Imagine walking down the street for the fresh air and hearing a cute meow from a distance. You would probably step in the direction of that sweet voice to find out what is there. With big-round eyes, cute expressions, and adorable meow, it is hard to ignore a cat. However, after finding a cat, your first instinct is to take it with you to your home and help them.
Though not all street cats are stray cats, some may be feral cats too. Feral cats aren’t social with humans, and they may get aggressive if you come near them. Before taking the cat into your home, you need to make sure the cat is not lost but is strictly a stray cat. For that reason, try to stay a little longer and observe if the cat’s mother is in hiding. If no cat mother appears, you must look for a collar or an ID tag. Even when you don’t find any collar, it is advisable to get the cat scanned. Sometimes cats get lost, and a microchip helps owners reunite with their cats.
If you decide on taking the stray cat into your home, follow the following tips to take care of them:
1. Litter Training
Needless to say, as the owner of a cat, your main priorities should include food and litter products. The first thing after bringing the cat home is to feed them nutrition. After this, rub the lower part of the abdomen and genital organs softly. Keep in mind that this gentle rubbing is to get the cat to relieve. Watch out for soreness and any dirt clinging to the parts of the pet. Now, start counting till 60 during stimulation, and your cat will be ready to release. Ensure that you have placed the litter box in a room where the cats can have easy access.
2. Dedicate a Separate Room
While preparing a separate nursery for the stray cats, keep in mind two critical factors: silence and safety. Putting the basket in a room where your toddlers can enter any time might not be an ideal solution. Make sure that you choose a spare or guest room to ensure less noise and less human activity. You can also spend some time while reading out loud or talking so that the pets get used to of unfamiliar environment. Also, remove any furniture or objects that can injure the cats.
3. Call the Vet
Picking up a stray cat and bringing it home most probably means that you have no clue about their medical records. For the sake of the safety of yourself and other living beings, get them checked by a veterinarian. Ask the vet to examine any signs of infections, viruses, or diseases and prescribe any medical treatment. In the meantime, keep the cats in a secluded area and away from your other pets.
4. Avoid Looking in the Eyes
Remember, do not stare directly in the eyes of stray cats. It is an aggressive action, and your cat might get scared. If you find yourself in a staring game with the cat, blink your eyes and close them for a few moments. Even if you catch your cat staring right back at you, look away immediately. In this way, cats will know that you don’t have any intention of harming them. Over a while, you can train your cat to maintain eye contact and practice non-verbal communication.
5. Earn Trust
Is your stray cat not allowing you to touch them or biting you? Don’t worry; most stray cats are afraid of humans and the new environment at first. So you need to earn their trust but don’t force anything while doing so. You can speak in a soft voice to your cat and occasionally stroke them gently. Another way to earn the stray cat’s trust is through food. Try to feed your cat food at the same time every day. A regular schedule will make your cat believe that you are trustworthy.
6. Get Supplies
While bringing a stray cat to your home, you may not know about her age or health condition. However, please get some necessary supplies as soon as possible to take care of the cat properly. The supplies may include a heating pad, blanket, towels, kitten formula, bottles, and carrier. Additionally, you can buy a pill or paste to kill any worms present in your stray cat right away.
7. Have Patience
Lastly, it would help if you have a lot of patience to make your stray cat comfortable with you. Although you may be eager to make her a part of your family, still be mindful that the cat may be scared. It is nice to take things slow and let the cat take her time instead of frightening them more by forcing things. Some cats have a challenging background, so they may take considerable time and training to adapt to a new environment. However, the love and affection your cat will give you would be worthy of your patience.
Conclusion
Deciding to welcome a stray cat at your home might be a tough decision. Not to forget, the whole process of taking care can tire you. However, these lovely creatures can prove to be a dear fellow. They would be the first you would like to share the good news, or they can help you feel better when you are at your lowest. Make sure you have everything planned out and ready to get on this journey.
