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My cat is being attacked, and acting strange.

I took in a stray non-feral cat that had been abandonded by her owner last winter. She's a sweet, long-haired little thing who's a bit shy. She loves to go outdoors and has done so with no harm for the past year and a half. She is spayed and has all her claws However, in the past few weeks, she's come home with injuries. She was clawed all the way down a side, and got an infection that merited a vet visit. Today she just came with a deep slash across her nose and brow that thankfully missed her eye. She was panting shortly after, something she's never done before. She's quieted down and napping currently, but seems extremely cautious and was meowing oddly earlier. She's generally a quiet cat. I'm worried that some new cat or animal has set up residence nearby, and that I may have to keep her inside. What's up with the panting? How can I keep her inside for her own safety without stressing her out?


Asked by Member 1001044 on Aug 18th 2010 Tagged attack, hurt, strange in Other Health & Wellness
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Phoebe

Please keep this kitty indoors! I am of the belief that once a cat is domesticated it belongs indoors. I would take her to the vet for a check on those scratches near her nose and see if there is anything going on that may cause the panting other than anxiety. She has obviously experienced a trauma. It may be tough to teach her to stay indoors but believe me it's in her best interest -talk to the vet about some of the calming aids on the market - I have heard of Feliway. It will take some time - you obviously care a great deal for her as you have given her a wonderful new home! Let us know how it goes.


Phoebe answered on 8/18/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Izadore (Izzie)

Phoebe is right. When I adopted Lily, I didn't realize that she was an outdoor cat. She was fine outdoor for about a year until one day last June when she didn't come home. She was found dead on my neighbor's driveway. I can't stress strongly enough that you need to keep this kitty inside, especially if she's already coming home with wounds. I fear that one day, like Lily, she just won't come home. It's said that to keep an outside cat happy indoors, you must make the indoors more "funner" than the out of doors. Cat trees, climbing toys, hidey toys...any or all of these will occupy her time. She's panting because she's stressed and scared and while she may seem enthusiastic about going back out, it's up to you to keep her safe and keep her inside.


Izadore (Izzie) answered on 8/19/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Orange Ruffy

Please don't let your kitty out! Though she may want to go out, it is dangerous out there, and beocoming a hard, faster world all the time.
My new cat Smokie apparently belonged to someone at some time. When we got him, he was covered in cat bites, is FIV+, had not been neutered. Our vet believes that he got the FIV+ from being attacked by other cats. We have paid out over $1000 in vet bills to see him cared for.
He also had a parasite called Giardia, and was vrey thin.
He's now bored and we're trying to figure ways to keep him happy and entertained-he has our other male to play with, toys, etc. We wouldn't let him out again, even if it was in a yard, because truthfully it's not safe.
What I would suggest, maybe, are two things. You can get a 'cat window' made for her. It's a double thick, screened window that she can sit in (it looks like an air conditioning sleeve.) the other thing is you might want to try harness and leash with you to be with her.


Orange Ruffy answered on 8/19/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


TIA SYDIBIL

Hi,

While I was looking for an outside enclosure for my cats, I kept seeing items made of mesh and shaped like a tube. They could be added to in an unbelieveable manner. I've seen them on Amazon and Ebay both.

I didn't get that one; I decided to go with a 48" high hard side enclosure that I'm putting window screen on all sides and the top and bottom for my two to get on the grass. We also have a screen porch but we can't use it in the hot weather we've been having.


TIA SYDIBIL answered on 8/19/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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