Hello,
A cat has been living under the bushes in my yard for about a week. I could not get it to eat until I bought some Fancy Feast today. Now he's out of the bushes and acting like a pet - asking for belly rubs and sitting on the porch all day. I strongly suspect that it is an abandoned pet. It is too clean and healthy and friendly to be a stray.
I have notified all of the shelters in the area and everyone in my neighborhood. No one has claimed it.
It is young, but very mellow and affectionate. I would like to take it to the vet to confirm that it has been neutered. I probably won't even need a trap - a borrowed carrier will do.
My question is about keeping my own indoor cat safe in the meantime. How do I avoid transferring diseases? The cat looks very healthy, but looks can be deceiving.
I have been washing my hands after petting the outdoor cat and have been careful to avoid cross-contaminating food. Is there anything else I should be doing?
Does anyone have experience with introducing an abandoned cat to a very spoiled indoor cat? I have had him since he was weaned. I have read about cat introductions, but I'd rather not go down that road if it is unlikely to succeed.
Thank you for your advice.
A cat has been living under the bushes in my yard for about a week. I could not get it to eat until I bought some Fancy Feast today. Now he's out of the bushes and acting like a pet - asking for belly rubs and sitting on the porch all day. I strongly suspect that it is an abandoned pet. It is too clean and healthy and friendly to be a stray.
I have notified all of the shelters in the area and everyone in my neighborhood. No one has claimed it.
It is young, but very mellow and affectionate. I would like to take it to the vet to confirm that it has been neutered. I probably won't even need a trap - a borrowed carrier will do.
My question is about keeping my own indoor cat safe in the meantime. How do I avoid transferring diseases? The cat looks very healthy, but looks can be deceiving.
I have been washing my hands after petting the outdoor cat and have been careful to avoid cross-contaminating food. Is there anything else I should be doing?
Does anyone have experience with introducing an abandoned cat to a very spoiled indoor cat? I have had him since he was weaned. I have read about cat introductions, but I'd rather not go down that road if it is unlikely to succeed.
Thank you for your advice.