New Cat Parent Of Stray

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice on a stray that I recently brought into my home. She is young, between 9 months to a year. My cousin was feeding her for the past six months, and she got friendly with them to the point she would sit on their front step, and try to enter their home. I was asked if I wanted to adopt her, which I did. My question is, is she going to be happy living in a home? I do not plan on allowing her to be an indoor/outdoor cat. She will be an indoor cat, but I dont want to hold her against her will. I'm a long time dog owner, and she is my first cat. I'm learning a lot with her. I'm living by myself and she is my only animal, I'm just afraid that she will miss the outdoor life.
Shes adjusting well, still very scared and skittish but she loves pets, and she played with her first toy after being with me for 3 days. Shes been in a cone since I have had her so she has not been able to climb and look out the window. I'm afraid when she is healed and can do so, she will long for outside life, and that makes me feel just terrible.

Hello and welcome to TCS. And congrats on becoming a first time cat parent. She sounds like a sweetie pie who wanted to be an indoor only cat all along, so I think she will be fine. And she will for sure be safer inside. Just ensure you have lots of space and toys to entertain her inside.

Is the cone because she's been recently spayed? How much longer does she need to keep it on? If it's bothering her, you can always take it off and as long as she doesn't obsess over the incision, she may not need the cone.

TCS has several articles that I think you may find helpful. Here are the links:

First-time Cat Owner's Guide
9 Tips That Will Help Your Kitten Adapt To A New Apartment | TheCatSite
Kitten Proofing Your Home: 13 Practical Tips | TheCatSite

Bored Cat? What Cat Owners Need To Know (including 10 Actionable Tips) | TheCatSite
Playing With Your Cat: 10 Things You Need To Know | TheCatSite

How To Make Your Home Bigger (at Least For Your Cats) | TheCatSite
How To Prevent Your Cat From Darting Out The Door | TheCatSite

Yes, she has the cone because she was spayed. I take it off for her to eat, and so she can have a breather. But she goes straight for her incision. She still has about a week to go, as her surgery was only on Tuesday. I'm really happy to hear you think she will be ok. I just questioned my decision to keep her inside, this makes me feel a lot better. I've had her in my bedroom since she came home because she is very nervous. Rightfully so. Will be letting her explore the rest of my apartment next week some time .

Hi. It seems like rubysmama has you covered with the great articles she gave you! So, I really just have one thing to offer - have you considered getting an inflatable collar instead of using the cone? Depending on where you are located, most pet stores sell them.

The articIes are very helpful, you're right! I have considered an inflatable collar, but I just wasnt sure if it would be any more comfortable because she won't be able to fully rest her head. My biggest issue is that she gives me a hard time to put it back on. I got one with velcro to make it quicker and less stressful.

She will be okay! She won't have to worry about predators or changes in temperature, and she will always have a safe place to sleep and plenty of food. Cats tend to transition to indoor-only lives pretty happily, especially when they're so young.

Just make sure she has plenty of toys, including interactive ones (like cat dancers/Da Bird) and solo ones. I like having a couple electronic toys around that simulate the movement of mice/other prey; they're inexpensive, but make sure you always supervise play with those types of toys.

Thank you war&wisdom ! Def makes me feel better knowing she wont be miserable. I think it's harder for me to watch her trying to transition, than for her to actually do it. Shes also recovering from her spay so shes progressing slowly.

She's a little bit shy of the toys right now, she doesnt quite get the concept, but she played yesterday for the first time and she was getting more interested. I'm really just trying to push through the healing process because its restricting her a lot. We played yesterday without her cone, but when she remembers those stitches she rather lick at them than play with anything

Hi and welcome! I’m sure she will be fine. We adopted a 2 or 3 year old stray, and once in a while she whines to get out but for the most part she is truly content and happy indoors. She loves looking out the window and basking in the sun, and she is so much safer indoors. I wouldn’t worry too much, just give her lots of playtime if she gets antsy. The best method is give her a vigorous play session until she is planning and tired, then feed her shortly after. Their normal rhythm is hunt-eat-groom-sleep and if you mimic that they will get their energy out. Congrats on your new addition!

I am only talking from my own experience, but if you try the electronic toys - try them last after she is used to other types of toys. I got a couple of that type of toy for Feeby several years back, and she totally freaked out (I guess from the noise they can make??). So, those particular toys are long gone. Or, if there are such toys on the market nowadays that don't make noise, go for those!!!

FeebysOwner yea, I'm going to wait till she a little more confident before I get electronic toys. She is very skittish and afraid. Toys in general didnt interest her until now. I dont think she understood what to do until I started batting around some balls, and mice toys

Yeah, some of the electronic toys scare my kitties and some don't. Their favorite is this one, and it's on the quieter side: https://www.chewy.com/hexbug-nano-robotic-cat-toy-color/dp/151627

Toys: A stick with a string tied to it may work wonders - heck, just a stick works with my guys.

Outside: She may realize how good she has it and not want to go out. My former feral has no interest in the doors and has never tried to get out. I haven't pushed it by leaving the door open too long though.

D duncanmac the stick with string is what got her to play yesterday. Im really hoping she is happier inside, as you cat is. Def makes me feel better knowing other people's cats have done fine after being strays. I really needed the reassurance that she would be happy

The only "problem" I had with making an indoor/outdoor cat totally indoor was several years ago, the cat I had was transitioning learned to watch for the door to outside to open and bolt for it! Silly girl. I had to be really aware of that and outsmart her for awhile. She was fast!
One of my current ones who was a stray and likely semi-feral is totally content being indoors since day one. No interest. Happy as a clam looking out the window and finding things to amuse himself plus the toys. I'm sure yours will be fine.
She will soon learn to play, moving things are mostly irresistable to a kitten!
You are a great thing for her.

pearl99 thank you souch!! My girl is very much a sneaker more than a runner. Shes been looking to the door as of late, but not trying to get out. More curious where I'm going. I'm hoping it stays that way. I just want to be sure shes going to be happy.

Ayes. said:

D duncanmac the stick with string is what got her to play yesterday. Im really hoping she is happier inside, as you cat is. Def makes me feel better knowing other people's cats have done fine after being strays. I really needed the reassurance that she would be happy

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Plus, in past years before I made cats totally indoor for me, it was agony when they didn't come home for a day or two, which indoor/outdoor cats often do, being afraid they were injured or dead or who knows what is not fun. Knowing they are safe in my home is the best. They can go through an adjustment period in return for safety.

D duncanmac that's my main reason for not letting her back out. I would be terrified with her just coming or going, worrying constantly. I'm worrying now and shes in the room with me the whole time Haha.

Ayes. said:

pearl99 thank you souch!! My girl is very much a sneaker more than a runner. Shes been looking to the door as of late, but not trying to get out. More curious where I'm going. I'm hoping it stays that way. I just want to be sure shes going to be happy.

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She's gorgeous! Yeah my bolter I believed was a Norwegian Forest Cat mix, who LOVE to be outside. So it can be done