My Cat Dilemma - Updated.

[joolz1910]

I'm looking for help/advice from cat owners, please.

We have recently 'acquired' a 6 month old female cat. She followed my daughter home and refuses to leave. We have now brought her into our home and the girls love her. We took her to the vet to see if she was chipped - she wasn't. We returned her to the area where she was first seen and she came back to our house - twice. My husband knocked on doors in the area where she first latched on to my DD and one neighbour suggested a possible owner but told my DH not to bother, as they don't care for their animals and are hardly ever at home.

So now you see my dilemma. I would gladly keep the cat and give her a loving home for life, or should I pursue this possible owner?

I am also worried about vet bills. We have never had a pet (as a family) and I am a bit worried about things like neutering, chipping, vaccinations etc. If we keep her, I would like to do everything properly. We would not qualify for any help/vouchers as we are not in receipt of any benefits.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Personally, I would keep her. You have tried to find her owner, to no avail, and she seems to like your family if she keeps coming back!

With regards to the "possible owner", I think she is better off being looked after by you if what your neighbour says is true. Anyway, I think most people whose cat had gone missing would put up posters and ask around, so I wouldn't feel too guilty.

It can be expensive keeping animals but I think it is worth it. You can look into buying pet insurance too.

 

[natalielongstaff]

Keep her, i have our dog insured its relativly cheap and i would advise you do it

 

[scottish mum]

I would keep her. I have my cat insured and I think I pay about £8 a month. It is worth it as vet bills can be easily in the hundreds. Your vet will advise you on how to keep her healthy and what injections etc it will need

 

[Danwell]

Keep her, you've tried your best, if they cared about her at all she would already be chipped.

Cats are not the most expensive or time consuming of animals, food, water and cuddles is thier main aim in life!

I would recommend insurance though HOWEVER two months ago one of my cats had a stomach bug and cost us £350-ish and the first £150 was excess so make sure you get a good provider with limited excess and will pay the vets direct rather than you paying then reclaiming.

 

[bazzanoid]

Another vote for keep her.

Cats will only become a permanent resident in your home if they're not being cared for in their previous one. Often they'll be back and forth if she's getting looked after by both homes, but if she's permanently at yours (or never far from your garden) then she clearly has adopted you

I agree with insurance, have a chat with your local vet to see if they recommend one (they will deal with insurance co's all the time and know which ones give better service etc).

Worm her to be on the safe side now, and get a flea comb so you can check her fur thoroughly to see if you need to buy some flea drops for the back of her neck (drontal is better than frontline - frontline can cause a small reaction on the cat's skin which becomes irritating for them).

Most vets will advise flea & worm treatment on a regular basis, however in 30 years of owning cats i've only had to give worm medication once and flea twice, so it's up to you, personally i would do it now as you don't know her prior living conditions then not worry unless it becomes a problem, otherwise you're throwing money away.

Get her chipped. Observe her behaviour as well, if she appears to be a climber outdoors then do not put a collar on her . Personally would never do it regardless of their behaviour outside, but a lot of people prefer to have a tag of some sort on their cat. I've seen too many cats come through the door practically strangled (and worse) where they jumped and got their collar caught on a branch or other outcropping.

Food: Avoid the cheap brands in the supermarkets and Aldi/Lidl - while the cat will eat them they have very little by way of nutrition and vitamins in them, you'll soon notice a depressed moggy with a matt coat rather than a bouncy glossy kitty. The premium brands (Purina, Iams, Gourmet) offer little above the standard ones so unless you end up with problems later in life and she needs a specialist diet, stick with stuff like whiskas and felix.

Couple of small meals a day and a permanent supply of dry food (Go-Cat Complete is a good one) and a fresh bowl of water and you can't go wrong.

This about sums up a cat:

 

[Snowy-girls]

You have 3 options--
1-Take her back to her owner-although my opinion is-i would'nt after what your neighbour said.
2-Keep her.
3-Find a cat sanctuary,explain the situation that you can't afford to keep a pet etc..-(if this is the case),but i would'nt say you know who the owner is,tell them that she seems to be a stray+that you have tried your best to look for her owner,as at the end of the day-she does belong to someone and a sanctuary will reunite her with her rightful owner-if they believe she is in a fit state.

As for expense-pet insurance really is a must ,it can pretty cheap per month-shop around online to get the best deal.2 of my cat's have had some serious problems+totalled together would have cost me aprox £3,000 .
Cat's really don't cost an awful lot of money to 'keep',you don't need the most expensive of foods,my 2 cats love the asda own brand tins/sachets and turn there noses up at Whiskas .

Please let us know what you decide,post a piccy if you can-i adore cat's.When i was living with my Nan+Grandad we endedup with 2 cat's this way.x.

 

[Snowy-girls]

Worm her to be on the safe side now, and get a flea comb so you can check her fur thoroughly to see if you need to buy some flea drops for the back of her neck (drontal is better than frontline - frontline can cause a small reaction on the cat's skin which becomes irritating for them).


Food: Avoid the cheap brands in the supermarkets and Aldi/Lidl - while the cat will eat them they have very little by way of nutrition and vitamins in them, you'll soon notice a depressed moggy with a matt coat rather than a bouncy glossy kitty.

2 things i will mention-for the Original Poster-if you decide to get a flea treatment-drops,spray,powder from a pet shop etc..please make sure you read from what age it can be used on-not all flea treatments are suitable for a 6month old cat .

Sorry but i don't agree with the comment about cheap food-i don't believe that could be a cause,the 2 cats i have left are now 16+15yrs are they have always had asda/tesco own brand chunks-i always get comments about there skin+coats+have never had any problems with there skin/coat.
When my Sam was in the vet's for falling 5 floors out of my window-the nurse's tried to give him Whiskas+said he was'nt eating,so i brought his own food up,which he ate-the Vet turnt round+said to me that the supermarket brands are just as good as named brands+some if not better than brands.Just my opinion .x.

 

[natalielongstaff]

im happy to use supermarket pet foods as well ! it should only be a problem if there is underlying health issues

 

[bazzanoid]

Maybe my cats have always been just fussy little wotsits then lol

 

[Snowy-girls]

Maybe my cats have always been just fussy little wotsits then lol

Mine deffinatley don't say no to a nice piece of rock eel from the chip shop .But won't touch a tin of cheap tuna .x.

 

[bazzanoid]

Mine deffinatley don't say no to a nice piece of rock eel from the chip shop .But won't touch a tin of cheap tuna .x.

My two ragdolls would love to get their paws on any fish i cook but they're not allowed it (most ragdolls have sensitive stomachs) - seems almost cruel to eat a nice aromatic plate of fish n chips in front of them

 

[natalielongstaff]

My two ragdolls would love to get their paws on any fish i cook but they're not allowed it (most ragdolls have sensitive stomachs) - seems almost cruel to eat a nice aromatic plate of fish n chips in front of them

Aww Ragdolls are lovely

 

[joolz1910]

You lot are just great. Thanks for all the replies. I am officially a mad cat lady now, as I can't stop telling everyone about her. I will post a picture as soon as possible.

I am feeding her on Kitten pouches at the moment (2 per day) and some dry food for kittens in the day. She always has fresh water. She seems clean (no accidents yet) so should I get a litter tray? I am taking her collar off and keeping it off. She is a jumper/climber.

I have phoned our local vet who said it would cost the following: Vaccinations £40 (£22 each year for boosters) Spayed £40 and Chipped £15. Does that sound about right?

Any extra advice for a novice would be appreciated.

 

[joolz1910]

BTW, we are keeping her. We are changing her identity in case the previous bad owner comes calling.

 

[~Piglet~]

I have phoned our local vet who said it would cost the following: Vaccinations £40 (£22 each year for boosters) Spayed £40 and Chipped £15. Does that sound about right?

Yes that sounds ok

I'm glad you decided to keep her as other posters have said the cat wouldn't have found you if she was happy with her previous home. One of our near neighbours cats (they had about eight!) walked into our house 12 years ago and still hasn't left she had 4 kittens in the airing cupboard a few months later, and we still have all five cats (we were going to keep two kittens but couldn't choose between them), I wouldn't be without them

 

[joolz1910]

Yes that sounds ok

I'm glad you decided to keep her as other posters have said the cat wouldn't have found you if she was happy with her previous home. One of our near neighbours cats (they had about eight!) walked into our house 12 years ago and still hasn't left she had 4 kittens in the airing cupboard a few months later, and we still have all five cats (we were going to keep two kittens but couldn't choose between them), I wouldn't be without them

Yes. I've made a commitment now, so that's that. The kids have decided to call her......Sooty. They thought it was a brilliantly original name. Guess what colour she is?

I hope Sooty isn't pregnant.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Guess what colour she is?

Ginger?

I'm glad you have decided to keep her, animals need secure and loving homes and it sounds like she will be very happy with you!

 

[bazzanoid]

Guess what colour she is?

White?

 

[hotfudgesundae]

My dad who is 85 has addopted a cat which came and lived in his garden for weeks. She is a beautiful cat she is house trained and uses a litter tray if she cant go outside. She has a wonderfull life with my dad who spoils her. When we take our dog she just about puts up with him he wags his tail at her and she sometimes spits at him hope they will behave when we are on our holidays.
I am sure you wont regret taking her in she has chosen you so enjoy her.