. He makes number 3 boy and 4th kitty in the house. I isolated him in the bedroom because he was a handful when I visted my son. He hissed and snarled at me when he arrived. Within in a few days he realized that I was his friend and source of food. Since then he has calmed down 200%. I can pick him up if he is on the counter. He lets me pet him. I can't get excited like I do with my other boys.
 

sashacat421

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Originally Posted by RuthiesMom

Welcome, Lemur 6! When you bring your angel home, just make sure she has a quiet place to rest. She'll probably be nervous about being somewhere new and will want to hide for a bit. Don't worry about this; as she becomes more confident she'll come out and start exploring. You shouldn't have to feed her anything special. She's liable to be sore not to mention groggy from the anesthesia. It won't take her long to recover.

Enjoy your new baby!
Agreed, this is just what I was thinking and like Yayi says above Ruthie, too! What an ANGEL to the rescue you are. What a heart you have to do this.
Congrats and she is a beauty!!! What a gorgeous little girl. Please keep us updated on her progress.... I am very interested in your thread here, as I, too, jut adopted a month ago, a very young Maine Coon/Tabby found in the wild a bit, so I'm very interested to hear your observations on her adjustment and integration!!
Big Hug and Welcome, Lemur to TCS

Elizabeth
 

victoriankitty

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Hello and Welcome. Congratulations on your new fur baby, she sure is cute, looks a little like our cat Cupcake.
 

ugaimes

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Your new kitten is adorable! Does she have a name yet? How's she adjusting to her new home?
Congratulations on choosing to adopt a cat from a shelter- way to go!

Amy
 
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lemur 6

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Hmm... still no name... maybe just kitty for now. Was thinking about "Haneko", which is sort of a play on words, said one way it means "Tooth Kitty" in japanese, and said another way it means "winged child" also in japanese. But doesn't quite have a flow. Hard to find a name with a reference to having wings yet fits a cat well.

She's adjusting super well. She loves to be petted and learns quick too. So far she isn't a trouble maker and is generally very mellow. Not very playful though, maybe need to get her something she can stalk and pounce on (Like a Roomba vaccum! haha, kind of out of my budget for a cat toy though). She was kept in my bedroom for 2 days before she got tired of just staying in the bedroom, and now she enjoys keeping watch of the living room and occasionally coming into my bedroom to sit on my comfy chair.

Wierdest thing is, I've heard all these horror stories of how hard it is to give pills to cats, but for me it couldn't be easier. I use the little pilling tool the vet gave me, hold her cheeks so she opens her mouth, pop the pill in and she swallows.

-Lemur 6
 
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