Taking in a stray cat is a great way to adopt a new pet that otherwise may never have a good home. Before you decide to adopt the pet as your own, make sure that it doesn’t have an owner. If the cat doesn’t have a home, vaccinate it, treat any injuries or illnesses, and then slowly introduce it to your home.

Besides, Should I take feral kittens from mother?

For health and nutrition reasons, you should wait until the kittens are at least 4-5 weeks of age before taking them away from their mother. Kittens who are 5-8 weeks old will take approximately two to four weeks to be socialized. Kittens who are 10-12 weeks old may take longer.

Keeping this in mind, Can you keep a stray cat as a pet? Yes, that stray cat or alley cat can become your beloved house cat, but there are some caveats you should consider. … Feral cats are wild and not used to people or domesticated. Stray cats and some alley cats have often had socialization and may have even been neutered and received health care.

Should I take the stray cat when I move?

Relocation should only be considered as an absolute last resort, when the cats’ lives are in danger unless you act. Cats are territorial and form strong bonds with their outdoor homes, so relocation is extremely stressful and risky—for the cats AND for you.

Can you get a disease from touching a stray cat?

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that cats are rarely a source of disease, and that it is unlikely for anyone to get sick from touching or owning a cat.

How long do feral kittens stay with their mother?

Feral cats leave their kittens at about five weeks old with the weaning process, though they don’t leave them outright. The mother restricts nursing, encouraging them to go out on their own and hunt. Eventually, the kittens become older and independent enough that they stop returning to the nest.

Is it bad to take kittens away from mom?

It is a common misconception that kittens can be separated from their mothers as early as 8 weeks old. However, kittens separated at this time are still at risk for developmental, social, and health issues. Instead, kittens should remain with their mothers until they are 12-14 weeks old.

When can you separate kittens from feral mothers?

6-8 weeks-Beginning to eat dry food, very playful, starting to climb and jump- Kittens are ready to be weaned. This is a safe time to separate from mom, especially if mom is feral. Moms should be given 2 weeks for their milk to dry up and should then be trapped and spayed.

Can you keep a cat that you found?

If you would like to keep the cat, you usually can. As long as the cat is comfortable in your home and happy to make it theirs, there really are no restrictions. … If you have failed to find a family and cannot adopt them, give them to the nearest Cats Protection branch or animal welfare shelter.

How long before you can keep a stray cat?

These laws provide the minimum required period that an animal (usually a dog or cat) must be kept at a pound or public animal shelter before it is sold, adopted out, or euthanized. Typically, the holding period runs from five to seven days. However, it can be as short as 48 to 72 hours in some cases.

Can you make a stray cat an indoor cat?

Plenty of stray cats have been adopted and turned into happy indoor kitties who don’t want to go out. The trick is to make the great indoors as fun and intriguing as the outdoors.

Will my outside cat run away if I move?

While it may be stressful to move cats from one outdoor environment to another, and though some attrition may well take place (cats lost who knows where or running back home, miles away though it may be), the majority of cats will comply with your human interventions.

How long does it take for a stray cat to adjust to a new home?

All cats are different, so there is no hard and fast rule regarding how long it takes to introduce a new cat into a home with an existing cat, but it may take up to 4 to 6 weeks for the cats to make the adjustment. If at any point the introduction fails, you have to take a step back or start over altogether.

How do you keep an outside cat from running when you move?


Isolate your cat from the moving mayhem.

  1. Consider using Feliway, a calming pheromone product for cats, starting two weeks before the move, allowing it plenty of time to take effect.
  2. Keep her in one room, which should be kept closed off all day.

Is it safe to touch a street cat?

In general, stray cats are shy and not dangerous if they are left alone. … A stray cat on the other hand may even be friendly towards humans. That does not mean that you should go petting one because although it might be friendly, it can still carry diseases.

What diseases do cats carry that humans can get?


Diseases associated with cats

  • Cat scratch disease.
  • Roundworms.
  • Toxoplasmosis.
  • Rabies.
  • Campylobacteriosis.
  • Salmonellosis.
  • Cryptosporidiosis.
  • Giardiasis.

Can you get rabies from touching a stray cat?

The rabies virus is spread through saliva. It is not spread through contact with urine, feces, or blood of an infected animal. You cannot get rabies by petting an animal. You may get rabies from a scratch if the animal, such as a cat, was licking its paw before it scratched you.

How long does a feral cat nurse her kittens?

The ASPCA states that the weaning process, which is typically initiated by the mother, generally starts around four weeks. The whole procedure is slow-moving, however, and a queen cat may continue to nurse casually until the kitten is about 2 months old — often for soothing purposes.

Do feral cats remember their kittens?

They don’t remember their kittens when they are grown up! Since cats rely on scents to remember each other, mothers forget their kittens shortly after being separated. Once a kitten leaves and is no longer with their mother, they pick up new scents.

How long does it take for a feral kitten to adjust?

It usually takes about 2 weeks (or longer for exceptionally skittish kittens) to fully tame feral kittens, depending on their age and state of wildness. Kittens can differ greatly in temperament even within the same litter. Some may tame up immediately and others take longer. Patience and commitment is required.

Do cats get sad when you take their kittens away?

When her kittens first leave, your cat may be a little upset. She might search the house looking for them or meow expecting a response. … The kittens, however, may have a little more trouble with the process. Sometimes a kitten may refuse to eat or seem depressed for several days after leaving his mom.

Do kittens get sad when separated?

a) Kittens who have been separated during the early weeks of life will forget each other. Young kittens often miss their mom and siblings and show signs of separation anxiety after being taken into the new home. However, it doesn’t take them too long to adapt to the new home and reattach to the new family.

Do cats get sad when you give them away?

Yes, cats can get sad when they are rehomed. They are often intimidated and frightened with the process. Cats can sense sadness and they will most likely miss their former owners. They may also become depressed and withdrawn.