I've got a new cat

[The Sum of Awe]

I've decided I'm keeping her. She was lost on the street and followed me home, can't find her owner, and after being on the fence for so long, I nailed down the decision to keep her.

I don't know if she has had her shots yet, but I am not going to worry about it. She had a collar on her when I found her, and she is almost 6 months old by the looks of her, so I assume she's been given shots. If not, I heard they are not mandatory anyways.

I would like to get her fixed, that'll be pricey. I don't know if she is or not. Seems necessary if I don't want kittens or for her to go into heat.

I think I won't declaw her.

One thing I'm concerned about is litter box training. What's the easiest way to do this?

I plan on keeping her indoors, but I've been letting her go outside with me when I sit outside. I let her roam around and sit in my garage. I think I can trust her to come back, she already left and came back, so I let her go out of my eyesight. Not sure if that's a good idea or not.

I need to buy a scratching post for sure. I bought her a few toys she hasn't played with yet. She's been sleeping in my bed with me and on my couch so I don't think I need a bed for her.

Anything else I should know? I'm still a little nervous about this, but I think it's just because I haven't had a pet of my own before and I'm not used to it.

 

[Exaltist Ethan]

Anything else I should know?

First of all, it is so kind of you to do this. You've probably saved her life.

I think you're doing a good job so far, but, I would like to note that cat videos get hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. You could post some funny two-minute cat videos with her and make those YouTube millions. Every cat video I see on YouTube has a lot of views and there can never be enough cat content on YouTube, no matter how much there already is.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

First of all, it is so kind of you to do this. You've probably saved her life.

I think you're doing a good job so far, but, I would like to note that cat videos get hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. You could post some funny two-minute cat videos with her and make those YouTube millions. Every cat video I see on YouTube has a lot of views and there can never be enough cat content on YouTube, no matter how much there already is.

I like the idea! I'll keep that in mind.

I've already recorded her trying to catch a fly from inside a box. She had to stretch her arm very awkwardly over the side while being careful not to scare the fly away.

 

[Heyo]

I've decided I'm keeping her. She was lost on the street and followed me home, can't find her owner, and after being on the fence for so long, I nailed down the decision to keep her.

Congratulations to your new roommate.

I don't know if she has had her shots yet, but I am not going to worry about it. She had a collar on her when I found her, and she is almost 6 months old by the looks of her, so I assume she's been given shots. If not, I heard they are not mandatory anyways.

You should take her to the vet anyway. She may be chipped and registered.

I would like to get her fixed, that'll be pricey. I don't know if she is or not. Seems necessary if I don't want kittens or for her to go into heat.

I didn't sterilize mine because I was angry about the prize hike. last year it cost €90, now €180. But as I have learned that adjustment came after nearly 20 years of stable prizes. Once the kitties are old enough, the mothers will be sterilized.

I think I won't declaw her.

Don't do it. When she's outside she needs her claws. And she won't shredder your furniture if she has a scratch post.

One thing I'm concerned about is litter box training. What's the easiest way to do this?

Cats are very cleanly on their own. Mine no longer need a litter box at all, they just go outside.
If you keep her inside it is important that she accepts the litter brand. Don't be cheap on that. And clean the box very frequently.
If she doesn't use the litter box it is a sign of her being ill or discontent.

I plan on keeping her indoors, but I've been letting her go outside with me when I sit outside. I let her roam around and sit in my garage. I think I can trust her to come back, she already left and came back, so I let her go out of my eyesight. Not sure if that's a good idea or not.

As long as she's happy with you, she'll always return. I take mine with me when I travel, friends, parents, medieval market and they can roam there as well. They know where their food is and they always return.

I need to buy a scratching post for sure. I bought her a few toys she hasn't played with yet. She's been sleeping in my bed with me and on my couch so I don't think I need a bed for her.

A scratching post is a must if she can't roam freely. Better multiple. You can also get scratching mats you can hang over your furniture if she likes to use those.

Anything else I should know? I'm still a little nervous about this, but I think it's just because I haven't had a pet of my own before and I'm not used to it.

Cats are very low maintenance, especially if they can roam freely. All they need to know is innate. The vet will tell you what she needs, shots, anthelmintic therapy, pest repellent, when to sterilize or castrate her (and what the difference is).
Aside from that she needs only food, her freedom and being petted when she asks for it.

 

[We Never Know]

I've decided I'm keeping her. She was lost on the street and followed me home, can't find her owner, and after being on the fence for so long, I nailed down the decision to keep her.

I don't know if she has had her shots yet, but I am not going to worry about it. She had a collar on her when I found her, and she is almost 6 months old by the looks of her, so I assume she's been given shots. If not, I heard they are not mandatory anyways.

I would like to get her fixed, that'll be pricey. I don't know if she is or not. Seems necessary if I don't want kittens or for her to go into heat.

I think I won't declaw her.

One thing I'm concerned about is litter box training. What's the easiest way to do this?

I plan on keeping her indoors, but I've been letting her go outside with me when I sit outside. I let her roam around and sit in my garage. I think I can trust her to come back, she already left and came back, so I let her go out of my eyesight. Not sure if that's a good idea or not.

I need to buy a scratching post for sure. I bought her a few toys she hasn't played with yet. She's been sleeping in my bed with me and on my couch so I don't think I need a bed for her.

Anything else I should know? I'm still a little nervous about this, but I think it's just because I haven't had a pet of my own before and I'm not used to it.

Getting her fixed is not really high. I took in a stray 4-5 months ago. To get her fixed was $80($95 if in heat or preggo).

 

[exchemist]

Congratulations to your new roommate.

You should take her to the vet anyway. She may be chipped and registered.

I didn't sterilize mine because I was angry about the prize hike. last year it cost €90, now €180. But as I have learned that adjustment came after nearly 20 years of stable prizes. Once the kitties are old enough, the mothers will be sterilized.


Don't do it. When she's outside she needs her claws. And she won't shredder your furniture if she has a scratch post.


Cats are very cleanly on their own. Mine no longer need a litter box at all, they just go outside.
If you keep her inside it is important that she accepts the litter brand. Don't be cheap on that. And clean the box very frequently.
If she doesn't use the litter box it is a sign of her being ill or discontent.


As long as she's happy with you, she'll always return. I take mine with me when I travel, friends, parents, medieval market and they can roam there as well. They know where their food is and they always return.

A scratching post is a must if she can't roam freely. Better multiple. You can also get scratching mats you can hang over your furniture if she likes to use those.

Cats are very low maintenance, especially if they can roam freely. All they need to know is innate. The vet will tell you what she needs, shots, anthelmintic therapy, pest repellent, when to sterilize or castrate her (and what the difference is).
Aside from that she needs only food, her freedom and being petted when she asks for it.

I’ve often heard it said that a female cat should be allowed one litter of kittens before being sterilised, for psychological reasons, or they may become neurotic. Is there any truth in that, do you think?

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Welcome to your new kitty.

I don't know if you live in a busy area or not but I'd recommend keeping outdoor time supervised. Especially since you don't know her vaccine status. There's quite a few very serious diseases that can be spread from strays and ferals to indoor-outdoor cats. And there's even an epidemic in some areas of a type of feline parvovirus that causes leukemia.

Sometimes cats in that age can be trained to go on leashes and harnesses though. Might be worth a try.

I do recommend a vet check, just to get a baseline physical and some good general information aboit helping her stay healthy. And if she doesn't already have one, getting her chipped.

 

[Heyo]

I’ve often heard it said that a female cat should be allowed one litter of kittens before being sterilised, for psychological reasons, or they may become neurotic. Is there any truth in that, do you think?

I've heard the same but no vet recommends it any more.
But even if it isn't true that they may become neurotic, I think having had the experience can't be bad for her character.
(Except that I may spoil them as they are now getting all the food they want, treats and milk too. Don't know if they will ever again accept not be treated like this. )

 

[Valjean]

I've decided I'm keeping her. She was lost on the street and followed me home, can't find her owner, and after being on the fence for so long, I nailed down the decision to keep her.

I don't know if she has had her shots yet, but I am not going to worry about it. She had a collar on her when I found her, and she is almost 6 months old by the looks of her, so I assume she's been given shots. If not, I heard they are not mandatory anyways.

Rabies vaccination usually is mandatory, fRCP usually is not.
If you're going to let her wander outside, though, I'd recommend both.

I would like to get her fixed, that'll be pricey. I don't know if she is or not. Seems necessary if I don't want kittens or for her to go into heat.

Contact a local rescue group or local Humane Society. You can usually find free or inexpensive spay/neuter programs.

Spayed cats are usually tattooed on their bellies, so they don't undergo an unnecessary surgery should they end up on the street or with a new owner.
If she has a tipped left ear she's been spayed as part of a TNR program.
If there are no visible signs of surgery, a vet can check estradiol levels to determine her status.

I think I won't declaw her.

Declawing is illegal in many jurisdictions and several foreign countries. Even if legal, many vets will refuse to perform the procedure, either from a cruelty standpoint, a safety standpoint, or the risk of a traumatic outcome.

Again, if you're going to let your cat outside, she's not going to be able to defend herself or climb to safety, should something threaten her.

One thing I'm concerned about is litter box training. What's the easiest way to do this?

Training's rarely necessary, just show her where it is; put her down in it.
Most cats seem to be born litter trained.

I plan on keeping her indoors, but I've been letting her go outside with me when I sit outside. I let her roam around and sit in my garage. I think I can trust her to come back, she already left and came back, so I let her go out of my eyesight. Not sure if that's a good idea or not.

As long as she's supervised or in an enclosed yard she should be OK. Do be sure she's spayed, though. Toms can smell her when she's in heat, and you may end up with kittens. She'll also caterwaul and likely be very annoying when she's in heat.

I need to buy a scratching post for sure. I bought her a few toys she hasn't played with yet. She's been sleeping in my bed with me and on my couch so I don't think I need a bed for her.

Anything else I should know? I'm still a little nervous about this, but I think it's just because I haven't had a pet of my own before and I'm not used to it.

You can clip a cat's claws with an ordinary nail clipper if they start scratching furniture. Just take the tips off. You'll have to repeat this every couple weeks, as needed. Forget about those little claw caps you can buy, they come off when the claw sheaths are shed.

If she's been outside you might want to get her tested for FIV and FIP, ear mites, fleas, and given a deworming medication -- just in case.

You should get here scanned for a microchip. A vet, local shelter, or local animal group will do it free, takes all of two seconds. If she has a chip, and is not just lost, you can get the chip number changed to your name, phone and address, if you're going to keep her. Its free.
Cat toys are cute, but cats have just as much fun batting bottle caps, rolled up balls of aluminum foil, or any small object around.

 

[Valjean]

I've heard the same but no vet recommends it any more.
But even if it isn't true that they may become neurotic, I think having had the experience can't be bad for her character.
(Except that I may spoil them as they are now getting all the food they want, treats and milk too. Don't know if they will ever again accept not be treated like this. )

Definitely not. It's bunk.
I've worked with several rescue groups, placed hundreds of street cats, and have assisted with literally thousands of spays and neuters. Kittens aren't going to improve her character.

And I'd leave out the milk, too. It's not good for adult cats, and often gives them diarrhea. Milk's for little kittens.

 

[Heyo]

Definitely not. It's bunk.
I've worked with several rescue groups, placed hundreds of street cats, and have assisted with literally thousands of spays and neuters. Kittens aren't going to improve her character.

And I'd leave out the milk, too. It's not good for adult cats, and often gives them diarrhea. Milk's for little kittens.

It's lactose free milk.

 

[Valjean]

Getting her fixed is not really high. I took in a stray 4-5 months ago. To get her fixed was $80($95 if in heat or preggo).

One of the groups I work with will do free spays or neuters if an owner can't afford it. So will my local Humane Society. Several others will do it for twenty or thirty dollars for low-income clients.
States differ, though. The Sum's in Iowa. I don't know Iowa.

 

[JustGeorge]

I've decided I'm keeping her. She was lost on the street and followed me home, can't find her owner, and after being on the fence for so long, I nailed down the decision to keep her.

I don't know if she has had her shots yet, but I am not going to worry about it. She had a collar on her when I found her, and she is almost 6 months old by the looks of her, so I assume she's been given shots. If not, I heard they are not mandatory anyways.

I would like to get her fixed, that'll be pricey. I don't know if she is or not. Seems necessary if I don't want kittens or for her to go into heat.

I think I won't declaw her.

One thing I'm concerned about is litter box training. What's the easiest way to do this?

I plan on keeping her indoors, but I've been letting her go outside with me when I sit outside. I let her roam around and sit in my garage. I think I can trust her to come back, she already left and came back, so I let her go out of my eyesight. Not sure if that's a good idea or not.

I need to buy a scratching post for sure. I bought her a few toys she hasn't played with yet. She's been sleeping in my bed with me and on my couch so I don't think I need a bed for her.

Anything else I should know? I'm still a little nervous about this, but I think it's just because I haven't had a pet of my own before and I'm not used to it.

Congratulations!

Most of the time with litter training, you just show 'em the box. They do their thing.

I find cats love to scratch on cardboard. If you have an old cardboard box, you can break it down so its flat, and see if she'll scratch on that.

If you find a rural vet, fixing her shouldn't cost too much. If there's nothing decent priced in your area, Hudson, Iowa Vet will fix for either 80 or 90 dollars. (That's who I use.)

I’ve often heard it said that a female cat should be allowed one litter of kittens before being sterilised, for psychological reasons, or they may become neurotic. Is there any truth in that, do you think?

I don't believe that. I have three females, two fixed, one never having kittens, one having had a two litters, and one not fixed, but never any kittens. They're all equally neurotic. I have noted, though, that having more access outside, even if just a screened in porch, has helped the fixed/no kitten one overcome some heavily neurotic tendencies. (The other two don't seem interested in the porch.)

I've had other female cats, too, that didn't seem to depend on this idea, either. I'd say its just personal temperament.

 

[exchemist]

I like the idea! I'll keep that in mind.

I've already recorded her trying to catch a fly from inside a box. She had to stretch her arm very awkwardly over the side while being careful not to scare the fly away.

I think you now need to post a picture of this cat, so we can all see whom we are discussing.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

This is odd. Did some of the posts get deleted?

 

[Twilight Hue]

Always remember this about your kitty.....

 

[VoidCat]

I let her outside because she kept begging. I eventually just gave in telling myself she’d be back. Well, I watched out the window a little later looking for her, I saw a kid carrying her away. I could’ve stopped her, but I didn’t. Why? I don’t know, I am horrible at making decisions in the moment. I can’t believe how stupid I am. I really can’t fix my stupidity.

You said it had a collar. Maybe it belongs to the kid?

 

[The Sum of Awe]

She returned

 

[JustGeorge]

This is odd. Did some of the posts get deleted?

Sadly, yes. We've lost some posts.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I've decided I'm keeping her. She was lost on the street and followed me home, can't find her owner, and after being on the fence for so long, I nailed down the decision to keep her.

I don't know if she has had her shots yet, but I am not going to worry about it. She had a collar on her when I found her, and she is almost 6 months old by the looks of her, so I assume she's been given shots. If not, I heard they are not mandatory anyways.

I would like to get her fixed, that'll be pricey. I don't know if she is or not. Seems necessary if I don't want kittens or for her to go into heat.

I think I won't declaw her.

One thing I'm concerned about is litter box training. What's the easiest way to do this?

I plan on keeping her indoors, but I've been letting her go outside with me when I sit outside. I let her roam around and sit in my garage. I think I can trust her to come back, she already left and came back, so I let her go out of my eyesight. Not sure if that's a good idea or not.

I need to buy a scratching post for sure. I bought her a few toys she hasn't played with yet. She's been sleeping in my bed with me and on my couch so I don't think I need a bed for her.

Anything else I should know? I'm still a little nervous about this, but I think it's just because I haven't had a pet of my own before and I'm not used to it.

Declawing sounds 'nice' but it is not. How would you feel if you lost the first joint of all of your fingers. That is what the operation is. look at your fingers and the finger nail. They amputate at the joint just behind it. Fewer and fewer vets will even do this operation today.

And most cats pick up litter box usage rather quickly. Buy a litter box. Put the appropriate amount of litter in it. I would not go over a third full. And put your new friend in it. They almost always get the idea. Clean regularly. if you use clumping litter you can do it almost every time they go. They like a clean litter box and so does your house. They have odor control, but that just masks it. You can often go into a house where the person does not regularly clean the litter box and smell it right away. How would your house smell if you flushed the toilet once a week/ Eeew!!!

As to spaying or neutering there are often organizations that do it at a discounted price. Trust me, you do not want an unspayed female cat . Or even worse a tom that has not been neutered.