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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.

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Original poster

Previously stray cat- risks?

45 replies

RaisingSteam · 19/09/2016 12:22

I have the opportunity to rehome a cat from someone at work, but it was previously a stray (but lived in a house the last 8 months). It's a male, fairly young, not yet neutered.

Previous cats we've had have come from families so I'm not sure if it would be more likely to roam/fight/run off? My IL's have a cat from a stray litter and it's a very nervous jumpy bity sort of cat.

We live on a B road that is busy in rush hour and we lost a previous cat to a RTA. Since then we have fenced the garden to 6ft although a determined escaper could probably get through it. I just wonder if a stray cat would be more prone to roaming for miles or will he stick with where the food is!?

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 19/09/2016 12:34

He'll have to be neutered and then you'll see.

For what it's worth, The Lodger - who decided to move in with us - brought himself up on the streets after being abandoned as a kitten. He's a confident, outgoing type of cat - a fearsome hunter and thief but also a bit of a homebody when the weather is lousy. He accepted a curfew with some grace (and likewise, the loss of his Pom Poms) but we've had to live with his ways, which include a certain insouciance about traffic and roads. Them's the breaks.

On balance, I'd rather have him than not.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 19/09/2016 12:38

I adopted my cat from a rescue but he was found as a stray. He was in foster care for 4 months before we adopted him.

He's never been in a fight since we had him and the furthest he's ever gone is across the road, although he doesn't do that now. He did follow DH and I to the corner shop once but I had to go and get him and carry him home as he was sitting on someone's shed roof meowing!

cozietoesie · 19/09/2016 12:45

Oh Yes. Standing in a local shop and gazing to my right and seeing The Lodger come strolling in through the open door, looking for me.

cozietoesie · 19/09/2016 12:53

I should add that while The Lodger has been in a couple of fights since he joined us, he's really a very peaceable sort of cat in general. Only if pushed etc etc. He has excellent cat manners, possibly a legacy from his time on the streets and his interactions there. He even tried to 'soften up' Seniorboy! (A lost cause, unfortunately.)

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 19/09/2016 12:58

We were told Harry had been fighting local cats when he was a stray. My theory is he was a good runner as there wasn't a mark on him! He will chase some cats out of the garden but he generally gives them a good head start!

I've always told him he's a sandal wearing, tree hugging peace cat!

thecatneuterer · 19/09/2016 13:22

It shouldn't make a difference once he is neutered. To protect against further RTAs you could cat-proof your fencing with something like Protect-a-Puss

TranquilityofSolitude · 19/09/2016 13:34

I have a cat I took in as a stray. We had him neutered in the first week of ownership, though.

Before we took him in he roamed a great deal - we would often see him more than a mile from our house. However, since his op he rarely leaves the garden. We have moved house in the interim as well. I'd be surprised if he has been more than 25 metres from our house in the last 2 years.

In terms of the legacy of him being a stray, he is absolutely soppy with me and also trusts my family. However, he is very wary of strangers, especially men, and would never approach someone else for affection. If a strange man visits he will hiss and run away.

The other obvious issue is a tendency to overeat, presumably dating from a time when food was not readily available.

maplebaby · 19/09/2016 14:14

My cat was found on an industrial estate - he's the laziest snugglebug ever! Would sleep on our laps all day if he could! He does have a cat flap and has been in a couple of scraps but tends to avoid other cats now - we shut him in at night when it gets dark if you get him neutered it will help with roaming too.

LanaorAna1 · 19/09/2016 14:23

Mr C, my fat tabby, was a gentleman of the road for some years before he came to a small flat in Clapham. He really doesn't want to go out at all, even tho I tried and tried. He does not miss his pom poms. He likes his sofa, his bed, his catnip mouse, his bowls and his person to attend to his every whim, and he is incredibly friendly and good mannered.

Go ahead, I say. Your new kitty might be a bit frisky at first but he'll settle down, I should think. He might roam but the other way from the B-road with any luck. He sounds lovely.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 19/09/2016 14:25

Our cat came to live with us when he was about 6 months and he was in a terrible state - scrawny and scraggy,really pitiful. He was so jumpy I could only feed him in the porch as he was too nervous to come inside.

That was in February so 7 months later he has moved in properly,sleeps on our bed,purrs every time anyone even looks at him,runs to the door when he hears dh or ds come in,plays fetch with a soft ball on the lawn and knows to 'sit' for food.

Wouldn't be without him

Get him neutered and chipped!

PolterGoose · 19/09/2016 18:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

RaisingSteam · 19/09/2016 22:00

Hmm, have met the cat. He seems pretty affectionate and good mannered. Apparently he has been let out at night up to now (lives right in the middle of a housing estate with back to back gardens). I think I'd prefer to keep him in.

Next thing is introducing him to the dog...

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 19/09/2016 22:10

What kind of dog do you have? And has he lived with cats before? (And vice versa I suppose. )

timtam23 · 19/09/2016 22:15

If he's been a stray he may well be pretty streetwise & keep away from cars. Hopefully if he's neutered that'll help too. I hope you can keep him

Original poster

RaisingSteam · 19/09/2016 23:19

Border Collie, 2 yrs old. He is quite a gentle dog and a bit wary of cats since one swiped his nose. Plenty of people have told me their cat and dog became best of friends so I have fingers crossed with careful introductions. Obviously we don't know about the cat previously but there wasn't a dog in the home he's in now. Colleague says he's a friendly confident character though.

I meant I'd keep him in at night, not 100% indoor cat!

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 20/09/2016 00:01

I've had border collies and cats and they were fine together.

Original poster

RaisingSteam · 20/09/2016 23:15

Just like to say our little black cat is home and purring from behind the sofa!

OP posts:

timtam23 · 20/09/2016 23:30

Awww so pleased you took him. Do you have a photo?

Original poster

RaisingSteam · 20/09/2016 23:33

Will take a daytime one!

OP posts:

Original poster

RaisingSteam · 21/09/2016 17:08

He's lovely. Booked in for the snip next week! Thanks for the encouragement 😀

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 21/09/2016 17:22

How are he and the dog getting on?

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/09/2016 17:55

He is gorgeous, I love a black cat & he looks full of character.

Have you got the lodger back cozie?.

cozietoesie · 21/09/2016 18:10

Nope. He's visited but nothing more. (And even then he had to be confined to the basement - carpeted and heated, luckily - because of Seniorboy.)

Lanaorana1 · 28/09/2016 18:18

Oooh! What a raven-furred charmer! He is one beautiful master cat. What is his name (apart from 'Sir')?

Lanaorana1 · 28/09/2016 18:19

Poltercat needs his own calendar. :)

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