Welcoming A Stray Cat At Home: Useful Tips

Sometimes it can happen that we find an abandoned cat who loves to get close to us and to our home. After a few days or weeks of offering him food and protection, the time may come when you decide to adopt him.

There are a number of precautions  to always keep in mind, especially if the cat is an adult or has some health problem. Well, let’s see together what needs to be done to welcome a stray cat into the house in the most correct and safe way possible.

Welcome a stray cat into your home: the vet

We are talking about  a street cat and, of course, the first step is to take him to the vet. This is a mandatory step in order to analyze in depth the general state of health of the animal. The doctor will be able to check for diseases, fleas, discover possible injuries and much more.

Your new four-legged friend, in his stray life, will have lived a thousand adventures. Fights between cats, ingestion of expired or poisoned food, accidents with bicycles or cars, violence by man … In short, a very heavy baggage, a legacy of a life that fortunately, from now on, will be much better.

It is in fact necessary to exclude even more serious pathologies, such as leukemia, distemper, poisoning … Mandatory vaccines will also be administered , the microchip required by law will be implanted and, finally, sterilization will be carried out .

Buy a carrier for your cat

Catching a stray cat and getting him into a car can be a real challenge. To avoid hurting the animal and making its transport less traumatic, it will be necessary to purchase a pet carrier. A stray animal, which has lived in the wild for a long time, will not be easily picked up.

To get  the stray cat into the  carrier, forget about using force or violence. Just place some food, treats or treats for cats that prompt the feline to enter.

Welcoming a stray cat: preparing the house

Keep in mind that your new friend will feel very disoriented after a visit to the vet. The long day full of travel and meeting strange people can be a little trauma. Finally, however, here is the arrival home.

You can decide whether to give the animal a room all to himself or let the cat explore the whole house and choose, by himself, the corner he prefers. Being more independent than a dog, he will need a separate space, all for him, in which to hide or find relaxation .

Things necessary to welcome a stray cat into the house

• Food and water. Depending on the age and weight of the cat, you will have to choose a specific type of food. Take advantage of the visit to the veterinarian to give you indications on compliance. Type of food, quantity, frequency and perhaps the suggestion of some specific brand or product. Coming to a home that offers him fresh water and tempting food will greatly improve his adaptation to the new space.
• The area for eating. Remember that cats are very clean animals. You will need to create a special space to place the bowls of baby food and water. In the beginning, however, you can put the containers in front of the cat to help him become familiar with them. Later, you could move them to where the cat has decided to make its own den.
• The litter box. This is an indispensable element if you want to welcome a stray cat into your home. Choose a litter box that conforms to the size of your cat, there are different types, colors and sizes. This element should be positioned away from food or water.

• A kennel for sleeping. For the sleeping area, it will be important to buy or build a suitable kennel for your new tenant. You can use old pillows or blankets to make this space more welcoming and comfortable. In general, cats like to sleep high up, like in nature, to feel protected from any dangers.
• Scratching post or scratcher. While many people underestimate the importance of this element, it is a must for your home. On the one hand, it protects and prevents the cat from scratching and breaking fabrics and furniture. On the other hand, it allows the small animal to release anxiety and stress, keeping the length of its claws regular.

Maintain contact with nature

Now that everything is ready to welcome the stray cat into the house, we need to reflect on one last point. Having lived in the wild for a long time, it is right to keep his contact with nature. A window, a balcony, an exit to the patio or to the garden… A few elements that will allow him to feel even more at ease.