# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/82 "2011-11-12T07:04:48Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > MODERATOR WARNING! > > **Floater**. This is an official warning about your posting of an offensive link. It was out of place in the thread. Don’t do this again. > > **samclem** , Moderator Maybe you should disable it? ---
**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 12, 2011, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/83 "2011-11-12T17:35:37Z")
**Update** Things are going well here! Arthur is doing great, and is a big cuddler. He likes to lick faces. Arthur is now out and [meeting](http://www.flickr.com/photos/57672259@N02/6337810578/in/photostream/)the other cat, Thor. You can really see his multiple toes! He’s standing at the door to the deck that he used to live under. I don’t anticipate any [problems](http://www.flickr.com/photos/57672259@N02/6337810694/in/photostream/)(maybe it’s because they’re both boys?) They’ve been walking around each other, a hiss here or there before wandering off. > [@flatlined](#): > > He’s missing half of his bottom jaw, all of the teeth on that side and his lips are strange looking. Lucky thinks his name is Fabio because he knows he’s beautiful. This is a heartwarming story (though, poor kitty!) I’m glad that he was able to live a happy life with you after such a traumatic event. You do such good with all of your rescue work. (My mental file for \*\*flatlined \*\*is: _Rats in Boxes! SG! Rescues Cats! Crazy Old Lady Neighbor!_) > [@SnakesCatLady](#): > > That’s just too much swoon for one post. 4 Marines in dress blues? Kittens? I’m so jealous. Can I come be your roommate and help move boxes and get all the SG stories first hand? Ditto. But I’d want to \*work \*with **flatlined**. I might just do no actual working and follow SG’s lazy, mooching example. I mean, it’s worked for him for _years_! 😉 > [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > C: Need help fast! I’ve managed to convince the hoomin to take me into the warm building. But now the hoomin won’t leave and is taking photos of me and posting to the internet. How do I get the hoomin out of my new home? But open a can of fud first? Oh god, this is so true. 🙂 The only reason I don’t have more pictures is because Arthur walks so fast it’s mainly a blur (even the one of him drinking from the dogs water was sadly blurry). ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/84 "2011-11-12T18:01:45Z")
‘Arthur’ was a cat who scooped catfood up with his paw and ate it. Because of this, he appeared in a series of TV commercials here for Kattomeat in the 1960s ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/85 "2011-11-12T21:04:46Z")
> [@SnakesCatLady](#): > > That’s just too much swoon for one post. 4 Marines in dress blues? Kittens? I’m so jealous. Can I come be your roommate and help move boxes and get all the SG stories first hand? Oh god, I so agree! ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/86 "2011-11-13T02:31:38Z")
**Lady** , I’m so sorry for hijacking your thread with Marines and kittens. Your Thor is awesome and I’m happy that no fights are happening. I really want to see pics of Arthur when he’s buffed up 🙂 Thank you so much for saving that sweet boy. I winced everytime I opened a pic because that poor kiitteh was so skinny. I understand how you wouldn’t want to hold him without a towel. Sharp bones could easily cut thin fur. It doesn’t happen, but I still worry. ---
**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 13, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/87 "2011-11-13T02:54:50Z")
**Mk VII** , Interesting, I hadn’t known that! > [@flatlined](#): > > **Lady** , I’m so sorry for hijacking your thread with Marines and kittens. Your Thor is awesome and I’m happy that no fights are happening. I really want to see pics of Arthur when he’s buffed up 🙂 > > Thank you so much for saving that sweet boy. I winced everytime I opened a pic because that poor kiitteh was so skinny. I understand how you wouldn’t want to hold him without a towel. Sharp bones could easily cut thin fur. It doesn’t happen, but I still worry. But…but, that is the best kind of hijack! Your contribution to this thread has been much appreciated by me. 🙂 And, definitely, I’ll post updated pictures when he buffs up. (Egads, he’s so light when I pick him up!) ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/88 "2011-11-13T03:42:42Z")
> [@Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](#): > > **Update** > > Things are going well here! Arthur is doing great, and is a big cuddler. He likes to lick faces. > > Arthur is now out and [meeting](http://www.flickr.com/photos/57672259@N02/6337810578/in/photostream/)the other cat, Thor. You can really see his multiple toes! He’s standing at the door to the deck that he used to live under. > > I don’t anticipate any [problems](http://www.flickr.com/photos/57672259@N02/6337810694/in/photostream/)(maybe it’s because they’re both boys?) They’ve been walking around each other, a hiss here or there before wandering off. You are so lucky. My girls hated each other on sight. ---
**Author:** ![FlyByNight512](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/82dd89/32.png) [@FlyByNight512](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyByNight512)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/89 "2011-11-13T23:41:54Z")
> [@Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](#): > > I don’t anticipate any [problems](http://www.flickr.com/photos/57672259@N02/6337810694/in/photostream/)(maybe it’s because they’re both boys?) They’ve been walking around each other, a hiss here or there before wandering off. I’m not sure about cats, but I’ve heard of other starved, sweet animals turning into not-so-sweet animals as they come back to health. Even the nastiest critters are pretty compliant when they’re starving. Hopefully that won’t be the case here, just don’t be shocked if Arthur develops more of a personality or starts having spats with the other animals as he gains weight. Thanks for taking him in! 🆒 ---
**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 14, 2011, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/90 "2011-11-14T01:01:21Z")
We took in an older cat a couple of years ago–we found him living under a bush in our back yard. He was very skinny but very friendly, and we figured he was probably dumped. We took him to the vet and found out he was about 15 years old (what kind of horrible person would dump a sweet senior cat out to fend for himself?) and he had hyperthyroidism. We got that treated and for awhile we just fed him in the backyard, but eventually we brought him in to see how he’d do with our other cats. Unfortunately things didn’t work out–he was very nervous around them, and they kind of bulled him which caused him to pee in inappropriate places, so he ended up living in our upstairs bathroom. We didn’t think this was any life for a sweet old man, so we found him a home with a friend of a friend, and he lived there for almost two years before she sadly had to have him put down because he was fading fast and not enjoying life anymore. Point being: he definitely didn’t change personality when he started getting fed. His final owner sent us reports and pictures and told us that he remained a sweet and friendly cat to the end, and even got along with the two kittens she got after she brought him home. We named him “Abercrombie” because he looked like a dignified English gentleman. I guess she must have agreed, because while she did change his name, she changed it to “Alfred.” 🙂 ---
**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 14, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/91 "2011-11-14T18:20:03Z")
**Malleus, Incus, Stapes!** , I \*am \*lucky then! The cats are still getting along, it’s the \*dog \* that he despises. **FlyByNight512,** He has changed a bit now that he’s eating regularly, he’s still friendly, but he will now blatantly try to eat/drink whatever the human has even if you’re saying ‘No’ and pushing his head away. 😉 Though the name ‘Arthur’ may not stick. My husband has taken to calling him ‘Bones’, i.e. ‘Bones ate my cereal! I had to put it up high so he couldn’t get it.’ The battle of the names begins! **Infovore** , More cat stories! Thank you, I enjoyed reading that. 🙂 Agreed, both names were ‘of a sort’. ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/92 "2011-11-15T01:50:39Z")
I just realized why I like Arthur so much. Many years ago I adopted a cat who looked a lot like him, AND he had extra tootsies too! I love extra-toed cats–they look like they’re wearing mittens. His name was Tango, and he kept the older boys and me company until he got a better offer from someone in the next building. ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/93 "2011-11-15T02:26:33Z")
I have two boys that I got as adults. Got the first one, Owen, from a shelter as company for my old cat, who then died, and then got the second, Darcy, from a rescue, to keep Owen company. I had no idea that two unrelated cats from such different backgrounds could bond as much as these two have. They hang out, groom and snuggle together all the time. They also get cranky and swing and hiss at each sometimes, but mostly, they seem to really like each other. It doesn’t look like there’s much drama between your two boys… perhaps they are united in their scorn for the dog? ---
**Author:** ![Maiira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Maiira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maiira)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/94 "2011-11-15T02:56:32Z")
Yay for stray kittehs!! And what a great name! Welcome to the world of Doper Pets, Arthur. The catnip’s in the cupboard, and the toy mice are in the basket in the corner. Make yourself at home! ---
**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 16, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/95 "2011-11-16T16:18:06Z")
(Just realized I’d never replied!) > [@papergirl](#): > > I just realized why I like Arthur so much. Many years ago I adopted a cat who looked a lot like him, AND he had extra tootsies too! I love extra-toed cats–they look like they’re wearing mittens. > His name was Tango, and he kept the older boys and me company until he got a better offer from someone in the next building. This is nice to hear, and yes I love his extra toes as well! > [@brainstall](#): > > I have two boys that I got as adults. Got the first one, Owen, from a shelter as company for my old cat, who then died, and then got the second, Darcy, from a rescue, to keep Owen company. I had no idea that two unrelated cats from such different backgrounds could bond as much as these two have. They hang out, groom and snuggle together all the time. They also get cranky and swing and hiss at each sometimes, but mostly, they seem to really like each other. > > It doesn’t look like there’s much drama between your two boys… perhaps they are united in their scorn for the dog? I’m really hoping they become best buds like yours, though admittedly, both seem quite people focused. Arthur now follows me around in the morning meowing in a pitiful, heart-wrenching pitch until I get him canned food. 😉 He has the dry stuff all the time but it’s simply _not good enough_. > [@Maiira](#): > > Yay for stray kittehs!! And what a great name! > > Welcome to the world of Doper Pets, Arthur. The catnip’s in the cupboard, and the toy mice are in the basket in the corner. Make yourself at home! Thanks! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/96 "2011-11-16T17:25:52Z")
> [@Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](#): > > .. Arthur now follows me around in the morning meowing in a pitiful, heart-wrenching pitch until I get him canned food. 😉 He has the dry stuff all the time but it’s simply _not good enough_… 🙂 That was fast! Al’s the same way about his canned food. We started giving him 1/4 of the small size cans, as a bribe to get him to show himself. He’s worked his way up to a full can, full-size, every evening like clockwork. (Well, clockwork to us. To him it’s always several hours _late._) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/97 "2011-11-16T22:07:17Z")
> [@Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](#): > > \He has the dry stuff all the time but it’s simply _not good enough_.\ No, it really isn’t (at least, that’s the message we got, too). We had our ladies on dry only for most of their lives, but now that they’re senior kitties, they get wet and dry. They’ll probably get onto mostly wet soon. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/98 "2011-11-17T19:58:38Z")
Hurray for Arthur, training his slaves properly. The kittens went to the vet today, which reminded me to ask for new Arthur pics. Its been a week, are you able to tell a difference? Are his bones less bony? Does he still hate the dog? ---
**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 18, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/99 "2011-11-18T01:49:55Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > He’s worked his way up to a full can, full-size, every evening like clockwork. (Well, clockwork to us. To him it’s always several hours _late._) Ha! 🙂 This is quite true. > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > No, it really isn’t (at least, that’s the message we got, too). We had our ladies on dry only for most of their lives, but now that they’re senior kitties, they get wet and dry. They’ll probably get onto mostly wet soon. Old kitties really are the best! > [@flatlined](#): > > Hurray for Arthur, training his slaves properly. The kittens went to the vet today, which reminded me to ask for new Arthur pics. Its been a week, are you able to tell a difference? Are his bones less bony? Does he still hate the dog? He’s \*slightly \*less bony, to the touch at least, though his back above his tail is still protruding bones. Arthur is not bothered by his [skinniness](http://www.flickr.com/photos/57672259@N02/6356101803/in/photostream/). 😉 Oh yes, no love between the dog and he yet, though no fights either as Arthur has been deftly avoiding the dog. He spends a lot of time sleeping and eating and hanging out near my computer. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/100 "2011-11-18T02:50:48Z")
AWWWW!!! I can see a difference. He looks much better to my rescue eyes. I also think its great that Thor is happy eating his food so close to Arthur. It shows promise. maybe you chould buy a _gasp_ small dog bed that is big enough for both kitties and then turn the heat down. My boyz get a lot more cuddlier when they are cold. Alpha, Baker and Charlie (named by Marines, not me) passed their bloodwork, have been fixed and ready to be adopted. I have a phone, and I have a computer. The thing missing is a teenager to help me get them to talk to each other. ---
**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 18, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516/101 "2011-11-18T18:02:44Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > Alpha, Baker and Charlie (named by Marines, not me) passed their bloodwork, have been fixed and ready to be adopted. That’s adorable. 🙂 \*\*Last night: \*\* In bed, watching Futurama, suddenly my husband erupts with “My Cereal! Nooo!” Arthur had joined us. He then cuddled up next to my husband on the bed and we turned off the t.v. and prepared to sleep, until angry growls broke the night air. I turned on the light to find the dog creeping along the side of the bed, trying to get closer to Arthur under cover of darkness as if the cat won’t notice a bushy white/orange dog with a huge tongue licking him. In a growling huff, Arthur flounced from the room. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-stray-cat-advice/602516.md?page=6)