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SheltieLover

(59,507 posts)
Thu Dec 22, 2022, 06:03 PM Dec 2022

Another kitty update & a question

I know all cats are different, but could he be happy living in my computer / writing / art room? I usually spend several hours per day in that room. He would be sequestered from my senior rescue cat & safe.

Thinking I'd like to give this a try.

The alternative would be to allow rescue to place him in a barn cat program with annual vet check ups as he is FIV positive.

Thoughts / feelings?

Tyia!



Ps - rescue has loaned me a cooler made into a shelter, stuffed with straw for his feral brother. Just in time as snow has started & wind has kicked up. 2F overnight with wind chills of -20 Brrrrr!

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Another kitty update & a question (Original Post) SheltieLover Dec 2022 OP
I think kitty would love that RE: the shelter yellowdogintexas Dec 2022 #1
Ty! SheltieLover Dec 2022 #3
He might well enjoy a room of his own with your frequent company. tblue37 Dec 2022 #2
Ty so much! SheltieLover Dec 2022 #4
I have 3 cats. The 17-year-old (Tango) has staked out my bed as primarily her space. My other cats tblue37 Dec 2022 #14
You could try it and see how it goes using separate room MacKasey Dec 2022 #5
Thx! SheltieLover Dec 2022 #6
I have one girl whom some of the others terrorized and I moved her into my den. CurtEastPoint Dec 2022 #7
Ty, Curt! SheltieLover Dec 2022 #8
I think your little boy will be happy and safe and loved. And your heart will be niyad Dec 2022 #9
Ty so very much! SheltieLover Dec 2022 #10
BTW, a friend of mine in the 1970s had 4 cats, one of whom was FIV+, but the tblue37 Dec 2022 #15
You gave him a chance, and may yet give him his *best* chance ... Donkees Dec 2022 #11
Tyvm! SheltieLover Dec 2022 #12
''The Effects of Nutrition on the Gastrointestinal Microbiome of Cats'' Donkees Dec 2022 #13
Ty so much! SheltieLover Dec 2022 #16

yellowdogintexas

(22,664 posts)
1. I think kitty would love that RE: the shelter
Thu Dec 22, 2022, 06:10 PM
Dec 2022

those are awesome. If possible, rig a light bulb in it or near the entrance. It will really warm up the space. Also, hang a blanket or towel over the entrance and put its backside to the wind

SheltieLover

(59,507 posts)
3. Ty!
Thu Dec 22, 2022, 06:18 PM
Dec 2022

I'll see if grandson can rig lightbulb up! Ty!

Back is to wind & tucked into a corner where garage & house meet. Hopefully out of the brunt of wind

tblue37

(66,035 posts)
14. I have 3 cats. The 17-year-old (Tango) has staked out my bed as primarily her space. My other cats
Thu Dec 22, 2022, 08:10 PM
Dec 2022

often sleep on it, too, but they don't get close to each other.

I spend much of my time in my room, lying down, because of severe back pain. Tango is glad to have my company there. Except for going to the food and water station on one side of the bedroom or to the litter box in the bathroom, she doesn't usually leave the bed.

Of course, she is 17, so she sleeps more and doesn't feel the urge to wander around.

BTW, how old is your senior kitty?

MacKasey

(1,170 posts)
5. You could try it and see how it goes using separate room
Thu Dec 22, 2022, 06:20 PM
Dec 2022

I know you are questioning the fiv test.

And if you give him up to rescue now, you will keep questioning yourself if you did the right thing

CurtEastPoint

(19,152 posts)
7. I have one girl whom some of the others terrorized and I moved her into my den.
Thu Dec 22, 2022, 06:27 PM
Dec 2022

I'm in there several hours a day and she just loves to cuddle with me. She's happy, healthy and alone most of the time. As long as kitty has you at least part time!

niyad

(119,637 posts)
9. I think your little boy will be happy and safe and loved. And your heart will be
Thu Dec 22, 2022, 07:20 PM
Dec 2022

eased, because you will not have to wonder and worry about "did I do the right thing?" It feels right from here.

Continuing to send light and love and healing vibes.

And yayyyyyy for the shelter!

SheltieLover

(59,507 posts)
10. Ty so very much!
Thu Dec 22, 2022, 07:50 PM
Dec 2022


Not sure if feral is using shelter, but it's there if he wants it.

You know me so well. I would always wonder if I did the right thing for him. It's taken 4 years for him to allow me to pet him & now, at least before his trip to the vet for his snip, he rumbled up a storm when I petted him.

Ty again!

tblue37

(66,035 posts)
15. BTW, a friend of mine in the 1970s had 4 cats, one of whom was FIV+, but the
Thu Dec 22, 2022, 08:14 PM
Dec 2022

other 3 never caught it from her.

Donkees

(32,386 posts)
11. You gave him a chance, and may yet give him his *best* chance ...
Thu Dec 22, 2022, 07:58 PM
Dec 2022

I already think of him as being named Chance. I trust that you would do your best keeping his immune system strong. Best wishes

new research has shown that FIV-positive cats are in fact very adoptable, and can live the same lifespan as an FIV-negative cat. This research has also debunked the myth that FIV- positive cats cannot safely live with non-infected cats.

Nutrition is important for all cats, FIV positive or not, along with limiting as best as you can their exposure to potential pathogens. These measures are important and can extend an already long life. While the VBSPCA promotes indoor living for cats, it is especially necessary for FIV positive cats to be kept indoors, where their immune system will be less exposed.

https://vbspca.com/what-you-should-know-when-adopting-an-fiv-positive-cat

SheltieLover

(59,507 posts)
12. Tyvm!
Thu Dec 22, 2022, 08:00 PM
Dec 2022

Yes, of course I will do the very best for him that I can!

Now I wonder if there is an immune boosting food or supplement for cats. 🤔

Ty so much!

Happy Holidays!

Donkees

(32,386 posts)
13. ''The Effects of Nutrition on the Gastrointestinal Microbiome of Cats''
Thu Dec 22, 2022, 08:09 PM
Dec 2022
Love is also the main immune boosting ingredient He needs someone like you in his life, not a barn cat life.


https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.01266/full
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