Do any ';CAT'; people have any advice for me?

There was a cat living in my garage, and I put it in my dog's cage. I was going to call animal services tomorrow, but the cat SEEMS sweet and was obviously a house cat and was declawed. Now, I really would like to keep it but I have never owned a cat in my life! I'm still kind of scared of it and don't know if it will go crazy and attack. When I pet it on the neck it put its head far down..what does that mean?...should I keep it? ...and can I feed it tuna and milk?...I really have no idea what I'm getting myself into! I need all the help I can get!Do any ';CAT'; people have any advice for me?
I would keep the cat and give it a try. If it doesn't work out, you can always turn it into a shelter later. The shelters are all full, so the cat's best chance at life is with you.





I think your first stop should be at a vet's office. They can scan the cat to be sure it doesn't have a microchip. They will also test for major diseases, probably deworm the cat, and give it the basic vaccinations. I would do this before the cat meets your dog.





I would run to the store and pick up some wet food. Fancy Feast is fine for now. Cats are lactose intolerant, so the milk is a definite no-no. Cats need taurine, so the occaisional treat of tuna is fine, but stick mainly to cat food. (Cats do love tuna juice, though!)





You'll also need to pick up a litter box, scooper, and some litter. I prefer a clumping litter. You fish out the poo and the clumps of urine once a day. You completely empty out the entire tray at least every 2 weeks (and give it a good scrub). Some people do it more often - see how it goes and what your cat prefers.





Because the cat is declawed, you should make him an indoor only kitty. I rescued an outside cat, made her an indoor cat, and she's been happy ever since. Cats don't have to go outdoors to be happy.





Cats aren't too complicated. Give the cat some space and let it get to know you. Some cats like to be picked up, others don't. Some beg for attention, others are more reserved and independent. Cats are easier to care for than dogs, so I think you'll be just fine.





Let me know if you have any other specific questions. I'm happy to add to this response.





EDIT: I really don't think you have to be too worried about the cat attacking you. Some cats will nip if you pet them places they don't like - the belly, tail, etc. It depends on the particular cat. You'll quickly learn what the cat likes. Be gentle and don't sneak up on the cat and there's very little chance the cat will ';attack';.





Do you have a friend that has cats or had cats growing up? Maybe you can ask them to come over and show you the ropes. At the very least you can call them if you have any major questions. I honestly think you should consider keeping the cat (if you can provide for it financially, that is). They're usually easy to care for and it sounds like you've found a real sweet heart of a cat.Do any ';CAT'; people have any advice for me?
Don't give it tuna and milk. Give it cat food and water- milk is bad for cats and tuna should just be a treat. If you want to keep it so badly, take it to the vet to make sure it's up-to-date on all its shots, and get it checked for worms, just in case. And don't think they'll do charity work, because as much as they love animals, vets are trying to make a living, too. I don't think the head thing is a problem, it probably just likes having its neck scratched.
You can feed it tuna, but not too much, Best food is good quality dry and canned cat food. Cats are true carnivores-so do best on food that has meat based ingredients.





Milk is not good for cats, but there are low lactose pet milks that are fine.





Declawed cat should be allowed inside, as declawed cats cannot fend for themselves. DECLAWED CATS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED outside.
Find someone that cat's own, and that you can also daily communicate with them for advise and support. They will help you through the ';rough'; times, and also give you all the positive input that you need to help the kitten develop into an adult.





Both fish and milk (unless it's Kitten Replacement Milk) will most likely give the kitten diarrhea.





I think you have already gotten attached to the kitten, else you would not have asked this question.





Just my two cents worth, but just a little bit of love and a lot of proper care will make this kitten love you for the rest of it's life.
It seems to like you. Keep it. The shelters are full now, and the cat will most likely be killed in a few days. Tuna is fine. Milk is not. Plain water is just fine. The best cheap cat food I have found is at Dollar General and it's called Everpet, and comes in a small can like Fancy Feast. Cats aren't much trouble. Give it love, affection, and lots of room to find itself in your place. You will have a loyal companion for years. Keep it inside, if possible.
If it's putting it's head down it means it likes you, and that it is encouraging the petting. =].





You can feed it tuna in milk, but I would suggest catfood and water. However, if all you have is Tuna then that's fine, but I wouldn't give it too much milk- it can make them sick if they're not kittens.





It sounds so cute, best wishes!





I hope that helps!
Cats are sooo clever they have a way of taming their owners.


They teach you respect ,menus,feeding times,personal space,cost of furniture etc etc. They have their own personality as a cat owner for a few years i have had a few different kinds so here are some things to expect if you come accross a cat that decides to chose you as it's pet. That all aside i love my cats they know if i'm upset and come over an nudge me and just hearing that purr and them snuggling into your lap helps.
If you dont want to keep it you could put posters up that say missing cat. But yes you can give it tuna and milk..but not all the time.
Well think more in the future, do you see yourself with the cat in 3, 10, maybe even 15 years? Cat's live a long time, so don't do this under impusive thinking. You have a dog, that could be a problem! Before you make any big descisions take your dog on a leash and bring him near the cage, if they start fighting at eachother, then bringing in the cat may not be a good idea. If those don't really matter, or all goes well, take him to the vet. Get him checked out, sad to say, he could have been kicked out because of behavioural problems or the people were getting fed up with treating ticks or infections got too coslty. Are you willing to spend more money for shots and vet services and such? Do you have room in your house? Consider all of these things. If your deciding to keep it but you are still nervous, read a few cat books! In some there will be pictures showing agressive poses, and playful poses so you could easily tell the diffrence.


Good luck!








Oh and it's better NOT to feed him milk, cat's are lactose intolerent so if he drinks too much or is really sensitive he could get sick. Just water is fine, cook some rice with nothign on it, just plain white rice and feed him a little bit of that. Or even just run by the grocery store adn buy a can of cat food, it's not as good as dry food, but this is only temp.
From what you tell me, the cat is not going to go crazy and freak out. When you pet it and it puts its head down, it's being affectionate and nuzzling your hand, or else just adjusting its head so that your fingers scratch it in just the right spot.





Go to the pet store and buy some canned cat food and give it a bowl of water to drink (not milk). Also buy it a litter box.





You should also take it to the vet and get it checked out to make sure it is fixed and healthy and up to date on shots, get it dewormed too.





Cats are pretty easy to take of. They are pretty independent, clean themselves, use the litter box, and don't need to be walked.





Once you let it out of the cage, it might get a little bit scared and hide under something (a couch, a table, etc) but in a few days time it will probably come around and start venturing out more and spending time with you.





If its being nice to you right now, chances are it will remain nice and is not going to just suddenly freak out (plus its declawed so it couldn't do much to you anyways)
To declaw a cat then let it go roaming outside is pretty irresponsible of the cat's previous owners. Declawed cats are less able to defend themselves and hence need to be kept indoors. (that's why cats should never be declawed) Have you thought maybe her owners are looking for her? Bring her to the pound for a scan to see if she has a microchip so that her owners can be traced. Ring up vet clinics to mention if anyone has reported a cat like her gone missing. tell them if owners can't be found, then you might think of keeping her.





The decision as to whether or not to keep the cat remains up to you but I feel that given that you sound so clueless, start reading up on keeping cats should you make that decision. Cats are a little easier to keep than dogs I think because they are more independent. Most cats that are sweet to strangers will be sweet for life. (lucky you) Don't feed your cat canned tuna. Go out and buy cat food. If you must, only tuna in water. No salt or oil or flavourings. No onions especially. Always provide fresh water.
If the cat's declawed, then you really don't have to worry about it going crazy and attacking. Whatever you do, don't feed it tuna and milk. Many cats are allergic to fish and those that aren't can easily get addicted. Cows milk is too sugary for cats and they can't digest the lactose, so if you feed it milk be prepared to clean up diarrhea.





What would be better is to feed it some UNSEASONED boneless chicken breast or thigh, but only for a little bit until you can get some real cat food (or make your own - search a little online, there are plenty of recipes for cat food that you can make yourself)





If it's putting its head down when you pet it (if it's doing what I'm imagining) that means it's probably enjoying being petted. I would double-check with a vet and make sure the cat isn't microchipped before you decide to keep it. In fact, a checkup with a vet is recommended regardless. You don't want to make the mistake my family made and end up with a house full of fleas.





But as a slightly biased cat owner, keeping it (provided it's a housecat gone feral or abandoned and not one that somebody is looking for) would be great, provided you're willing to take care and pay lots of attention to it.
If you are not sure about how cats act, I would not keep the cat. And NO - tuna and milk are the worse things you can feed a cat. Most cats cannot tolerate milk as adults (they get sick) and tuna is not recommended.





Declawed cats can have behavior problems like not using the litter pan and peeing on furniture/clothes, etc. or fear biting as they have no self-defense.





IMO this cat would not be one you'd want to start off with not knowing about cats. If you think you might want one, I would let the shelter have the cat, and you read up on cat care and then go adopt a cat.
Don't worry :) You've got nothing to be afraid of if the cat hasn't already been acting bad. The cat might already have an owner, since it's been declawed. Don't be scared, since you did save it (some cats are nicer after you rescue them).





Don't worry about the head thing, it's just wanting more. If it's purring (sounds like a quiet motorcycle) then it's a good thing. If the cat is upset with you, it will walk away on its own.





Tuna should be fine, I feed my cats that. Use tuna with water, not the oil stuff. Don't feed it milk too often. Give it a tiny bit and give it maybe one a week at most. Their stomachs are different from ours. Leave a bowl of drinking water out at all times and buy some cat food (dry food will be cheaper in the long run) and either give it a feeding time or leave it out at all times. Also, remember to let it outside every now and then. Cats usually do better about holding it in than dogs (my opinion).





If you don't have any experience with a cat, talk to a vet and bring a list of questions and a pad of paper. Think it over for a few days, if you really want to keep this cat. If not, give it to a shelter.





Good luck!
ok its obvious you don't know waht your doing yes you can feed it tuna but don't give it milk what people don't realise is that milk can give a grown cat the runs, i would suggest going to the store or a vets and buying a small bag of cat food and make sure to keep fresh water in the cage at all time because you don't know how dehydrated the cat is. Now since you found the cat and it appears as thought someone may have owned it you should take pictures of it and make flyers saying that you've found it and post them around because you don't know how many people lose their belovied pet. Another good thing to do would bring it into the vets and get it checked over and see if it has a chip in it and if it is nutered. Anotehr good investement is a litter box they a fairly inexpencive at your local wal-mart.


I would keep this new friend in the dog cage for a while to let it calm down but seeing as you can pet it, it dosn't seem afraid and the head going down when you pet it could be either it was abused, is afraid of men/women or its gust really scaired.


If it turnse out that no one owns him or is looking for him you have a very kind hear to let this poor guy into you home so loveingly, i only wish their were more people like you in the world.





if you have any more concerns feel free to e-mail me on here.





I know this much from helping out a non profit rescue since i was 8,.





I really hope all of this helps you





sincerly


~Christina~
The cat is obviously someone's lost pet. Call animal services and tell them that this cat was in your garage and that you think it's someone's. They will scan to see if the cat has a microchip. If it does, the number will show on the screen and the owners will be notified.





If the cat is not claimed by anyone and you want to adopt it, there are things you should do first. Cats like to chew on string-like objects, even cables for things such as televisions and home telephones. Make sure you have those cables are out of reach, so that the cat does not chew on them. I have lost several cordless telephones because of one of my former cat's bad chewing habits. You also need to get the necessary supplies: a bed, brushes, toys, cat treats, cat food, nail clippers for the back claws. You also want to get a collar or harness and get a tag with your address on it in case the cat gets lost. I should also point out that indoor cats tend to live longer and are healthier than outdoor cats.
I love cats and I'm definatly a cat person! %26lt;3 ok so I suggest putting up fliers to see who owns the cat. If no one responds ill say within a week you should totally keep it. But before you do that you should really take it to the get and see if it has a chip. Now to be honest I'm only 12. Okay you can try to feed it tuna but about milk, not all cats like it. I remember I gave my kitten milk and I MADE it drink it, unfortunetly he threw up after that so once again NOT ALL CATS LIKE MILK so please don't make the kitty drink milk first see if he/she likes it. If it does like it then give it water. I had some kittys that liked oatmeal so you can also try that just make sure it's warm not hot. Or you can run to the nearest store and get a small can of cat food. Best luck goes to you!