I'm falling in love with a stray cat!

[NeverYouMind123]

His family moved house. Just pissed off and left him. I've seen him around over the last few months and threw him a few bits of ham the other week... then all of a sudden in Tesco a box of Whiskas and a bowl just flew into the trolley. Magic. So now I'm feeding him. He's not letting me stroke him yet but he's coming closer... he's been sat on my doorstep for the last two hours wondering if he should adopt me as his owner. I'm tempted to leave the door open so he can come in but I'm wary of fleas. What do I do? Assuming he's in okay health how much does it cost to take responsibility for a cat? If I take him to the vet what will they charge me?!

Oooh, exciting!

It costs about £60 a year for vaccinations, about £5 a month for flea drops from the vet .... not sure how much it’d cost to get him neutered if he hasn’t been done already

Ooooh and a check up is about £30 at my vet :)

Insurance and vet plan for vaccination and flea treatment is about £25 a month. Food probably similar depending on what he will agree to eat. He might be willing to eat Whiskas now, but once his paws are under the table and you have bulk bought two months worth he will decide it is beneath him. Summer is a good time to get him used to coming and going. Six years on one of ours is still edgy coming in and out but perfectly happy once indoors.

Anyway, you seem to have forgotten the photo. Still light enough to pop and get a snap now. If you already have one then it is too late you are already committed.

Insurance would be a "must", they can get so many expensive and/or long lasting issues.

Everyone has their own idea of the costs of cat slavery, but in addition to vet stuff you need to consider decent quality food, litter, regular treats, toys, double use of the vacuum cleaner in spring & autumn ...

You should also expect to have your entire life based around the whims of a small furry Overlord e.g. you can't get up to make a cuppa or dinner because he's just fallen asleep on your lap. You end up scrunched in the corner of your bed because he spreads out in the middle. And beware - you will do all this willingly with no expectation of anything else because he will worm his way into your heart without you realising!

Welcome to lifelong slavery

That's awful that they left him behind. I hope it works out between you. Is he definitely a boy? Ask the vet to check for a microchip, as you'll need to change the details on it now that he's chosen you to be his slave.

Awww!!! Keep him!!
Try and get a photo too 😍

We spend about £100 a month on two cats inc insurance. Then 30 a year on vaccines, and I can spend a fortune on toys/climbing things(prob not needed) but worth every penny! DO IT!!!

Also a tip when you find the food they like buying the massive boxes is normally cheaper so look in big bargain shops as you can find most brands in one!

Wooo go you!

We have half adopted 2 strays (outside only as we already have 4 cats) but they are lovely little things. Both entire males with strong personalities but really lovely boys! When this whole thing passes i will take them to be neutered and sorted out.

I gained their trust by putting a little bit of food out when they were near and closing the door, weeks/months passed and they are finally coming up up to just inside the back door to get lovely strokes and treats 😻

I would take him to the vets when this has all passed for a check up and to make sure everything is ok and away you go! Will set you back a few quid but if you have your heart set on him it will be worth it!!

Well done to you for looking after him.

My two are on dry food now and I buy the massive bags of GoCat from Amazon, if you do that you can do it for £5 per month for one cat. Flea treatment is £5 a month too. Neutering is about £60 I think, and vaccinations are £30 a year. Worth every penny

counciltaxquery Feeding just Go Cat isn't terribly good for them you know? Rather like feeding your kids on spaghetti on toast every meal. You should be feeding a much higher quality food as either their wet or dry food e.g. mine have cheap wet but expensive dry. You also need to be careful which flea treatments you use, as most of the cheaper ones are ineffective or even potentially harmful!

It’s quite common for folk to move and leave the cat behind, I recently had to set a trap for one hiding under a building, got the wee soul; owner found and admitted he had moved away and left the cat; only 5mths old.
Now happy in a new home.
You can get reduced neutering if eligible through Cats Protection.

Vets aren’t seeing routine cases at the moment, you can buy stronghold flea treatment online if he decides to move in. He’s going to be very cautious if his previous owners left him like that, apparently cat thought processes are similar to humans so he knows they left without him.

I could never have left any of mine behind when moving.

We spend about £100 a month on two cats inc insurance.

Wow, you must have high maintenance cats! I have two cats on good quality food, jabs up to date, lifetime insurance and spend waaay less than that.

If the choice for this cat is a life on the street eating out of bins vs basic insurance, vet-care and supermarket quality food with the OP then I know which I would choose.

My insurance is £75 a month as we've had claims of 20k in the last four years!

Yes he's definitely yours. But try not to give male cats cheap dried food (Go Cat, Whiskas etc) as it's linked to urinary crystals and blocked bladders in male cats. It's better to give literally any wet food or, if you must give dry, then it needs to be a decent one such as Iams, James Wellbeloved, Arden Grange, or anything of that ilk.

As for fleas, the only flea treatment that works that you can buy without seeing a vet is Advantage, which you can buy online.

When all this crisis is over get him to a vet to be neutered, and chipped if he isn't already, and vaccinated. You won't be able to insure at the moment until those things are done.

You can't buy Stronghold without a prescription - only Advantage.

Oh yes, and to take to the vet (when this is over) you will need a proper carrier (and not one of those cardboard ones!). Don't even think of trying to do it in a cardboard box.

Our insurance is £18 a month, food and litter probably another £40 odd. We signed ours up to the local vets vaccines programme where we paid a one off fee of £100 and it covered their vaccinations and yearly check up for the rest of her life.

Definitely do it! getting a cat was the best decision we have made - especially in times like this.

Go for it. He/she must be so devastated to be left all alone. Their very cheap to keep. I've had several cats and never had insurance. It's your choice. You would have to have Mr or Miss cat neutered. If you can't afford this then your local cat shelter may help as mine does regardless of what benefits you are on otherwise cats protection can help. Also vets not for profit where they don't charge for the consultation, just for treatment. Google them. We need a picture

It won't let me upload a photo! He hasn't been yet today. He's super cute :-)

I bet he is. He must be sunbathing somewhere. He'll know when it's dinner time

To upload a pic....

Press reply then paperclip Icon then + icon then chose your pic and upload

“He’s super cute” well, obvs.

I keep getting stronghold mixed up with advantage. I have a mental block.

Defo not placemarking for pics

Here?

Oh squeee he's lovely op