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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 caught and brought home - any advice welcome!

18 replies

RainCloude · 11/09/2021 14:28

This is the story: 18 months ago a stray moved in, we took him to vet, no microchip and not neutered. We were told to leave it two weeks before "officially" keeping him In case he was claimed, which is why we didn't neuter or chip him immediately. BUT he ran away.

Long story short, I now have him back! Literally an hour ago. Really happy! Obviously will get him neutered and chipped now ASAP, but in the meantime does anyone have any tips for settling him in? He is obviously very very freaked out and hasn't come out from behind the sofa. Too scared to show interest in any treats or food. I'm just leaving him be. I've got a Feliway plug in which I hope is pumping out calming cat aromas!

All windows shut, it's nice and calm here (I live alone).
Litter tray set up in one room, water in a bowl in another. Am I doing everything right ?? Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
RainCloude · 11/09/2021 14:39

Oh dear I'm stupid I should have checked - there's already a thread on here with lots of advice! Seems to be mainly food and love required. I can't take a photo of him by the way because it's dark behind the sofa !

OP posts:
Mumsgirls · 11/09/2021 15:17

You are doing well
Congrats and welcome to cat slavery

Original poster
RainCloude · 11/09/2021 15:42

Thank you ! I was released from cat slavery some time ago but clearly I'm a glutton for punishment and am now entrapped again!

OP posts:
SaskiaRembrandt · 11/09/2021 16:02

Is he definitely a stray, or is it possible that when he ran away he actually went home?

Allergictoironing · 11/09/2021 16:25

Do let him come to you in his own time, rather than chasing after him. Just spending time in the same room, preferably talking quietly to him (I commented about the TV to mine) will let him eventually realise you aren't a threat, but if you chase after him he is likely to think you are a threat.

Some cats settle in a few hours, others take weeks - it was months before I could even touch the bolder of my 2 - but they do usually come around in the end.

Myneighboursnorlax · 11/09/2021 16:28

@SaskiaRembrandt

Is he definitely a stray, or is it possible that when he ran away he actually went home?
I was going to ask the same question. OP have you asked on Facebook, put up posters etc?
Original poster
RainCloude · 11/09/2021 17:01

He is without doubt a stray. I found him again on Facebook - numerous people posting saying where did this stray come from. During the time he was missing he'd been up to no good - lots of posts about him on the local page and also a specific cat lovers' page. I only joined Facebook recently and found him soon after. Wish I'd done it sooner now!

He's under the sideboard now - moved location whilst I popped out for 15 mins.

No I won't chase him, I will let him come to me. I'm watching Netflix (quietly) on my iPad and speaking gently to him from time to time.

OP posts:
icedcoffees · 12/09/2021 06:39

If he's used to living outside he may become incredibly stressed and unhappy if you try and keep him indoors.

thecatneuterer · 12/09/2021 09:31

@icedcoffees

If he's used to living outside he may become incredibly stressed and unhappy if you try and keep him indoors.
Well she isn't planning to keep him permanently as an indoor cat, unless I've missed something in the OP. So of course he needs to be kept in for around two or three weeks to get him used to this being his new home and while is he neutered, and then I'm sure he'll be allowed to come and go.

It sounds as though you're doing everything fine OP.

Original poster
RainCloude · 12/09/2021 10:36

Exactly @thecatneuterer
In fact the cats protection people have advised keeping him indoors for a good 4 weeks.

OP posts:
AlfonsoTheMango · 12/09/2021 14:46

You're a good soul, @RainCloude.

Original poster
RainCloude · 12/09/2021 15:46

Thank you Alfonso! I hope so.

So far he hasnt come out from under the sideboard although I found him behind the curtains first thing. Just going from hiding place to hiding place to feel safe I guess. Not interested in eating.

OP posts:
Allergictoironing · 12/09/2021 16:35

If you only got him indoors yesterday, he could go a couple of days without eating/using the tray. Mine only came out at night, from the 2nd night, to do these. Moving hiding places is progress!

icedcoffees · 12/09/2021 16:39

Well she isn't planning to keep him permanently as an indoor cat, unless I've missed something in the OP. So of course he needs to be kept in for around two or three weeks to get him used to this being his new home and while is he neutered, and then I'm sure he'll be allowed to come and go.

Oh, I'm not disagreeing - my point is that he may display stress behaviours as a result of being cooped up.

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 12/09/2021 17:02

What if this is a different story…

18 months ago we found a cat whose owners hadn’t got round to getting him microchipped yet.
He “ran away” back to his owners.
Fast forward another year and a half we’ve stumbled across him again and are once again trying to appropriate someone other poor family’s pet.

Cats don’t know loyalty like dogs, they’ll go where they are fed the food they like best.

Original poster
RainCloude · 12/09/2021 17:07

He didn't run away to his previous owners. He terrorised the neighbourhood for 18 months and was a well known, bullying stray. This is a fact. I am not stealing some poor family's pet.

OP posts:
Original poster
RainCloude · 16/09/2021 08:46

He is now super affectionate and booked for vet.

Is it ok to give him a tin of sardines as a treat or should I stick to actual cat food? I'm just feeding him whatever (pouches of random varieties).

OP posts:
Allergictoironing · 16/09/2021 17:49

I dislike tuna, but have 3 cans of tuna in spring water in the cupboard as treats for mine. Not really that expensive, and a little goes a long way in the "spoiling them" stakes. If you are thinking sardines (or other fish), make sure it's in spring water not oil, brine or tomato.

Lovely to hear he's being affectionate!

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