Help!! I`ve been adopted by a kitty!!

[rubberducky]

I feed the feral cats around my home, but I`ve never had one to jump up in my arms! I just can`t put this baby outside again, but what do I do with this little one now? I have two very litttle toy poodles, would they hurt this kitty??. So far I have kitty and me blocked off with a board, in the walk-out basement. The weather is predicting 10" of snow tonight. Hubby went out to check local papers for lost kittties, none found. I have never owned a cat, what do I do now? Snow is starting here and I WILL NOT put kitty back out. I have fed her (she`s very thin). Gave her water several times, which she promptly knocked over. Anything I can improvise for a litter pan?? This kitty belongs to some one, but I guess she is my problem until owners can be found. Any help would be greatly appeciated. She`s a really pretty kitty (black and white). My ferals will survive the weather tonight, but I doubt this little kitty would. She is sleeping in a blanket now, but what happens when she has to go potty?? Will she ask to go out? I`m totally lost here.

[suninvited]

1. I use cardboard flats

as a make do litter pan. Any of those half cardboard boxes will work, and just dig up some dirt to fill it with.

I really doubt the poodles will hurt the kitten, but they might get a scratched nose before they 'understand'.

10" of snow? Looks like you will have a house guest for now at least.

[rubberducky]

3. Thank you! Can`t put this little kitty back out in the snow.

Hubby just went out to get the dirt. I think this is someone`s sweet pet. She really is a sweetheart. I`ve never had a cat,but this one is special! She keeps snuggling her face into my neck.

[zanne]

2. They sel l disposable kitty trays with the litter in them.

I've picked up a few at the grocery store. But I'm sure if the kitty has to go and there's no litterbox, she'll "ask" to go out either by meowing or scratching at the door or acting panicky. The problem with that is, she might have to go while you're asleep.
Anyway, thank you for taking care of this cat, no matter how temporary the situation is. With all that snow coming, you just might be saving her life. May I recommend calling the local animal shelters and verterinarian's offices to check on lost kitties? Best of luck to you and kitty!

[rubberducky]

5. I did call around, but no answers yet.

She is so sweet,I have no doubt that she has a wonderful home somewhere. But, for tonight her and I will sleep in the basement(away from the doggies). She definitly belongs to someone, because they trimmed around her butt, didn`t know they did that with kitties.

[LynneSin]

10. Sweetie - she has a loving home - sounds like its yours

:loveya:

I put up signs everywhere and found no one willing to claim that the cat I found was theirs. He hasn't left since.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

4. Take her to the vet to get her checked and have shots

Once you know she's healthy, make an appointment to have her spayed.

If you can keep her indoors it will be better for her and the local songbird population.

Ain't love grand? :loveya:

[rubberducky]

7. Thanks,but don`t think we will be going anywhere tonight.

I will search for her owners, but if I can`t find them, she will be mine. She found me, I didn`t find her. Hope my doggies can accept a kitty!! This could prove to be very interesting!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

16. Poodles are smart...I bet they'll love their new sister!

[Pakhet]

20. I've been adopted by several cats

and when I came home to help my folks out their two poodles were beside themselves about all these little furry things running around their house. Now Mandy wants to play with them and Missy herds them back upstairs. No real hissy fits from either species and they sometimes even take naps together. If anything, the dogs are a little afraid of crossing a couple of them, even though the dog is 3x the size of the cat. Good luck! Only good ppl get chosen to be a kitty mommy :)

[Richard Steele]

6. Keep her confined in a small area, with whatever you can improvise as a temporary litterbox.

"Imagine in Texas"'s post above is fine advice- a low cardboard box
with any dirt or sand will work for a day or three, and kitty
will instinctively use it.

I doubt she'd have any problems with your dogs, but I'd keep them all
separated just for health reasons. You don't know where she's been,
so keep her in quarantine for your poodles' safety.

[rubberducky]

8. Thanks!

[Richard Steele]

27. You're welcome. And, BTW, don't assume she "belongs" to anyone already.

It's entirely possible that she was born outside, but just
has a few different ideas about things than her feral littermates,
and decided to jump up on a human and demand to be treated as a queen.

Believe me, it's not uncommon. Mysterious as hell, sure...

(It's this kinda mysterious stuff that led a lot of societies
like the Egyptians to assume cats were "familiars" of the Gods, IMHO)

But it happens everyday somewhere, and I've seen it up close and personal
more than once.

I wouldn't get my hopes up about finding anyone who's looking for her,
if I were you. I'd give odds of about 8 to 2 that you have a new cat now.

And the bad news about that is: your house has a new Queen.
You've been overthrown and dethroned in a bloodless coup, Duckie.

[LynneSin]

9. Humans do NOT adopt kitties - we are adopted by kitties

and on December 12th 2003 I was adopted by a kitty looking for a home. And I posted just like you did on DU panicking over what to do.

First - take a deep breath.

Second - run out to your closest store, even the local 7-11 or drugstore should have enough Kitty supplies to get you through the storm. (If they don't have litter pans just take an old cardboard box lid or something similiar to a litter box to use for now). Your kitty will know what to do but just to be sure drop her in the litter box a few times so she gets the hint. At the store you can also grab some food (get both wet and dry, but only give her a little amount of dry at a time.) Sounds like you fixed her up quite nice with a place to snuggle.

As for your poodles, you'll be fine. If anything I'm worried if the Toys would be hurt by the cat. (kidding). Easiest thing to do is gradual introduction between the poodles and your kitten. In about a month all 3 will be running around like she's a toy poodle too.

You'll be fine - trust me.

BTW, both of my cats spent time outdoors and neither of them will run outside if the door is open. They've lived the hard life - no need for them to leave.

[rubberducky]

12. Thank you so much for your word of encourgment!

Kitty seems so tired all she wants to do is sleep and snuggle! Hope I can find her owners, because someone is missing this beautiful little girl.

[China_cat]

14. While it's possible that she could have escaped from a home

I wouldn't count on that being the case. She's out, she's thin, there's been no sign of anyone looking for her.

I would say you are now owned.

[rubberducky]

15. I feel totally owned!!!

[asjr]

11. Bless your heart for

taking in that little baby. I could not leave her out in the snow either. If you have a stuffed animal to put with her it will help. She will snuggle under the cover.

[rubberducky]

13. Never thought about a stuffed animal!

My grandsons`s room has several and I`m quite sure he would`t mind giving one up!

[montanto]

17. Put her in her improvised catbox. She'll

figure it out on her own. Also, don't give her milk! There is this myth about cats and milk. Of course they like it, but its bad for them. I fed a kitten that I found milk because I didn't have anything else, and she started bleeding from the anus. Took her to the vet and he said "someone fed her milk." Oops. No permenant damage, but I felt bad. Keep her away from the dogs for a time, and everyone should learn to get along.

Oh, yeah, post pics asap!

[rubberducky]

18. Thank you, No milk, any other no-no`s?? I`m used to puppies.

[montanto]

25. Only one other that I can think of.

You know kitties are curious and will get into everything. If you've got a front load dryer in the house make sure the door is always shut. I know a guy who accidentaly dried his cat for awhile. Cat survived, but was never the same again. Also, I always spring for good food/hairball control. They really do live longer, healthier lives that way.

[LynneSin]

26. 2nd on the quality of food

cheaper foods are all fillers that go in one end and out the other.

My cats have the best fur all because of the Royal Canin Indoor that I feed them. THey're worth it!

[Arugula Latte]

19. Thank you for helping her!

You could take her in to the vet to run the scan over her neck area to check for a microchip w/ owner info. I'd be very surprised if you get a "hit," but it might be worth a try.

Good luck ... Kitties are wonderful. They are usually amazing about learning to use a litterbox quickly. I hope she and your dogs get along.

:applause: :yourock:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

21. Keep the cat isolated

in a small room or big box, except when you're playing with it. With a litter box and some food and water. It should work out fine. If you have heavy ceramic bowls, she won't knock them around.

If it doesn't work out, toss the cat outside, and leave a box with towels/blanket and food so she can get out of the snow if she wants.

Detroit weather is calling for 6-10 inches of snow, but it's going to be a lot warmer than it has been. Temps in the double-digits :). Cats will do just fine outside tonight and tomorrow. Not like yesterday morning's single-digit temp.

I hope it works out.

[rubberducky]

22. "Toss the cat outside"???

I will try to find her owners, but if I can`t I will keep her! She found me!!! I`ve never been owned by a kitty before this, but I will love her forever. My doggies will have to learn to adjust.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

23. I misunderstood, I thought it was feral, no owners.

It sounds like it has already worked out, you softie!

:rofl:
:hi:

[rubberducky]

24. My ferals are quite content with thier very thick coats.

This one is different. No winter coat. All she wants is snuggles. This is the first kitty I`ve had that all she wants is lovin`. Glad that we got past the toss her in the snow. Softie?? Oh, yeah, I feed my raccoons, dear, cats, squirells, birds and any other animals that might happen by.