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Junior Member
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Last Login: 8/24/2008 2:38:47 PM
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| We rescued a stray cat last week. I'm a totally new cat owner, the whole thing went very quickly and was very unexpected. She was declawed when she came to us, she's healthy except for an infected cut in her paw that's healing nicely, we're pretty sure she's been spayed. She's an adult, but not a senior, we don't know exactly how old, the vet wasn't sure. (her name is licorice. Any random advice to help us get started together? Anything at all, even if it sounds like "duh" i really don't know what i'm doing. Thanks SO much! p.s. she's an indoor cat, a domestic short hair (I'm guessing american or european shorthair) , if that helps any.
 Proud rescuer and owner of Licorice! Visit my website! www.freewebs.com/ridingisflying
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Supreme Being
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Just enjoy! You'll grow to learn about her and she about you. I've had cats all my life and can't imagine being without one!
SuperCat
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Senior Member
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Last Login: 11/17/2008 7:39:58 AM
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Since she was declawed, you might wind up with some litter box problems that she doesn't want to use the pans cause of the declawing. Or she may be a fear biter or wind up fearful of new people/pets.
Its a 50/50 chance with declawed cats as if they will be physically or mentally affected from the declawing.
And she may have had litter box problems and that is why she was outside - the owners didn't want to deal with the problems they created (if they were the ones that declawed her).
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 8/24/2008 2:38:47 PM
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Oh, geez. Thanks for the warning, i didn't know that. I'll watch out for that!
Proud rescuer and owner of Licorice! Visit my website! www.freewebs.com/ridingisflying
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Senior Member
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Last Login: 11/15/2008 7:35:23 PM
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| Some things that are important: Litterbox: Keep it clean, and it's a good idea to have a second box (it's recommended that you have one more box than the number of cats you have) You may have to experiment with different litters until you find one that your kitty likes. Just a hint - when you change the litter, dump a small box of baking soda in with the litter, this helps cut down on the odor. Food: Establish a regular schedule for feeding. Every morning, I give my two guys their daily scoop of dry cat food, which they munch on during the day, and when I come home from work, they split a 3 oz can of wet food. (I give them the wet food is more as a treat than actual nutrition.) Water: Keep a large dish of fresh, clean water available for your cat. Change the water daily. (Call it overkill if you will, but I dump some ice-cubes in the boys' water dish every morning.) Some people also have those pet fountains for their little ones. Play: Cats are very playful animals, and the number of cat toys available is astounding. But, cats can be a lot like kids, in that they would rather play with the boxes that the toys came in than the actual toys! Paper bags, the cardboard cores from toilet paper rolls, crumpled paper or foil balls, and shoelaces are just a few of the free toys that I can think of. Personality: Each cat has his or her own personality, which is one of the things that I love so much about cats! There is no such thing as a "cookie cutter" mold for a cat. Healthcare: Take your cat to the vet regularly for shots and a checkup. Be alert for changes in appetite/toilet habits, and if they occur get her to the vet to be checked out. Love: Cats, contrary to popular myth, are very affectionate animals. They love to cuddle and snuggle. A cat will show you an unbelievable amount of love. Petting and rubbing and purring are only a few of a cat's specialties. The cats that have owned me over the years have also seemed to be able to sens when I was "down" about something and would make a point of showing an extra bit of "I Love You Mom" behavior. Good luck with your new family!
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Supreme Being
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Last Login: 10/4/2008 11:49:41 AM
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| by rescuing a stray do you mean that you picked her up off the street or that you adopted her from an org who said she was a stray? If you took her in off the streets, have you taken her to animal control or a vet to see if she's microchipped or checked the papers or posted flyers to see if someone is looking for her? I know your heart is in the right place, but I'd hate to think someone might be looking for her. Someone cared for her at one time - especially since they declawed and likely spayed her (not that I think declawing is good thing, just that someone went to the expense...)
So many cats...
Isn't it great?
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 8/24/2008 2:38:47 PM
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| Yeah, she came and lived on our deck for a while. She lived there, outside, by her own free will, for over a week, and some other neighbors also saw her wandering in their yards for a few weeks b4 that. This, of course means she's been gone from her owners for a few weeks. She's not microchipped, she didn't have a collar, theres no ads in any newspapers or flyers, no one contacted the police or any local animal rescue organizations. I checked eveything we could think of, but nothing came up. Its weird, she's the sweetest little thing, with no problems we know of so far, i don't know why anyone woul abandon her, or not look for her...it's so sad! Don't worry, we didn't just keep her out of the blue!
Proud rescuer and owner of Licorice! Visit my website! www.freewebs.com/ridingisflying
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Supreme Being
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| Our 18 yr old New Kitty (name stuck, we weren't planning on keeping her) came to our back door with bald patches and bleeding from one ear. The vet said she was about 3 yrs old and spayed and we got her all fixed up and took her home and looked and looked for her owners. That was 15 years ago. She loves to be groomed and vacuumed and she would be held and cuddled 24/7 if she could find a willing human. I know she came from somewhere where she was loved and I feel bad for whoever lost her as t | | | |