There has been a stray kitten hanging around my DD house for 4 or 5 days. It does not appear that anyone in the neighborhood owns it. My DD has put out food, water and a little bed for it. I first saw it last evening and it is so cute. It looks like a not-quite-so-furry Himalayan...light cream fur with slightly darker "points", maybe 10-12 weeks old. I was not able to catch it; didn't have much time. I will try again tonight. I am thinking of keeping it but want to know what Himalayan cats are like. I want to make a wise choice...one that will be the best for the kitten and myself. I am a fairly laid-back person. I have 2 dogs; 1 large male (7 yrs)who is cat freindly & 1 small min-pin (1 yr)who has never been around cats. I would appreciate your thoughts and comments as to what I would need to know if I were to keep it. I will catch it no matter what. If I don't keep it, I will find a home for it or take it to our local no-kill rescue. Thanks!

It's always been my assertion that the best pets find you, not the other way around. I'm sure you will be able to scoop up the kittie soon, and I hope you head right to the vet's, to make sure kittie is all right before you introduce it to your pups and vice versa. The Himalyan cats I've known have all been pretty large in adulthood, so they can probably hold their own in a dog-centric household. However, since this kitten is small, I'd keep the three separated until you are sure your dogs won't see the kitten as "prey."

You are doing a wonderful thing trying to rescue this kittie...for the kittie and for yourself.

Be forewarned that Himalayans require daily brushing, otherwise they become a matted mess. Also, they're strictly housecats (although I believe any dog/cat is a member of the family and belongs in the house -- unless you live on a farm and have working dogs). You need to pay special attention to their eyes, as they're prone to infections because their face is so smooshed. Also, in my experience only, they weren't the smartest cats I've had.
The cat will be lucky to have found you!

I have a friend who had a Himalayan who was a retired show cat. He was the sweetest thing in the whole world. He seemed to know when you wanted to hold him and when you preferred he entertain himself. I loved Stetson almost as though he belonged to me.

Having said that - Clink is absolutely right. Himalayans require brushing EVERY day without fail or you have a mess on your hands. In addition, they have a penchant for furballs since they have long hair and are always cleaning themselves. So, you also have that issue to deal with.

As for being smart . . . I think Stetson was one of the smartest cats I've ever seen. I'm a dog person, but I swear, Stetson could "talk" to you. If he came up to you and you asked if he wanted kitty kat food, he had a certain meow. If you asked him if he wanted to go on a walk, there was another meow that had a different sound. I rarely had trouble understanding what he wanted. Unfortunately, not too long ago, Stetson made his final journey on this earth; he was 18 years old. My friend now has THREE Himalayans, and boy is she kept busy brushing and combing! LOL

alibaba, aww, I hope you can keep the kitty. It sounds like a beauty! I hope you're able to catch it soon, so nothing happens to it.

update: Kitty was at my DD earlier in the day but we could not find it last evening. I will have more time over the weekend to hunt for it. Thanks everyone for your comments. I am really leaning towards keeping it. One thing, my vet is out of town for the weekend. If I can catch the kitty, would it be harmful to my dogs for me to take it home until I can get it to the vet.

There aren't too many diseases that dogs and cats share but I would suggest keeping the kitty in a separate room if you can until you can get it checked. Plus that will give you time to introduce it to your dogs gradually.

hope you get the kitty...

Hope you're able to catch the kitty. It's great that you want to rescue this kitty...you're great.
Although there aren't too many diseases, dogs and cats can transfer to each other, there is ringworm, fleas, ticks and (I think) some skin infections you need to be leery of. If you can keep kitty in your basement or garage, that would be best 'til you can get to the vet.

any updates?

Sister has 2 "tuxedo" cats she trapped as TEENY babies near her WV mountain vacation place. Only about 5-6 weeks old, no apparent momma around and getting well into October at the time. Not unusual for snow in that area by end of October, and she just knew they'd never make it thru the winter. Totally feral! She caught them in have-a-heart traps. Actually caught 3 but one was very sick and had to be euthanized. Other 2 are happy lap cats today.

Was a bit of an expense to get them up to speed. Had both spayed when old enough. Both had typical problems expected from stray/feral kittens... worms, ear mites... expected and easily cleared up.

Hope that you or your daughter can catch him/her! I was never able to catch the gray tiger whose name became "Miss Kitty". However, we consider her our "Rat Patrol". (Rodents will not come near where even a cat regularly walks!)
We leave home made food for her once a day in the evening made with organic low sodium chicken broth, healthy table scraps, whole grain products, granulated garlic to help keep away flees, animal fat, chicken fat, skin, and bones (Yes bones!) She seems so healthy that I envy her!
Blessings with your new kitty! Jayna

This message has been edited. Last edited by: greenangel,

Any news?

Sorry for being gone from the boards for so long. I guess sometimes things work out as they should, not necessarily as you want them to. I looked for Kitty on Fri after work but could not find him. I felt someone must have taken him in, so I was glad he was not on the streets anymore but so sad that I didn't get to have him. Then on Sat DD became very ill and had to be hospitalized. She has 5yr & 6yr & and a newborn. She is nursing the baby so he stayed in the hosp with her. However she was so "out of it" that someone had to be with her at all times. So from Sat afternoon until late last night, SIL and I were taking turns staying at hosp and taking care of the other 2 kids at home. Finally last nite they got to come home(thank goodness!). As I was driving home last nite, I realized that it was really a good thing that I was not able to catch Kitty. I would not have had 5 min to spend with him to help him adjust to his new home. Or to work with my dogs to be sure that they would accept Kitty. I just hope that he is in a wonderful, loving home now. I'm still a little sad but know things worked out for the best. Ali

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