Stray cat?

[Spinning]

I do like cats...but after our last cat DH said no more...long story....
anyway 2 days ago this cat showed up at our house. At first it didnt' come near us just ran through the yard. Didn't think much of it. But yesterday it came around and of course the kids saw it and it came running over to them. Very pretty cat. Nice, clean doesn't seem starved or any real health issues. But it headed off to the woods again. Didn't think much about it.
Well it has been hanging around all day today. So we gave it some milk and left over chicken. Which it quickly ate up. Now I know we shouldn'tfeeding a stray.....
But I want to keep it! (one way to get around the no more cats..if the cat found us!)
We have asked around if it was any of the neighbor's cat and everyone said no. We have a very large woods behind out house.
Is it safe to take in a stray? Granted I will take it to the vets and have all the shots but how would they no if it is carrying rabies?

 

[kerrynic78]

I am so glad you posted this! I came home yesterday to a mother and kitten sleeping on my porch furniture. I went to go near them but they hissed at me. I left out milk and they drank it all in a matter of seconds and I gave them some tuna which they devoured (I have no idea what cats eat, I have never owned one!!) I have no idea what to do but it looks like my front porch is their new home.

 

[Aurora63]

I am sure a vet could check it for rabies. I don't know what they do, specifically, but they can check.

However, I have always thought that if an animal has rabies, there are some tell tale signs, like foaming at the mouth and aggresion. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but if the cat doesn't show these, I don't think it has rabies. Take her to the vet anyway, of course.

My kitty was a stray. She is like your new kitty...she saw me outside and chose me.

BTW, once you feed a kitty, that's it. They will never leave!

 

[jx3smom]

A vet can tell if it healthy. Milk is really not a good thing to give to cats. They love it but it doesn't always agree with them.

 

[cats7494]

We just went through this...we adopted the kitty in my signature a month ago. It was abandoned at a campsite and starving. We have 2 other cats.
I took the stray one home but we kept her separated at all times from the other 2 until I could have her checked out by a vet.
Took her in the next day to the vet. She got shots and blood and stool samples done. She had fleas, ear mites, a low grade fever, and 2 kinds of worms - she has been fully treated with medicine and doing great now!

Make sure to do all this before letting the stray one near any other pet!

Good luck to you!

 

[StartedAJoke]

Our best cat found us when he was a stray. We have had Jack for 12 years now and he is the most loyal, loving and protective cat -- truly a joy. When he found us he was thin, had fleas, some tell-tale indications of previous cat battles (nipped ears, scar on his nose.) We fed him once, and he has never left. One of my favortite memories of him was when I was 2 weeks overdue with DD1 (now almost 11yo) and he would walk at my side, up and down the street we lived on, just like a dog would. Strays make very loyal pets. We adopted our other 2 cats from shelters, but it is clear to us that Jack is special because he chose us. Good luck!

 

[Spinning]

This little kitty who is now named Spunky is really coming around!
So I think we may head to the vets sooner than planned.....
Only problem we have a very big yellow lab who likes to chase it! Not sure how this will all work out!

 

[MagicKingdom05]

My two cats in my signiture I got from a shelter, but they were strays that were picked up. I took them to the vet and they were given shots and tests, etc and every thing came back fine.

 

[Virgo10]

As others have mentioned, milk is not good for cats. Mine never get it and do quite well on water only for hydration. Also, cats love cooked food meant for people but only cat food has everything they need for a healthy life.

It's unlikely the cat would have rabies. A much greater possibility is FIV or Feline Leukemia. I think (but I'm not 100% sure) the only way to test for rabies is after an animal is dead. FIV and FeLV can be determined through a blood test.

Here's a website with info about these illnesses.
FIV

Best of luck with the cat and let us know how you make out.

 

[Spinning]

Thanks everyone!
We did put out some water for the cat and currently have been giving it left over meat. I know milk isn't the best but at the time it was the only thing I had.
I think the cat is healthy. it sure is a nice kitty! never had a cat follow me around like a dog! I was able to pick it up today. It seemed to like being held. I still only pet it's head and back. I think it might like it's belly rubbed too since it always lays down when I start to pet it. But will wait till I have her checked out. Of course I pray she isn't pregnant! Never delt with a prego cat but at this point she doesn't look it!
My DH is slowly warming up to the cat....Not sure about the dog! That could take a very long time!
But I will keep everyone posted! Still not 100% sure I do want this kitty! Another pet to be responsible for, the vet bill, vacation coverage....It would be perfect if it could stay outside! Wouldn't have to deal with the littler pan but I just can't see how I could do that! Indoor outdoor would be great but we live near a busy road. I swore I would never have an outside cat again! our last kitty never went out. 2 before her did and didn't survive.
Can a cat be naturally road smart? At this point we haven't seen the cat anywhere in the front of the house. Hangs out at the back edge of the property and only comes up to the back door I think when it is hungry.....
If we decide not to keep her I will take her to the SPCA. But she sure feels like she is apart of the family already!