# I caught a stray cat! Advice? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 10, 2011, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516 "2011-11-10T17:09:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/41 "2011-11-11T01:16:14Z")
What a pretty, sweet boy! Good for you for taking him in! I wish you both a long and happy friendship. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/42 "2011-11-11T02:06:06Z")
Oh he’s very handsome! Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/43 "2011-11-11T02:14:34Z")
Oh! He’s so gorgeous he brings tears to my eyes! (Feeling a little sentimental tonight.) And extra toes? [swoons] I nearly had a new kitten the other early morning. I was just about to pick it up, reaching over the garbage bag it was rummaging in, when it raised is cute little head and turned out to be a sweet-faced young possum. 😃 Can’t blame a girl for trying… ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/44 "2011-11-11T03:01:14Z")
As a sidenote, orange tabbies are almost always male because it is a sex linked trait in cats. Likewise, almost all calicos are female. There are exceptions, but those exceptions are basically genetic freaks (which makes them cool in a way, like the polydactyls are). It definitely sounds like Arthur is very fortunate that you found him when you did. It sounds almost certain that he would have died if he spent the winter outdoors. Update us as he gains weight. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/45 "2011-11-11T03:19:32Z")
Welcome, Arthur! ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/46 "2011-11-11T03:37:06Z")
You and Arthur, together at last! 😃 I’m glad you found him and took care of the situation. May you have a full and happy life of servitude for him. I hope that you update the thread with new pictures after he’s gained weight, so that we may behold his true wonder and majesty. ---
**Author:** ![Ashes\_Ashes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@Ashes\_Ashes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashes_Ashes)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/47 "2011-11-11T03:57:39Z")
> [@lavenderviolet](#): > > As a sidenote, orange tabbies are almost always male because it is a sex linked trait in cats. I never knew that! Good luck to Arthur-- he’s one lucky cat. Sorta silly question;do polydactyl animals have it easier on snow, what with built in snow shoes? ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/48 "2011-11-11T05:07:33Z")
Pedantry alert! > [@lavenderviolet](#): > > As a sidenote, orange tabbies are almost always male because it is a sex linked trait in cats. > Likewise, almost all calicos are female. There are exceptions, but those exceptions are basically genetic freaks. To the second, yes. To the first, not quite. Calicos are 99.9% ( or whatever ) female, with the only exception being males carrying an extra X chromosome ( i.e XXY instead of XY ). A genetic freak, as you note. Since the orange gene is only on the X chromosome and males only get one X, they can normally only be either orange or non-orange. But male orange cats are just more numerous, not virtually exclusive. Orange females aren’t _that_ uncommon - I used to have one. A female with her two X chromosomes can have incomplete dominance, which is how you get your calicos. Two copies of the orange gene and she is orange. No copies and she is non-orange. But one orange and one non-orange and she is mixed, i.e. calico or tortoiseshell. Since the orange gene is prone to damage during meiosis ( due to positioning issues near the centromere ), non-orange is a bit more common generally. So de facto a male kitten has about a 30% chance of hitting the orange lottery and a female about 10%, so distribution tends to run roughly 3:1 in favor of males vs. females among orange cats. ---
**Author:** ![kjbrasda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/74df32/32.png) [@kjbrasda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kjbrasda)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/49 "2011-11-11T07:36:49Z")
I’ve had good luck fattening up underweight kitties with a bit of scrambled egg yolk (no white) and parmesan cheese (no other kind, cats don’t tolerate lactose well. parmesan is low lactose) added to their diet just until they catch up. Maybe one yolk a day for a week and tapering off after that. Not replacing daily cat food, just a little extra. I’ve heard kitten food works too. The trouble with either plan could come in with the cat getting used to these treats and refusing to eat regular food if they don’t get the goodies all the time, so proceed with caution. ---
**Author:** ![Av8trix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/90db22/32.png) [@Av8trix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Av8trix)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/50 "2011-11-11T08:03:50Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > You and Arthur, together at last! 😃 > I hope that you update the thread with new pictures after he’s gained weight, so that we may behold his true wonder and majesty. Yes, lets have updates =) ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/51 "2011-11-11T08:56:59Z")
Warning–NSFW–Don’t click this link if you like animals. **samclem** [http://www.ooze.com/ooze13/cats.html](http://www.ooze.com/ooze13/cats.html) :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/52 "2011-11-11T09:08:58Z")
I have an orange polydactyl male named Yogi, who sends his best regards to Arthur. ---
**Author:** ![highrollinwooded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/71c47a/32.png) [@highrollinwooded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/highrollinwooded)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/53 "2011-11-11T09:31:29Z")
Congrats to you, wonderful human being for saving Mr. Kitty! I had both my cats declawed years ago ( I know this can spark a whole new topic!) but it was the best thing I have ever done! Suprisingly, declawed cats can still hunt… I was shocked and dismayed this summer when my 13 year old cat caught one bird, and killed another at my feeders!!! ---
**Author:** ![Av8trix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/90db22/32.png) [@Av8trix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Av8trix)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/54 "2011-11-11T10:36:45Z")
If you’re an animal lover, I caution you to not click on the link Floater posted. It is an EXTREMELY graphic link with dead cats. Uncool, man, very uncool. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/55 "2011-11-11T15:03:46Z")
Yeah, what’s up with that? I understand if you don’t like cats, **Floater** , and that’s fine, but no need to threadshit. Jesus. Don’t click - it’s a website on how to cook and skin cats, with pix of dead cats being dissected. I didn’t read very much of it at all, and didn’t make it past the first couple of pictures, so I don’t know if it’s supposed to be some sort of black humour thing or not. In any case, it’s tasteless. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/56 "2011-11-11T16:03:09Z")
Floater, your post screams threadshit. Don’t do this again. I’ve added a spoiler box. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/57 "2011-11-11T16:18:38Z")
> [@Av8trix](#): > > If you’re an animal lover, I caution you to not click on the link Floater posted. It is an EXTREMELY graphic link with dead cats. Uncool, man, very uncool. If that’s true, I think it should mean an automatic ban. Seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_of_the_Lake)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/58 "2011-11-11T16:38:41Z")
Thank you, posters, for of the kind words! Everything is quiet at home; Arthur has been moved into a bedroom with a king bed and sunny windows for the day. As the vet wanted me to isolate him for a day or two until the ear mites have been decimated, I may not let him out (with supervision) until tomorrow, but it will be hard going. He really wants to explore the house and has tried to slip past several times. Astonishingly, this morning he tried to slip out while the dog was trying to slip _in_. 😉 They ignored each other after a nose bump in favor of their goals= \*‘freedom!’ \*and _‘eat cat food!’._ I will definitely be updating this thread on his progress, with pictures of his development. \*\*Carnut \*\*and **Scubaqueen** , I went to the East Valley Animal Clinic, if that is yours as well? They have cats roaming the building and are friendly. (Or vet offices look alike?) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_of_the_Lake)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/59 "2011-11-11T16:51:29Z")
I’m glad my computer blocked that link when I clicked. I don’t understand posting something like that. ☹ > [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I found my cat, George, this way - he was running across the street and could have been hit by a car. _\_ > > And he routinely walks right up to our dog and whacks him on the head with a paw. This is a great story, and I think everyone needs a cat like George in their household to keep the other occupants on their toes. > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Yay, Arthur! That’s a great name for him. So, he wasn’t chipped or anything? It doesn’t sound like he would have lasted much longer out on his own. I guess you have to do your due diligence to see if you can find the owners, but my fingers are crossed that you now have a big ol’ ginger boy cat. No chip and no lost cat posters fitting him. (And, you are right, I think he wold have died if left much longer) ☹ I admit, I \*\*really \*\*hope he stays mine. > [@StGermain](#): > > His face looks like a big Peace sign. I’d probably call him Hippie. Or Asbury. I think he looks like an alien with the big eyes and prominent cheekbones 😉 ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/60 "2011-11-11T17:14:08Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > If that’s true, I think it should mean an automatic ban. Seriously. Agreed. I found it in the WORST of taste and highly offensive. What gives them a right to try to ruin such a happy, feel-good thread? Not cool. In other news, really happy that Arthur is settling in so well! What a great person you are for taking him in and what a lucky, lucky boy he is! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516.md?page=4)