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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Stray Cat

108 replies

EnlightenedOwl · 15/03/2014 17:05

For some weeks a stray has been hanging around. Neighbours have been feeding him. However the last few nights he has been sleeping in my garden.
Finally gave in and gave him some dinner. He is now asleep on a chair in the house.
Luckily my cat seems to be tolerating him
Stray Cat is a tom cat, unneutered very friendly but I don't know what to do. i've left messages with the pet shop local catteries and vets pet found websites facebook etc.

I guess I should as a starter get him checked for a chip shouldn't I? he has no collar.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Sparklingbrook · 18/03/2014 19:13

So lets get this straight-

Cat turns up as a stray
Cat is lovely
Cat is friendly and likes being picked up
Cat is immediately friends with existing cat
Cat gets neutered and moves in forever

Fluffycloudland77 · 18/03/2014 19:24

Someone else had your dream come true sparks.

Sad
cozietoesie · 18/03/2014 19:24

Realistically, Sparkling - you're likely going to get:

Cat turns up as a stray
Cat is beaten up by SparklingCat
Cat leaves

It would have to be an exceptionally endearing puss that could change that scenario- but I still have hopes for you in 2014.

cozietoesie · 18/03/2014 19:34

Looking at his picture is a little difficult, Enlightened - because he's such a tom but I think I'd put him at about 3.

Original poster
EnlightenedOwl · 18/03/2014 19:58

someone else has said three to me as well.
I feel a bit awful really as the neighbours have done so much with this cat and sorted all the neutering out but their cat will not tolerate him. However when he is settled in here and knows this is home they still have the pleasure of seeing him. They are not going to feed him now as I am taking him over so he doesn't get confused.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 18/03/2014 20:02

No need to feel awful. If they like him, they'll be delighted to know he's off the road and in a nice home - and, as you said, they'll still be able to see him. (He'll likely be popping in to theirs for a regular visit.) You'll also have a ready made set of cat sitters if you have to go away!

Nobody is losing on this one.

Sparklingbrook · 18/03/2014 20:06

Cat turns up as a stray
Cat is beaten up by SparklingCat
Cat leaves

Yep cozie-that's exactly the scenario.

Original poster
EnlightenedOwl · 19/03/2014 20:39

ok he is here. Very agitated and stressed at first but much calmer now and sleeping peacefully. Was anxious to get out but we trying to keep him in as much as possible. Beautiful cat, kisses you and rubs his head against you.
Now, litter trays. I have one for my cat. Do I need another one please? I've had cat and dog before but never cat and cat so not sure what the best way is. Also not sure how good his toilet training is yet although have shown him the litter tray!

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cozietoesie · 19/03/2014 20:49

At least two trays for the duration, maybe three. The rule of thumb is one per cat plus one - and if he's perhaps not used one before/not used one for a long time, I think I'd err on the side of over-provision so that he doesn't have to go too far.

(And it's no hardship really. Having a spare tray or two in the cupboard is always useful if only for ease of cleaning.)

He'll probably sleep through the night now. Glad he's OK.

timtam23 · 19/03/2014 21:40

How lovely that he is home with you at last. Hopefully the litter tray dilemma will be resolved easily! I would say at least 2 trays as well (I have 2 cats & 2 trays)

Applecrumbly · 20/03/2014 00:40

Congrats on the new addition OPSmile.

.
They get on fairly ok now and seem ok and tolerant of each other..have the odd swipe at each other but for the most part are good .
Good luck OPSmile.

Original poster
EnlightenedOwl · 20/03/2014 21:03

All good again. He really shouldn't be out as not vaccinated yet but he gets upset at being hemmed in. So he has been allowed to come and go. And tonight he jumped on my brother's knee which has really surprised us!
He adores being brushed - weirdo, my other cat hates it! And he also adores Dreamies. What cat doesn't!

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cozietoesie · 20/03/2014 21:07

Has he used the tray yet?

Original poster
EnlightenedOwl · 20/03/2014 21:44

He's been out quite a bit so not needed tray; however he has his own now in the utility room if he needs it tonight. Its well away from the other cat's and is a quiet space.

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cozietoesie · 20/03/2014 21:48

That's good. He's young though (?) so should have a strong bladder and may try to last it out. Fingers crossed for you.

Migsy1 · 21/03/2014 11:43

He's not shy then? He looks well fed too. He's obviously pretty streetwise and knows how to manage humans.

Original poster
EnlightenedOwl · 22/03/2014 09:53

He looks well fed as two or three neighbours have been feeding him! However now they know he has a "residence" they will stop to avoid him getting confused.

This was this morning. Both cats had a good breakfast bit of a stroll in the sun and now snooze time
Sam has come home every night since I took him over. Still in his bed at 7am this morning!
Apologies for mess my furniture is quite new so buried under lots of throws!

Stray Cat
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Fluffycloudland77 · 22/03/2014 10:09

They look very companionable don't they?

cozietoesie · 22/03/2014 10:26

Those are two contented cats. There's nothing to say they can't still fall out but it's really not looking likely now. Well done all.

cozietoesie · 22/03/2014 10:29

Oh - and by the way. The Lodger was a ginger with that thick fur and I swear I sometimes thought that I ought to just cut out the middleman and hoover him directly. (He used to shed hair like no other cat I've ever seen, despite regular brushing.) Maybe you should institutionalize the throws!

RandomMess · 22/03/2014 11:10

I love reading this updates, so glad it is going well Smile

Original poster
EnlightenedOwl · 22/03/2014 12:02

Jasper (original cat, black and white) is a sofa destroyer he wrecked my last one. So when I got the new furniture I just went to Asda and got loads of throws. They wash well and you can just take them off if you have visitors. The sofa is still in as new condition. Sam, new cat, is a kneader, but this way he's just pulling holes in that blanket he sleeps on, the spotty one. That one is a Dunelm fleece throw and its popular with both cats so I'll have to go and get another one.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 22/03/2014 12:11

You may ('may') find that the kneading tails off a bit as he becomes more accustomed to love and (comparative) luxury. It will be interesting to see how he progresses.

Original poster
EnlightenedOwl · 22/03/2014 13:32

Ah I was wondering why he was kneading so much! Thanks! I lay on the floor with him earlier while he rolled about doing rolypolys and purred at me.

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RandomMess · 22/03/2014 14:42

Our cats are persistant kneaders -drives me a little crazy because one in particular luffs me soooo much it has to me that gets a pummelling!