Anyone know anything about cats? (No Turtle; not kittens!)

[yoink 321]

I've recently moved house and I've now got a new lodger - no idea if it's male or female; what kind of cat it is or even who it belongs to. There's no collar and it's fur is a little matted, but it's the friendliest little critter I've ever met...
I've given it a little tuna from a can, but I've no idea what cats eat to be honest... I'm guessing not cucumber?
It wanders quite happily in and out, doesn't complain about me smoking, chills infront of the telly and probably likes beer... i'm guessing it's male.

Any advice? things to do / not to? Ideas on what kind of cat it is?

Cheers

Will

[yoink 321]

and one more...

[alanab 0]

cats eat.... uh CAT food! surprise! if you want to keep it, take it to the vet and get it checked out! looks safe enough.

[meatmissile 0]

It's a sweet cute fwuffy cuddly cat
They like fish and bugs.

--
ZZZzzzz....

[Casie 0]

Aaawww, what a cutiepie! I'd say it's a long haired tabby, but not certain on gender until I can see the private area.

The hair doesn't look all that bad, but you did say it's matted, if you can't cut it with regular scissors, I'd suggest getting the cat shaved by a professional so it'll grow back. Once the hair gets matted, it can be very painful cause the hair gets tight to the skin and pulls.

I'd also suggest, taking it to the vet and just getting a regular exam done on it. It might need shots or worming done of some kind.

Cats luv tuna! Give it water to drink, not sooo much milk, or it'll more than likely get the squirts. Go to the store and just buy adult moist cat food.

Best of Luck, keep us posted!

Dang typos!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Porn Kitty
WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts!

[skymama 37]

I would ask the neighbors if they knew whose cat it was or if it has been hanging around as a stray for awhile first. If no one claims him, or if you don't see any "lost cat" ads or flyers, take him to the vet for a check-up and try to brush out his fur for him.

As far as food goes, I usually just stick to dry food and water for my cat. She's healthy and happy with that. Every once in awhile I'll give her wet food as a treat. Since you cat has pretty long hair, you might want to get food that helps control hairballs.

If you're gone from the house a lot, leave out some toys for him to play with so he won't get bored and into mischief.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[raggdoll 0]

It's adorable; definitely a long haired tabby. Ditto what was already said about the matting--that can be a mess and quite painful.

If you end up keeping him/her, when you visit the vet, have him checked for feline leukemia. It's a simple blood test that only takes a few minutes--until you do this, if you have any cats in your house, don't let them around one another. It's extremely contagious if one cat has the disease and other cats aren't vaccinated (but is not dangerous to humans).

[yoink 321]

Cheers for all the advice - you guys rock...

as you probably guessed, I've never kept a cat before, so the feline leukemia thing shouldn't be a problem - what about stuff like fleas? I've had a pretty careful look and couldn't find any, but he's got more hair than Cousin It and the little buggers could be hiding anywhere - I'd rather not have them in the house. Is there spray or something to make sure?

Will

[Casie 0]

Yep, go to PetSmart or some pet store in your area, there are a ton of flea sprays that can be bought. Usually if the cat has fleas and you wear white socks, the fleas tend to migrate to white for some odd reason, but you'll notice then if fleas are there. I'd spray anyways to kill any eggs that might be there. I'm certain the cat is over 6 months old and that's usually the only thing you need to know about is the age of the cat.

~Porn Kitty
WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts!

[raggdoll 0]

When you look through the fur, do you see any black specks? If so, those are flea dust (aka flea droppings). That's one way to identify the kitty has fleas without actually seeing fleas.

The best way to get rid of fleas is to give him a bath. Honestly, if you want to save yourself and kitcat misery and save your arms from being shredded, pay a professional to do this. When I did this, it was at most $15 per bath. If you decide to do it yourself, be aware that cats don't like water--and find a shampoo that is safe for cats. Pet shampoo in general is too harsh for cats, since it's made for dogs.

There are sprays that are available for the house, if you find yourself infested, but the best defense against fleas is a good offense. Wash cat. There are different varieties of flea pills available at the vet's office--they might seem expensive, but usually they're sold in 6 month supplies, so they're cheaper than having to bomb or spray your house every few weeks.

And after kitcat has his bath, give him a toy or a small treat. He'll deserve it, and might forgive you sooner. Oh, yes. Cats do hold grudges.

[DrunkMonkey 0]

Quote

It's a sweet cute fwuffy cuddly cat
They like fish and bugs.

Do British cats meow differently? Do they prefer different kinds of beer/food?

Sorry--just being a goof...

[jtval 0]

Fleas shouldnt be a prblem if the vet shaves him/her. LOL


but you may not find the cat to be friendly anymore if you take him in and put it on the COLD steel table and take sheers to it.

(should I make a joke about a shavedpussy)

My photos

My Videos

[Casie 0]

Quote

(should I make a joke about a shavedpussy)

leave it to JT!

~Porn Kitty
WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts!

[Michele 1]

Sweet kitty.

No lost posters? No collar? Wants to be inside with you? Socialized stray.

Take him (I'm pretty sure it's a him - paw size, body size, posture; I could be totally wrong) to the vet, get him checked out.

Have the vet recommend the flea stuff you use, because some otc stuff isn't as good as the stuff they use or will sell. Fleas are problems, and can give the kitty worms and really bad other things. Not fun at all...and a recurring problem if let alone or not treated effectively.

Food: I give my girls 2-3 oz. of wet food daily, as well as dry food in a bowl for constant nibbling. A clean fresh water source is vital to a feline's health (as for any animal's health, includine us...). I buy whatever's on sale, and so my girls aren't finicky (I've never had a finicky eating cat - when they get hungry enough, they'll eat what's in front of them).

Litter: try using the stuff that's crystals. It's great for stink control, and doesn't track as badly as sand litter. My cats don't have any issues with the litter, including my newest stray (who still won't let me pet her).

Fur: He's long haired, and my longhair does well grooming herself. However, her hips ocasionally get matted, and I clip those mats out. Brush him a bit, every few days or so. This will help with bonding between you two, and will help get the loose fur out, which will in turn assist with the occurance of those wonderful hairballs that can surprise you at any turn (generally during the night, as you creep through a dark house on your way to the toilet, and they are decidedly nasty to step on...).

Care and cuddling: Love him up. Find out what makes him purr, and do that. Often. They get all cross-eyed on you, and look at you adoringly. If he thumps your leg, he wants something. Usually some loving.

Cat Nip: Good stuff.

And congratulations, you've been chosen.

Good luck!

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[jtval 0]

Quote

Quote

(should I make a joke about a shavedpussy)

leave it to JT!

I wasnt the only one thinking it, just the only one to admit it! LOL

My photos

My Videos

[sunshine 2]

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(should I make a joke about a shavedpussy)
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leave it to JT!

One of my cats loved to be shaved. He has such long hair and coughs up hairballs so i shaved him a few months ago. He loves the shaver. Silly cat, but it keeps him healthier. So i guess there could be lotsa jokes made about my shaved pussy.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[Casie 0]

Quote

Quote

(should I make a joke about a shavedpussy)
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leave it to JT!

One of my cats loved to be shaved. He has such long hair and coughs up hairballs so i shaved him a few months ago. He loves the shaver. Silly cat, but it keeps him healthier. So i guess there could be lotsa jokes made about my shaved pussy.

Yep, my mom has a cat that likes to be shaved as well. She's got entirely tooo much of that long hair. She looks ugly but only for a couple months

~Porn Kitty
WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts!

[sunshine 2]

I love cats so much. Just thinking about my kitties makes me wanna go home and get some snuggles.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[FallinWoman 1]

The only thing I would add to the great advice you have already gotten is that you should have him/her spayed or neutered. No need to have extra cats running around the world.

You should also get your cat a rabies shot since he is going outside. Just in case he catches a squirrel or some other creature with rabies.

Otherwise, just enjoy!

~Anne

I'm a Doll!!!!

[tigra 0]

Well, since the cat is friendly and in no way looks underfed, I would first try to make sure he doesn't have an owner before you start spending your own money on vets, grooming and food. Could be he's the neighborhood bum cat and everyone feeds him!
But most of the suggestions here are great IF he's a stray who has adopted you! (He's beautiful, by the way!) Oh, IF he's an unfixed male, it should be pretty easy to tell. Once they're fixed, it gets a little harder to tell the boys from the girls! (Many spayed females get a little "pouch" on their bellys though!)

Since you're new to the neighborhood, asking around about the cat could be a great way to meet your neighbors!

[weegegirl 2]

OMG!!! That cat rocks!!! So cute!!! Hahaha. Those pictures really cracked me up, kid. Looks like a manly cat to me... but you never know. You gotta keep em! But make sure it's nobody else's kitty first. He's sooooooooo cute!!!!

[mailin 0]

Its a very pretty kitty! Its obviously socialized, so it may belong to someone. If after posting signs, talking to neighbors, and notifying the pound that you found a cat if anyone is looking to contact you - then its yours I if you want it.

It looks like a female, or a neutered male. Un neutered males over 1 year get these 'jowels' on their faces, and this cat is missing that. The obvious thing would be to check between the legs

If you do decide to keep it the first thing is to put up the $45 and get it tested for kitty AIDS and leukemia. Even if you take a cat in with leukemia, after it passes away you can't have cats in the house for a year - so its good to know what you are getting into.

Then after that is to get it fixed (if a female or a young male), uptodate shots, flea/tick bath and some GOOD food. Go to a pet specialty store - stay away from the friskies stuff, lots of chemicals.

Enjoy the furball!

Jen

Arianna Frances

[DrunkMonkey 0]

The pics---he's earned a name.

Shall we call him:

Phil? (no reason)
Bob? (get it? "Bobcat")
Sam? (as in Sam Adams)
Lemur?
Guinness?
Bass?
Winston? (ala Churchill)
Renton? (from Trainspotting)
Bullet Tooth Tony (from "Snatch")
Vinnie (ala Vinne Jones, the badass actor/footballer)
Ewen? (ala McGregor)
Dog?
Mouse?
Moose?
Goose?
Cypres?

Any other suggestions?

[Nightingale 0]

talk to your neighbors.

if he's so familiar with being inside your house, he may have been left behind by the previous resident. =(

[Amazon 7]

I got the perfect name for the kitty.. I had a cat years ago that looked just like that one.. I called him FuzzButt.

Good quality food and some furball paste will solve any furball problems.