I'm a longtime golden retriever owner and in general a pet/animal lover. We live in a wooded neighborhood that has had it's share of stray cats roaming the yards over the years. Some have taken up residence under our porch at times and in general have never had a problem with any of them other than the occasional garbage bag tear. We noticed a young stray cat coming around and my daughters (18 & 16) have made comments about how sorry they felt for the stray. Well, the other day with some of there friends around they were called to the back door by a cat cry. This lovely stray was literally sitting at our back door and simply calling out for our help (my interpretation). So, being the kind-hearted guy I am, opened the door and in she came (she is assumed at this point). She immediately found our dogs food and water and dug in! She came over and curled up next to us and didn't budge when our golden introduced himself. That was 4 days ago.
Here's my initial observation and actions:
1. She appears to be de-clawed.
2, Very skinny with bone structure very visible.
3. No collar.
4. Very friendly. No sign of aggressiveness at all.
5. Meows constantly in kitchen around food bowls.
5. Was not intimidated with our golden retriever. And our golden retriever made no aggressive moves or even seemed to care about the new guest (We've dog-sat with other dogs in the past in our house and he is very welcoming and just doesn't seem to care).
Day 2 to today:
1. Have removed several ticks. Got a flea & tick collar and put it on her. No tics over the past 2 days.
2. Have groomed her with flea & tick comb several times a day and nothing has appeared,
3. After initially buying canned wet food which she ate eagerly we decided to switch to dry. Supplement wet occasionally. Initially she had some diarrhea and vomited, but now bowel movements seem normal. AND not as smelly!
4. Bought a disposable liter tray and added additional liter. She uses it always now.
5. Still visibly thin, but assume this will slowly work itself out as she eats more day by day.
Overall physically, other than thin, she seems in good shape!
Here's my behavioral observations. This I need help with! Never owned a cat before.
1. Very social. Constantly gets up and walks around us. As soon as we enter the kitchen, her meowing is almost non-stop!
2. Has not shown 1 sign of aggressiveness at all!
3. Initially seemed to want to take over every spot our dog hung out at. They even lay next to each oter at times with NO issues at all.
4. After wanting to continually hang with me, she now stays to herself at the top of our stairs.
5. Have now caught her laying in bath tub and climbing around toilet poking head down into it (Freaked my daughter's out LOL when they went to take a bath! LOL)
6. My one major concern. She does NOT play at ALL! I've gotten simple cat toys, even a catnip filled toy. She has NO DESIRE to PLAY AT ALL!
7. After initially laying with us on sofa to sleep, she now stays to herself at the top of the stairs.
I am a bit concerned about the complete absence of playfulness. How do I approximate her age?
Other than a visit to the vet, am I doing okay? Any advice or encouragement would be greatly appreciated! We're on the verge of naming her!
-Bill
Here's my initial observation and actions:
1. She appears to be de-clawed.
2, Very skinny with bone structure very visible.
3. No collar.
4. Very friendly. No sign of aggressiveness at all.
5. Meows constantly in kitchen around food bowls.
5. Was not intimidated with our golden retriever. And our golden retriever made no aggressive moves or even seemed to care about the new guest (We've dog-sat with other dogs in the past in our house and he is very welcoming and just doesn't seem to care).
Day 2 to today:
1. Have removed several ticks. Got a flea & tick collar and put it on her. No tics over the past 2 days.
2. Have groomed her with flea & tick comb several times a day and nothing has appeared,
3. After initially buying canned wet food which she ate eagerly we decided to switch to dry. Supplement wet occasionally. Initially she had some diarrhea and vomited, but now bowel movements seem normal. AND not as smelly!
4. Bought a disposable liter tray and added additional liter. She uses it always now.
5. Still visibly thin, but assume this will slowly work itself out as she eats more day by day.
Overall physically, other than thin, she seems in good shape!
Here's my behavioral observations. This I need help with! Never owned a cat before.
1. Very social. Constantly gets up and walks around us. As soon as we enter the kitchen, her meowing is almost non-stop!
2. Has not shown 1 sign of aggressiveness at all!
3. Initially seemed to want to take over every spot our dog hung out at. They even lay next to each oter at times with NO issues at all.
4. After wanting to continually hang with me, she now stays to herself at the top of our stairs.
5. Have now caught her laying in bath tub and climbing around toilet poking head down into it (Freaked my daughter's out LOL when they went to take a bath! LOL)
6. My one major concern. She does NOT play at ALL! I've gotten simple cat toys, even a catnip filled toy. She has NO DESIRE to PLAY AT ALL!
7. After initially laying with us on sofa to sleep, she now stays to herself at the top of the stairs.
I am a bit concerned about the complete absence of playfulness. How do I approximate her age?
Other than a visit to the vet, am I doing okay? Any advice or encouragement would be greatly appreciated! We're on the verge of naming her!
-Bill