Health Another kitten in the house

fingercuffs

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I fear I may have ruined 3 cat's lives.

I went to drop off food at the shelter and got a trap for a feral who I've been feeding, I only considered bringing her into the home because she was tiny, on her own and had such sore looking eyes. After talking to the vet and the shelter it was decided to trap her and hopefully my other two cats would be okay being she's so tiny.

We put her in the shower to try and clean her face up a little bit and she was so scared she messed herself. We didn't even put the shower on, it was just a clean environment. My rescues would barely go near husband for a fortnight but this girl is witless scared

After messing herself another few times she's on a towel asleep on the bathroom floor. One of our cats won't even acknowledge husband. How to work this out? I can't turf her back out again.
 
I saw her see rain for the first time last week and she was hilarious. 5 minutes after I saw she'd been trapped the heavens let loose again. Divine intervention with us rescuing her from a terrible downpour?
 
I fear I may have ruined 3 cat's lives.

I went to drop off food at the shelter and got a trap for a feral who I've been feeding, I only considered bringing her into the home because she was tiny, on her own and had such sore looking eyes. After talking to the vet and the shelter it was decided to trap her and hopefully my other two cats would be okay being she's so tiny.

We put her in the shower to try and clean her face up a little bit and she was so scared she messed herself. We didn't even put the shower on, it was just a clean environment. My rescues would barely go near husband for a fortnight but this girl is witless scared

After messing herself another few times she's on a towel asleep on the bathroom floor. One of our cats won't even acknowledge husband. How to work this out? I can't turf her back out again.
Props to you for taking in a feral cat that needed help. It takes time for cats to acclimate to each other. We separated our two cats for a couple of weeks before introducing each other, and they became best friends right away.

Also

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I saw her see rain for the first time last week and she was hilarious. 5 minutes after I saw she'd been trapped the heavens let loose again. Divine intervention with us rescuing her from a terrible downpour?
I congratulate you on helping and housing another cat. I always warn people, you can't save them all, but if you have the means to keep up a high quality of life then do what you can. Good luck
 
Props to you for taking in a feral cat that needed help. It takes time for cats to acclimate to each other. We separated our two cats for a couple of weeks before introducing each other, and they became best friends right away.

Also

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I will, the ones I have of her she looks so sore and sad. I want to get her back on her feet and to see what's going on with her eyes and happy again.

She likes playing with leaves in my garden so considered that.

She's still in my bathroom, I've put a towel in the floor, a litter tray and food and water...I'll likely be boring y'all all night unless she wants me to go to bed.
 
I congratulate you on helping and housing another cat. I always warn people, you can't save them all, but if you have the means to keep up a high quality of life then do what you can. Good luck
I've been around adopted cats since I was barely able to walk. This one's just a bit different being COMPLETELY feral and coming into an established house with cats with their feet under the table.
 
How old is the stray?

We've taken in 3 strays, all were kittens.

And we attempted to take in 2 that were already grown and we failed miserably.

The lesson is that the older they are, the harder it is. And if you don't have a spare room to dedicate to the cat then you're pretty much doomed.
 
Can never have too much pussy around, amirite?

(I'm an animal lover, I totally get the instinct to take in any and all strays. You're doing the lords work imo, it's a commendable trait in anyone)

And yeah, we want pics once she's settled in
 
How old is the stray?

We've taken in 3 strays, all were kittens.

And we attempted to take in 2 that were already grown and we failed miserably.

The lesson is that the older they are, the harder it is. And if you don't have a spare room to dedicate to the cat then you're pretty much doomed.
Maybe 3 months? She's a girl kitten (I think till I take her to the vet) These were my girls at 2 months when they chose us at the shelter. She's older looking than them.
 

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I've been around adopted cats since I was barely able to walk. This one's just a bit different being COMPLETELY feral and coming into an established house with cats with their feet under the table.
I've domesticated a few cats. Some are very easy and others take months. the reason I mention quality of life is personal, my parents are extremely caring and pretty old. I don't approve of the cleanliness of the animal's areas and the unhealthy weight most of them are. My dad's last 2 adopted dogs were German shepherds and both bit multiple people including him and my mother. I've had issue with the state of the 3 cats litter boxes, dirty litter and the cats always need a brushing, sometime I need to work out matted fur from both the cats and dogs. They live about 2 hours away so I'm not there a lot.

A funny cat story, my best friends mom was a crazy cat lady and they had close to 10 and 4 dogs. I particularly loved one of the cats and it would always come and see me when I was over. We were working and his mom called him to tell him the cat had died, and he told me. About an hour later I had an epiphany and asked is the cat in the freezer? I said if it is, in true crazy person fashion it will be found when replacing the freezer, she moves or when she dies.
It was in a shoe box in the freezer, so now it's buried in my "pet cemetery" in my yard.

Not trying to pass judgement, compassion can take a toll on the caring and the cared for. Sorry for the book.
 

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I congratulate you on helping and housing another cat. I always warn people, you can't save them all, but if you have the means to keep up a high quality of life then do what you can. Good luck
yep, good karma and I am sure new kitty will appreciate it. Old kitties will adjust.
 
I've domesticated a few cats. Some are very easy and others take months. the reason I mention quality of life is personal, my parents are extremely caring and pretty old. I don't approve of the cleanliness of the animal's areas and the unhealthy weight most of them are. My dad's last 2 adopted dogs were German shepherds and both bit multiple people including him and my mother. I've had issue with the state of the 3 cats litter boxes, dirty litter and the cats always need a brushing, sometime I need to work out matted fur from both the cats and dogs. They live about 2 hours away so I'm not there a lot.

A funny cat story, my best friends mom was a crazy cat lady and they had close to 10 and 4 dogs. I particularly loved one of the cats and it would always come and see me when I was over. We were working and his mom called him to tell him the cat had died, and he told me. About an hour later I had an epiphany and asked is the cat in the freezer? I said if it is, in true crazy person fashion it will be found when replacing the freezer, she moves or when she dies.
It was in a shoe box in the freezer, so now it's buried in my "pet cemetery" in my yard.

Not trying to pass judgement, compassion can take a toll on the caring and the cared for. Sorry for the book.
Long story short some 30 odd years ago I moved in with a couple who ended up like second parents to me, some might say she was a crazy cat lady being she adopted 7 Siamese. We mutually agreed I was a good fit for the house because I always had cats growing up. I used to sit in an armchair with my legs on a poof (for want of a better word) and all 7 would climb up on me and go to sleep, lovely memories.

Here was Emmy yesterday morning and here she is this morning. This is going to be a tough one, bless her.
 

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I've domesticated a few cats. Some are very easy and others take months. the reason I mention quality of life is personal, my parents are extremely caring and pretty old. I don't approve of the cleanliness of the animal's areas and the unhealthy weight most of them are. My dad's last 2 adopted dogs were German shepherds and both bit multiple people including him and my mother. I've had issue with the state of the 3 cats litter boxes, dirty litter and the cats always need a brushing, sometime I need to work out matted fur from both the cats and dogs. They live about 2 hours away so I'm not there a lot.

A funny cat story, my best friends mom was a crazy cat lady and they had close to 10 and 4 dogs. I particularly loved one of the cats and it would always come and see me when I was over. We were working and his mom called him to tell him the cat had died, and he told me. About an hour later I had an epiphany and asked is the cat in the freezer? I said if it is, in true crazy person fashion it will be found when replacing the freezer, she moves or when she dies.
It was in a shoe box in the freezer, so now it's buried in my "pet cemetery" in my yard.

Not trying to pass judgement, compassion can take a toll on the caring and the cared for. Sorry for the book.
Damn those are some nasty feets
 
Just give it time. Try not to free feed, only meal feed at first. That way she will associate people with food and be less fearful and more willing to associate with humans.

If you have time, sit in the bathroom with her while she eats, and gradually place the bowl closer and closer to you until she has to sit at your feet, or even on your lap to eat.

Interactive toys are also helpful to break the tension. Prey/chase drive usually trumps fear, so get her chasing a toy and make it come close to you and let her do her thing.

The other cats will get used to it eventually.
 
I've been around adopted cats since I was barely able to walk. This one's just a bit different being COMPLETELY feral and coming into an established house with cats with their feet under the table.

I got my first fully feral (maybe 8 wks old) about 20 years ago.

He spent around 10 days crying for his mother, hiding from me, or hilariously trying to scare me off with hissing.
I got discouraged and quit trying after maybe 5 days(?)

Then, one day, he suddenly hopped up into my lap, started purring, and was my devoted best buddy for 14 yrs.
 
We have 6 cats, a little doggo, and 2 guinea pigs.

Each time the new ones are introduced, the longer-tenured ones are pissy towards the hoomans and the new babies. They get over it after awhile. Each has a unique personality. Some are less loving. All are great additions to our home.
 
The feral cat couple I feed in my backyard had kittens under my house. When they were two months old, I brought the kitties in. They were not happy. I kept them in their own room, but my three year old cat was still not happy. With a lot of love and patience, they're now a happy family. It takes time.
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The feral cat couple I feed in my backyard had kittens under my house. When they were two months old, I brought the kitties in. They were not happy. I kept them in their own room, but my three year old cat was still not happy. With a lot of love and patience, they're now a happy family. It takes time.
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Well that's a hopeful and very heartwarming story. And aren't they gorgeous?! Thanks, we seem to be doing better and they hadn't hissed or growled at her till just a minute ago.

How long did it take you? I think the problem is the older 2 are sisters and this little girl's on her own. I feel bad because she just wants to play with them when she's playing.


Little one was a rock star at the vet this avo. Was terrible all the way there and wet herself but was perfect at the vet and perfect on the way back. Ate 3 bowls of food as soon as she got home and then not long after started on a 4th. Since getting home she's let me right up close to free ping pong balls she's got stuck whereas until then only really in the cat bed when she rolls over for me to tickle her tum. and a couple of times on the sofa stroking her on the rare occasion she gets up there.

But we're on the road to recovery hopefully!
A couple of anti biotics for her eyes and her sneezing and she has some sores in her mouth so a mouthwash for that.
 
Well that's a hopeful and very heartwarming story. And aren't they gorgeous?! Thanks, we seem to be doing better and they hadn't hissed or growled at her till just a minute ago.

How long did it take you? I think the problem is the older 2 are sisters and this little girl's on her own. I feel bad because she just wants to play with them when she's playing.


Little one was a rock star at the vet this avo. Was terrible all the way there and wet herself but was perfect at the vet and perfect on the way back. Ate 3 bowls of food as soon as she got home and then not long after started on a 4th. Since getting home she's let me right up close to free ping pong balls she's got stuck whereas until then only really in the cat bed when she rolls over for me to tickle her tum. and a couple of times on the sofa stroking her on the rare occasion she gets up there.

But we're on the road to recovery hopefully!
A couple of anti biotics for her eyes and her sneezing and she has some sores in her mouth so a mouthwash for that.
It was about a month from bringing the kitties in until my adult cat would accept them. I tried to do it very gradually. First, the kitties were in their own room, and they could just smell each other through the door. After a couple of weeks, I would bring one kitten out at a time and let the big cat see and smell them for a bit. After a month, I let them all co-exist when I was home and could supervise, and then at two months I just left them all together full-time.
I have heard that it helps to introduce cats in a neutral environment so they don't get territorial. Somewhere your old cats don't normally go, like a garage, maybe. My brother introduced his cats in his car, and he said that worked really well.
 
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