How to Take in an Unexpected Stray Cat

So you’ve decided to adopt the poor bedraggled stray cat you saw wandering around your house. Or maybe you’ve already taken her in and you’re wondering what to do now.
Ideally, you’ll have cat food, a bed and a litter box on hand, but sometimes emergencies happen and you find yourself taking in a wet, cold, frightened kitty in the middle of the night. If you’ve just taken in a cat you weren’t quite ready for, here’s some step-by-step advice on what to do.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stray cat
• Food and water bowls
• Cat food (or boiled meat)
• Fresh water
• Shampoo
• Old towel
• Cat bed or cardboard box
• Soft rags
• Flea and worm treatment
• "Found cat" posters
• A veterinarian

1. 
    
   Strays may be ravenous and dehydrated.

   Provide Food and Water. Wet (canned) cat food is the best choice here because it’s easy to eat and provides some water, which helps re-hydrate the cat. If cat food isn’t available, boiled or baked poultry is the next best option. Failing that, any non-spiced, non-smoked meat will do for some quick energy. Give the cat a bowl of room temperature fresh water, too, but don’t be surprised if she doesn’t drink right away.

2. 
    

   Bathe the Cat. Unless the cat is clearly sick/weak or injured (in which case she needs a vet before a bath), cleaning up kitty a little is a good idea. A cat that’s been living outdoors is bound to be dirty, especially if they’re malnourished and too weak to care for themselves. Cat shampoo is the best, but dish soap or baby shampoo will do. Use only warm water and be sure to dry the cat as best you can and keep her warm until completely dry. A cat’s body temperature is higher than a human’s, so she’ll feel chilled and may start shivering faster than you may expect.

3. 
    
   Let kitty recouperate a little.

   Make a Cat Bed. After a meal and a bath, it’s important to let the cat rest in a warm, quiet location to regain her strength. A mat or bunch of old rags on the floor works fine, but a box off the ground with only one open side is even better. Keep the stray in a room away from other pets as she may have a contagious disease, even if she isn’t showing symptoms.

4. 
    
   Nature will inevitably call--be prepared.

   Buy or make a litter box. Cats naturally do their “business” in only one location, but you need to show them which location is the right one. That’s what the litter box is for. If you don’t have or can’t buy a litter box and litter within an hour or so, you can make a temporary litter box out of a low-sided cardboard box filled with shredded newspaper. Place it in the room with the cat or where ever you plan to keep the regular litter box.

5. 
    
   Fleas suck!

   De-flea the Cat. Fleas must be eliminated immediately unless you want your whole house infested. They’re not merely a nuisance, but also drain the cat’s energy, weaken their immune system, and bring disease. The safest option is to take the cat to the vet to be de-flead, de-wormed, checked for disease and scanned for an ID microchip. If you can’t do that within a day or so, buy some quality flea remedy from a pet supply store.

6. 
    
   Worms can kill.

   De-worm the Cat. Even indoor cats get worms and almost all outdoor cats and kittens have them. Worms can cause serious health problems and can even kill a cat if left untreated, so it’s essential to have your cat de-wormed. Again, the vet is the best person for this, but failing that choose a high quality de-wormer like Nemex or Evict (opt for pyrantel pamoate over piperazine) as the next-best choice.

7. 
    
   Make sure nobody's missing a cat.

   Search for the former owner. If the cat is truly a stray (former pet), not a feral cat (born homeless), her human family may be searching for her. Ask a vet or animal shelter to scan for an ID microchip. If that turns up nothing, make some “found cat” posters and post them around the neighborhood. Take out a “found cat” ad in the local paper (it’s often free). It could take a month or more to find the owner, so be prepared. Be thorough in your search. Wouldn’t you want someone to do the same if they found your beloved pet?

8. 
    
   Kitty's health is your responsibility.

   Make Future Vet Appointments. Once you’re sure the cat will be staying with you, you’ll need to schedule appointments for spaying/neutering if needed and the proper shots and check-ups. Vaccinations are important to help your cat avoid life-threatening illnesses she can contract even if she stays indoors.

Tips & Warnings

• If you've never bathed a cat before, read up on the art before you try it. It's not as easy as bathing a dog.
• Don’t be surprised if your stray seems to sleep all day for several days, as she’s likely to be exhausted from a hard life outside.
• If you're short on money for vet bills, check with your local animal shelter about where to get vet care cheaper.
• Remember, young cats still need some training as far as not scratching on the furniture or jumping on the counters goes. Be patient and keep learning about cat care.
• If you give the cat flea or worm medication yourself, make absolutely certain to follow the dosage guide for the age and weight of your cat. If you're not sure, just take her to the vet. An overdose of these meds can kill a kitten or young cat and low quality meds can have nasty side-effects.

Resources

• Get cat care tips from the ASPCA.
• Learn stray cat care from the US Humane Society.
• Read ideas on finding the old or a new family for the cat.

[mizchulita]

on 3/20/2009 Great tips. I totally agree with taking the cat to the vet--getting it checked out for ringworm is another essential. I learned this the hard way.