Need advice from the cat experts...

[youthere]

We have a little stray kitten that's been hanging around for a couple of weeks. It had been sneaking around, eating whatever it could find from the scraps we throw to the chickens. We've been feeding it and now it's just the friendliest little thing-really REALLY affectionate. My question is this, would it be possible to bring it inside and try to raise it as a "housecat"? Normally I would let it be and just keep feeding it (we've had strays from time to time), but it's getting colder here, and although it has been finding space either in our garage or the chicken house, I'm worried it won't make it through the winter. I haven't seen it's mother, and I don't think it knows how to hunt. It's not very old, maybe a couple of months...it hasn't reached that "gangly" adolescent stage yet. Could it adapt to being inside? What about litter training it? It's used to doing it's business where it wants.
I already know it gets along with our dog, whenever we let her out she rushes up to the kitten and the kitten rubs on her and follows her around, so I don't think that would be a problem.
I appreciate any advice. Thank you in advance!

[MissHoneychurch]

1. you should post that in the pet group

you get more answers there I am sure

[youthere]

4. Didn't think of that...

thanks MissHoneychurch!

[ET Awful]

2. Of course it's possible :). Just keeping feeding the little tyke and lure

him in. If he's already that friendly, you're 90% there. Get him inside and get him to a vet for a checkup and to be fixed. Then just keep on lovin' the little furball.

If he's already social and affectionate towards people, it shouldn't be that hard at all.

[youthere]

9. I was worried about the litterbox thing..

I don't know how easy/hard it is to break any habits it's already formed.

[ET Awful]

10. Won't be hard at all. The digging thing is natural, if you show him where

it is, and put him there a few times, he'll know. It's an instinct thing.

Also, kittens make GREAT foot warmers in the cold months.

[Arugula Latte]

3. I think it's very possible.

You are way ahead of the game because the kitty is already friendly and affectionate -- that's huge! Kitties usually pick up on the litter box thing very quickly -- just show him/her, make her paw scratch the litter a bit, usually they'll catch on right away. (Do keep it clean -- that always helps a lot.)

My sister had a little feral kitten in her backyard this summer. This kitty was WILD -- Tasmanian Devil wild. Now she is the friendliest, sweetest, snuggliest housecat ever.

Good luck and good for you for helping the sweet kitty!

[youthere]

13. Thanks for sharing your sister's success story..

This one has never been wild...it was scared of us at first but now is SUCH a little lover.
I was really worried because we just had two nights below freezing, and the wind was so terible! I'm glad the kitten was okay, but I'm worried it won't survive all winter.

[LeftyMom]

5. I hope you don't mind

I linked this thread down in the veg/ar group, since there are people down there who will know what to do.

[youthere]

7. I don't mind at all..

Thanks! I posted it in the Pets Group too.

[flamingyouth]

6. Sure - sounds like you're well on your way

As soon as you can get him, take him up to your vet to be neutered, checked out and vaccinated.

Do you have other cats or just the dog? If you have any other cats, give the new guy his own litter box in the beginning. If not, just keep the box in a place where he can find it easily, and also take him right to it, if you can.

Good luck. Keep us posted. :)

[youthere]

14. I don't have any cats inside, just the dog...

Our last cat died about 7 years ago and I was devastated (I swore I'd never have another one-LOL!).

Should I "lure" it in, or just pick it up and bring it in?

[flamingyouth]

15. If you can pick him up, go for it.

He sounds awfully friendly, and I'm sure he'd love a warm place to sleep. Cats have a funny way of finding the right people to take care of them, I've found. And this one sounds lucky. :pals:

[LynneSin]

19. We don't adopt cats - they adopt us

I've been adopted twice by the two most amazing felines imaginable. They picked me to be their caregiver

:loveya:

[youthere]

22. Oh Lord yes!.It practically jumps into our arms now.

I was just worried it might be too much of a shock to just bring it inside. We've had strays around before, and some have gotten usedto us, but I've never had one that was so affectionate.

[catmandu57]

8. Oh yes

Sounds like you've been adopted. Lure him in, the litterbox isn't any problem just show him where it's at.

[youthere]

16. Thanks...

Do they really take to a box that easy? I've never litter trained a cat..our cats have always been trained when we got them. We've always adopted other people's adult cats when they've needed a home-and our last one was about seven years ago.

[Thtwudbeme]

11. Sounds like he has already decided for you, and is just waiting for you

to get him some indoor kitty accouterments!

Did I spell that right?

Tonight you could use an old pan (if he is little, use an old pie plate) till you can get him "stuff"---

I would go ahead and bring him in!

Stephanie

[youthere]

18. Should I bring him in, or lure him in?

I don't want to do anything to hurt the trust he's started to have with us. (Him? I don't know if it's a him or a her-LOL seems rude to ask!)

[Thtwudbeme]

33. If s/he'll let you pick em up...

just bring her/him right on in, and start deciding on a name!

I would supervise the other animals around him/her at first though...don't leave them alone together until they make buddies....

It took my rotten kitty exactly one week to get used to Scout (a Jack Russell mix)....now they nap together, "kiss" each other...and Scout only gets swatted when she is annoying Stinky by doing something intolerably rude that involves cold noses and kitty butts.

[Debi]

12. Food, a warm house and bed, a clean place to do his business

He'll be yours forever! :loveya:

[youthere]

23. That sounds like everything I'VE ever wanted!

If someone would give it to me, I'd be pretty happy too!

[Debi]

24. Well, that and a belly rub!! n/t

[youthere]

28. I'll try training it...

but I don't know if it's little paws will reach my belly.:bounce:

[LynneSin]

17. Yes you can

My Evita was totally feral before a rescue group trapped her for a "Trap-Neuter-Release" program. The vet estimated her to be about 3 years old. Mind you, she's a little strange at time, hell she killed 2 songbirds from a small opening near my AC unit, but she's an amazingly wonderful and beautiful cat. I could leave the door wide open and she wouldn't run away.

And she knows what the litter box is for!

[youthere]

25. That's good to know..

Thanks LynneSin.

[Guy Fawkes]

20. My favorite cat was an outdoor kitten...

we rescued him, and he spent a great and happy life with us. The greatest thing you could do would be to take this kitten in and love and care for it.

[youthere]

26. I don't think I could live with myself...

if I let it freeze this winter.

[friesianrider]

21. Oh yes, she definitely sounds young enough!

We had a 7 or 8 month old kitten (definitely in that gangly stage!) wander into our yard earlier this spring, and he adapted perfectly to being indoors.

I think this kitten would definitely be a good indoor kitty (affectionate, gets along with the pup, etc), and the sooner you bring him in the better he'll adapt. I wouldn't expect any problems at all with the kitten getting along with your doggie and vice versa, but since they already have "met" it sounds like they're good friends too! :)

About the litterbox, what you may want to do is just isolate him in a room (I used our bathroom) with the litterbox. He will naturally go to it to "do his business" because kitties like the texture of the litter so usually adapt quickly. My kitten I mentioned earlier was littertrained in about 2 days. After a few days or a week or so if he's using the box no problem (which he should), just start moving it about 10 feet a day from the bathroom until it gets to the room you want the litter box in. Basically you don't want the kitten to think the litterbox is in the bathroom and then all of a sudden he can't find it.

Just pick him up, bring him in to a room like a bathroom or something, and if you can, make an appointment with the vet to have him fixed and maybe a bit of wormer (the sooner the neutering is done, the less chance is he'll ever spray indoors. My guy was about 8 months when he was fixed and he never learned, but they usually start doing it around that time. If you can get them fixed before that, they don't ever do it).

Good Luck to you and I hope you bring him in! You sound like a dear soul to do this - he sounds like he already loves you and your doggie, so you may have no choice in the matter at this point anyway lol :)

Good luck again, and PM me if you run into any problems at all!

[youthere]

27. Thanks for the advice Friesanrider...

This one hasn't hit that "gangly stage" yet, so I know it's pretty young.

I'm going to get groceries tonight, so I'll pick up a litterbox and try it..
Should I have a litterbox on each level of my house?

I don't know if it's a he or she, but will definitely get it to the vet. The only unnuetered animal I want in my house is my husband!:evilgrin:

[friesianrider]

31. LOL!

I'd go along with leaving your hubby unneutered :)

You can have a litterbox on each level if you'd like, but if he's the only kitty in the house he *probably* won't need it. But, at least in the beginning as he's exploring this big new place, it may be a good idea. Later, if you think he'll be ok with it, you'll probably only need one.

He sounds like he's young enough that he will adjust really well. Good luck, and as I said, just PM me if you have any questions! :)

[Arkansas Granny]

29. I've taken in feral cats before, from kittens to adults. The younger

they are the better they adapt, but it sounds like this little guy would make the transition easily if you've already gained his trust. Litter training shouldn't be any problem as long as you show him where he's supposed to go.

[youthere]

32. I think I'm going to give it a try...

don't know if this little one is feral or just a stray. It could even be a "dumped" cat-unfortunately we've had some of those out here as well. It sure is a cute and lovey-dovey little thing. It has the black and grey tabby markings, but also the side "swirls" like a Maine coon cat. It's just beautiful.

[Arkansas Granny]

35. Good luck to you. I think it will work out fine.

[VaYallaDawg]

30. You'll never regret taking it in!

Litterbox training is a natural for them - takes maybe 10 minutes tops. Just always remember - dogs have masters. Cats have staff.

[youthere]

34. That's funny...

I haven't heard that one before!

[MadHound]

36. Oh yeah, that's easy

In fact it sounds like you've got the hard work out of the way already, getting the kitty to trust you and your dog. Most cats are easy to litter train, in fact all I've ever had to do with any cat is show them the box, scritch in myself a bit, and then place them inside. They seem to get the idea pretty quick, a helluva lot quicker than dogs.

I would take it to the vet and get it vaccinated and checked for worms and other parasites, and when it gets bigger fixed.

Other than that, love it, pet it, feed it, play with it, and you'll have a fine kitty friend.

Good luck and have fun!

[youthere]

38. I was going to bring it in tonight...

Should I let it be around my dog if it hasn't been to the vet?

[MadHound]

40. Well I don't see why not,

After all, as you say, your dog has already been playing with the cat, so if they're going to swap some parasites it has already probably occured. Take the kitty to the vet next week and make sure though, and if anything turns up, like worms, then take your pup in for treatment to.

Other than worms and parasites, there really isn't much in the way of illnesses that can pass between a cat and a dog.

And if you want a heads up on the parasites issue this weekend, when your kitty poops, slice the poop open and examine it. You're looking for either long thin white wriggly things(tapeworms) or short, flat, rice shaped wriggling things(flat worms). Other than that, you and your cat should be good to go. Have fun, kittens are just a ball!

[youthere]

41. You're right...

they have allready been together-and I have to make a trip to the vet anyway, so it's not a big deal.

LOL- Never thought the words "slice the poop" would appear in a DU thread, but then again..this is the lounge! LOL!

[Horus45]

37. We did it

When I was a kid me and my father found a kitten living at the dump.
We brought her home and at first she was a little skittish and jumpy, but once she got used to us she was one of the best cats we ever had.

[youthere]

39. this one isn't even the slightest bit skittish..

it practically jumps into our arms. It's like it can't get close enough to us. It rubs and purrs..it's so cute...it's whole body vibrates. I did notice just today that it has ear mites pretty bad...It's ears are just loaded with black crusts. Poor thing.