Taking in a stray cat and allowing it to sleep in your house is a big decision that requires careful consideration. On one hand, it can be rewarding to provide food, shelter and care to an animal in need. However, there are also risks to consider when bringing an unfamiliar cat into your home.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about letting stray cats sleep in your house:
- It may be illegal in some areas to take in a stray cat without notifying animal control or making efforts to locate potential owners.
- There are health risks associated with taking in strays, such as exposure to fleas, ticks, viruses and other parasites.
- Stray cats may not be litter box trained and could eliminate throughout your home.
- Strays can exhibit unpredictable behavior and aggression due to fear and lack of socialization.
- You’ll need to provide food, litter, veterinary care and other supplies for the cat.
- Letting a stray cat inside even temporarily could lead to bonding, making removal difficult later.
Assessing the Stray Cat’s Health and Temperament
The first consideration when encountering a stray cat that you’re thinking of taking in is assessing its health and temperament. Look for signs of:
- Injuries or illness: Cats that have been surviving outdoors may have wounds, respiratory infections or other medical issues requiring treatment.
- Fleas, ticks or mites: Parasites are common in strays and can infest your home. Skin irritation could also indicate flea allergy dermatitis.
- Ear tip: An ear tip (removal of the tip of one ear) indicates the cat has been part of a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program and has a caretaker.
- Aggression: Feral or unsocialized cats may hiss, swat, bite or scratch when frightened. An aggressive stray is likely not a good candidate for taking indoors.
- Signs of illness: Lethargy, nasal discharge, frequent sneezing/coughing, diarrhea and vomiting are just some of the signs a cat may be sick.
Ideally, the stray should receive a veterinary check-up to diagnose and treat any health issues prior to taking it into your home. You’ll also want to observe behavior to gauge how feral or socialized it is.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Before taking in a stray cat, consider if you are legally allowed to do so in your area. Some municipalities prohibit harboring stray animals without notifying animal control or following protocols such as checking for a microchip. It’s important to check local ordinances and make reasonable efforts to locate potential owners, such as:
- Checking for an ID tag, tattoo or microchip.
- Asking neighbors if they recognize the cat.
- Posting online in local missing pet groups.
- Filing a “found” report with nearby shelters and veterinary offices.
- Hanging up “found cat” flyers if the cat is very friendly and you suspect it is lost, not feral.
If the cat remains unclaimed after several weeks, you will likely be in the ethical and legal clear to provide a permanent home yourself. However, if owners are located, you should return the cat to avoid potential legal disputes, even if you have grown attached.
Health Risks of Taking in Strays
Stray cats can transmit a variety of infectious diseases and parasites. Potential health risks to your family and any existing pets include:
- Fleas: Fleas can rapidly infest a home and bite humans and pets. Ticks may also be present.
- Mites: Ear mites are highly contagious to other cats and dogs.
- Ringworm: A fungal skin infection that spreads through direct contact and contaminated surfaces.
- Roundworms: Intestinal parasites that shed eggs throughout the environment.
- Hookworms: Intestinal parasites that can infect humans through skin contact with contaminated soil.
- Feline leukemia virus (FeLV): A contagious and often fatal retrovirus spread through saliva and nasal secretions.
- Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV): A slow-acting retrovirus that suppresses the immune system.
- Rabies: Though rare, rabies is almost always fatal and can be spread by stray cats through bites.
To mitigate these risks, isolate the stray cat from your other pets until veterinary exams and treatment can be provided. Thoroughly clean bedding, dishes and litter boxes used by the stray to avoid disease transmission. Practice good hygiene when handling the cat.
Costs of Caring for a Stray Cat
If you decide to take in a stray cat, either temporarily or permanently, you must be prepared for the costs involved. Budget for:
- Veterinary care: Exams, vaccinations, spay/neuter, parasite treatments and other medical care.
- Food: Cat food, treats and supplements.
- Litter box: Initial purchase and regular litter replenishment.
- Scratching posts: Provide appropriate scratching surfaces.
- Toys: Interactive play is important for a cat’s exercise and mental stimulation.
- Grooming tools: Nail clippers, brushes and dental care products.
- Flea/tick prevention: Monthly topical treatments or collars.
- Boarding: If you travel and don’t have a cat sitter.
Additionally, emergency medical expenses quickly add up. Pet insurance can offset significant costs if the cat has ongoing health issues or needs sudden treatment.
Transition Period for a Stray Cat
Initially taking in a stray cat will involve an adjustment period for the cat as well as your household. Some tips for the transition:
- Start the cat in a small room with food, water, litter box and bed. Slowly allow access to other areas after acclimation.
- Maintain a consistent daily routine for feeding times, play, etc.
- Keep interactions quiet, gentle and predictable to build trust.
- Give the cat places to hide like boxes, cat trees and covered beds.
- Allow the cat to approach you first rather than forcing interaction.
- Introduce household members gradually.
- Take introductions to other pets very slowly, keeping them separated initially.
It can take weeks or months for a stray cat to settle into domestic life. Be patient, stick to routines and avoid overwhelming the cat as you transition this stray to indoor living.
Common Problems When Housing Stray Cats
Even once a stray cat is comfortably settled into your home, some problematic behaviors may persist or develop, including:
- Litter box mistakes: Cats may not be accustomed to using a litter box and need training.
- Fearful behavior: Strays may remain skittish and prone to hiding.
- Aggression: Swatting, hissing, biting or scratching you or other pets.
- Night activity: Nocturnal pattern from formerly being outdoors.
- Scratching furniture: Lacking appropriate scratching posts.
- Escape attempts: Trying to dart outside due to past outdoor lifestyle.
Patience, training, routine and providing appropriate cat trees, scratchers, perches and entertaiment can help mitigate problematic stray cat behaviors. In some cases of aggression or house soiling, medication may be needed too.
Risks of Letting Strays Back Outside
While stray cats are accustomed to outdoor life, allowing a cat that you’ve taken in to come and go freely outside has risks including:
- Injury from fights with other cats, being struck by vehicles, etc.
- Exposure to contagious diseases from other cats.
- Parasites like fleas and ticks.
- Predation by coyotes, foxes or birds of prey.
- Becoming lost and unable to find way back.
- Drinking contaminated water or eating prey harboring toxins.
Stray cats allowed to roam are also more likely to contribute to the cat overpopulation problem through breeding. For safety and health of both the cat and local wildlife, keeping a stray cat strictly indoors is recommended.
Advantages of Providing a Stray Cat a Permanent Home
Despite the challenges involved, welcoming a stray cat into your family also has many potential benefits, for both you and the cat. Consider:
- You would be saving a life and providing a safe, loving home.
- Strays are likely to form strong bonds with their caregivers.
- You would gain the companionship and affection of the cat.
- The cat’s health will improve with regular care and nutrition.
- You would have the satisfaction of rehabilitating and socializing a stray.
- Personality quirks may emerge as the cat becomes comfortable.
For people able to commit the time, training and resources to helping a stray cat adapt to domestic life, the experience can be incredibly rewarding. The cat has a chance at a healthy, happy life it may not otherwise have had.
Alternatives to Housing a Stray Cat
If you are unable to provide a permanent home to a stray cat, there are still options to help the animal without bringing it directly into your household:
- Trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs will spay/neuter strays and return them to their outdoor homes.
- Report the stray cat to animal control so they can capture it and evaluate for adoption.
- Post about the cat online to help locate potential owners.
- Take the cat to a no-kill shelter or rescue organization for adoption.
- Provide food, water and shelter like insulated boxes outdoors for strays in your area.
- Call rescues about doing short-term emergency foster care for the cat.
While not ideal compared to a permanent home, these alternatives can still greatly improve the life of a stray cat while not overburdening individuals not prepared to fully commit to cat ownership.
Questions to Ask Before Housing a Stray Cat
If you find a stray cat that you are considering taking into your home, carefully reflect on these questions:
- Am I allowed to house a stray cat I find and have I made reasonable efforts to locate potential owners?
- Can I afford expenses like food, litter, medical care and other supplies for a cat?
- Do I have time to help the stray cat adjust through a potentially lengthy transition?
- Am I prepared to keep the cat strictly indoors for its safety?
- Can I provide training, enrichment and proper vet care if behavior or health issues arise?
- If the cat doesn’t integrate well into my home, can I commit to rehoming through a shelter or rescue?
Honestly assessing your ability to meet a stray cat’s needs, both short and long term, is crucial. Their welfare must be the top consideration.
Conclusion
Taking in a stray cat can be extremely rewarding but also carries health risks and demands significant commitment. Determine if housing a stray is legal and ethical in your area. Evaluate the cat’s health and temperament for risks or signs of ownership. Budget for care expenses and properly introduce the cat to your home. Be patient through the transition period and understand problematic behaviors may persist. While challenges exist, the opportunity to provide a safe home and second chance at life to a stray can be a hugely fulfilling experience if you can make the commitment.