Do you want to adopt a stray cat and give them a safe home? This blog will walk you through the basic considerations, things to do, and essentials to buy before adopting a homeless feline.
Do you want to play a part in reducing the homeless feline population by adopting a stray cat from the streets or a shelter? In that case, you’re in for a wonderful experience.
Something similar, yet unique, happened in Denver. According to a news report by Aol., a brave ginger cat won the hearts of many when she tried to help firefighters during an operation.
On March 7th, a hazmat incident occurred when diesel oil spilled on the roadway, leaving three people injured. Along with the brave firefighters, a stray cat arrived to help bring this situation under control with her ‘feline cuteness.’
She also hopped on the ambulance, trying to oversee the paramedics’ medical training. Later on, the stray cat was put up for adoption and found her forever home with one of those on-duty firemen. She was later named Hazi, the Hazmat cat.
Unfortunately, not all felines have Hazi’s luck. An estimated 60 to 100 million feral and stray cats live on the streets of America. Would you like to change the life of one of those cats?
In this blog, we will discuss things to consider, what you should do after adoption, and the essentials you should have when welcoming a stray feline home.
What Should You Consider Before Adopting a Stray Cat?
Julie Penner adopted a stray kitten when it was only a year old. Named Danaerys, this cat remained frantic and was always on guard during the first two years. Even after four years of living with Julie, she still doesn’t trust the home environment to be permanent.
This story proves that stray cats are harder to live with, even if you care for them daily. It’s a commitment that you need to be absolutely sure about. However, they’ll be highly resourceful, intelligent, and loyal if you do things right.
That’s why you must ask yourself the following questions before you decide to adopt a stray cat:
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Are you ready to spend money on food, toys, treats, beds, and supplements?
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Can you give them enough attention to ensure they aren’t bored or lonely?
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Would you be able to groom them regularly?
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Do you think you can afford constant vet check-ups, vaccinations, or preventive care?
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Are you ready for a lifelong commitment to care for and support a stray cat?
If your answer was ‘yes,’ then you’re ready to open your home to a stray cat in need of love and care. But remember to create a comfortable environment for them. To do that, you must follow the tips mentioned below and promote healthy living with essential products.
5 Things You Should Do After Adopting a Stray Cat
Adopting a stray cat might sound daunting because each feline will have a unique personality and requirements. However, new pet parents must be strong and ready for every challenge.
Thankfully, there are ways to make life smoother for the cat and you. To do that, you must follow these tips:
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Take the cat to the vet’s office immediately to check for underlying conditions, neutering, etc.
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Ensure that the feline is treated for ticks, worms, or fleas, and care for all their medical needs.
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Learn the type of food this cat was eating to avoid sudden diet changes that can lead to stomach illnesses.
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Always be patient with their behavior and give them enough space to adapt to the new location.
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Choose a training system with positive reinforcements instead of using negative training if they exhibit bad behavior.
Remember to take care of these things when introducing a stray cat into a new environment. That’s because the feline might be scared of the situation and have health conditions that need treatment.
During this phase, you should also buy medication, food, cat beds, and supplements to give them a healthy life.
4 Essentials You Should Buy for Your Stray Cat
You’ve probably already gotten pet care items like grooming supplies, litter boxes, cat carriers, and scratching posts. However, you’re unsure about the other essentials like supplements, medications, etc.
Here are a few product suggestions that you should get for your adopted cat’s health and happiness.
#1. Revolution Plus for Cats: Flea and Tick Medication
Most pet parents mistakenly believe that fleas and ticks have a season. That’s unfortunately not the case. For instance, in 2023, there was a 47% increase in flea infestations in the United Kingdom throughout the year.
Skin irritation and itching are common in most stray cats. If your furball is experiencing the same, then they have some uninvited parasites living on their skin. These include ticks, fleas, heartworms, etc.
Thankfully, Revolution Plus for Cats is the perfect solution to get rid of such infestations. This quick-dry solution treats parasites by killing them before they can lay eggs. This topical cream has active ingredients like selamectin and sarolaner, affecting the parasite’s primary behavior.
Selamectin acts as an antiparasitic agent that blocks electrical activity in the invertebrate parasite’s neuromuscular system. Similarly, sarolaner works as an insecticide by blocking the nervous system in mites and ticks.
Once applied, the medication can stop fleas from reproducing and ticks from infesting for a month. It can also reduce the risk of heartworm disease.
#2. Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Canned Cat Food
In most cases, cats are abandoned because they develop urinary problems. Usually, they struggle with incontinence due to underlying infections or diseases caused by a poor diet. Do take your stray cat to a vet to diagnose any urinary issues.
After that, you can buy Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Canned Cat Food. Vets recommend this as a lifelong feeding option for adult cat breeds.
It’s unique because the vital nutrients present can fully support your cat’s urinary health. This wet food is also clinically tested to reduce 89% of bladder problems with regular use because of the natural ingredients (vitamins and minerals).
It can also help dissolve struvite stones by controlling the calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus levels. If left untreated, these stones can eventually lead to a high concentration of alkaline urine, leading to bladder issues.
#3. K&H Pet Products Thermo-Kitty Bed
Do you want to give the stray cat the exceptional comfort they deserve? Keeping them warm and comfortable can help them live a healthy and happy life.
For that, you should get the K&H Pet Products Thermo-Kitty Bed. Loaded with unique features, this heated bed is perfect for a feline’s twelve- to sixteen-hour sleep routine.
When in use, the bed’s temperature will adjust to your cat’s normal body heat by rising above the ambient air temperature. For instance, the heat will be controlled at a consistent warmth of 102°F.
All of this is possible because the bed has pads containing two internally controlled thermostats. This feature adjusts the surface temperature to that of your stray cat’s body to make it comfortable. When not in use, the pad will dissipate the heat according to the ambient air temperature.
#4. Nutramax Proviable-DC Digestive Health Supplement
Vets believe that digestive health issues are quite common in cats. To save money, some people often give human medications to their pets.
However, most of those drugs are extremely toxic to felines, making them sick. According to Lillian Sonsteby, who studied veterinary medication, cats shouldn’t be given human supplements unless prescribed by the vet.
Thankfully, the Nutramax Proviable-DC Digestive Health Supplement Multi-Strain Probiotics and Prebiotics are specially designed for a cat’s stomach health. It contains approximately 5 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) of good bacteria. These help support healthy intestinal balance by restoring and soothing the digestive tract. Moreover, the supplements can help increase the secretion of a healthy microbiome that encourages digestion and builds a better immune system.
Your stray cat will benefit from having this daily. For instance, they’ll develop a healthier gut, helping them overcome any diet changes.
In summary, pet parents will have a long way to go before they can get love and companionship from a stray cat.
Therefore, you must keep the essential supplies handy. These include flea and tick medication, canned food, a cat bed, supplements, etc. Similarly, don’t try to force the cat to make connections with you or other pets. Doing that might make them feel more stressed and scared.
Instead, be patient with them, take the cat to the vet, and give them fresh food. With the tips and products shared in this blog, taking care of a stray feline will surely be a rewarding experience for you.
