I Think A Neighbourhood Cat Has Adopted Me...!

tico

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Help, I need you're advice. I currently have the sweetest little kitty sleeping on my lap.

On Thursday afternoon I spotted her trotting across my patio and I made the first move and made friends with her by offering her some temptations. (I don't have a kitty anymore, and I miss it) She is definitely used to humans and instantly was friendly to me. She explored my apartment and stuck around for a couple hours before leaving. The next day, she came again. This time I didn't give her treats, because I didn't want to create a bad habit. But she stick around all afternoon. She wandered around, asked for lots of pets and cuddles, drank water, cleaned herself, fell asleep on my couch. After about 5 hours with me, I felt badly I had to put her outside because I was going away for the night. Saturday, Sunday, Monday I didn't see her.

Then this afternoon, she pops her head into my open back door with a squeaky hello. Her meow is so squeaky! My mom came over right after that, and she was very friendly to my mom too. We were going out, so again I felt badly for putting her outside. But 3 hours later, when we got back, she was waiting for us in the bushes!!

She's been with me ever since. Kneading tons biscuits, purring loudly and falling asleep on me too. There was another bigger neighbourhood cat wandering by just a little while ago and she got so scared and ran under my couch for safety! My heart was so sad for her! I gave her some more temptations to make her feel better.

I don't know what to do. She's clearly not feral. She's small and maybe 1-3 years old? Small, but not too skinny. She must have a family. I don't want to steal her from them. But she seems to have made herself completely at home here. Maybe she's lost? Or maybe she's not given much affection? She had what I think are a few scabs under her chin and maybe on her rear. But they don't seem to bother her that much.

I live in an area with lots of condos and apartments. And I don't really know anyone around here, so it would be really hard for me to ask around like I've seen recommended on the forum.

It's almost 10 pm now. I don't know if she is going to leave on her own accord. I'm not set up for a cat right now. No litter box, food or scratching post....

What should I do??
 

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Norachan

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It sounds like she's either lost, has been dumped or lives close by and is very friendly with strangers. If she was my cat I wouldn't want her wandering around at night. It's just too dangerous. Please keep her indoors tonight and then try to find out if she has a family tomorrow.

If you take her to a vet they will scan her for a micro chip. That's the easiest way to find out if she is lost or not. If she doesn't have a chip make some posters that say "Found. Female tabby cat" and put a few up around your condo. If anyone tries to claim her make sure you ask for proof, such as photos of her, before you hand her over. There are a lot of bad people out there.

If no one claims her could you keep her yourself?

If you don't have a litter box a plastic tub or a cardboard bow lined with a plastic bag and some dirt from outside will do for tonight.

What food do you have in the house? Cans of human grade tuna are OK in a pinch. Is there a store nearby that is still open?
 

dustydiamond1

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:lovecat2: She's lovely. Can you make a quick run for litter & food leaving her inside til you get back? Please keep this poor little kitty with you and post more pictures & keep us updated.:catrub:
 

Sarthur2

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Sounds like she needs a home and you need a cat, provided she belongs to no one else.

It also sounds like she needs food and a vet for her scabs, which may be from scratching from fleas. A vet can tell you if she's spayed too.

Thank you for caring for her! :)
 
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tico

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Thanks for all your replies!

So, I was able to go out and grab some food and litter last night. She was very happy to spend the night. Hasn't asked once to go out.

I took her to the vet this afternoon. No tattoos, no chips. She's relatively healthy, about 2-3 years old. No signs of fleas. The vet couldn't tell if she was spayed without shaving her, which she didn't do. Kitty was so fearful in the crate and the car, but she was very patient with all the vet's prodding.

Two things concern me... she has scabs, and the vet didn't know what they would be from. Whether it's some kind of allergy or another animal. She gave her two shots, one anti-itch and one anti-inflammatory. Plus a dose of flea medication just in case. The other thing is that although she used her box to pee in, she had a very soft, somewhat runny, light-coloured stool on the carpet either last night or this morning when I was out.

I would love to keep her. If she has any kind of chronic sickness, I don't think I can handle it emotionally or financially. My last kitty was chronically sick for just under a year before she passed away, and it just about overwhelmed me. I can't do that again. It sounds awful to say, but I can have pretty strong anxiety and thinking about taking on a sick kitty gives me a panicky feeling.

I'm going to put up a few signs around the block, just in case. And if I get any calls, I'll definitely look for proof before handing her over. Other than that, I guess just hang out with her and wait and see what happens?
 

Alejandra Rico

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I would not panic yet, you know that cats can take some time to adaptador their stomachs and intestines to new kinds of food.
If she wants to be inside and does not ask yo go out, I would say that she usted yo be an indoors so, at least, she knows how to behave at home, which is good! Surely she won't use your carpet again.
I hope you can keep her, you seem to be perfect for each other :lovecat:
 

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Are you sure it was stool, and not vomit? Goodness knows what she was eating outside, and some of those things irritate their tummies.

She isn't showing any clear "sick" signs, so I'd just wait and see for now. Especially since nothing stood out to the vet. I'd go with the posters and keeping her safe inside. Maybe keep an eye out for lost cat posters/messages.

If Heaven forbid, Scutch got out, I'd rather he be safe with a neighbor than on the streets again. I wish you the best of luck.
 
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tico

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Are you sure it was stool, and not vomit? Goodness knows what she was eating outside, and some of those things irritate their tummies.

She isn't showing any clear "sick" signs, so I'd just wait and see for now. Especially since nothing stood out to the vet. I'd go with the posters and keeping her safe inside. Maybe keep an eye out for lost cat posters/messages.

If Heaven forbid, Scutch got out, I'd rather he be safe with a neighbor than on the streets again. I wish you the best of luck.

Thanks :)

I wish I took a picture now. It was coloured more like I would expect vomit to look like, but it had a poop shape plus soft mush. She has wretched with nothing coming out twice in the time she's been here. Now I just don't know....
 

Alejandra Rico

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If Heaven forbid, Scutch got out, I'd rather he be safe with a neighbor than on the streets again. I wish you the best of luck.
Yeah, I am with you.
Anyway, the 3 times in the past 9 years that my cat Raist managed to scape, people knew I was looking for him. Basicaly, because I could be heard from 3 km away as I was caling him. I guess some people know my voice but not my face :lol:
Either your cat is quite a runner and she has moved a looong distancie or she doesn't have a propper family missing her.
By the way... Your kitty needs a mame!
 
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tico

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Yeah, I am with you.
By the way... Your kitty needs a mame!

I know!! I was hoping for some suggestions! I was thinking of a name that relates to the idea that she found me and decided to live here. I hadn't given much thought yet, because I haven't quite come to terms that she might be my new cat. :lol:
 

orange&white

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She's so friendly, it does seem like she belongs to someone. If no one claims her, you've got yourself a new best feline friend! If someone does claim her, then it sounds like you are very ready to adopt a new best feline friend! :)
 

Sarthur2

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Give her a couple of weeks of a calm environment and steady food and her tummy and bowels should calm down. She will make a wonderful pet! :)
 

Norachan

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I was going to say hair balls! My very healthy cats manage to cough up a hair ball at least once a week, even though they get a good brushing every few days.

It's not uncommon at all for an outdoor cat to throw up or have runny stool. Who knows what they eat out there.

I'm hoping that you get to keep her. Please keep us posted.
 

kittychick

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I scanned down the answers fairly quickly since I'm actually working - obviously not very hard right at this moment though ;) - so I apologize if I repeat any suggestions or ask something already asked, etc.

She sounds wonderful (and wonderfully happy with you - -and you with her!) plus she's just adorable - I'm so thrilled you were kind enough to bring her in from outside. Obviously she has in the past been an indoor kitty, and very much wants to be an inside, well-loved kitty again and it sounds like you can provide that. Yeah!!!!!

Checking for a chip was great to do - and yeah for you for taking the time to do so. Unfortunately, the fact that she didn't have a chip doesn't mean she isn't lost from a loving home. I too REALLY hope you can keep her - - but think about if she were yours that got outside and you were sick with worry. I think the kindest thing to do is what Norachan Norachan suggested - make a few flyers and put them up nearby, but only partially describe - no picture. If someone calls to claim her, ask something about her that only a guardian would know (like a marking, or the lack of chip, or her squeaky meow, etc). Chances are, no one will and she'll be all yours - AND you'll know you did the right thing just in case she's missed somewhere.

Sounds like you determined it was a hairball - that's good! A few of our indoor guys have them a few times a month - some of them never have them. But if it was kind of cigar-shaped, and had a bit of liquid around it - it probably was just a hairball, and they're generally nothing to be concerned about. And even if it WAS vomit - I wouldn't worry yet - - diet change in cats usually brings about a little diarrhea and sometimes a little vomitting as their system gets used to the food (and yours will probably be going from an all-bird, all-bug diet - to something that comes in a box or can).

It sounds like she's the only kitty inside at the moment, correct? Then rushing her immediately back to the vet isn't as critical. But sooner rather than later, she really should be checked to see if she's spayed (the shaving is a very quick process - they just need to look for a scar (some vets can feel for it), and if not, she should be (even as an indoor only cat - - she'll live longer plus should she accidentally dash outside, you wouldn't have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy, AND you won't have to deal with her going into heat - not fun for either of you!!!). Glad he de-flead her already too. But she should be tested and treated for parasites (worms, etc), tested for feline leukemia, etc., and be given all her basic shots, including rabies. I know how awful it is - emotionally and financially - to go through having a very, very ill kitty for a long period of time (we just lost 2 last year - one after a loooong illness). No one wants to do it - - so having her tested will put your mind at ease!!!!

Did the vet say if the scratching was from fleas? If so - the flea treatment will take care of it. It's also very possible she wandered through some kind of grass/weeds she was allergic to. It's also possible she was scratching from stress -- - - some cats do that when really under stress. We have one that scratches AND licks if she's upset - she was brought in as a cat that we TNR'd - and she just kept hanging around my "I swear we're not bringing another cat in" husband (he brought her in :lol: - - but I thank him every day for it). We were worried but our vet really thought it was stress - and sure enough, once she was inside and not stressed about being attacked every minute of the day, she stopped stress-licking and stress-scratching. So just keep an eye on it - if it does continue - talk to your vet about it.

I'm SO glad she found you...and vice versa :hearthrob: Keep us posted on how things are going (and what you named her!).
 

dustydiamond1

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So what's happening with you and the little kitty? Our ex-stray Gypsy had scabs on her neck when we first took her in. Vet said probably from another cat. They are all healed and gone now. Please give us an update & hopefully some pictures.:catrub:
 
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