Making a stray a pet...someone talk me out of this, please!!

[6_Time_Momma]

About 2-3 months ago, a stray silver/brown tiger cat showed up at our door. He obviously had been a pet as he had been declawed and neutered.

Well, I assumed he would wander back home, but he didn't. We kept looking at lost ads, but none turned up.

At first, I put my foot down and said no way to feeding him, because I didn't want him to stay just for the food, but as he kept hanging around and getting scrawnier looking, we started feeding him.

Fast forward to now. Crookshanks has not gone home, at least to his former home. He has adotped us. And, I admit, he has pretty much captured my heart, and (sorry animal lovers) I am really not much of an animal person, so this goes to shows ya something if he can make me care for the little dickens. He loves being held and pet and will come running when we come out of the house, etc.

So, we have decided to adopt him and bring him inside. (I made it clear, he would be MY kitty ). Anyway, I made an appointment next week to have him vet checked, but I really don't want to wait until then to bring him in. The vet's office stated the only thing he could pass to us or to puppy Daisy would be fleas or parasites.

So, can anyone recommend a good "over the counter" flea treatment and worm tx to hold us until next week. OR CAN SOMEONE TALK ME OUT OF IT??????

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Don't let yourself be talked out of it. Strays can make the very best pets. They seem to have an understanding of their circumstances and appreciate you. There aren't any great over the counter meds. It is best to get them from your vet after you have checked the health of the pet.

Enjoy! They can be so much fun.

 

[patsvette]

we use frontline on all our dogs and cats,we have 2 kittys,micky and minnie there brother and sister.

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

I don't want to talk you out of it. I think it's great you've decided to give this fur baby a home.

As for flea treatments I use Advantage. Works well for me.

 

[chell]

Nope, I won't try to talk you out of it. My Kelly was a stray and he was the best cat I've ever had.

Sorry that I can't suggest any treatments since I get mine from the vet. Someone once posted on here that washing them with regular Dawn dish detergent should kill the fleas.

 

[doxdogy]

No talking you out of it from me. Strays or resuces make the best pets. Two of our dogs are rescues.

 

[nealymouse]

You said it all
He adopted you, You are blessed to be so lucky.

Front Line is the only flea control that REALLY works well. Im not sure if you can buy it at a store but you can stop into your vets office and pick up a package or maybe only one. Depends on how your vets sells them.

Are you even sure it the cat has fleas ? you can spread the fur and look for live fleas or if he has alot of black dirt in the fur then that would be flea eggs. He may be flea free.

Front line is expensicve but its well worth it honest. I used to work for a vet and the people who bought the junk from wal0mart that did not work had to come in the clinic and buy the good stuff.


Lucky you and I mean it !!!!

 

[kejoda]

I'm loving the name Kristy! Very smart cat you have there!

 

[Carl]

I'm with the rest of them - I wouldn't want to talk you out of it. As you've been told, the chemicals you put on the back of their neck work best - Advantage, Frontline.

 

[Pooh93]

Our 2nd cat "Lucky" (because I brought him home) was a stray. He was hanging around the gas station by our house and very thin and thin haired. I was about 6 mos pregnant at the time with 2nd dd and did NOT need another pet. Well, some "man" (I use the term loosely) tried to kick him at the gas station and I in turn asked the "man" "how would you like it if somebody kicked you?" (don't mess with a pregnant woman ) The "man" grumbled something at me and "Lucky" followed me to my car meowing. I knew I couldn't leave him and called dh to bring me the cat carrier. This was only going to be a temporary situation, mind you, because I did NOT need another pet. I was going to find him a GOOD home. Well, after having him neutered, shots, and declawed, guess whose GOOD home he's lived at for the last 6 years??

Like I said, he was thin and thin haired. After a couple months of some quality food, he became fat and long haired!!! But, you know what??? I swear this cat thinks he's a dog and follows us everywhere. He loves youngest dd and me the most.

If you are still reading this, I think you will agree that I am NOT the one that will be able to talk you out of this!! Anyways, I think you now belong to him, not the other way around.

 

[ZachnElli]

Nope, can't talk you out of it! My stray is sleeping on the floor beside me! And his mommy, who I also found (he was a puppy) is at my mommy's! Love Crookshanks' name, btw!!

 

[Beauty]

I definatly wouldn't want to be talked out of it either!

My Cinders is a stray, actually she was brought into the shelter and was going to be put to sleep the day I went in and got her!

The best flea medication is definatly the kind that your vet has that goes on their neck!

Afterwards, when you bring her inside you shouldn't have to worry about fleas any longer!!! I have 8........all inside and we have no flea problems at all.

Hey Pooh92, your Lucky sounds very much like he could have Maine Coon in him....the way he follows you around and the longer hair!

 

[GailT]

I use advantage for my furbaby, works for him and me.

 

[Planogirl]

Definitely get the kind of flea preventative that you put on the back of their head and down their back. It's easy and works well. We just use Sergeant's and our cats are flea-free.

I've had a few wonderful strays and there is no way I could talk you out of keeping this kitty. He sounds like a sweetheart.

 

[Pooh93]

Beth, you might be right. He's got something in him, because he's the loudest meowing and purring cat, I've ever encountered. He's orange and white. Someday, I'll have to post a picture, if I can figure that out.

 

[Otto's Doll]

No talking you out of it from here... I have 4 "adoptees" at my house (feline) and 1 canine adoptee as well. I use Frontline on all my furbabies ~ even indoor kitties can get fleas from the pup bringing them in... or even from enjoying some time in the windowsill.
Can't help you with the Wormer though, sorry. Maybe someone else has a suggestion.
Enjoy your new baby!

 

[TigerBear]

I think rescue babies make the absolute best pets! Congratulations on your new bundle of love.

 

[Purrrrfecta]

so soz,

Can't tallk you out of it - especially when I rescued a dog and cat from Puerto Rico. The dog had parasites, yeast infection - yes, a yeast infection! need I go on.

Anyway ended up with 4 pets - 3 dogs and a cat (all strays but one dog) living in a one bedroom apartment. Down to only 3, but I would never give them up!

Go for it try frontline!

 

[Virgo10]

I'm with the rest of the posters. I'm praying I find a person like you to adopt the stray we have here.

BTW, I use Advantage on all my cats and it works wonderfully. You have to get it at the Vet's though.

All the best to you and your new fur baby!

Roberta

 

[Jockaroo]

Congratulations on your new baby! You really need to get him indoors if he is declawed. He has lost one of his major defenses. Declawed kitties need to be indoor kitties.

My dogs use Advantix, but there is a caution that states NOT to use this product on cats--it is toxic. So don't try to use a dog flea treatment on the cat. Your vet can recommend the best flea and worm treatments for the cat.

It is so wonderful for you to open your heart and home to sweet Crookshanks. (H.P. fan here so I love the name!)