Adopting a stray cat shows the strength and will of a person to make life better for an unfortunate fur baby.
Although many people prefer buying fur babies from animal breeders, there can be an equal number of people who consider adopting shelter animals or strays in the neighborhood. Suppose you got too friendly with a neighborhood stray and are now thinking of inviting it into your household, then make sure it is taken care of properly.
Provide it with clean, quality food and water, comfortable shelter, take it for a complete wellness checkup, and consider having a medical financial backup in terms of pet insurance. Cat insurance can help deal with unanticipated vet costs without compromising health care quality during critical conditions and emergencies.
Contemplate purchasing a policy so getting medical help for your furball is much easier during challenging health situations. In the meantime, read this article to learn how to care for a stray cat if you cannot adopt it.
1.Leave food/water outside
If a stray cat around your home is dropping in often, then consider leaving some food outside in the bowls. You can feed it dry/wet food but pay attention to the portions. Offer it only as much as it can eat peacefully in half an hour and not more than that.
Also, kitties typically eat more in winter than in summer. So, change feeding portions depending on the time of the year. Provide it with a clean water source to drink through the day. To help prevent the drinking water from freezing during cold months, place it in dark, deep, and wide bowls in sunny spots.
You can consider investing in a double-layered or solar-powered water bowl to store water and place it in a sunny area outside. At the same time, be sure you are frequently cleaning up any uneaten cat food in the bowls and disposing of them safely. The leftovers can attract pesky flies, insects, and wildlife you may not want to deal with lasenorita.
Place the food-loaded bowls in a safe corner and ensure easy access so the cat can eat without any apprehensions and leave the place with little trouble.
2.Offer shelter
Stray cats require shelter apart from food and water. You can quickly build one with readily available and affordable materials. Expect the kitty to use it for extra protection when the temperature drops or during extreme cold and snow.
You can consider putting together a shelter that is at least 18 inches tall, 3 feet long, and 2 feet wide. This size allows a litter or a few cats to squeeze in, huddle together, and stay warm during winter. It provides good insulation and helps conserve heat.
Keep the door to the shelter small in size to lower the chances of intrusions by wildlife. At the same time, consider adding a back door for escaping should the fur babies resting inside be cornered by bigger animals.
Let the shelter be camouflaged, so it blends with the environment. Place it on elevated ground in a quiet, guarded place to ensure safety. Add windproof and waterproof features to help the stray survive in it during different weather conditions.
Cover the shelter’s floor with straw, which serves as cozy bedding and allows the cat to curl up on it and nap.
Outdoor kitties expect basic care and comforts and nothing more from humans. However, should you consider adopting a stray, provide it with all it needs to lead a happy and healthy life. This also includes providing quality health care during needy times of health. Pet insurance makes providing timely medical help possible with minor financial hitches. So, contemplate purchasing cat insurance should you take in a stray as your pet.
