So I'm Thinking of Adopting a Cat...

[Misty_Morning]

It's been just a couple of months since CC passed away.

One of my coworkers has been trying to get me to adopt an abandoned cat that has taken up residence outside her house.

He's not a kitten so the Awww factor isn't as huge. But he's not an adult.

She took some photos with her phone and showed them to me today.

He is a cutie, that's for sure.

I've never had a male cat before and I am worried about him spraying to mark his territory.

I've called around to see how much a vet will charge getting him checked out and given shots and such.

He doesn't have a name. My coworker and her husband have just been calling him cat.



Thing is I got rid of all of the kitty accessories after CC died. So I will have to get everything again.

If I do this, I'm in it for the long haul. To me, a pet is a family member.

Decisions...decisions.

 

[rgraham666]

You'll be fine.

How could he not love you? Everybody does.

 

[3113]

The only way to really decide is to go meet it, as it's not your decision but the cat's right? If it adopts you, then that's that.

 

[SeaCat]

As 3113 has stated go and meet Mr. C. This will determine what happens.

Cat

 

[TE999]

Depending on how long cat has been on his own, he may have become a tad feral and that can be problematic in the short run.
My SIL has 'adopted' two stray cats so far and both were quirky at first but in time settled down.

If kitty likes you and his new home, you have a pet.

If he doesn't, the first time outside, he's gone.

 

[Misty_Morning]

But what about the spraying?

Will he tempted to do so coming into a house where another cat has lived?

And he's very starved for affection. He's not ferral. He loves everyone that acknowledges his presence.

My coworker is highly allergic and has been feeding him, but has reactions just doing that.



Ya know, I hate it when folks abandon animals.

 

[Misty_Morning]

Depending on how long cat has been on his own, he may have become a tad feral and that can be problematic in the short run.
My SIL has 'adopted' two stray cats so far and both were quirky at first but in time settled down.

If kitty likes you and his new home, you have a pet.

If he doesn't, the first time outside, he's gone.

No...he won't be an indoor/outdoor cat. Strickly indoor. And he would be highly pampered too.

 

[3113]

But what about the spraying?

Will he tempted to do so coming into a house where another cat has lived?

As the last cat was female, there is a far less likely chance of that. The male sprays to tell other males that this is his territory, and is far more likely to do it in a household with a lot of other cats. An empty house that smells of long-gone female cat isn't as likely to induce that behavior.

Also, if the cat's been fixed, that also helps. Something like 87% of neutered male cats don't spray. Has he been fixed? The younger and sooner he's fixed the better.

In the end, there's no telling for sure, not until you get him home and he either does it or doesn't. I'll say only that my bother has had several male cats and none of them ever gave him a bit of trouble on that score.

 

[Boxlicker101]

The only way to really decide is to go meet it, as it's not your decision but the cat's right? If it adopts you, then that's that.

3 is right, you know. If you go to see the kitty, and he adopts you, then you're okay. Otherwise, forget it.

As for spraying to mark territory, usually neutering will prevent that.

 

[TE999]

No...he won't be an indoor/outdoor cat. Strickly indoor. And he would be highly pampered too.

He will probably spray when he scents he's in another cat's territory, so neutering him is necessary. Until then there's always Febreze.

If he's not feral, and he wants attention, he's prolly newly discarded.

Sounds like you may have a new friend.

 

[Guest]

No...he won't be an indoor/outdoor cat. Strickly indoor. And he would be highly pampered too.

Neutered, he probably won't spray.

Inside, pampered, without another cat to intrude upon his territory he'd have no need.

We've tamed many feral cats. Food is the biggie. Keep it plentiful and available 24/7 until they realize that the "people who bring food" aren't going to stop bringing food. It's difficult for some cats to give you their complete trust so it may take some time, depending on his background.

But cats can tell good people.

Go and see him.

 

[starrkers]

If he's not full grown, get him fixed as soon as you can. There's less likelihood of him deciding to spray.

Boy kitties, in my experience, are more snuggly and bigger sooks than girls.

Go meet him and see if you pass muster.

 

[Elianna]

If you want him strictly indoors, you'll need to be careful. Once cats get a taste of the outside, they always want it... even if inside life is extremely luxurious. I guess even cats have the "grass is greener" syndrome.

 

[Misty_Morning]

If he's not full grown, get him fixed as soon as you can. There's less likelihood of him deciding to spray.

Boy kitties, in my experience, are more snuggly and bigger sooks than girls.

Go meet him and see if you pass muster.

Having him fixed is not an option. I am a firm beliver that if you are not breeding pets responsibly, all pets should be fixed.

The vet I talked to today charges $240 for neutering, thats after the initial visit for testing and shots (which will be about $175).

Going to call the humane society tomorrow. They may be able to fix him for free or for a small fee.



still...I know what it takes to be a responsible pet owner. Just not sure if I am up to it yet. But...he is abandoned...and alone.

 

[meg1]

You can get a better price than that. I've never paid that much to neuter or spay a cat (I currently have one of each, but have had several, and males are cheaper, because everything is on the outside). My first visit for him was probably that. Also ask your vet if they have special deals for rescues. I've gone to vets before that will do the first visit/round of shots for free and give you a "Mommy" bag that has some food, and coupons.

I've never had a cat spray after neutering. My current cat was taken from his mother at 4 weeks old because his mother was feral and I was hoping to avoid that. So now, he's improperly socialized AND feral (joy), but as he's gotten older he's calmed down a lot.

When I first got him, he didn't want to be handled at all, but now he even comes up and wants to be held. All I can say is too keep large supplies of patience and Neosporin around and you'll have a great cat.

You will also have to be very careful about opening your door. He can slip out before I even get to see who's knocked, but I will say that he's never strayed farther than my own yard.

 

[Misty_Morning]

You can get a better price than that. I've never paid that much to neuter or spay a cat (I currently have one of each, but have had several, and males are cheaper, because everything is on the outside). My first visit for him was probably that. Also ask your vet if they have special deals for rescues. I've gone to vets before that will do the first visit/round of shots for free and give you a "Mommy" bag that has some food, and coupons.

I've never had a cat spray after neutering. My current cat was taken from his mother at 4 weeks old because his mother was feral and I was hoping to avoid that. So now, he's improperly socialized AND feral (joy), but as he's gotten older he's calmed down a lot.

When I first got him, he didn't want to be handled at all, but now he even comes up and wants to be held. All I can say is too keep large supplies of patience and Neosporin around and you'll have a great cat.

You will also have to be very careful about opening your door. He can slip out before I even get to see who's knocked, but I will say that he's never strayed farther than my own yard.

This cat (kitty) is obviously abondoned. From what I hear, he loves human interaction and also loves to have his belly rubbed. Feral cats just tend to run from humans. (hmmmm...maybe they are wise for that. I know I would certainly run from from some humans)

 

[Guest]

This cat (kitty) is obviously abondoned. From what I hear, he loves human interaction and also loves to have his belly rubbed. Feral cats just tend to run from humans. (hmmmm...maybe they are wise for that. I know I would certainly run from from some humans)

He's yours already, it seems.

 

[TE999]

Having him fixed is not an option. I am a firm beliver that if you are not breeding pets responsibly, all pets should be fixed.

The vet I talked to today charges $240 for neutering, thats after the initial visit for testing and shots (which will be about $175).

Going to call the humane society tomorrow. They may be able to fix him for free or for a small fee.



still...I know what it takes to be a responsible pet owner. Just not sure if I am up to it yet. But...he is abandoned...and alone.

The Humane Society will do it cheaply. That vet is a thief.

Three of the five cats we've had were abandoned or strays with no collars. The other two were 'free kittens'. I loved them all.

Go get that cat.

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

I agree, go see the kitty sweetheart, maybe he can keep you company at work and enjoy the attention from others

If you get this cat, he will have a very long name after all he must have the family names

 

[Vermilion]

Just to reiterate what the others have said - get him 'done' before he's fully grown and he probably won't spray. I think you should get him, sweetie - he's obviously been sent to look after you, so give him a chance
x
V

 

[Emerald_Dragon]

I agree. I have had male cats and if you fix them as soon as possible they dont spray. If you wait til 'puberty' hits it may be more of a problem.

Hope it works out for both of you.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Just to reiterate what the others have said - get him 'done' before he's fully grown and he probably won't spray. I think you should get him, sweetie - he's obviously been sent to look after you, so give him a chance
x
V

Yes, go and give him a chance to decide if he wants to adopt you.

 

[SlickTony]

I've had most of my cats fixed when they were 11 months old or less. The only cat I've ever had trouble with peeing where she shouldn't was FIXED WHEN I GOT HER...it's not to do with sex, it's to do with territory.

As for cats craving the outdoors...YMMV. I've mentioned Pete, the tabby I got back in the early 80s; he'd been an outside cat until he was about 9 months old, and then we adopted him and wanted him to be a strictly indoor cat; well, he put up with this for almost a year, and then the first time he got out he stayed gone for a week. When we found him, he as good as told us that if we wanted him to stay around we'd have to let him come and go as he pleased. And most of the time he'd stay out during the day and he'd come in at night, until the one night he never came back because he'd been hit by a car.

One of the cats we've got now (the gorgeous Il Grigio), we grabbed in from the street when he was 6 months old; he'd never been indoors in his life. He seemed to go all Stockholm on us; ever since then (summer of '06) he's had no interest in going outside. He likes to look out the window and sniff at the air, but when the door's open he doesn't try to dash outside, unlike his two housemates.