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Hey all -
Found a kitten outside and he refused to leave the property for 3 days so naturally he came inside, lol. We took him into the vet and learned he’s about 6 months old. He’s not neutered, but they found no fleas or ticks or anything like that and no health issues - no Feline Leukemia or FIV, etc.
What’s the likelihood of this scenario? I keep thinking he’s “too” healthy to have been a stray, hah. But the neighbors said they’ve been feeding him and he’s been wandering around for awhile now. He’s the sweetest thing, I’m just dumbfounded how an outdoor cat somehow has 0 fleas or anything. Was really worried about the feline leukemia and such as we have other cats and my own personal cat that I’d be devastated if anything happened to her, but they claim negative.
Is my experience more common than I think? Seems almost too good to be true, lol.
Also, any introduction tips? My existing kitty and him are separated atm to try and do this slowly, but !94 sure how quickly I should be progressing. My current cat is very afraid / mean towards other animals besides one specific cat in our house that she does actually get along with, so I know she’s capable.
Thanks all.
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Hey, Jackson Galaxy has great cat introduction videos. It takes as long as it takes, you should follow the lead of the more hesitant cat.
It's highly unlikely this is a street cat. More like a kitten that either got lost or was thrown out. The latter are usually impulse adoptions where people know nothing about cats and have no intention of figuring it out, hence no microchip or neutering.
Very nice of you to take him in!
Thanks! I did see some things about his methods being good - just some questions - which point do I start scent swapping and putting the food closer to the door? Kitten is currently in the bathroom behind closed doors and existing cat is in her normal space - she hasn’t began to act any differently but I’m not sure she’s fully aware he’s there yet besides brief encounter at the vet and different rows and such in the car, etc.
Interesting theory on his origins - I live close to farmland so we thought maybe it was just one from a litter - many cats come through here. Believe it or not, this is the second stray we’ve had from outside - another cat pulled the same stunt the new kitten has and was also taken in haha, one of our best kitties actually. Makes sense, I suppose. Would you suggest microchipping now? My other kitty I thought it was done, but wasn’t sure and they said she doesn’t have one so was thinking about doing both. He goes in for neuter tomorrow, so I’m moving quick with the kitten.
Thanks, haha. I’m a big softie for animals… this marks 8 pets… 3 dogs (1 is my brother’s) and 5 cats (my cat and this new one, will come with me when I move back out when my new apt becomes available).
Hey, yea, usually cats are microchipped when they are neutered. This way if he was ever to wander off, if he's found, there's a decent chance you are contacted.
I'd wait untill after the neuter, give it 2-3 days to recover. Then you can scent swap, and start feeding them. Start with 4-3ft away from the door for each cat, then push closer each meal to see at what point either cat won't focus on their food. Curiosity is fine, but call it quits if there's much hissing or other aggro behaviour, you'll know to pull the bowls a bit further back and give them more time. With every step, you'll know you need to slow down if either cat is having a negative reaction - the purpose is to show both cats, the other one is a good thing in their life. Good things are happening when the other cat is near or in the same space.
Best of luck!
If you're looking for names, you should name it Dwight D. Eisenmeower