Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: hollihedge on October 23, 2009, 17:03:49 PM
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Can anyone help please? My hairdresser has taken in a cat who was found living as a stray. This was about 10-12 weeks ago. She already has 3 cats and a dog, who all get along. She also has 3 children (10-16 years). The new puss cat has taken to living in the utility room, where there is no heating, and when she comes into contact with the dog or the cats she is aggressive towards them. When she first moved in she slept up in my hairdresser's bedroom but now she prefers to sleep in the utility room. She is litter trained, eats well, but has shown no desire whatsoever to go out since being there. She is about 8 years of age. My friend does not know what to do about her and would value some advice? She is talking of trying to rehouse her, and I am encouraging her to persevere. Does anyone have any advice please?
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Have you contacted the local Cats Protection or RSPCA to see if they will put the cat up for rehoming? They may be full, but if your friend is willing to keep the stray temporarily the rescues may be able to help.
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Do you know how she introduced them all in the first place? I have seen people on here advise of going back to the beginning and starting the introductions again from scratch but not sure if this would work as she has been there quite a while already. She could also try a Feliway plug in diffuser, they're not cheap but very worthwhile in my opinion.
Sadly some cats will never get on though and it may be that if she really can't settle in, that it's in her best interests to see if she can find another home for her. As FF says the rescues will more than likely be full but they could put her on their waiting lists to come in. At least she is safe, fed and loved in the meantime, even if she is spending her time in the utility room.
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I've noticed again you mention no heating. Whilst the cat will be fine with regular meals inside her and protected from the elements (much better than being a stray! :)), if you are still concerned some Pets at Home stores still have old stock of heated pet beds at just £10. They don't get hot, so only cost about as much to run as a low energy lightbulb! Once the stray has been rehomed, no doubt one of the other cats will be happy to inherit the bed.
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an old duvet folded up several times and placed off the floor would allow the cat to crawl inside the folds and keep snug and warm for the time being
long term I think your hairdresser needs to decide what she wants - to rehome her or work to integrate her - if the cat is going to be rehomed her physical wellbeing is more important at the moment - if she decides to keep her then she needs an integration plan
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if you are still concerned some Pets at Home stores still have old stock of heated pet beds at just £10.
Have they gone down in price again?
I think the advice given is good advice, by the way!
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Have they gone down in price again?
I think the advice given is good advice, by the way!
My nearest pets at Home has several of the same item at £10 which is so cheap it has to be a discount, tho no 'flash' on the shelf. I thought I recognised same brand name that was mentioned on here at a higher price a few months back too.