Awh, that's sweet. Are your dogs used to cats at all? Though I think only one of them is even bigger than a cat. Haha!

I've always used a covered litterbox. It helps with the smell, and some cats can be very shy about using their litterbox.

I prefer the recycled paper pellet litter. Clumping litters are full of nasty dust that can make a mess of your cat's lungs (though if you have a rabbit then you already know that.) I use Yesterday's News, but there's a few other kinds depending on where you live.

I've never known a cat who didn't figure out their litter box very quickly. Even outdoor cats will make a point of using sand boxes, gardens, etc.

Mine is fed Blue; but if that isn't an option I'd look for another grain-free option. I'm not a big fan of TOTW.

However, if she will eat and enjoy wet food,I'd stick to a strictly wet diet. You'll avoid a lot of potential health problems that way. if you have to feed dry, buy one of those electric water fountains for cats to entice her to drink.

 

Cats are super easy. Get some litter at the supermarket... not sure she'll know to use hamster stuff. Put her in the litter box a couple of times so she feels it with her feet. Never had a cat or kitten who didn't figure this out. Much easier than training a puppy. Really, they already KNOW what to do.

New cats I usually keep in a small room until I know they are using the litter box, then you can give her more and more run of the house, much like a puppy. They will go back to the litter box, so long as there is nothing stopping them, like a scary dog in the way or a closed door.

Put out food and water. You can get a decent dry food and let her free feed, perhaps canned on the side for treats.
That's about it.

She's likely to be pregnant. I'd be ready for kittens anytime. She'll take care of them. You don't really need to do anything with them for a few/couple of weeks. You'll be lucky if you catch her giving birth. More likely she'll do it at night or while you are at work, and in the back of your closet... or possibly on your bed...

Congratulations!

 

Ditto what Tess said!! I use whatever clumping litter that's on sale. They eat Taste of the Wild.

 

The Dangers of Clumping Cat Litter | Care2 Healthy Living

 

Cats are pretty easy...and clean. They just need to be shown a litter box once. I'd also recommend getting litter as she might not take to the bunny stuff very well. I'd love to see pics!

 

Thanks everyone!
I don't know how it will work out, but I just figured that the box and bunny litter was better than nothing. The weather is just too crappy to go out.
I actually use recycled paper pellets (like recommended by Torachi) for my bunny. This cat hasn't gone potty yet, but if she will use this type of litter, that would be great! It would mean buying more frequently, but less bags of pet stuff to store! And if not, well then I'll just buy something different tomorrow afternoon/evening.

As far as introducing the dogs, so far so good.
I've only done intro's one at a time and under direct supervision. Basically bringing a dog into the bathroom, letting the dog and cat greet, feeding both some turkey, etc. So we'll see what happens over the next few days when I let more than one dog interact with this cat.
My small dogs are doing well. Dash is pretty anxious and whiny. He's behaving similar to when we brought home BunBun (my house bunny). Sort of confused and unsure what to do with himself. Luckily this cat is pretty chill and isn't running from the dogs. She'll walk away or jump up onto something, but she's not running. Def makes things easier.

Tess, I really hope she's just chubby! I so don't want to be responsible for finding homes. I think I'm going to try to get her into a vet sooner than I originally planned just to be sure since she's not showing other signs...

Really I'm hoping there is still someone out there looking for her, but at this point I really doubt I'll find her owners.

Nylanat, I'll share some photos in a bit.

 

Hi when i first moved to London, my first place had a resident cat,it always looked for the warmest place,one of its favourite was in the hall where the sun got,I would often find it lying on its back,with the days post.Anyway one day I had asked a mate to loan me a spanner,he did but posted it through the letterbox, when I got back the cat was unconscious,rushed down to the nearest vet,they kept him overnight, but from that day it could only walk a few steps and then turn back on itself,so it was going in a circle,but he still laid down in the hall,even when I bought it a bed you can put on the radiator,despite what happened it was a happy cat and never seemed bothered by its mishap gemini

 

Here she is.
She seems to be quite happy. She's been kneading a lot. Fell asleep on my husband's lap last night. And is almost constantly purring.

She decided that she doesn't like the recycled paper pellets (peed on that little bed instead - yay) so I def need to get something else very soon. My husband is out snow blowing now. If the roads have been plowed I'll venture out by noon.

 

Awww!!! She looks quite comfortable. The purring is a great sign she's content.
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She's beautiful!
Now, can you show us a picture with the plump belly?

 

Awe, she's so cute! For litter, I get fresh step clay litter with carbon. I've heard the clumping litter is really only bad for kittens. I don't prefer pellets because they don't keep the smell down and it can be really stinky after a few days. Wet food daily if you can afford it. Free feeding dry is fine if you are feeding wet daily. It's much more important for cats than dogs.
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Just an update.
We have success with the litterbox. I ended up choosing a corn based litter. It was more similar in texture to the clay and clumping litters, I'm sensitive to dust, and also worried about Dash and LeRoy eating kitty poos (even with a covered box) so it seemed like a good fit. I actually found it at a local small grocery store cheaper than TSC and pet supply stores in the area. This grocery store also carries Yesterday's News at a great price (bonus as I no longer have to plan ahead and travel to get it for the bunny)!

Everyone is getting along quite well. Pearl and Penny basically ignore the cat. They give an occasional sniff but that's about it. LeRoy is curious and follows the cat around quite a bit but no issues there. And has Dash decided that he wants to be friends.

Also, as it turns out, the kitty is a boy!
I didn't actually check myself and my husband thought it would be like a dog.
So no kittens! We just have a fat cat!
Though this probably explains what happened. He is intact so probably went off in search of a girlfriend. No one has stepped forward to claim him. I updated my found cat announcements and will let the shelter know he's actually a boy, just in case though.

 

Also, as it turns out, the kitty is a boy!
I didn't actually check myself and my husband thought it would be like a dog.

I haven't checked this thread for a little while. Now, that is too funny! So glad your male cat isn't pregnant. Hehe
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What good news all that is! Yeah!

 

Very pretty! She looks as if she is in good health, not emaciated too! I have two cats, the dogs love them (although they wouldn't admit it). I like the covered litter boxes too, once in a while I will feed them wet can food for the oils in them, Smart cat to pick you as an owner, and bless your husband for the compassion and his lap!
Cats are so easy, oh, by the way, cats kind of like to have another cat around for company, lol.

 

LOL
My husband disappeared this evening to his workshop in the basement. I went down a few minutes ago to see what he was doing. He pulled out all sorts of scrap wood and is building a cat tree.
This from someone who has said no cats/I don't like cats for years!
I hope that no one claims this cat because he's pretty attached already!

 

Oh Your husband is wonderful!!! That is one of the dearest things I have heard in a week! I hope the cat bonds with him totally, maybe if he is the one feeding the cat! One of our cats supervises me in the bathroom and becomes irate if I don't let her in, lol. They are great company, lower your blood pressure with the purring, and are amusing as they interact with dogs! You will never regret it. Oh, maybe you will, like when your cat drops a dead mouse in your boot as a gift, lol. True dat.

 

Wow, he is SO gorgeous! Muh kitteh says "what a silver fox!"

 

The only thing I would worry about is an intact Tom. If the boy starts marking, and males cats do that a lot, you may have to consider neutering him. The smell of the markings is not pleasant.
Just like a dog, his urge to seek out females will be null.
Looks like this boy seeked you out, he is beautiful, now I want another cat.
What did you name him?

 

i use a corn based litter myself and I LOVE IT! i've found that it clumps better and controls odors better than the clay stuff... i have one of those rolling litter boxes, works great!

congrats on the potential new addition!

 

Hi you are so fortunate as cats choose you, we had a pair of feral cats and like you they chose us, ours took a long time to come in for the reason we had dogs but gradually they took over, the only thing that concerned us was they wouldnt use a cat litter tray, so in the end we just let them out, not knowing if they would be returning,but they did.So enjoy gemini

 

Hi! When your husband finishes that cat tree secretly rub catnip on it so your cat will be all over it, lol! Your husband will be tickled your cat loves his handiwork, lol. Great bonding for them, heehee.

 

Thanks everyone!

My husband has started calling the cat "Little Boy Cat"(from an episode of Psych - we love that show).

Harleyboysmom, if no one claims this cat by the end of the week I'm going to remove the found cat ads and buy a neuter certificate from the spay and neuter clinic in town. He'll be going in ASAP to be neutered, chipped, and vaccinated for rabies.

Fawkese, I'm glad to hear that you use and like your corn based litter. I was a bit unsure of it, but was given a recommendation for it by another shopper picking up litter. So far I really like it!

Pkelly, I'll have to give rubbing cat nip on the tree a try.

 

Before long he will be doing this! Don't let him blame it on the dogs, lol.

 

Sorry couldn't resist.

For some reason my post didn't show the pic I posted..hopefully you guys see it or my post might not make much sense!

 

LMAO. I will place a bet that the cat will rule the house in two weeks...any takers???

 

Hi My feral cats took over the house in a matter of days, was giving my dogs spaghetti which is a treat,looked around there were three heads in the dog bowl,and in the end the dog stalked off.gemini