A kitty is in the process of adopting us

B

BAM

Cathlete
I was at my BF's house the other day and a kitty came running up to us meowing and rubbing against our legs. She was skinny. :( My bf recalled seeing her a couple of times over the past week. We don't think she belongs to anybody based on her condition. We fed her and have taken her in. She has a vet appointment next week to be checked out. Since I haven't owned a cat for 15 years or so, I'm not up on the latest foods, toys, grooming tools, etc. to buy. Last night, we powdered her up with a natural flee and tic killer. I want to stay as natural as possible with whatever we use on her or feed her. I remember seeing infomercials for some comb or brush for cats that's supposed to help with less shedding but I don't know the name of it or if it even works. Any suggestions in any area would be most appreciated. She's a very nice kitty and is very gentle. I'm not sure exactly where she'll end up - either at my bf's or with me and my mother. She may end up becoming a bi-dwelling kitty. I have her getting used to car rides already and she seems to be fine with it. In fact yesterday I brought her to my house for a visit. After we went back to my bf's house and I was leaving, she ran to the door with me and was ready to go for another ride. I could see myself running around town with miss kitty as my sidekick! :D Should I buy her a helmet and leather jacket? :p

Bam
 
Oh, how fun! What a lucky kitty. I'm not sure what brush you're talking about, but I use the Zoom Groom brush on my kitties, and they LOVE it!! It's rubber, versus wire or bristle, so it's almost like they're getting massages! And it picks up a ton of hair, even on my short haired guys.

They also love the new Greenies treats for cats. I think if you go on their website, they'll even send you a free sample. Good luck with your new fur baby:)
 
Aw. That is so sweet. There ain't nothing like a ball of puff-and-purr in your lap. For the longest time I had five and three others I kept sequestered in my downstairs kitchen. The Kitchen Cats were indoor/outdoor and two of mine also went out. Some weeks ago one of the KCs died after having been hit by a car and one of the other KCs never came back after having been let out, not six days later. My remaining in/out cats would make life in my house a living Hell for everyone if I refused to let them out so I don't really have a choice. But I hate it. So here's some of what I've learned:

- One cat? Great. I LOVE my babies but truly wish I'd stopped at two. The behavioral issues that result when they don't mesh are ugly. One or two and you're less likely to experience issues with fighting and spraying, for instance. Also, one or two cats keeps the vet bills manageable. The cost of neutering and monthly flea meds for one or two cats is a world of difference from the cost for five or six.
- My cats actually eat plain old Purina (Indoor formula) dry food and Nine Lives canned. My oldest is about nine and nobody's suffered any negative complications. If I were wealthy I'd upgrade the quality and pray they'd eat it. My neighborhood is loaded with strays, none of whom will touch Science Diet, no matter how hungry. Go figure.
- Try to make your kitty a strictly INDOOR kitty. My 3 indoor types have no desire at all to go out. Two get a little curious when I open the front door but not curious enough to attempt exiting. My heart has been repeatedly broken by cats who never came home (worrying that someone did them harm has made my stomach churn for nights on end) and finding my T.C. dead in the street was a horrific experience. All my kids who go out were older outdoor kitties when we met and none would have tolerated being kept inside 100% of the time. However, if yours doesn't fight tooth-and-nail to get out, keep your baby (babies) inside. It's better for them, better for the birds(!), and better for your peace of mind.

I'm sure lots of people here will have great advice. I already love your kitty. Smart little thing. Saw you coming :p:p:p!
 
Wellness

I feed my two boys Wellness cat food. It's not cheap, but its natural and they love it!!
Good luck with your new baby - I LOVE cats!
 
trixie108 said:
Oh, how fun! What a lucky kitty. I'm not sure what brush you're talking about, but I use the Zoom Groom brush on my kitties, and they LOVE it!! It's rubber, versus wire or bristle, so it's almost like they're getting massages! And it picks up a ton of hair, even on my short haired guys.

They also love the new Greenies treats for cats. I think if you go on their website, they'll even send you a free sample. Good luck with your new fur baby:)
Click to expand...

Nicole, thanks for the great tips! I'm going to look into that brush and free sample. Her hair is medium in length. I've forgotten how quickly their hair gets on everything. She certainly has left a trail after her short visit at my house yesterday but hopefully I can get that under control.

Stacey, I am so sorry for the loss of both of your kitties. I know how hard this can be. My new friend will be an indoor cat. We let her come outside with us when I'm at my bf's house but it appears as though she is not that thrilled with it which makes us happy. After her exam at the vet's next week, I don't want to let her out at all.......except when I carry her to the car for a joy ride!:D Thanks for the food suggestions. I'm in the process of figuring this out. Oh, and she will be an ONLY child! Adjusting to one is about all I can barely handle right now! :)

>>>>I'm sure lots of people here will have great advice. I already love your kitty. Smart little thing. Saw you coming ! <<<<<

She sure did. We're such suckers!

Jacmar, thanks for mentioning the Wellness cat food. I'm going to look into it right now. It's natural and cat's love it? What meow (I know, pretty lame :p) could you ask for????!!!

Thanks everyone from me and newbie kitty!

Bam
 
I have also had great luck with Wellness wet and dry. I think the best place to get it is Petco. I don't believe other stores carry it (except Health Food stores) and Petco has the best price. You can order it online from them as well.

Amy
 
How wonderful! I love the helmet and leather jacket idea! Post a picutre of that one! There are so many "natural" foods out there. Just do your research. I see someone recommended Wellness food. I have heard very good things about that one.

Pets are amazing! I remember not wanting a cat, only dogs. We ended up adopting a kitten from the local shelter in NC. Simon has turned out to be the best cat in the world! Such a cuddler and love-bug! I wouldn't change a thing!

Enjoy being with your new family member!
 
Congratulations on being adopted by your kitty!

You might be thinking about the "Furminator" brush, which is advertised alot. IMO, you really don't need it for a cat. What I find works best is some brushes that I found in the (human) hair-care section of Walgreens and Osco/CVS that are supposed to be for putting shampoo and conditioner on in the shower.

They are very gentle, and I have yet to find a cat who doesn't like them (and I've brushed a LOT of cats at my local shelter, as well as at home).

On the other hand, slicker brushes (with metal tines) are not liked by many cats, as they are too rough feeling (exceptions are some long-haired cats with thick fur).
 
Thanks Amy for mentioning Petco. I am going to check out their prices. I was looking online for price comparisons so I'll see which place has the best deals.

Syzygy314, if I ever get a pic and figure out how to put it here, I will do that! Simon sounds like such a great cat. He's lucky he found such a great home to live in.

Kathryn, thanks for the info on the brush. I definitely want to find one that's gentle but works. I have an old metal cat brush that I used on my angora but I will not use it on new kitty. Her fur isn't long enough. I don't think she'll mind being brushed as she seems to just go with the flow.

Bam
 
I realize I could definitely use some kitty litter suggestions. At my bf's, he has the automatic litter box which pushes the clumped poop in a plastic box. I'm not sure that I really like this. I'm smelling stuff when I walk in his house. When she comes here, I'm thinking of just using a regular litter box but I'd like to know what you think the best litter is to use, which one has the least smell, and if there are any tips on keeping the smells to a minimum. Also, if you use the clump litter, can you flush the waste in the toilet? Does the litter do any harm to your plumbing?

Thanks again for your help!
Bam
 
If you feed your cat with food that has little or no cereal additives, your cat box will not have an odor. I feed my cats the stuff they were given at the Humane Society before the adoption with approval of my vet, I use the cheap cat litter because my cat's disposal has little or no odor.
 
Thanks RapidBreath and JT! I absolutely agree with what goes in determines how things come out. I like that Arm & Hammer has a natural litter. Hopefully I can have her produce stink-free waste in a nice chemical-free environment! Oh, isn't this so much fun to talk about? :D

Thanks again!
Bam
 
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