We started feeding a female stray a couple of months ago so she has stayed around.Well a week ago Sunday ,she had 3 kittens in our garage.They are so darling,two have seven toes on their front paws.I hesitate making her an indoor cat for many reasons,one being my daughter is extremely allergic.She doesn't live with us but come to visit often.Hey, do female cats spray? I was told they do,but I thought only males did that.I guess I will be getting her spayed and stuff after she is done feeding her kittens.Also does anyone have any info on what shots she will be needing and if I can give them myself?Thanks in advance
Trust me you don't want an indoor cat. My last one ever is likely over 15 now...she is more work/cleanup than all the dogs together. No matter how much you vaccum, you always step on litter, they puke things on the floor, or couch, they scratch furniture, and the list goes on. See if there is a feral cat spaying program where you live. Trap/release programs may offer low cost/free spaying. Get that done. Kittens too. Iman was never spayed. Cats come in season several times a year and she yodels and makes problems to this day, weeks on end. I think she's senile enough to think that she is in season year round now, I don't think she ever stops acting the part. Spraying is worse from potential suitors, who, one after the other, will spray your doors and windows and walls, several times a day. Released ferals are territorial, and may succeed in driving off spraying males.
IMO- cats are a lot easier than dogs... but yeah, wherever you keep their litter box, they are going to get litter on the floor. I keep mine on the back porch so at least it is not in the house. I have had cats before that "puke" but fortunately the one I have right now does not which is great, because that is a horrible thing to have to clean up.
The good thing about them is that you can just leave them home with litter, food and water when you go somewhere! lol
My cat has never torn up anything since she has been declawed. My dogs have torn up plenty...lol
I have never had a female cat spray, only unneutered males. Still, if your daughter is allergic, then I wouldn't bring the cat indoors.
As far as getting her fixed, do it ASAP. You don't have to wait until the kittens are weened if you use a vet which offers laser surgery. Cats can go back inot heat and become pregnant within a week of having a litter. Once in heat, they can stay that way for 3 weeks. With her being outside, she will get pregnant again.
If you use a vet who uses traditional surgery, then make her an appointment for as soon as the kittens can be weaned, and if they tell you that she is already pregnant again, let them go ahead and fix her. It's kind of like a kitty abortion, but it will be at 5 weeks or less. My cat was done that way. I didn't even know she was pregnant when I took her to get her fixed, but I'm so glad I went ahead and had her done.
There are places who spay/neuter feral cats for no charge. You may call a local vet or humane shelter and see what you can find out. Yes, cats do go into heat several times a year.
As far as vaccinations, I recommend giving them yourself (much less costly). You can get them at your local farm supply store and you give one shot, and then one month later you give the same shot again. This can be done for about $12.00 per cat. The vet will charge you about $100.00 for the same thing. Before you vaccinate her, have your vet perform a Feline Leukemia/FIV test on her. This will cost about $40.00. FL is very prominant in feral cats and it is deadly. NO cure. The cat will end up suffering a very slow death if she has FL, so be sure she is tested prior to vaccinations and if it's negative, vaccinate immediately.
I also recommend a rabies shot (for some states, its the law). This costs about $10-$20. Since it is summer she should also be on a flea preventative such as Frontline Plus once a month. To help cut costs on this, I buy the large vials for the largest dogs and use it on my cats. It is the same medication, just larger amounts. If you have multiple animals, this works great. If you buy a vial for a 60 lb dog and you have 4 fifteen pound dogs, you can just evenly dispense one large vial for all four dogs. Same with cats. I use one 60 lb dog vial for 4 cats (mine and my daughters). My cats weigh about 10 lbs each, so they are getting a little extra, but it has never caused any trouble. it is SO much cheaper doing it this way.
I'm really glad to see that you are taking this cat in and helping to provide her with a good life, even if outdoors. Sadly, cats are so dispensible to most people. Thanks for not being one of those people!
It's great that you've been able to help out momma kitty & her babies.
I have had cats for years and luckily I have never had any of them spray, male or female - but all have been spayed/neutered at early ages. And in all of those years I only had one who ever scratched up furniture which I resolved very quickly by getting one of those honeycomb-type cardboard scratching pads with catnip in it. I also have never had a cat declawed.
Brewsters Mom gave you excellent info!
And I have to agree with Jawlaw that I also think cats are easier than dogs. It is possible that your daughter may not have an allergic reaction especially if the cat is short haired & you get it accustomed to being brushed on a regular basis. My brother is allergic to my cat who is long-haired but he has 2 short-haired cats that his girlfriend brushes regularly and he doesn't need any meds at all with his 2 but if he comes to my house he has to take meds before he arrives.
Thanks everyone for your advice. I will try to post a picture,however she is so protective of her babies.I reached in to pet one and she swatted at me. We are going camping for a week ,leaving Friday and IM not sure what to do with her and the kittens.
I also think cats are easier than dogs. I have 4 dogs and 2 cats. My boys are both spayed and total inside cats. The older one was an outside stray cat but i reformed him.....lol I will NEVER allow them outside unless they are on a leash. Ask your vet about a spay/neuter clinic AND a shot clinic. You can get her boosters, rabies and feline lukimia all for about 16 to 18 bucks. But do have her tested for the lukimia ASAP because like they said above, it is common in strays. I also agree that you should see if she can be spayed ASAP too. And if your daughter is allergic, i wouldn't make her an inside cat. Also, beware, i posted a thread about feline AIDS. It is becoming a real problem.
I forgot to mention that my cats don't puke because i give them a little hairball remedy once a month.
I love cats as well..I have a himmy now..,and in 2 to 3 weeks will bring home my new himmys to live with us. I will most likely get 2...I have had great luck with the persans I have had..I have had regular cats...and I have had more problems..Just my opinion..I never had my persains jump on the table or counter..I think it is because their legs are shorter. I like the personality of them as well..more subduded...I dont care for the added fur..but I shave mine and my hubby is less alergic that way. I think if you have litter box's the litter always gets on the floor..and..I also declaw mine..I know its agains the concencious and i dont like the idea..I just dont like the idea of defacing my leather furnature either..leather is NOT forgiving...So..I have had it done lazer method...suposedly less horrable..if there is such a thing. I also NEVER let my cats out..I had a black and a siamease when I first moved here..they tore up my screen door to get out...which they did (were not declawed) and they both disappeared...I think the nieghors killed them during bow hunting season...I have little hellions who used to pester us here..but thankfully have stopped...Any way..I love cats..and have cought some and taken them into the shelters..but..No outside cats for me..Good luck with the babies that you saved...great thing to do...
Mine arn't declawed but i stapeled carpet pieces to the outside corners of a couple walls. They LOVE to claw at those.....lol I also have a homemade cat shelf so the dogs stay out of their food and it is covered by carpet. The claw that too. I still catch them clawing my mattress sometimes but i just keep their nails trimmed. Seems to work.
a year and she yodels and makes problems to this day, weeks on end. I think she's senile enough to think that she is in season year round now
, I don't think she ever stops acting the part
. Spraying is worse from potential suitors
, who, one after the other, will spray your doors and windows and walls, several times a day. Released ferals are territorial, and may succeed in driving off spraying males.
