Fosters Archives - Trap and Return

How to Create a Cat Foster Room

How to Create a Cat Foster Room Is the idea of fostering a cat tickling your feline fancy? Whether you’re a seasoned cat whisperer or a first-time foster parent, creating the perfect foster space for your new furry friend is essential. In this guide, we’ll walk you step-by-step on how to create a cat foster room that is both practical, modern, and inviting. Selecting the Ideal Space for Your Foster Cat Factors like size, flooring, and location within your home all play a part in creating the perfect room. A dedicated room, such as a spare room, laundry room, or large bathroom, is ideal for fostering kittens or integrating adult cats. Not only does a separate space allow your new foster cat to settle in comfortably, but it also helps keep them confined to one area, which is highly beneficial, especially for your first foster cat. This allows them to feel secure while they build the confidence to explore further. It’s also important to separate cats initially to prevent the spread of any contagious illnesses or parasites like fleas. Remember to consider non-carpeted options, such as a kitten playpen or a small non-carpeted guest room, for easier clean-up instead of using the entire room or a spare room. Preparing and Kitten-Proofing the Room After selecting the perfect room for your foster cat, the next step involves ensuring its safety and comfort. Start by hiding electrical cords, removing small items, and clearing out any heavy or sharp objects. A successful fostering experience relies on understanding cat behavior, as it helps strengthen the bond between the foster cat, other pets, and the household. Creating a safe and welcoming home base sets the stage for your foster cat to thrive! Essential Items for Your Foster Cat’s Comfort A few essential items like a litter box, soft bedding, and food and water stations are necessary for a content foster cat. Litter Box Setup A litter box should be large enough for your foster cat to move around comfortably. Setting up litter boxes for your foster cat involves the following considerations: By considering these factors, you can create a comfortable and suitable litter box setup for your foster cat or kitten room. If your foster cat seems hesitant to use the litter box, try changing the litter type, size of the box, or even its location. Also, monitor the cat for any signs of pain or straining, as this might indicate a medical issue that requires attention from the fostering organization. Remember to be patient. Many cats and kittens from the streets might be learning to use a litter box for the first time! Food and Water Stations We prefer stainless steel or ceramic bowls, which are easy to clean and maintain. Place the food and water bowls separately from the litter boxes to maintain cleanliness and prevent contamination. Try an electric water fountain or food dish maze toy to encourage your baby to explore nutrition and reward good behavior. Bedding and Relaxation Spaces A comfortable and cozy bed is a must for your foster cat’s relaxation and sleep. Offer various bedding options, such as fleece blankets, thick towels, and cat beds, placed in different locations and heights to suit their preferences. A warm and quiet indoor space, like a separate room or a crate, can create a soothing environment for your foster cat to relax and feel safe. Adding window perches, enclosed beds, and multi-purpose furniture will enhance your foster cat’s relaxation spaces. More tips to reduce stress include cardboard boxes, hiding places, and heat sources like sunshine or a heating blanket. Enrichment and Playtime Essentials Interactive toys, scratching posts, and climbing stations all contribute to their happiness and fulfillment. Provide interactive and independent play toys to accommodate their varying energy levels and interests. Cats love toys filled with catnip, feather wands, and laser toys, which can keep them entertained for hours. Scratching posts made from cardboard, old carpet pieces, or sisal material offer a variety of textures for your foster cat to scratch and climb, further enhancing their playtime experience. Having a good scratching post or scratching boxes is helpful in keeping your cat’s nails trimmed and off your furniture. This can reduce the frequency that you need for nail clippers to trim your cat’s nails. Introducing Cat-Safe Plants and Greenery Adding cat-safe plants and greenery to the foster room creates a more natural and stimulating environment for your foster cat. Cat grass is a fantastic option, as it allows them to nibble and play, giving them a sense of the outdoors. Other cat-safe plants, such as catnip, silver vine, and cat thyme, can also be introduced to the foster room. Place these plants in accessible areas, such as windowsills or shelves, ensuring they’re out of reach of your curious foster cat to prevent any accidental damage to the plants. Creating a Safe Space for Interaction with Other Pets It’s important to set up a separate and safe space for your foster cat to interact with other pets under controlled conditions. This not only helps your foster cat adjust to their new surroundings but also ensures the safety of your resident pets. Most cats should have a two-week quarantine as they are introduced to resident pets. When your foster cat is ready to meet your other pets or children, make sure they’re in good health and have no contagious diseases. Supervise their interactions and gradually increase the time spent together, allowing them to form a bond in a safe and controlled environment. Tips for Maintaining a Clean and Sanitary Foster Room The health and well-being of your foster cat heavily rely on a clean and sanitary foster room. Here are some tips for maintaining a hygienic environment: Practicing good hygiene, such as washing your hands with soap and water, also helps protect you and your pets from any potential disease transmission. A clean and sanitary foster room will ensure a comfortable and healthy environment for your foster cat. Monitoring Your Foster Cat’s

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How To Stop Your Cat From Scratching Things

How To Stop Your Cat From Scratching Things The cat is scratching up the sofa again! How do we stop them from scratching things? The best way to stop cats from scratching is to provide plenty of enrichment, including scratching posts and toys. Use positive reinforcement to train your cat to scratch their scratchers rather than your furniture or other items. Avoid scent deterrents and punishments, and never declaw your cat, as this can cause lifelong health problems. In this article, we’ll go through everything you need to know to stop your cat from scratching your furniture and to provide them with the enrichment they need to stay happy and healthy. Why Does My Cat Scratch Everything? Cats scratch for a variety of reasons, but primarily because it’s an instinctive impulse. This means you can’t expect a cat not to scratch! Scratching is beneficial to cats in many ways, including: How To Stop Cats From Scratching Furniture Although scratching is instinctual and essential for cats, most humans don’t like their things destroyed, especially brand new furniture or a new sofa. Left unchecked, your cat can scratch up your furniture, your carpet, and your curtains, leaving your house in shreds! Luckily, there’s a way to manage where our cats scratch to minimize damage and ruined furniture. However, if you’re adopting a kitten, you should expect and plan for inappropriate scratching until your cat is trained. It’s similar to the puppy teething period, where they chew your favorite shoes! Trim Your Cat’s Nails Regularly Animals love to scratch when they have sharp claws. Scratching is also a way to keep their claws sharp, which can make the situation worse. The best way to minimize damage and prevent cats from scratching is to keep your cat’s claws trimmed and short. You can do this by trimming their nails monthly or every few weeks. If you notice the nails getting sharper, giving them a quick trim in between is fine, too! I recommend taking some time to get to know your pet’s paws before trimming their nails for the first time. Here are some tips for trimming your cat’s nails. Initially, cut only the tip of your cat’s claw. This will help you to avoid the quick completely. As you gain more experience and confidence, you can cut them even shorter. In black cats, the quick can be more difficult to see. It may look like a dark spot near the base of the claw rather than being a more distinguishable pink. Here are some extra tips for your cat’s manicure: Provide Plenty of Scratching Options If you don’t have a scratching post or a dedicated scratching surface for your cat, don’t blame them for scratching your furniture! As we discussed above, scratching is perfectly natural for cats. What a lot of people don’t know is that even one scratcher isn’t enough for many felines. Having a variety of scratchers will help improve your cat’s scratching habits by rewarding good scratch marks, which also deposit their smell onto the surface. Here are some things to consider when it comes to cat scratchers: Vertical Scratching Posts Vs. Horizontal Scratching Surfaces The first thing I recommend for cat owners is to look at vertical and horizontal scratchers. Most cats prefer one over the other, though most will scratch horizontally if that’s all they have. Here are some of our favorite cat scratchers. It should be easy to find out your cat’s preference just by watching them. Vertical scratchers will favor the side of your couch or curtains, while horizontal scratchers will favor the carpet or the arms of your chair. You should have at least one of each type of scratcher in your home. Ideally, you’ll have two or more scratchers per cat for several reasons and meet their preferences. These don’t have to be fancy. Cats love scratching cardboard boxes, cat trees with multiple scratching posts, and square carpet samples. Material Providing a variety of materials can also help your cats develop preferences and help you figure out what attracts them most. The most common materials are cardboard, sisal rope, and carpet. Cardboard is the cheapest and pretty normal to use, but it also shreds easily. You’ll be picking up cardboard pieces from your floor regularly and replacing the scratchers often. Some cats love them because of that mess factor, though! Sisal rope is more durable and tough to claw. It’s great for young cats, but older cats with joint issues might not favor it. It does hold up much longer than cardboard! Carpet is a somewhat controversial choice. Some people think it’s great because it replicates what their cats already love to claw! Others find that their cats seem to be confused by the rules when they’re allowed to scratch some carpet, but not all carpet in the house. It’s easier to scratch through than sisal rope but lasts longer than cardboard. Height And Length The areas most cat scratchers fail are height and length. Unfortunately, many products on the market aren’t actually suitable for a full-grown cat. Your cat’s scratchers should either be the height of your cat when they stand on their hind legs with their front legs fully extended upwards or the length of your cat when sitting or standing with their front legs outstretched fully in front of them. If it’s smaller, your cat isn’t able to fully stretch its body, which is one of the main reasons they scratch furniture. Therefore, they might move to scratch the back of your couch instead because it’s tall enough for them to stretch while scratching. Stability Lastly, scratchers need to be stable and sturdy! Many vertical posts don’t meet this requirement and wobble when your cat scratches them. This can make your cat think the post is going to fall on them, and they don’t want that! Your pet would rather scratch the curtains that are securely hooked to the wall or your couch that doesn’t sway beneath their claws. Secure Your

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How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell

How to get rid of cat pee smell Cats make great lifelong companions, and as they go through different life stages, sometimes they pee on things. One of the biggest challenges cat owners have is dealing with occasional issues with cat urine odor. Cat urine has a powerful smell that can get into fabrics and carpets and be difficult to get rid of. If you have a cat that is peeing outside the litterbox, there are a few things you can do to help the cat’s behavior as well as clean the urine and get rid of the cat pee smell. Quick cleaning Sometimes you don’t have time for a deep cleaning, but it’s best to stop a urine stain and get rid of cat pee odor quickly. Here’s how to get rid of cat pee smell quickly. The first step is to clean up the area where the cat has urinated. This includes anything that the urine may have come into contact with, such as carpet, furniture, or nearby walls. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to soak up as much urine as possible. Then, use a pet-safe enzyme cleaner to remove any remaining urine and stains. If your cat pees outside the litter box often, have paper towels and a spray bottle handy with a cleaner like vinegar, hot water, or cold water for quick cleaning. Quickly soak, blot, and rinse the surfaces until you can get back for deep enzyme-based cleaning. It will take about 30 minutes for the carpet to air dry. Deep cleaning If the pet urine smell persists, you may need to do a deep clean. This involves using a steam cleaner or enzyme cleaner to break down the molecules in the urine and get rid of the ammonia smell. It’s important to test any enzyme cleaners in an inconspicuous area before using them on the entire carpet, couch, or other pieces of furniture. Bissel offers a great line of pet cleaning products for your home. Whether you have a new cat or a repeat offender, I highly recommend the Bissel Portable Cleaner, a cleaning device that comes in handy for plenty of other messes. Natural Cleaning Products For Cat Urine Smell There are a number of natural products that can be used to get rid of the smell of cat pee. Two common natural cat pee cleaning products are white vinegar (not apple cider vinegar) and baking soda. To use white vinegar, mix it with water in a 1:1 ratio and spray it on the affected area. Let it soak for a few minutes before blotting it up with a clean cloth or paper towel. Baking soda can be used as a natural urine odor absorber and enzymatic cleaner. Sprinkle baking soda on the affected area and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming it up. It’s a bit messy, but it does work well. Club soda is also another DIY solution option that helps clean cat urine smell from carpets and couches. Avoid chlorine bleach unless you want to stain your upholstery a bleach color! Cat Pee Prevention The best way to get rid of cat urine smell is to prevent the cat from urinating outside the litter box in the first place. There are a number of things you can do to discourage your cat from urinating around the house, but it’s usually best to address their underlying issue first. It’s a great idea to evaluate the litter boxes and litter situation. Some cats are particular of size, location, and the number of litter boxes, and other cats are picky about the type of litter. Most cat experts say you need to have one litter box per cat, plus 1, and the litter boxes should be spaced throughout the house. It’s important to provide cats with a clean litter box that has clean litter and an inviting space. The litter box should be in a quiet area of the house where the cat feels safe. It should also be big enough for the cat to move around in and deep enough that the litter doesn’t get scattered outside of it. We recommend a 6 inch tall stainless steel litter box. It’s easy to clean, and all our cats like it. Cats hate a dirty litter box and are more likely to find a clean alternative, like a pile of your clean clean clothes. Another option is to get a cat deterrent spray. These sprays contain scents that deter cats from urinating in certain areas. You can use them around the perimeter of the house or in specific areas where you don’t want the cat to urinate. This may help with male cats who tend to mark their territory. If you have a cat that is new to indoor life, you may need to train the cat to pee in the litter box. This takes patience and consistency, but it can be effective. Start by confining the cat to a small area, such as a bathroom, with everything it needs, including a litter box. Then, gradually increase the size of the area over time. If the cat does urinate outside of the litter box, clean up the mess immediately and provide positive reinforcement when the cat uses the litter box. You can also find more natural cat litter, like Oko cat, which resembles outdoor natural cat litter materials. How To Prevent The Cat From Returning To The Same Spot Once you have cleaned the area of cat urine stains, there are a few things you can do to prevent the cat from urinating there again. One option is to use a product that emits a scent that deters cats. These products are available at pet stores and online. Another option is to place double-sided tape or aluminum foil in the area. The smell and texture of these materials will deter most cats from urinating there again. How To Stop A Fixed Cat From Marking There are a few

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How To Introduce Two Cats

How to introduce two cats Getting a new cat can be very exciting but also stressful. Cats often don’t take well to change, and introductions between pets can be difficult and time-consuming. Introducing a new cat to a home with existing cats presents unique challenges due to their territorial nature, making a carefully planned introduction process essential. However, there are ways to make it successful. The key to cat introductions is to take things slowly and phase them into their interactions over time. Begin by introducing them to each other’s scent. Feed them on opposite ends of a closed door. Then, let them see one another without interacting. Finally, allow them to interact while supervised. Provide them with something to occupy them during the introduction, like a meal or play. In this article, we’ll answer all your questions about cat introductions, from how to introduce two cats to what to do if they won’t get along. How Long Does It Take To Introduce Two Cats? Introducing two cats properly can take weeks to months. It depends on the cats, their personalities, and their histories. It also depends on how you introduce them. For instance, two well-socialized kittens may get along during their first meeting and become best friends very quickly. They may even become bonded relatively easily. Two older cats who’ve had bad experiences, such as a house cat who’s been bullied by other cats and a former feral who got in a lot of fights, may take months to years to warm up to one another. They might never be friends, but they will learn to tolerate one another and live in harmony. Introducing an adult cat to a resident cat can be particularly challenging. It is crucial to recognize if the cats will happily accept one another to ensure their physical health and mental well-being. Cats who have had bad experiences with one another often take much longer to regain that trust—which is why it’s so important to take introductions slowly so that you avoid this result! When it comes to gender, two male cats may take longer to introduce than a male and a female or two females. However, it shouldn’t make a huge difference when done right. One thing we do advise is not to introduce two unneutered male cats in a home with a female cat. Even if she is spayed, the boys are likely to fight over her, which can ruin their relationship. Neutering your male cats will reduce behavioral problems, including fighting, and also give them a longer, healthier life (source). If you’re struggling to afford the surgery, look into low-cost spay and neuter programs in your area. These are often much cheaper than going to a traditional veterinarian. Steps To Introduce Two Cats Introducing cats should be done in parts for the best results. These are: It is also crucial to provide each cat with their own space and resources to ensure a harmonious living situation. Quarantine In The New Cat’s Room Whenever you bring a new pet into your home, you want to keep them separate from your other pets. Ideally, this is done in a designated space known as the new cat’s room, which is easy to clean and sanitize if necessary, such as a bathroom. Have one room for the new cat, which can also become the cat’s territory. Make an appointment with your veterinarian and watch your new kitty for signs of illness. Your veterinarian can advise you during your check-up, depending on your area and the cat’s history. Generally, you’ll want them to check for the following: Blood tests for any contagious ailments are especially important, as these can be deadly to your old cat if caught. If you adopted your new cat from a rescue or shelter, you can ask for any veterinary records they have. It’s up to you whether you want to recheck with your own vet or trust theirs. Once your new cat receives a clean bill of health, you can begin introducing them to other rooms in the house if you can. This isn’t always possible in small spaces, but it is ideal. However, it’s not yet time to put your cats together or let the new cat free roam! You can, however, confidently start scent swapping without passing on parasites or illness to your existing cat. (If your new kitty is ill or especially if they had fleas, be sure to wash all of their belongings thoroughly before you begin!) Scent Swapping Scent swapping begins by giving your cats each a space in your home, such as a spare bedroom. Your existing cat should be able to free roam while your new cat lives in a bedroom, extra room, or other enclosed space with the door shut. To create feelings of familiarity and security, use synthetic feline facial pheromone Feliway Classic in both the new cat’s room and in the area where the resident cat spends the most time. Next, give them items that hold scent. Cat beds, blankets, towels, plush toys, or scratching posts. Anything that your cat can interact with or lay on and add their scent to. Provide these items for both cats. After they’ve had a few days to a week to lie on the items, rub their face and tail against them, and get them nice and smelly, swap them! These items likely won’t smell much at all to you, but if you give your new cat something that belongs to your old cat, they’re sure to spend time sniffing it. During this time, you’ll also want to swap spaces. Move your new cat to another closed room before putting your old cat in the new cat’s space. Then, free the new cat so they can explore your home without interruption. Cats communicate heavily through scent. When they sniff where the other has been, your cats are already getting to know each other before they even meet! A great tip is to get a screen

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21 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Cat

21 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Cat If you are considering getting a new pet, here are some great reasons to adopt a cat over buying one from a breeder, or worse yet, buying a dog instead. Not only do cats make great pets, but adopting from a shelter means saving lives and joining a community that will thank you. Here are 21 reasons you should adopt a cat! 1. Saves A cat’s life Shelter cats and street cats are at immediate risk, and taking one of them in saves their life! You can stop a cat from remaining in the shelter for months and prevent them or other cats from being euthanized due to overcrowding. Animal shelter euthanasia rates doubled from 6% in 2021 to 15% in 2022. By adopting a shelter cat, you also free a spot for another cat to be placed in the shelter so that they, too, can find a home. 2. Helps with overpopulation Cats get killed in shelters, and adopting helps support these shelters. Having adoption support from the community allows rescue groups to invest more in TNR programs (community cat programs) and saving lives. The biggest reason not to purchase a kitten from a breeder is that so many cats are already out there! Over 500,000 cats are euthanized in shelters every single year (source). An unspayed female cat can birth over 15 offspring in just one year—and those kittens will begin to reproduce at just four months of age. Until we get this under control, it’s just not ethical to continue breeding cats. 3. They have a story Each cat in a shelter has their own unique story. Whether they were born outside or were abandoned by their previous owners—each one of them deserves a chance at a happy indoor life. Adopting is the best way to make sure cats get that second chance. Plus, you’ll be rewarded with unconditional love and companionship. 4. Wide variety of cats to choose Are you looking for a kitten or a purebred cat? That’s no reason to shop with a breeder! While we don’t think cat breed matters one bit, plenty of purebred cats are in the shelters waiting for homes. If you follow rescue groups in your area, you may be shocked to learn how many purebred cats even face the risk of euthanasia. 5. You’ll get to teach them human ways Some rescue cats have lived outside their whole life. You’ll get to teach them everything they know about indoor life. Learning about each other is a fun and rewarding experience that will strengthen your bond. 6. Good financial sense If you adopt from a breeder or pet store, you’ll likely have to pay more. You’ll also get less for your money in most cases. Shelters often put more into animals than they get back through adoption fees. They provide medical treatment, including vaccinations and a spay or neuter surgery. Many shelter cats are also microchipped, and the shelter will transfer your contact information to the chip upon adoption. Because there are so many cats in the shelter, they often have events like Clear The Shelters, Shelter Cat Month, or ASPCA’s National Adopt A Cat Month, where you can adopt for cheap or even free. While this isn’t necessarily a good thing, it does benefit you financially if you’re looking to adopt. 7. Fewer health problems than purebreds Shelter cats can have fewer health problems than purebred cats from breeders because they are not bred for specific traits. Purebred cats typically cost more, and their genes are often altered to create certain physical characteristics desired by breeders. This can lead to more health problems in purebred cats, such as heart defects or respiratory issues. In contrast, shelter cats are usually rescued from more natural backgrounds, meaning they are less likely to have these types of genetic-based health issues. Additionally, many shelters take proactive measures to ensure the health of their cats by providing screenings and treatments before adoption. This means that the majority of shelter cats will be healthier than a purebred cat from a breeder. 8. Adult Cats Have Known personalities Kittens are amazing and adorable, and we love them to death! But they’re also incredibly unpredictable. Will they like to cuddle or prefer to spend most of their time alone? Will they be super energetic well into old age or be more laid-back as adults? When you adopt an adult cat, you can better predict their personality, and they’re less likely to have drastic changes as they age than kittens, who are still growing into themselves. 9. Good for mental health Studies have shown that people who adopt cats have improved mental health (source). Many people say that caring for their cats encourages them to get up in the mornings and start their day. Cats also thrive on routine, which also helps people with mental illness—so you may develop a schedule for your kitty only to find that it also helps you! Plus, petting your cat is a great way to reduce anxiety! 10. Good for your physical health Cats can improve your physical health, too. For example, just 10 minutes of playing with your cat can help lower your heart rate and blood pressure. Petting and brushing cats also reduces stress levels and helps you stay calm. Plus, owning a cat might even reduce the risk of stroke! It’s also been reported that having a can also reduce the risk of childhood asthma and makes children less likely to develop cat allergies. (source) 11. Breeders Are unethical There are reputable breeders out there—but they’re few and far between. The majority are either kitten mills or backyard breeders, in it for the money and not the cats’ well-being. Backyard breeders can also have good intentions. Maybe they think their cat is adorable and want to breed kittens that look just like her, they’re trying to show their kids the miracle of life, or they truly think they’re doing

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What To Do If You Find A Stray Kitten

What To Do If You Find A Stray Kitten If you find a stray kitten, you should first scan the area for others and its mother. Kittens under five weeks of age should be reunited with their family. Catching the mother and all her kittens is the best course of action so they can receive care and she can raise them safely indoors. In this article, we’ll talk you through the process of raising a stray kitten, from bottle feeding to how to litter train! Here are some tips to help you if you find an older stray cat. when can you take a kitten from its mom? The earliest a kitten should be taken from its mother is at five weeks of age. However, they should stay with their siblings until they’re at least eight weeks old. Most cat families remain together until this age, but when the mother cat is feral, she is often returned outdoors once the kittens are weaned. The kittens then continue to be raised together until they’re old enough to be adopted. If you find a kitten that’s too young to be away from its mother, the very best thing is to find her and reunite them. Also, check the surrounding area for other kittens nearby—where you find one, there are almost bound to be others. Even if the mother is feral, it’s best for her and her kittens to be brought indoors until they’re weaned. This provides her with a safe place to raise her babies—even if she doesn’t seem to appreciate it due to her own fear. Keep them in a room separate from your other pets, especially household cats, until they’ve been vetted and you’re sure they’re free of parasites and contagious illnesses. Mother cats enjoy a quiet, secluded place to feed and care for their offspring. A large dog crate or a covered table is excellent. You can also use playpens and baby gates to keep the kittens from wandering as they age. how to catch a stray kitten Stray kittens are unlikely to be socialized with humans. Many of them are feral. The age you find the kitten will change how fast they warm up to you. Younger kittens may warm up in days, while adolescents have a more ingrained fear that takes longer to overcome. If you’ve found a kitten under five weeks old, handle them 1-2 times a day. During this time, you can weigh them to ensure they’re gaining weight and give them attention briefly before returning them to their mother. Of course, orphaned kittens will be handled much more frequently out of necessity. You’ll have to take over mama cat’s responsibilities of bottle feeding and helping the kittens go potty. If the kitten is over five weeks old, bond with them by: How can you tell if a kitten is male or female? You can determine the sex of a kitten as early as five weeks of age. Simply take the kitten into your hands and gently lift their tail to look at their genitals. Directly beneath the tail, you’ll see the kitten’s anus. Below the anus are the kitten’s genitals. At this age, you might see a vertical slit if the kitten is female or a round opening if the kitten is male. Over time, males will develop testicles, making it much easier to tell the difference. Kittens can breed as early as four months of age. Siblings will mate with each other, and male kittens may even mate with their mother. It’s important to have them spayed and neutered before this happens. If you can’t spay or neuter the kitten before four months or about 2lbs body weight (source), separate males and females from one another so you don’t end up with even more kittens. How to tell the age of a stray kitten A kitten younger than four weeks old won’t be able to survive on its own and will need to be bottle-fed around the clock. Kittens of age 0-2 weeks still have their eyes and ears closed. They are helpless at this age and will need to be bottle-fed. Kittens of age 2-4 weeks old are more responsive and may begin to eat solid food. Once kittens are a few weeks old, they may also begin to play with toys. For more information, please check out our full article about How To Tell How Old A Cat or Kitten Is. how to raise a stray kitten Congratulations on your new kittens! Taming and raising stray kittens and feral cats is noble and definitely worth the effort. If you need help with kitten care, you can usually contact your local animal shelter for advice or support. How to bottle feed a kitten If you’ve found feral kittens that need to be bottle-fed, first take into account their temperature and health. Kittens shouldn’t be fed if they’re too hot or cold but instead brought to the right body temperature first (source). When ready, put one drop of formula in the kitten’s mouth to ensure they can swallow. Always feed kitten formula, not any kind of milk or dairy product. Once you know the kitten can eat, hold them in your lap feet-down and lift their head gently with your hand. Never feed a young kitten on their back. Bring the bottle to the kitten’s mouth and allow them to control the flow. Don’t squeeze the bottle to force more formula out, as this can injure the kitten. Alongside bottle feeding, you’ll also need to stimulate the kitten’s backside so that they pee and poop. Kittens don’t always potty on their own at this age. Mother cats lick their kittens to stimulate them to potty, which we can replicate by rubbing the area with a paper towel. When can kittens eat adult cat food? Different people have different opinions about this. We recommend speaking to your veterinarian to see what’s right for the kitten or kittens you’re raising. Most cat food companies recommend switching to adult food at around one

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What To Know About Fostering Cats

What To Know About Fostering Cats Fostering cats is a noble quest for any cat or animal lover. Many cat lovers become cat fosters through relationships with their local shelters or rescue groups. Being an animal lover and having space in your home is a great start to considering fostering, but here are a few other things you should know about fostering cats. • Ensure your current cats are up to date on their healthcare – before you bring in any fosters, ensure the cats in your home are up to date on their vaccinations. • Understand what the rescuer expects because they are all different. While some pay for medical care and food, others only cater to vetting. Getting such details can help you understand the entire fostering process. • Know your limits and express your concerns – if you do not want bottle-fed kittens, you should let the rescue group know. Giving the kittens or cats the best foster home is the primary objective. How to gain trust with a foster cat When you foster a cat, the first challenge is to gain its trust. Remember, most rescues are anxious and stressed at the time, making it hard to gain their affection. First, create a safe place to make your cat comfortable and feel safe. Cats love to hide to help them feel safe, so be sure their room has safe hiding places like boxes, cat beds, and forts. Some cats prefer to stay in their carrier to until they feel comfortable enough to come out. Be patient and let the cat acclimate at their own pace. Appealing to the cat’s appetite can also help. Typically, cats are interested in becoming friends with people who feed them. Try setting up a routine for your cat and stick to it to gain their trust. In a short time, the feeding routine will become the best part of their day! Cats can sense the emotion in the room, so remember to always stay calm and use positive reinforcement to encourage correct behavior. Here are a few of our favorite cat snacks and stress relief products to help you bond. How to make a foster cat happy Making a cat you don’t know yet happy might be challenging. However, here are some general tips that might prove helpful. How to foster multiple cats If you are considering fostering multiple cats, ensure you have ample space for each cat to feel comfortable. Multiple cats need a lot of space to roam, play, rest, and feed. It is also essential for foster parents to be able to provide for the cats in every aspect, ranging from food to medical care. Foster parents should understand that nursing mothers, kittens, and adults have different needs. How to foster a cat with special needs Fostering a cat with special needs is challenging but extremely important and rewarding. Cats with special needs are usually overlooked during the adoption process. However, if you are passionate about animals and are able to handle the extra responsibilities, fostering a special needs cat is one of the noblest things you can do as a cat lover. Cat with special needs may have physical or mental limitations. Some suffer from emotional needs after surviving traumatic and abusive environments. It is crucial to be patient because rescue cats take time to adjust and trust people trying to help them. You can easily establish a rapport with the cat and eventually a long-lasting relationship with time. Finally, researching online or seeking help from an expert can help you become a better foster. If you want to foster a special needs cat, take time to evaluate its environmental requirements, emotional needs, and commitment to the animal.

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How To Foster a Cat

How To Foster A Cat Welcoming a foster cat into your home is a heartwarming and fulfilling experience that provides much-needed love and care to a cat in need. Fostering a cat requires patience, compassion, and dedication, but the rewards are immeasurable. This guide will walk you through the entire process of how to foster a cat to help make your cat fostering experience a success. Whether you’re a seasoned cat owner or new to cats, you’ll pick up a few tips for which your cat will thank you. How to become a cat foster The first step in fostering a cat is to contact your local shelter, humane society, or animal rescue organization and learn about their cat foster program. You can fill out a foster pet application, which usually includes your contact information and details about your current pets and living circumstances. Many animal rescues will contact you once your foster application is reviewed and help you get started with their program. It is up to the shelter to assist you in selecting the perfect cat for your care and provide you with all the details of your fostering duty. You will also be made aware of any special needs the cat may have, if any are known. Shelters want to know that you are committed to the cats and the program, so it’s important to take the application and foster parent responsibilities seriously. How Long Do You Foster A Cat? Fostering a cat usually lasts a few weeks to a few months, but on average, about two months. Some foster cats will even be permanently adopted by their foster parents, which is commonly called “foster failing.” Most cats will be acclimated within a few weeks and be ready for adoption, which may also take a few weeks to find the right new family. The length of the foster will depend on a few factors. The cat’s health, attitude, temperament, general adaptability, and availability of adopters, to name a few. It usually takes about two weeks for a foster cat to acclimate to the foster environment, so be prepared to foster the cat for at least a few weeks. Foster kittens may acclimate faster than adult cats and senior cats, but it’s on a cat-by-cat basis. How Much Does It Cost To Foster A Cat? Fostering a cat is usually free. However, you may want to provide a few additional creature comforts for your new kitty. You’ll need to equip your home with essentials like a litter box, cat litter, food and water dishes, and cat food. Many shelters will provide food and litter. However, smaller shelters may also ask that the foster contribute the supplies as a donation. Food and litter, on average, can cost $100 a month per cat. In addition to these basic supplies, consider having cat toys, scratching posts, and comfortable beds for them. In case your foster cat has any specific needs or health issues, you might also need additional supplies such as special dietary food, medication, or grooming tools. Remember to consult with the animal rescue organization or shelter for any specific recommendations they have for your foster cat. How to prepare a cat foster room There are a few things you should do to prepare for the arrival of your new foster cat. It’s always a good idea to place any new cat into a bedroom all by themselves. Some shy cats will take two weeks to feel comfortable free walking around the house. You should make sure that your room is free from any hazards or items that could harm the cat. Remove cords, small objects, hazardous plants, and anything else that could be dangerous for a curious kitty. Don’t forget to block off windows and screens to prevent your cat from clawing their way out the window. In addition to all the essentials such as bedding, toys, litter boxes, and food, all the best cat rooms are a quiet place that have accessible hiding places, scratchers, boxes, toys, cat trees, a good scratching post, and sunshine. A good home environment will contain all the creature comforts a kitty wants, which also makes playing and training sessions more effective. Many cats will hide under the bed or in a closet, so it’s important to block off unders and deep hiding spots so you can socialize the cat. Cats like hiding spots, so the ideal spots are accessible to you but in the corner and hidden enough for the cat to feel comfortable and safe. I like a screen room separator that allows the foster room to remain open while still separated from other cats. How To Get Your Foster Cat Adopted The shelter you are fostering from will usually provide adopters through their network and Petfinder accounts. However, sometimes shelters don’t have a large audience reach, and it can help to promote the cat yourself. The good news is that you can take pictures and catalog your journey as you play and socialize with your cat. After all, happy cats and funny cat pictures will definitely help your foster cat get adopted. Socializing your foster cats Once you have welcomed a foster cat into your home, the next step is to prepare them and promote them for adoption. Your foster kitty must be ready for adoption before they can find their forever homes! The key to a successful fostering experience is socialization, even with an adult cat. You should spend time with your foster pets daily in order to get them used to being around people and other animals. Playing with the cats and giving them lots of positive reinforcement will help build their confidence. It’s also important to make sure they are healthy, flea and worm-free, and have vaccinations done before they can go up for adoption to their permanent home. The rescue or shelter you are working with should provide these services for their foster homes. Promoting your foster cat for adoption Promoting your foster cat or

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