My cat story

[Nush]

(Sorry this is a very long story)

Hubby and I moved into our London flat in 2010. This is the first flat that we own and because I liked nature, we got one with a small patio. The day we moved, a tabby cat came to say hello in the garden. He was very friendly and liked being stroked. Both hubby and I were very pleased and I was overjoyed about having some outdoor space!

Since that day the cat came very often and tried to get inside every time. We started being concerned that the cat was a stray. Sometimes he would sit by the back door and meow so desperately that hubby and I became more and more convinced that he mustn’t have a home. Poor cat!

This created a dilemma. We always agreed that when we’d have the space, we’d get hamsters. And we didn’t want to keep both a cat and hamsters in a small flat. But we decided that if the cat was stray, we’d take him in because it broke our hearts to see him without a home. This would mean we’d have to postpone our dreams of having hamsters!

I bought a collar for the cat and an address tube which I attached to the collar. I put a note in the tube that basically said: “Is this your cat? Could you please let me know because I’m concerned he might be a stray.” I left my email address.

An 11 year old girl replied to my email to say it was her cat. The cat was very well looked after and, unbeknown to him, he was micro chipped!

Although we felt a bit duped by the cat, we were happy to be friends with him. But this also meant we could have hamsters

We now have 3 hammies who have never seen a cat in their lives. But since our encounter with the tabby cat, there have been 3 other cats that have tried to adopt us. One had a blue collar but did a very good impression of being a starving stray cat.

Last night hubby met a white and grey cat while he was having a smoke. He said he was very reserved with the cat and not friendly at all (as if). This morning though, the cat sat on the window ledge and meowed for 2 hours in a desperate voice! I tried to scare the cat off when I went to work but he wasn’t convinced that I meant him harm so stayed a few steps away from me but didn’t run away.

I’m wondering, should I be concerned that he might be a stray? He’s a bit chubby and has a very nice shiny fur and bright eyes. He most likely has a home. But why does he want to come in our home? Does anyone know why cats are lining up to live with us? Since this started before the hamsters, I don’t think it’s because of the hammies.

[racinghamster]

Hi Nush. What a strange amount of cats seem to be attracted to your flat? Could it be that previous `occupants` fed the neighbourhood cats? They must have a reason to meow at the door like that but then, cats do have a way of convincing us they are strays or need a home!

To be honest, now that you have the hamsters, I would try and dis-suade the cats because once you befriend a cat (let me tell you, I did once and it started to lie in wait under my bird feeder and killed one of the sparrows) I don`t tolerate cats in my garden now purely because they kill small animals. I know that`s what cats do so let cats be cats, but unless you are keen to actually take on a cat (think of the vet bills as it gets older?) I would enjoy your hammies and leave the cats outside where they belong.

There are too many cats roaming around these days unwanted and not neutered/speyed, so the chances are that`s why you might be seeing these cats? Who knows. You did the right thing with the first cat though as it alerted the owner!

Edited to add: I would also be aware that cats can carry fleas and cat flu/feline aids, so keep that in mind.

[lenarenee]

People cannot get feline AIDS from cats, but other cats can. I don't know about hamsters.

It's sounds quite plausible the previous occupant of the flat could have fed, or had a cat/cats. Both male and female cats mark their territory with scent.

Male cats, owned or not, create a territory and it can be several square miles in area. Females also may have a territory, but much small - usually 1 or less square miles.

Sorry, that doesn't tell you if they are strays or not; just that owned cats can appear to be strays.

Also, as you're finding out, cats can decide they want more than one house....and will travel between them, getting double the meals!

That was a great idea, putting a message on the cat. You and your husband sound like very compassionate people.

Hopefully, someone from your area of the globe will have some advice on who/where to contact if you truly find a cat you think is a stray. In the U.S., veterinarians tell you to never let your cat outdoors, and many people follow that, so when I find a cat I assume it's lost, or a stray.

My kitty is almost 18, and has always been indoor/outdoor. But she's deaf now, so built a large pen for her so she can still sleep in the bushes!

[Nush]

Racing hamster, I think I managed to confuse you. I'm not trying to invite any cats in. I don't want any cats. With 3 hamsters in a flat it would be mad. But if I did find out that cat was a stray, I'd probably call the cat protection or a rescue centre. I would have to make sure it was a stray though. It didn't look like one but these things are hard to tell.

It's the meowing that gets me. At first I thought it was a kitten in distress! But I've been strong and not let the cuteness get to me.

Lenarenee, it's good to hear about the territorial behaviour. That explains a lot. London is very compact and the cats must have less of a range to roam around. So may be taking over flats/houses is the solution for them. I wonder if anyone else here has this issue or is it just us!

I've also wondered how does the cat know we wouldn't harm it. They seem quite trusting.

[Eriklover555]

It bothers me to see cats without collars, as well, and I always want to help them. I try to keep an eye on their condition - if they look really thin, or their fur is patchy or straggly, I try to feed them or call the humane society for pickup.

You could be getting feline visitors because a female cat probably scented outside your home. If so, male cats will come from miles around to try and find her. That's how I got so many outside my house - I caught a female spraying against an outside wall ;p Ever since then, dozens of males will come and refresh the "paint job" if you will. >.<

[Nush]

Oh wow, I think that's it, Erik lover. The people who owned the flat before had a female cat. That would explain why all the cats have been lining up in front of the garden door!

And my neighbour upstairs had a female cat. One morning, I opened the front door to go to work only to be faced with the cat's bum lifted high in the air. My neighbour has since moved out but there might be other female cats that spray the door.

Urgh that's gross. I cleaned that door with bleach after I found the cat spraying but I'm guessing it didn't deter her!

Well that also explains why Mr. male cat was so charming and persistent! I'm more convinced now that he wasn't a stray. I didn't find him there this morning though so he must have given up

[evel_lin]

Originally Posted by Eriklover555

It bothers me to see cats without collars, as well, and I always want to help them.

I can't get my cats to keep collars on! Even the more expensive ones disappear, I expect there is a collection of collars somewhere in the garden

[DrKMcK]

Hello Nush, it very well may be that a female has sprayed around your home. The idea you had about the collar to find an owner was really great. However, outdoor cats should have either no collar or a breakaway collar. They can get caught up by the collar and strangle, hanging from a branch, or other object. All dogs and cats should be microchipped. It's such an easy procedure and it saves pets all the time. You have a very kind heart . I also wonder if the cats are smelling the hamsters. They are terrific hunters and rodents are top of their list.

[Nush]

Originally Posted by DrKMcK

I also wonder if the cats are smelling the hamsters. They are terrific hunters and rodents are top of their list.

That was my main worry. I put the trash from the cage cleans in the bin outside and I did wonder if these cats are coming for the hamsters. I'm a lot more relieved that it's love though.

It would seem from the comments that in the US, most cats are indoor cats (not sure if I'm right). I watch Jackson Galaxy as well and he does deal with a lot of indoor cats. I think in the UK most cats are indoor/outdoor cats as in they can use a cat flap to go out and come in. There are benefits to both but it's harder to know here who's a stray and who's not. And most of them, like Evelin mentioned, tend to lose their collar!

I watched this documentary on the BBC (Horizon) which put a camera collar on cats in this village and there was this very fluffy stray that used to go in one of the houses and eat the cat food. When the lady found out, she took the cat in. It was very sweet

[BrainGirl]

I've seen that BBC documentary! Is that the one where they also put GPS units on some of the cats and plotted their nightly wanderings? It was very cool!

I don't know how true it is but I've read that cats hate citrus. You might try cleaning your door with orange or grapefruit oil cleaners or just get some citrus oil in the baking section and dab it around. Might be worth a try!