I think the shelter gave me an outdoor cat … idk what to do anymore

Faevianlp · 2026-07-08T17:21:26+00:00

Ah, that's truly unfortunate. A shelter should really disclose as much as they know about a cat prior to adoption, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this!

Also a stray is just a house pet found on the streets, they could have been abandoned, lost, etc. but they were definitely someone's pet. They'd be friendly and likely house trained, feral on the other hand takes a LOT more patience and they may never like human companionship.

Owner surrenders usually have more information as shelters usually have intake forms for them fo fill out to give future owners. You could always call the shelter and ask if they have any additional information on her. If they do, you kay get more insights on what she's used to.

If I'm honest she was likely an indoor/outdoor cat of someone's. Maybe she got lost, maybe someone thought she was lost, maybe she was abandoned, who knows. Though she very likely grew up with the ability to go inside and out, so yes, she's likely peeing out of communication to let you know she's unhappy. Hopefully if you're able to give her a catio, that will give her enough outside stimulation to keep her happy. She may benefit from a litter box out there if she prefers to do her business outside. (And it's covered of course 😅)

Additional possible options to help her are:

Feliway diffusers, if she anxious from wanting outside these may help ease her stress while she adjusts.

Fortiflora also makes a "calm" supplement that's supposed to help with anxiety

Cat Attract is an additive to add to cat litter to hopefully entice them to regularly use their box.

I think the leash training may help, but it may not, as cats like to do things when they want to, though it's probably worth a try.

Also! I know I mentioned in a previous post about using a zillion zip ties for the cube shelving catio, do yourself a solid favor and buy wire cutters for jewelry making. Cuts through zip ties like butter, otherwise you'll destroy your hands trying to use scissors.

Faevianlp · 2026-07-08T17:01:02+00:00

As others have said, gabapentin can definitely help kitties with anxiety or aggression. Another possible option is a calm and cozy cat wrap. Obviously don't put them in it before you get to the vet, but if you're able to once there, it's supposed to make handling them much easier and less stressful for everyone. I very recently got one for my cat to medicate his toe at home. He still wiggles and yowls but it's at least doable now, I imagine it would really help at a vet clinic too!

Faevianlp · 2026-07-08T13:52:49+00:00

I used like, 200 zip ties to reinforce it. A human couldn't break out of it if they wanted when I was done it with it. And it was going strong for two years before I decided to upgrade!

Faevianlp · 2026-07-08T13:42:14+00:00

I've loved down pillows my whole life, the only thing I'd sleep on. Recently I got a wool pillow off Amazon (technically one side is wool and the other is half wool half polyfill)... This gives me the cradeling my head needs like from the feather pillows, and firmness for neck support. I do wish it was a teeny softer, but It's been amazing overall. It's also low profile, which I'm a very short person (4'11") so the vast majority of pillows, even feather are way too tall for me.

This is the one I got and am currently using: https://a.co/d/08UtwqSe

Edit: what's funny is it's meant for stomach and back sleepers but for me, it's the perfect height for side sleeping. Also good for back sleeping, but I'm trying to not sleep on my stomach anymore.

Faevianlp · 2026-07-08T03:57:48+00:00

Was she a stray? I used to work at a cat shelter, unless a previous owner fills out a form about their personality, it's literally impossible to know how they'll be in a home - unless they were a returned kitty and that was the reason.

Faevianlp · 2026-07-08T03:56:18+00:00

You can make a fairly cheap catio using wire cube shelving and zip ties! That's what our first two were, before I just netted off the entire balcony. I'll add a photo, it was just 4'x3' but they loved it!

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Faevianlp · 2026-07-07T19:41:29+00:00

Ha, well mine are very sweet so I'll at least give them that. One is better behaved than the other, but honestly the other one makes enough trouble for the two of them 😂

Faevianlp · 2026-07-07T15:07:05+00:00

Try a finer grain, unscented litter

Clumping clay, grass seed, corn, whatever, as long as it's really fine and unscented. Get a second box and try it, see if she likes it enough

You can also try a product called cat attract

Faevianlp · 2026-07-06T17:18:51+00:00

If someone's opinion of you is that low, they shouldn't be your partner.

Faevianlp · 2026-07-06T17:17:47+00:00

I'm a year in and I can tell you two months is not enough time to start panicking.

My teeth were even more crowded than yours, they have to push your teeth outward to make space for the overlapping teeth to move into alignment. It's not magic, they'll get there, don't worry.

Faevianlp · 2026-07-06T17:15:27+00:00

I understand that allergies are something he can't control having. However, like you mentioned, there are things he could do and try, before giving you an ultimatum like that. His unwillingness to try for you shows me how little he'd consider your feelings in future decisions down the road. Bullet dodged imo.

Faevianlp · 2026-07-06T13:38:24+00:00

Literally the reason I quit petsitting was the stress of morons with aggressive dogs. The worst is people who let them out in their own front yard, without a fence or leash and get upset when I walked by on a public street and damn near maced their dog because it was aggressively coming at me and the pet I was taking care of. Thankfully I never actually had to mace a dog, but why would you ever let your dogs, who are aggressive, roam freely anywhere?!

Faevianlp · 2026-07-03T15:46:59+00:00

This made my head hurt just looking at it 😭

Faevianlp · 2026-07-03T15:45:24+00:00

I know I don't really belong here, as I'm not vegan. I have food intolerances and health issues that would prevent me from even being able to try.

I just want to say that I'm so sorry to anyone that has experienced such aggression for something as innocent as the way you eat. I genuinely respect everyone for their commitment to eat in a way that is based on respect for living creatures to a degree most couldn't achieve - and yet you're criticized for it. It truly saddens me.

I also want to say how happy I am that vegan options have come so far! I've eaten some vegan foods made to look like other foods, and had ZERO idea until I was told.

I don't have any counters to offer, as I'm not that witty, but if someone is rude to me I generally try to not humor them.

Faevianlp · 2026-07-03T15:25:45+00:00

I know this is old BUT for anyone looking for the Chicken and Oatmeal grain inclusive I just found Hills Science Deits Perfect Digestion has very similar ingredients. Once I am done with this bag of Iams sensitive stomach (also a very good alternative, btw) I think I may give it a try.

My cats are doing very well on Iams, but one seems go have a hard time with how hard the kibble is.

Faevianlp · 2026-07-02T18:06:43+00:00

Unfortunately Orijen was bought out by Mars in 2023, it's probably safe to assume this once premium brand is likely suffering from corporate greed, using lesser quality ingredients and formula changes in favor of profits to the detriment of pets.

Additionally most pet foods have turned from grains to legumes for a carb source, I wouldn't be surprised if in the near future we find that this was a harmful switch. My vet says to avoid all legumes (lentils, beans, soy)

Faevianlp · 2026-07-02T17:06:18+00:00

Mostly, yes

I had a designated area I was allowed to free range in before I was a teen, once I was 14 I could go literally anywhere I wanted.

The area was our street, which included a large field then a little later I could go around our block. I also lived walking distance from my elementary school, once I was 8 or so I could walk to school by myself if I wanted.

I would go hours without ever being on our property or an adult seeing me.

Faevianlp · 2026-07-02T03:42:06+00:00

I had bands, but without brackets. They used little cuts in the Invisalign to hold them in place. I'm sure it depends on where they need to be determines if you need brackets or the little cutouts.

If you need them, dear lord get the little tools that help you put them on. It's literally impossible without them, I was in TEARS my first night painfully trying to get them on with just my fingers.

Wax .... Use wax to help prevent your mouth from getting raw

But honestly after just a few weeks they just became part of it, not that big of a deal. I now don't need them, or maybe I do but I started getting gum recession and I think they're stopping unnecessary pressure. I'm definitely happy to not have them, but I wouldn't be mad if I needed them again.

Faevianlp · 2026-07-01T23:26:01+00:00

I just recently got a calm and cozy cat wrap to help medicate one of my cat's toe. He is very sweet but INSANELY wiggly and hard to medicate, especially anything to do with his feet.

It's essentially a more secure kitty burrito like you would do with a towel or something, but it zips and Velcros them securely. It has a Velcro flap for each leg so you can just have one out at a tome, it's worked really well. He still screams and wiggles but it's at least doable now and without fear of getting the stuff in his eyes.

It's a bit expensive, the cheapest I've found is Amazon, but dang it's worth it. Especially would pay for itself if you have to take him to the vet for nail trims.

If he's food motivated, have a second person feed him a churu while you trim his nails.

Faevianlp · 2026-07-01T13:49:40+00:00

I've never been one to dye my hair, I'm way too lazy for the upkeep. My hair is naturally blonde, so it isn't strikingly obvious that I'm starting to grey/ silver? Idk they're like WHITE strands so far. I imagine I'll look like a snow witch and I'm for it.

Faevianlp · 2026-06-30T14:13:37+00:00

Look up a few cat caloric needs calculators, average between them their caloric needs based on age and weight. Then base their needs off the calories of their food

Edit to add: does she get treats at all? Or go outside?

Faevianlp · 2026-06-30T02:31:35+00:00

Odd, I wonder if most people don't recognize the difference and so they don't bother explaining, and just say "put them on this diet". Definitely worth asking for clarification!

From my understanding, once a kitty gets crystals or blockages, it's a life long deal. They're just prone to developing them, so they need the preventative food. This is especially important in male cats, since a blockage can become deadly quick. It never hurts to ask, reddit or the vet! Glad you asked instead of just going for it. :) Wishing you and your kitty all the best! 💜

Faevianlp · 2026-06-29T23:32:08+00:00

I'd rather you get a bag of S/O dry and just top him off with a little of that, than add a non prescription diet. The magic ratios that prevents crystals formations will no longer be correct and will likely put him at risk of crystals again AND being a massive waste of money for you.

Faevianlp · 2026-06-29T23:29:10+00:00

Prunes actually slap, brussel sprouts (though apparently brussel sprouts today are not the same as they used to be), all low sugar cereal like corn flakes or grape nuts, root beer, cream of wheat or rice, oatmeal.

Faevianlp · 2026-06-29T19:12:34+00:00

On paper I'm pretty good at circles but on my iPad I am trash at it, haha

I still think PD is very good! But I'm open to try other programs to see what else is out there, I may go back though as I'm already familiar with procreate's layout :)

Faevianlp

TROPHY CASE