The continuing sage of the cat I guess I am aparently "adopting"

[Political Heretic]

So a while ago I posted about the stray cat I took in one night during a bad winter storm here. I was just too worried about the poor thing to not do it. He - actually come to think of it I haven't checked! - seemed so grateful. Yes, I'm projecting human interpretation or whatever some cynic would say. All I know is that the cat would not leave my side - ever. Anywhere I went in my house he was there, almost underfoot.

Anyway, I know nothing about pets of any kind. And, on top of that I'm allergic to cats. A great match up! But I'm getting attached. A few nights later after trying to be the "tough guy" hearing him meow at my door but not letting him in (winter storm passed) I eventually caved again - couldn't help myself. From then on, it was so cute, every time I would step outside, he would come running from clear across the way just to come up and stand under foot again. :)

I should be clear - he's very clearly not anyone's pet. He spent most of his time under my back porch until recently. He is always, always outside - all day and all night. And, he looks to have been in a few scrapes. The poor guy isn't going to win any beauty contests. He has -- I don't know what to call it... a tooth that sticks way out and his mouth looks like, well looks like he's seen a fight or two. But its the affection that really gets to me.

I'm used to cats that sort of think they own the place. You know, cats that basically "allow" you to be in their presence when they want something. This cat borders on co-dependency. :P The first night, he wouldn't be anywhere I wasn't. When I went to bed, he had to jump up and not just be on the bed, he had to go through the process of needing (kneeding?) the entire length of my body then walk up my chest and bury his face into mine. He wanted to be right next to my face all the time. This crazy cat licked me! I've never seen a cat lick anything. When I moved him so I could try to get some sleep - down just a little bit- he had to stretch his leg out so is paw touched my cheek before he would settle.

The next time I let him in, I was at the computer, and he had to be right where I was. Then in my lap. Then in my face. I go to the bathroom? Yeah he pushes the door open to hang out. :P

Right now as I type this, he is hilariously perched on the top of my computer chair back right behind my shoulders (that after stepping on the "back" key on my keyboard while I was typing this. I finally broke down tonight and said, "the hell with it" and I went and bought food, a dish, a toy, a brush and some pet stain / oder remover stuff.

I'm not trying to "keep" the cat per se. Like its his world, I'm just living in it. If he wants to leave and never come back that's cool. But if he doesn't have any place to be and no one to care about him, then I'm having a hard time not getting attached.

So I have a couple questions, because I know nothing about cats and I want to make sure I'm responsible and caring any time he's with me.

--- my guy is not exactly the best smelling guy right now... life on the street I guess. Is there anything short of the horror I imagine will ensue if I try to give him a bath at might help clean him up?

--- if this little fella adopts me for real - can I get him to use a litter box? If he's been stray for a long time, I wasn't sure if I could get him to do his business in one or what? I would prefer it if he didn't poo all over my apartment! :)

--- I got a flea type collar thingy because I assumed he would be battling the little bastards. Anything bad about that? That really wasn't for my benefit - I just thought it would help him feel better and get cleaned up.

(lol he's perched on my shoulder burying his face into my cheek now)

As far as allergies go, I made a post about that a few days ago. They used to be really bad, but honestly... right now it seems to only give me minor discomfort. It hasn't made it hard for me to breathe so I guess I can live with it.

I dunno... anything else I should think of. I'm assuming right now that the cat will probably want to come and go as he pleases, but I think I'm gonna start letting him in regularly. I'm getting attached.

[Heidi]

1. You have been assimilated.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! :hug: :hug:

Thank you for giving this lil cat a home! :yourock:

Please don't forget vaccinations and neutering. :)

On edit:
1. Since your little guy is no longer living under the porch and braving the elements daily, nor scavanging for food, he's bound to start smelling better, don't you think?

2. Buy a litter box and put it out for him. Our Ginger-boy prefers to do his business outdoors, but we keep a litter box around anyway. Also, I recommend regular, plain, non-clumping kitty litter; I've heard that the clumping kind can get trapped between cats' toes and cause problems if they accidentally ingest it.

3. And really, please don't forget the vaccinations and neutering. Your boy will be less likely to wander and less likely to fight and be injured after he's neutered, and vaccinations are just common sense.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. You've just been chosen by a cat. Congratulations!

But don't use Hartz flea collars; they are too strong and they've made a lot of pets sick. Check with a vet for a good kind. In fact, it wouldn't be a bad idea to take the little guy to a vet for a checkup, shots and neutering.

Cats rule.

[distantearlywarning]

3. Re: flea stuff

We use the kind that goes on the back of their neck once a month. So far it's been working well, and doesn't seem to have any toxic side effects on any living thing in the house except for the fleas.

[Arkansas Granny]

4. You might as well give it up. You've been adopted and any

resistance is futile.

[Lil Missy]

5. That's how I acquired my first cat, about 14 years ago.

She lived under my porch. Scolded me every morning when I went to the garage to go to work, and came out of nowhere when I got home every night. On a very cold and below zero winter Friday night, I decided to take her in for her own protection and survival. I also called the local shelter to come and get her.

Little shit - the shelter did not call me back till the next Monday night, and over the weekend my son and I got so attached to her that I decided to keep her. That was 14 years ago.

[radfringe]

6. no apparently "adopting" about it

YOU'VE BEEN ADOPTED...

- smelly cat smell could just be from living under your porch, or it may be a sign of another problem, best to get him to a vet soon for a general physical and shots. vet will be able to determine if it's just a smelly cat smell or something else. If it's just a smelly cat smell, vet should be able to give you some direction on what to do about it

- most cats take right to a litter box, even feral ones. Litter types vary, as does the texture. We can't use the larger granular type, our cats hate it, they prefer one with a more sandy texture. to clump or not to clump - opinions vary, use your judgment

- flea collars only keep the fleas away from the collar. We use bio-spot, once a month topical liquid, 1/2 between the shoulder blades and rest at the base of the tail. Works good for complete life cycle of fleas, tics, and other biting insects

I'm assuming that the cat is a male, males are more prone to urinary blockage which could be fatal. For food, you will want to keep him on food with low ash or specially formulated for urinary track health. Dry food is more often than not the culprit. So check the labels. talk to your vet for more info.

some cats are catnip addicts and love the stuff, other's don't. it's a genetic trait, so don't get upset if your boy turns his nose up at catnip. and if he is a catnip addict, don't panic if he eats it. perfectly fine if he does

meanwhile - you are receiving a warning - posts about new pets without pics may result in a fine...

[MissMillie]

7. sounds like this cat adopted you

get yourself some allergy meds, and come up w/ a name for the critter!


and post a pic, will ya?

[Political Heretic]

8. Thanks everyone! :)

Yes you are all very right, I'll definitely make plans to get him to a vet soon for vaccs and checkup. :)

It dumped a pile of snow overnight so he's pretty happy to be here right about now!

[Political Heretic]

9. I bothered to check, and he is in fact a she ! lol :)

I'm charging my camera then I'll take some pictures

[Fredda Weinberg]

12. She's in love. Forget the species, enjoy the affection n/t

[NV Whino]

10. You can get Pet Wipes for the smelliness

but probably that will go away with a warm house, good food and a little (a lot?) lovin'.

[applegrove]

11. When a cat licks you it means he thinks you two are friends. Sounds

like that cat has adopted you. Enjoy.

[Flaxbee]

13. hooray!

Glad you have found a good friend. She sounds like she chose well!

OK - re smell, as others have said, it will go away because her living condition has improved dramatically with your care. Four of our cats LOVE to be brushed, so perhaps she'll let you groom her, too, to remove stray hair, help her stay clean, etc. I have never, ever bathed any of our cats (we have 7 now) and with a bit of brushing now and then (esp. during shedding season) they all do a fantastic job of keeping themselves clean.

Most cats take well to a litter box. I prefer to use clumping litter, you can either choose the clay-based stuff (not great for the environment, though) or something like Swheat Scoop (environmentally friendly, and wonderfully lightweight to carry) - but I do warn you to choose one and stay with it - most cats do not like their litter brands to be changed. They get used to one smell/feel of litter and like to keep it that way.

As for fleas, flea collars kinda suck. We use the once-a-month application tube - you can choose Advantage or Frontline. We use Advantage (and you can order it online; we go to www.vetshoponline.com - for much less than you can buy it at the vet's, but get one or two months' worth at the vet when you take her in to be spayed/vaccinated). Advantage now offers a product called Advantage Multi, which combines flea/tick protection with ear mite and heartworm protection in a one-tube (monthly) application.

I think you will love the company. Cats are wonderful companions. Just get her spayed QUICKLY before she goes into heat again - if she's going to be an indoor/outdoor cat, she needs to be protected from pregnancies and you don't want to have to deal with finding good homes for kittens -- too many sweet kitties out there w/o good homes to introduce more into the population.

[huskerlaw]

14. Awwwwwwwwwww

Your story is so cute!!

As others have said, she's probably going to start smelling better now that she's inside and can take care of herself more easily. In the short term, you could try wiping her down with baby wipes. There are organic, unscented wipes that should be safe. Much less horrifying than a bath! Plus, she won't get soaking wet, but it does take some of the dirt and smell off.

Congrats on your new kitty!