Barn cats

**Little Birdie** · 10-11-2007, 11:17 AM

I have a barn cat. She was dumped. I need a mouser.

I've never had a barn cat before. What are some of the things I need to know to care for a barn cat responsibly?

We think she is 6 - 8 months old. We have been feeding her twice a day--the regular dry Iams that we feed our indoor cats. We keep a dish of water out for her.

Now that it's getting colder, I'm going to take a cardboard box home from work for her. I'll cut an opening and wrap it in aluminum foil and another layer of cardboard. Then I'll fill the bottom with rags. I plan to put this in the barn for her.

The barn has a lot of gaps that let in wind, but the roof is sound and keeps rain and snow out.

Any words of advice?

**frugalfarmwife** · 10-11-2007, 11:23 AM

Biggest word of advice is GET HER FIXED or you'll have more than one barn kitty before you know it!

I would at least give her the basic shots she needs, there are a lot of nasty bugs out there that can make them very ill/kill them.

Keep her feed and water fresh and make buddies with her, but don't let her in at all, they get spoiled quickly.

And females make the better mousers, males are LAZY

I have 5 barn cats and MANY visitors, Miss Sally, Aunt Kitty, Slim, Wobbles and killroy. The neighbors have 18 barn cat/pets and sigh, I seem to feed MOST of them too! At least they fix their males!

Oh, and this is for the IDIOT THAT DUMPED HER!!!!!!!!!

Thank goodness she found you

kj

**Little Birdie** · 10-11-2007, 11:36 AM

Is it okay to get her fixed after one litter? (We really have a lot of mice.

) What I mean is does that make the surgery more dangerous?

Yeah, it just dawned on us that we'd have to pay for shots. -sigh-

Daughter carries her all over the yard. She may be spoiled already.

I have no idea why people dump animals. Does it cost anything to surrender them at the shelter? I'm not sure she'd thank goodness we found her; if someone else did, maybe she could be a house kitty.

We already have four house cats, though--we are full!

Oh, I forgot to mention that we live in Iowa. It gets well below freezing in the winter. Will she really be okay? I mean, I know racoons and squirrels and other furry animals live out there all winter, but I've only ever had house cats.

**frugalfarmwife** · 10-11-2007, 12:11 PM

She'll be FINE outside, trust me, just make sure she has a draft free place and food.

I'm sure she could be spayed after a litter of kittens, but maybe you could go to a shelter and adopt a friend for her instead? I know kittens are adorable but there are just so many out there, and so many that are euthanized every day.

And check with your local humane society/shelter for cost effective spaying and vaccines.

Now we do our own vaccines but some can'd handle it

And our Ohio winters can be pretty bitter too, but trust me, lol, there's no shortage of cats! Mine just LOVE to snuggle up with my barn dog on really cold nights (he's a pushover for cats, lol)

kj

**Little Birdie** · 10-11-2007, 01:54 PM

A past friend of mine did his own vaccinations and I used to help. He had 20 or 30 cats, so it was certainly cost effective. I remember the production.

One person would hold the list of names and a pen to check them off. Two or more of us were on catching duty and would bring the cats to him so he could give the shot. ah, good times!

I'd have no trouble doing it myself, but with one cat would it be cost effective?

I hear you on the spay and adopt. I am torn. But Husband already told Daughter that this cat would have kittens, and they are adorable, and we would care for them... But I do hear you.

**Alice Chalmers** · 10-11-2007, 02:07 PM

Keep in mind that if you let her have kittens (and she will--guaranteed) you'll then have to spay her AND all the kittens. It adds up. I bet there are organizations who would gladly give you more barn cats.

If you can barter or buy a small Igloo dog house to keep in the barn that would be perfect. You can also buy outdoor heating mats and outdoor freeze-free water dishes.

**Sari** · 10-11-2007, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Alice Chalmers

Keep in mind that if you let her have kittens (and she will--guaranteed) you'll then have to spay her AND all the kittens. It adds up. I bet there are organizations who would gladly give you more barn cats.

Yep, and do you really need 5-6 cats running around when maybe 2 or 3 would do? She (and any other cats) will need flea meds probably, or I'd imagine they will be bothering your other animals too. You'll need to get some that are vet approved (NOT Hartz, Biospot, etc.) Advantage, Frontline, and Revolution are all safe and work really well. They will need regular shots and any other vet care that comes up. I know in Florida it is illegal for anyone besides a vet to give a Rabies shot, not sure what the law is in your state, but I'd check on that. Besides that, it's a good idea to have a general check up every once in a while, just like with people.

**frugalfarmwife** · 10-11-2007, 02:17 PM

About the production line, lol. Now WE don't do it so don't get mad at me!!

But old farmers rather than paying for neutering tomcats would "give em the boot" Which entailed catching the tomcat, shoving them head first into a BIG BOOT, and umm, banding their boys (this is how calves are done, tight rubber band, cuts off circulation and they atrophy and fall off)

And as for the kittens, what about having this cat for now and getting a young kitten in the spring, please? (and SMACK your hubby for me

)

kj

**latierra84** · 10-11-2007, 02:25 PM

now this has got me thinking about our outdoor cat. i think i'll start calling her our barn cat from now on

the neighbors move and left her outside, she was just a kitten. declawed and out in the wild, i thought for sure they would get her. she quickly came over once she knew where to find the food

but she and my beloved indoor kitty have their ups and downs. i was wondering what to do with the outdoor one once it started to get cold and one of those igloo dog houses sounds perfect! so thanks for the idea

**Critsy** · 10-11-2007, 02:55 PM

Our neighbors moved and left their cat behind too. He's a big outside cat, neutered and declawed. Very friendly and loves attention. We've been trying to get him to come in the house because it has been getting cold out and he stays in for a few hours and then leaves again. My indoor kitty thinks it's great when he comes in because then she stalks him. Atleast they were chasing each other around the house a little today. Our big issue is our dog. He wants to chase the cat and the cat doesn't understand that Max isn't really used to him yet, so it will be a long process.

**Persimmon Lace** · 10-11-2007, 11:13 PM

We have a neighborhood cat and it's my turn to do rabies shots and the others for him. Now all I have to do is catch the silly thing. He's a cutie! He does not like being in the house!

**Little Birdie** · 10-12-2007, 10:37 AM

Oh, I'm such a silly sap.

I haven't wrapped and insulated the box yet like I descibed above. But I did cut a door, put some soft rags in it and tape the top shut. I took it out to the barn last night night. And I looked at the barn with new eyes. I suddenly saw lots of warm hidey holes! We have this weird tri-level floor, and I think she had made herself a nice warm nest in the staw/cob/whatever mix that was used under the boards. She had already come out by the time I got the light on. When I petted her she felt warm.

I left the box for her anyway.

**Missy** · 10-12-2007, 11:33 AM

My problem with letting her have a litter is this...

Say she didn't get fixed. Most cats have 4-6 kittens at a time...so now you are spay/neutering her and her kittens. When spaying her only and getting a spayed buddy form the humane society or pound would have worked before. Sure, all of her kittens wouldn't be female needing spaying, but what if they are? And really, do you want a male spraying everything when he come to season too? Wowsers male spray is awful smelling...

**Sari** · 10-12-2007, 12:03 PM

Oh my god, PLEASE get those declawed cats off the streets! I know it's the a-holes who left them (excuse my language but that's what they are) but declawed cats should NEVER be outside. EVER.

**frugal.lass** · 10-12-2007, 03:16 PM

I'm with Sari on this one. Declawed cats shouldn't be "out and about" because without their claws they have no way to defend themselves against raccoons, dogs, other cats, etc.. Sure, they can bite if they are being attacked but to do that they have to be in close proximity...which means the other animal (claws AND teeth) is probably already winning. They also use their claws to hunt and climb. Basically, a declawed cat has been stripped of the tools it needs to survive/thrive when being left outdoors.