Can we domesticate a stray cat?
March 9, 2016 9:21 PM Subscribe
Can we, should we, make this young tom cat a part of the family?
A young stray male cat has befriended us and regularly naps on our porch. I'd guess he's between six months and year old. He's very sweet, gentle, and affectionate though we know he fights with other toms.
Because of his seemingly good nature, we are considering screening, vaccinating and neutering him, and adopting him as a strictly indoor cat. We already live with two older neutered males who like each other. Our third cat passed away a few years ago and we intend to adopt again sooner or later.
We've adopted several times before though they've always been shelter kittens. While we understand some early challenges may be a fact of transitioning to home life, we know up front that we're not prepared to deal with an unsocialized or unhealthy kitty long term. Our priority is the wellness of the cats we already live with and maintaining a marginally sane household.
Are we asking for trouble or is this feasible? Can a happy young stray tom become a happy socialized domestic cat? What are your experiences with this sort of thing?
A young stray male cat has befriended us and regularly naps on our porch. I'd guess he's between six months and year old. He's very sweet, gentle, and affectionate though we know he fights with other toms.
Because of his seemingly good nature, we are considering screening, vaccinating and neutering him, and adopting him as a strictly indoor cat. We already live with two older neutered males who like each other. Our third cat passed away a few years ago and we intend to adopt again sooner or later.
We've adopted several times before though they've always been shelter kittens. While we understand some early challenges may be a fact of transitioning to home life, we know up front that we're not prepared to deal with an unsocialized or unhealthy kitty long term. Our priority is the wellness of the cats we already live with and maintaining a marginally sane household.
Are we asking for trouble or is this feasible? Can a happy young stray tom become a happy socialized domestic cat? What are your experiences with this sort of thing?
There's some risk of a late neuter spraying, or being a bit of a pain in the ass about getting outside. But health isn't a big concern - he's survived relatively challenging conditions. And he's demonstrated that he's friendly. And neutered males generally get along pretty well, so I wouldn't sweat the cat relations too much. I'd get him fixed, quarantine him in the bathroom or a spare room for a couple of weeks, and see how it goes. Worst that happens is that he goes back outside and there's a fixed outdoor cat in your hood instead of a fighty, fucky unfixed male.
posted by wotsac at 10:01 PM on March 9, 2016 [13 favorites]
posted by wotsac at 10:01 PM on March 9, 2016 [13 favorites]
Dude, he's trying to become a happy healthy indoor cat. Will you not take the hint?
He's YOUR CAT
posted by tel3path at 10:34 PM on March 9, 2016 [23 favorites]
He's YOUR CAT
posted by tel3path at 10:34 PM on March 9, 2016 [23 favorites]
I had a cat run away from the house where he was staying while I went cross country. Run away and turn tom. And he came up on the back porch of that house nearly six months to the day when I went to bury a kitten he had sired. Came up jowled and yowling and came within reach and that was it. I had him for the next 17 years.
And for about 15 of those years he was committed to the Great Escape. You can take this cat in but be forewarned -- he is going to be the prisoner of love for most of his life and you are going to have to watch him like a hawk and know exactly where he is anytime a door or window is open.
And you have to do this. Lest you have to watch a beloved cat die run over crushed and bloody and convulsing in your hands. Which, trust me, you will never forget.
Take him indoors. It can be done. And it is worth it. But you are going to have to do the work. And you have to be up for it for the entire long haul.
Don't Let the Cat Out is going to be your constant comment because you are going to have to watch every person who comes in your house lest they leave a door unclosed or open a window in another room. It means being on your toes when anyone comes over. Never forget that.
posted by y2karl at 10:36 PM on March 9, 2016 [4 favorites]
And for about 15 of those years he was committed to the Great Escape. You can take this cat in but be forewarned -- he is going to be the prisoner of love for most of his life and you are going to have to watch him like a hawk and know exactly where he is anytime a door or window is open.
And you have to do this. Lest you have to watch a beloved cat die run over crushed and bloody and convulsing in your hands. Which, trust me, you will never forget.
Take him indoors. It can be done. And it is worth it. But you are going to have to do the work. And you have to be up for it for the entire long haul.
Don't Let the Cat Out is going to be your constant comment because you are going to have to watch every person who comes in your house lest they leave a door unclosed or open a window in another room. It means being on your toes when anyone comes over. Never forget that.
posted by y2karl at 10:36 PM on March 9, 2016 [4 favorites]
At the very least getting him neutered will be a benefit to the neighborhood, even if he doesn't take to indoor life.
posted by MsMolly at 11:09 PM on March 9, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by MsMolly at 11:09 PM on March 9, 2016 [11 favorites]
This is totally doable. My mom adopted a stray cat that was constantly hanging around her porch (the late, great Pretty Boy). He too was very friendly and affectionate. He was skittish with the rest of us but he let my mom get close to him. He got to the point where she was able to pet him and scritch behind the ears. After awhile she started putting the food she had been leaving out for him in the little vestibule area, leaving the sliding door to the back porch open just enough for him to come and go. She also put down a scratching pad and some pillows near his food bowl. One night when he came in, she closed the door. He yowled for awhile but soon settled in. After a few weeks he was Lord of His new domain and could be found on her lap, following her around in the kitchen, or next to her pillow when she was in bed.
My mom had cats when she adopted Pretty Boy. She kept the original group and him in separate rooms for a bit after she got him inside. One day he ran out when she opened the door, and that was that. Pretty Boy was always a bit stand-offish with the other cats but they lived in relative peace (except for the occasional evening frenzies cats get).
She did everything you're planning on doing - took him to the vet, got him vaccinated and neutered, got a physical for him, flea medication, etc. He did get out a couple of times but he wasn't too aggressive about making a break for it. He always came back. As time went on he was less and less interested in getting out. He was an adult cat when she got him (not sure how old probably three or four years) and went on to live another 7 or so very happy years as an indoor cat. We all miss him - he retained his friendly nature and was a wonderful kitty.
As a counter point to my own story here - my mom recently tried that same technique with another stray cat she's been feeding recently. Let's just say that did not work out. New Kitty never settled in to being a house cat, peed all over the kitchen (where she was keeping him), hissed and yowled constantly - in a very distressed manner which Pretty Boy never did - and after about 10 days or so, chewed through a screen on the window and escaped. He still comes around for food and the occasional petting but he's made it clear that he's not going to be her indoor kitty, no way no how.
All that said, given that your kitty seems to be the friendly type I'd say go for it. It may not work out (be prepared to let him back out in that case) but it's absolutely worth a shot.
posted by moxiequz at 11:12 PM on March 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
My mom had cats when she adopted Pretty Boy. She kept the original group and him in separate rooms for a bit after she got him inside. One day he ran out when she opened the door, and that was that. Pretty Boy was always a bit stand-offish with the other cats but they lived in relative peace (except for the occasional evening frenzies cats get).
She did everything you're planning on doing - took him to the vet, got him vaccinated and neutered, got a physical for him, flea medication, etc. He did get out a couple of times but he wasn't too aggressive about making a break for it. He always came back. As time went on he was less and less interested in getting out. He was an adult cat when she got him (not sure how old probably three or four years) and went on to live another 7 or so very happy years as an indoor cat. We all miss him - he retained his friendly nature and was a wonderful kitty.
As a counter point to my own story here - my mom recently tried that same technique with another stray cat she's been feeding recently. Let's just say that did not work out. New Kitty never settled in to being a house cat, peed all over the kitchen (where she was keeping him), hissed and yowled constantly - in a very distressed manner which Pretty Boy never did - and after about 10 days or so, chewed through a screen on the window and escaped. He still comes around for food and the occasional petting but he's made it clear that he's not going to be her indoor kitty, no way no how.
All that said, given that your kitty seems to be the friendly type I'd say go for it. It may not work out (be prepared to let him back out in that case) but it's absolutely worth a shot.
posted by moxiequz at 11:12 PM on March 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
He's in the process of adopting you. It's sort of a thing that some will do - often the ones that are only "lightly" stray. A great many people acquire cats this way. Enjoy your new buddy - he chose you, and that's often the best kind.
posted by stormyteal at 11:57 PM on March 9, 2016 [10 favorites]
posted by stormyteal at 11:57 PM on March 9, 2016 [10 favorites]
Do it. I did this with a young female stray many years ago, and she became the most beloved animal I've ever owned. He wants to be your kitty. Let him.
posted by ananci at 12:01 AM on March 10, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by ananci at 12:01 AM on March 10, 2016 [5 favorites]
Even if he reacts poorly to being inside, getting him neutered and otherwise seen to by a vet is a great thing you can do for your neighborhood. But honestly, you are being chosen. It's a blessing, if you like that sort of thing.
posted by Mizu at 12:48 AM on March 10, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by Mizu at 12:48 AM on March 10, 2016 [5 favorites]
The best cat I've ever known started his life with me as an unneutered stray who chose me. Do it!
posted by tiger tiger at 1:19 AM on March 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by tiger tiger at 1:19 AM on March 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
I've got a spayed stray, and she's fine (not 100% sure about me all the time, but 100% sure that she loves my other cats and that indoors is the PLACE TO BE forever -- this was cemented that one time I accidentally locked her on the front balcony overnight during a storm and she shat all over my neighbour's balcony).
She was spayed and tested for all relevant diseases before she came in, though; I recommend this.
posted by jeather at 2:41 AM on March 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
She was spayed and tested for all relevant diseases before she came in, though; I recommend this.
posted by jeather at 2:41 AM on March 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
My parents' current cat was one that started hanging out in their yard, then moved to hanging out on my dad's lap when he was sitting outside. They brought her in, took her to the vet (she had quite a few parasites), and now she very happily lives indoors. She doesn't make any attempt to get out, ever. FWIW, she is one of the quirkiest cats I've met, but she does keep my parents quite entertained.
Congrats on your new feline companion!
posted by Fig at 3:18 AM on March 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
Congrats on your new feline companion!
posted by Fig at 3:18 AM on March 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
Over the years many of the cats I've had have just shown up and stayed. (Rural area) One literally jumped and attached himself to my screen door. We let him in and he went right to the middle of the living room floor, lay down and never left.
Others have been more skittish. One of my current ones got into the farmhouse basement, wouldn't let us near her but was happy enough for a month eating the food we left on the stairs and hanging out. One day we opened the basement door she wandered in, had a stare down with the two other cats and stayed. She is now one of the most affectionate cats I've ever had.
At another house, there was an old tom that was just there when we moved in. He hung out but would never come inside. We'd give him food. The first winter he stayed outside. Second winter I opened the basement door one morning and he ran in. I told him, look I know it's cold out there, you can stay if you use a litter box. He did. I had three other indoor cats at the time. He stayed in the basement and only occasionally came up to the landing. The other cats just ignored him. They seemed to just accept that this was the downstairs guy. We're the upstairs ones. In the spring he went back outside. This went on for several years. Our winter cat.
posted by Jalliah at 3:32 AM on March 10, 2016 [4 favorites]
Others have been more skittish. One of my current ones got into the farmhouse basement, wouldn't let us near her but was happy enough for a month eating the food we left on the stairs and hanging out. One day we opened the basement door she wandered in, had a stare down with the two other cats and stayed. She is now one of the most affectionate cats I've ever had.
At another house, there was an old tom that was just there when we moved in. He hung out but would never come inside. We'd give him food. The first winter he stayed outside. Second winter I opened the basement door one morning and he ran in. I told him, look I know it's cold out there, you can stay if you use a litter box. He did. I had three other indoor cats at the time. He stayed in the basement and only occasionally came up to the landing. The other cats just ignored him. They seemed to just accept that this was the downstairs guy. We're the upstairs ones. In the spring he went back outside. This went on for several years. Our winter cat.
posted by Jalliah at 3:32 AM on March 10, 2016 [4 favorites]
Bonus Cat was a young, unneutered male stray, and he is now a sweet, buttery loaf of a housecat. I asked this question back when I was trying to figure out what to do for him, and got some really useful advice. He took remarkably well to indoor life after an initial adjustment period and some veterinary care. Not every stray can adjust, but many do!
Here's how the adjustment period went:
- Initially, he slept all the time. Turns out he had feline infectious anemia, which is easily treated with a course of medication.
- Once he recovered from that, he had enough energy to realize he wanted to be outside trying to pick up lady cats, and complained day and night. Neutering fixed that almost immediately, thank goodness. He did have to have a clean bill of health before the vet would neuter him, though.
- He was used to food being scarce and would steal stuff from the counter. We free-fed him until he got the message that he wasn't going to starve. He's still very food-motivated and opportunistic about scraps and stuff left on the counter, but it's nowhere near as bad.
Since you have other cats, keep him isolated until he's healthy and neutered, and prepare for a slow introduction process. It may not work and you have to mentally steel yourself for rehoming him. But if you can get him inside and healthy, he can be someone's indoor pet, if not necessarily yours, and he will be much happier for it.
posted by Metroid Baby at 3:45 AM on March 10, 2016 [7 favorites]
Here's how the adjustment period went:
- Initially, he slept all the time. Turns out he had feline infectious anemia, which is easily treated with a course of medication.
- Once he recovered from that, he had enough energy to realize he wanted to be outside trying to pick up lady cats, and complained day and night. Neutering fixed that almost immediately, thank goodness. He did have to have a clean bill of health before the vet would neuter him, though.
- He was used to food being scarce and would steal stuff from the counter. We free-fed him until he got the message that he wasn't going to starve. He's still very food-motivated and opportunistic about scraps and stuff left on the counter, but it's nowhere near as bad.
Since you have other cats, keep him isolated until he's healthy and neutered, and prepare for a slow introduction process. It may not work and you have to mentally steel yourself for rehoming him. But if you can get him inside and healthy, he can be someone's indoor pet, if not necessarily yours, and he will be much happier for it.
posted by Metroid Baby at 3:45 AM on March 10, 2016 [7 favorites]
Yes! We have taken in many strays over the years and they became gentle, loving pets. And even if you let him live outside, do get him neutered and get his shots, he will have a longer, happier life and not contribute feral kittens nobody cares for.
He may spend a great deal of time trying to get out, he may not get on with your other cats, but they can work that out even if it becomes an uneasy truce. Being young is in his favor, do it now. He wants to be your kitty, give him that chance.
posted by mermayd at 4:47 AM on March 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
He may spend a great deal of time trying to get out, he may not get on with your other cats, but they can work that out even if it becomes an uneasy truce. Being young is in his favor, do it now. He wants to be your kitty, give him that chance.
posted by mermayd at 4:47 AM on March 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Are you very sure that this cat doesn't already have a home? While I agree that all cats should be spayed or neutered, not everyone feels this way.
posted by FencingGal at 4:59 AM on March 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by FencingGal at 4:59 AM on March 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
Cats have survived as a species by basically domesticating themselves.
All cats are different, but, yes it's common.
Side note: your stray may be someone else's "lost" cat looking for a new home. They do this sometimes. Our cat Silk disappeared one day. We suspected she might have met a tragic end, but also speculated that perhaps she was tired of Suede, the dominant cat, picking on her too much. About six months after her disappearance, we got a call from a vet. Someone brought her in for a checkup and shots, and our contact info showed up via microchip. The new family offered to return her to us, saying that she had just started hanging around their house a couple blocks from us and eventually moved in. We told them to take good care of her if they wanted to keep her, because obviously she preferred living there.
posted by The Deej at 5:21 AM on March 10, 2016 [5 favorites]
All cats are different, but, yes it's common.
Side note: your stray may be someone else's "lost" cat looking for a new home. They do this sometimes. Our cat Silk disappeared one day. We suspected she might have met a tragic end, but also speculated that perhaps she was tired of Suede, the dominant cat, picking on her too much. About six months after her disappearance, we got a call from a vet. Someone brought her in for a checkup and shots, and our contact info showed up via microchip. The new family offered to return her to us, saying that she had just started hanging around their house a couple blocks from us and eventually moved in. We told them to take good care of her if they wanted to keep her, because obviously she preferred living there.
posted by The Deej at 5:21 AM on March 10, 2016 [5 favorites]
Two of our three cats were taken in as strays, one at about a year old and the other as a kitten younger than the normal adoption age. They are both terrific indoor house cats and very friendly, except that they will apparently never stop hating each other. (Our corgi is the self-appointed sergeant-at-arms and always rushing in to break up cat fights.) I expect a lot will depend on how well the existing cats take to newcomers.
posted by Flexagon at 7:49 AM on March 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Flexagon at 7:49 AM on March 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
My now-wife, her then-roommate, and I successfully adopted a stray. I saw what I assumed was a large kitten in the road and went to coax it out of the road. She then ran to me, so I picked her up and walked her the two blocks home. We had her checked out by a vet (she had been spayed by a TNR (TSR?) program), so she just needed vaccines and to be de-fleaed. She adapted very quickly to indoor life (on multiple occasions I actually saw her sniff the air when the door was opened and immediately turn around to move further into the house) and to the other two (neutered male) cats living in the house. Good luck with your new addition!
posted by vakker at 8:51 AM on March 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by vakker at 8:51 AM on March 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you for all your great advice. This is more encouraging than I expected.
As part of his initial screening we'll ask the vet to scan for a chip. Our neighbors don't recognize him, and we saw him coming and going through the worst winter nights, but he sure is good with people. We assume he's either from a home with relaxed ideas about pet freedom or he's been abandoned or lost. A beloved cat simply disappeared when I was a boy, before chips existed, so we'll do all we can to avoid a catnapping. Er...
An additional Q: He has a recent bite on his ear and it's healing nicely. It looks like a cat bite and we know he's fought. We've handled him carefully with gloves since we noticed it, though there's been no change in his behavior. Do we wait till it's healed to contact a vet? Would a vet assume the worst about an unknown bite?
posted by methinks at 8:57 AM on March 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
As part of his initial screening we'll ask the vet to scan for a chip. Our neighbors don't recognize him, and we saw him coming and going through the worst winter nights, but he sure is good with people. We assume he's either from a home with relaxed ideas about pet freedom or he's been abandoned or lost. A beloved cat simply disappeared when I was a boy, before chips existed, so we'll do all we can to avoid a catnapping. Er...
An additional Q: He has a recent bite on his ear and it's healing nicely. It looks like a cat bite and we know he's fought. We've handled him carefully with gloves since we noticed it, though there's been no change in his behavior. Do we wait till it's healed to contact a vet? Would a vet assume the worst about an unknown bite?
posted by methinks at 8:57 AM on March 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
So I've fostered about ten cats so far, mostly friendly strays but sometimes ferals. My experience, and the experience of the organization that I work with, is that friendly cats of all ages can easily adapt to life indoors. Feral cats — those who are afraid of humans and who you have to trap — tend to only adjust if they're fairly young (under a year or so). I've had semi-feral cats (terrified of humans) who were older than that who adjusted well, but it took lots of patience. That doesn't sound like this situation at all, though; he sounds like what we call a friendly. Definitely scan for chips (and try adding a collar to him with a tag with your phone number, to see if anyone calls?), but they're abandoned more often than you'd think.
I'd suggest bringing him into a bathroom or bedroom and definitely keep him separate from your cats until he's been quarantined and vetted. Your vet can screen for transmissible diseases, neuter him, give him flea and worm treatments, and provide all of his vaccinations. Chances are that a healing bite won't be a big deal, and you should check with your vet there. The quarantine period for rabies is very short, if he picked up rabies it would manifest visibly in him within ten days.
As people have suggested, if he doesn't adapt you can always continue to treat him as a (now fixed!) outdoor cat, but honestly I think the odds are hugely in his favor — both his age and his attitude suggest that you'll have no trouble at all. If he doesn't get along with your existing cats, you shouldn't have trouble re-homing him, but if you follow these (very conservative) cat integration guidelines you're very likely to be okay there.
One final note: while some cats do always want to escape again, most friendlies I've met have pretty quickly decided that they're utterly delighted with indoor life, and in fact avoid the doors like the plague. I had a super-energetic, super-intelligent foster who had a hard time adjusting to indoor life for a while, and I tried taking him out on a halter to give him some play time. He just sat at the door and cried pathetically, and wouldn't leave my lap for days — I think he thought I was going to abandon him again! It broke my heart.
Bring this little dude in. I very much doubt you'll regret it, even if it takes a little bit of an adjustment period.
posted by you're a kitty! at 9:23 AM on March 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
I'd suggest bringing him into a bathroom or bedroom and definitely keep him separate from your cats until he's been quarantined and vetted. Your vet can screen for transmissible diseases, neuter him, give him flea and worm treatments, and provide all of his vaccinations. Chances are that a healing bite won't be a big deal, and you should check with your vet there. The quarantine period for rabies is very short, if he picked up rabies it would manifest visibly in him within ten days.
As people have suggested, if he doesn't adapt you can always continue to treat him as a (now fixed!) outdoor cat, but honestly I think the odds are hugely in his favor — both his age and his attitude suggest that you'll have no trouble at all. If he doesn't get along with your existing cats, you shouldn't have trouble re-homing him, but if you follow these (very conservative) cat integration guidelines you're very likely to be okay there.
One final note: while some cats do always want to escape again, most friendlies I've met have pretty quickly decided that they're utterly delighted with indoor life, and in fact avoid the doors like the plague. I had a super-energetic, super-intelligent foster who had a hard time adjusting to indoor life for a while, and I tried taking him out on a halter to give him some play time. He just sat at the door and cried pathetically, and wouldn't leave my lap for days — I think he thought I was going to abandon him again! It broke my heart.
Bring this little dude in. I very much doubt you'll regret it, even if it takes a little bit of an adjustment period.
posted by you're a kitty! at 9:23 AM on March 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
Bonus Cat had a big bite on his leg, probably from a tougher cat, when first we took him to the vet - in fact, that's how we caught him and why we adopted him. Rabies is very rarely transmitted between cats, but where we live, an unvaccinated cat with a bite of unknown origin require a six-month rabies quarantine, which could be done by keeping him indoors at home. The laws vary from state to state.
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:30 AM on March 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:30 AM on March 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
He's YOUR CAT
Well, reverse subject and object, but yes. That's how ours wound up here. Coincidentally, she too had a bit taken off her ear. It does not make her look tough.
Good mouser, so there's that.
posted by BWA at 4:40 PM on March 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
Well, reverse subject and object, but yes. That's how ours wound up here. Coincidentally, she too had a bit taken off her ear. It does not make her look tough.
Good mouser, so there's that.
posted by BWA at 4:40 PM on March 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
Do we wait till it's healed to contact a vet? Would a vet assume the worst about an unknown
A vet that's used to dealing with outdoor cats won't be surprised. Intact males fight. This guy has a lot more to worry about from FIV and FELV than from rabies.
posted by wotsac at 5:40 PM on March 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
A vet that's used to dealing with outdoor cats won't be surprised. Intact males fight. This guy has a lot more to worry about from FIV and FELV than from rabies.
posted by wotsac at 5:40 PM on March 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Oh, and I was going to add that for the bit of concern about trying to get outside I expressed earlier, my adult semi-feral is the one cat in my house who has expressed no interest in getting out. He might go outside to inspect if all the others got out and gave the premises a clean bill of health. But if you've spent some time being cold, hungry and afraid of unfamiliar things, then indoors is a very, very appealing place.
posted by wotsac at 5:45 PM on March 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by wotsac at 5:45 PM on March 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: We've collared him with our phone number and we're coordinating the sequence of vet appointments.
He disappeared all day yesterday and, concerned, we found him late last night, a block away, in the middle of courtship. He was happy to see us but got back to the situation in short order. So. Such is outdoor life.
I will report back when we know more. Thank you again for all your excellent advice and encouragement.
posted by methinks at 6:37 AM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
He disappeared all day yesterday and, concerned, we found him late last night, a block away, in the middle of courtship. He was happy to see us but got back to the situation in short order. So. Such is outdoor life.
I will report back when we know more. Thank you again for all your excellent advice and encouragement.
posted by methinks at 6:37 AM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
I adopted the very sweetest kitten under similar circumstances. Not to deter you but just to warn you -- my formerly feral buddy never lost his taste for the outdoors, even though he got along great (after an initial bumpy period) with my first cat and was a lovebug in general. He would hurl himself outside whenever he could, sometimes knocking me down in his excitement. He picked up something on one of these adventures and got really sick (and now requires two pills twice a day as a result). None of this should stop you, of course, but there are some downsides to the call of the wild.
posted by *s at 11:06 AM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by *s at 11:06 AM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Update:
He tested negative for diseases and received his vaccinations shortly after I first posted.
The low-cost neutering program wouldn't take him till his system could process the vaccinations, so he is scheduled to be neutered this week.
We tried keeping him inside and he reluctantly used the litter box with no messes elsewhere, though his un-neutered urine odor was unbearable so he's been happily sleeping inside most days, venturing out to do his business in the evenings, and returning most nights. He's still eager to roam.
This slow assimilation has given the other cats a chance to smell, hear and occasionally see him, and so far it doesn't appear to be a disaster for anyone (other than a superficial nervous love bite to my thumb from our biggest cat which required a dose of preventative antibiotics). There's minimal hissing but nothing to distract from food and other interests.
After he's neutered we'll try keeping him inside fulltime, hoping his urine odor disappears and he uses the box like a pro. Then slowly introduce living with the other cats, then juggle flea and worm meds for all.
It's a little nerve racking and we have a few more hurdles, but so far so good. This is happening because of all your encouragement.
I'll report back once more, after we've transitioned (or not) to indoors life.
posted by methinks at 10:19 AM on April 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
He tested negative for diseases and received his vaccinations shortly after I first posted.
The low-cost neutering program wouldn't take him till his system could process the vaccinations, so he is scheduled to be neutered this week.
We tried keeping him inside and he reluctantly used the litter box with no messes elsewhere, though his un-neutered urine odor was unbearable so he's been happily sleeping inside most days, venturing out to do his business in the evenings, and returning most nights. He's still eager to roam.
This slow assimilation has given the other cats a chance to smell, hear and occasionally see him, and so far it doesn't appear to be a disaster for anyone (other than a superficial nervous love bite to my thumb from our biggest cat which required a dose of preventative antibiotics). There's minimal hissing but nothing to distract from food and other interests.
After he's neutered we'll try keeping him inside fulltime, hoping his urine odor disappears and he uses the box like a pro. Then slowly introduce living with the other cats, then juggle flea and worm meds for all.
It's a little nerve racking and we have a few more hurdles, but so far so good. This is happening because of all your encouragement.
I'll report back once more, after we've transitioned (or not) to indoors life.
posted by methinks at 10:19 AM on April 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Okay, we've had him inside exclusively for a couple of weeks, and so far so good.
The new-kid anxiety coupled with his outdoor defenses made the first few days a little stressful, but he's catching on quickly to what will and won't be rewarded in this household. He's learning that he doesn't have to fight for anything. The other two cats are now able to nap and play near him without fear he'll provoke, and vice versa. We can see they're interested in initiating play with each other.
His terrible odor was gone three weeks after neutering and he took to the litter box like an old pro. His hormones will continue to settle over coming weeks, too. And we've learned a few valuable tricks that smoothed this over.
We'll be getting to know each other better but it seems he's basically good natured, gregarious, and appreciative to have a home, and we're glad to have a new member of the family.
Fingers remain crossed. It's looking good. Thanks again, everyone, for all your good ideas and feedback. You helped give this kitty a new life, and us a new chapter.
posted by methinks at 9:58 AM on May 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
The new-kid anxiety coupled with his outdoor defenses made the first few days a little stressful, but he's catching on quickly to what will and won't be rewarded in this household. He's learning that he doesn't have to fight for anything. The other two cats are now able to nap and play near him without fear he'll provoke, and vice versa. We can see they're interested in initiating play with each other.
His terrible odor was gone three weeks after neutering and he took to the litter box like an old pro. His hormones will continue to settle over coming weeks, too. And we've learned a few valuable tricks that smoothed this over.
We'll be getting to know each other better but it seems he's basically good natured, gregarious, and appreciative to have a home, and we're glad to have a new member of the family.
Fingers remain crossed. It's looking good. Thanks again, everyone, for all your good ideas and feedback. You helped give this kitty a new life, and us a new chapter.
posted by methinks at 9:58 AM on May 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rtha at 10:01 PM on March 9, 2016 [3 favorites]