So, you’re either planning or have adopted a new feline family member- congratulations! There are always things to consider when getting a new pet; particularly with a previously stray animal who may need some time to get used to a home environment. Some cats have never lived inside and may not be used to simple things such as eating out of a bowl or using a litter tray. If they have not had a previous home, or the previous home was unknown, they will often come without a medical history. This can make any kind of veterinary diagnosis more challenging; even though they will have had a check over by the charity’s veterinary surgeon. We know that thinking of all of these factors with a new pet can be overwhelming. So we’ve consolidated a list of considerations for your new rescue stray cat.
Table of contents
1) Should I get pet insurance?
The overall answer is yes, pet insurance is almost always a good idea. By paying a monthly premium your pet will be covered for accidents and illness but be careful when choosing your policy. Generally, with insurance, you get what you pay for. With a lower monthly premium, you will often have more excluded conditions, higher excesses to pay, and you may have to pay a percentage of your treatment costs.
A lifetime policy is recommended, as any kind of long-term health condition, such as diabetes or epilepsy, will be excluded after a year with an annual policy, whereas a lifetime policy will allow you to claim year after year. An animal with no medical history may have an ongoing health condition that you or the charity is not aware of, so being covered for the unknown can give peace of mind. The charity may offer a temporary insurance to give you more time to shop around.
2) Should I let my stray cat outside?
To begin with the answer is no, particularly when they first move into your home. The minimum recommended period is two weeks inside. But as a stray you will likely be unsure whether they have been used to roads previously and understand the danger of them. Stray cats are also used to wandering. They may go further than you would like, or be slow to return home. Some cats become very stressed when not allowed outdoors. If this is the case it is recommended to wait the minimum two weeks then slowly introduce outside spaces; preferably in a secure garden initially. It is very important that your pet’s microchip details are up to date and preferably wearing a collar with the necessary details attached.
3) How do I litter box train my new ex-stray cat?
An adult cat who has never used a litter tray previously may initially be confused. You shouldn’t have to train them however like you would a puppy. Aats naturally will want to urinate and defecate in private areas that they can bury. With an appropriate litter substrate and placement of trays they should instinctively want to use them. You can help them make the transition however by placing a thin layer of soil on top of the litter substrate initially. This is because your ex- stray cat is likely used to burying their waste in soil. Having multiple litter trays available as well can be useful. This gives them more choice and reduce the chances of accidents.
4) Do they need a health check?
As always, a full health check with your vets is recommended when you have got a new pet. For cats that were previously stray animals this is particularly important as ensuring their vaccinations are up to date as well as flea and worming treatments. It is also worth a blood test to screen for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), although most charities screen for this on admission.
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