New Stray... Options

[beth26]

My cat died about 4 weeks ago (I've been posting in the death and dying section). While she was sick, I was trying to coax her into eating food, so I found a canned food that tempted her. Well, it also tempted a new friend in the neighborhood to come by. Only when I am home, I leave my slider open for my younger cat (9 years ) to go in and out as she wants (she stays in the backyard because she is a true scardy cat). So this stray cat was also tempted by this canned food and started to sneak in to eat food. I was feeding my elderly kitty as many times as I could during the day to keep her nourished as much as possible so she had plenty of eating opportunities (this stray cat was eating my elderly kitties leftovers).

So I've never in my life fed a stray cat regularly. But this one was pretty thin and with all these foreclosures around, I figure might have been abandoned. Because my cat at the time was so sickly and losing weight, I couldn't bare to see this poor stray kitty look so thin. So to stop this kitty from sneaking in (the stray cat was scared of me), I started to put my elderly kitties leftover canned food outside for this kitty.

My elderly kitty just died recently, and now I have this outside stray cat that I am still feeding. I've recently been able to touch him. He is still very wary of me, but he is interested in my female cat (who is spayed). My cat is a scardy cat, so she does not like him. He tries to sneak in my house, but I keep him out since she doesn't like him.

Right now I continue to feed this cat. He is still thin. He is not fixed which I find a problem. I am thinking about trapping him to get him fixed, but I'm trying to win him over so don't want to scare him too much. I'm still not totally certain what to do...I don't want to mess up my other kitty. I generally don't believe in outside cats, but I guess it is not too awful as long as he is fixed.

I can't tell how old he is. He is black with a few gray hairs here and there. His teeth appear quite white. His ears are not cut or ripped. His back legs seem to be a little stiff. So maybe he's older? But then again he jumps the fence really well.

So...is this a new beginning? Maybe??

[beth26]

Also! My indoor cat has all her shots. I am concerned about the health of this stray cat and possible disease issues. He seems wide eyed and alert...just thin.

[Ken Albin]

Once you have developed some trust I would suggest having him neutered, shots given, FELV tested, treated for fleas, and possibly dewormed. Bring him in and isolate him from any other furkids you have for a few days. Gradually introduce him to the family. Once his health is improved and he becomes acclimated to the other cat and to indoor life he will probably take to it well. Our Daddy Cat took about a month to acclimate. After that initial period of adjustment he was extremely happy. Good luck with your new furkid!! You have made a great start.

All the best,
Ken Albin