Advice Needed (Bringing Home a Cat)

I've been looking in my area for a groomer. If I had a pair of functioning clippers and a proper setup I could do it myself (I am experienced) but sadly I don't. I'll likely have to travel a bit to find someone who has cat experience. I've seen and dealt with matted cats before and that's my concern. I've seen it to the extent of torn skin underneath with infections.

I'm hoping her coat isn't too bad. I'll know more when I can actually see her.

I plan on hanging out in the guest room reading to get her a bit used to me.

the_gopher

I'll likely have to travel a bit to find someone who has cat experience.

the_gopher

I've never been around a cat that had hairball issues, but good point! I'll try not to panic if she does hack 'em up :) 

Fleas are easily treatable with that foam stuff now, so once she's clear and away from the source of anymore, she should be fine.  Poor kitty.  THinking of her and you guys!

About the cat grass stuff-just make sure its in a sturdy pot they cannot knock over.  My cats had dirt from one end of the room to the other.

I want pictures, I love Maine Coons!!

 Moki has been given to me this afternoon. She hung out in her crate at my work for a few hours. She's now upstairs in the guest room alone. Her crate door is open, but she hasn't ventured out yet. She is an ITTY BITTY thing. Very small Maine Coon - maybe she's mixed?! She's very pretty, but her coat is in rough shape. From what little she let me touch, some of those mats can be brushed out - but a trip to the groomers will likely be in order. I'm letting her come out of her crate in her own time, so I haven't been able to assess the full extent of her coat condition. A coworker had a groomer recommendation for me, so that eases that worry for me! Plus, they are right in the next town over. 

They had been feeding her Iams dry and Friskies wet food. I'll leave her on that for now, since that's what she is used to.  She is very quiet. She let out one itty bitty tiny meow, just once, and that was all. I'll hang out with her a bit later tonight, after I give Ari some more play time with me. So far, Ari is absolutely oblivious that there is a cat upstairs in the guest room.

She is a pretty little thing, and unfortunately I'm already becoming attached. I always knew fostering isn't for me. A huge part of me hopes my friend can't take her and I can convince the significant other to let her stay with us. However, if my friend can take her, I do know she'll be going to a good home. 

If any cat will win him over it will be a Maine Coon, wait until she comes out of her shell a little bit, they are so, so cool!

Sharon, thank you for taking her in.  Cats take a long time to trust people - it can be as long as several months.  Buddy, my foster, spent the first 2 weeks under my bed.  He has been with me since the end of April.  He is finally comfortable enough not to hide when my DS enters a room, and that's only been in the past couple of weeks.

Lori is right - if any cat can win someone over, it's a Maine Coon.

Patience and treats are key to getting a cat to warm up to you.

Ive have had my cat Pele since she was a kitten. She is by nature a shy cat. It took me years ( yes years ) to get her to let me pet her and then she would only allow it in the bathroom .

I have had her 5 yrs now and just in the last yr/months has she really started to warm up to me.She wont lay with me yet,its still a goal.

She has always been loving with the dogs. Especially after her brother passed when they where about a year.

 Stick with it a cats love is well worth it.

We to have a Main Coon, But she ( Cleo ) is so far from shy its ridiculous . Hope for you kitty with adapt quickly.Good luck

Oooh and sing to her. It sounds rediculous but I truly believe sing Pele's name song to her got her to approach me in the first place.

I am an awful singer to , but she seem to like it.

I was actually reading to her from my book last night :) I have a tone of voice I use for Ari in the car. It's super soft and soothing, so I chatted to her this morning in that voice, while I got changed for work.

Talking with a coworker with several cats, I decided to just book  grooming appointment now for her. She is very badly matted. I was recommended a groomer by two people (one being the daughter in law of the kitty's former owner). Talking with the groomer over the phone today, I'm VERY comfortable with her. I liked what she had to say and how she talked to me. I'll also be making a vet appointment asap for at least a rabies vaccine and a checkup. She hasn't  been to the vets in years. Overall, aside from her coat, she looks healthy to me. Bright clear eyes, I saw her teeth while she was eating and they looked good. Couldn't see her gums and I wasn't about to push her comfort level! She smells a bit musty/dusty - but I think that was from the house she was in in all honesty.

Her former owner actually called today to check up on her. He exposed his softer side today to me! The kitty was really his wife's baby. He said he was happy to have met me and thought I was a really nice person and that the cat does prefer females. I told him he was welcome to call me again if he'd like to check in on her. He's a gruff, blunt, rather interesting man to say the least. I actually rather liked him and now think the threat about the cat was just made in desperation because she did need to be rehomed.

Being the goof that I am, I didn't buy cat treats!!!! I will pick up some tonight for her, along with a few more containers of the wet food she's currently eating.

I saw Petsmart had claw covers in the cat section. Those are great. My SIL uses them for her cats rears...they replace them every 2-3 weeks. They are silicone caps that cover the nail. You trim the nails then apply glue then the caps. The groomer should be able to do this as claw trimming is typically part of what they do. Then your worries about the furniture may be eased somewhat.

Most every cat with a shaggy coat is a "Main Coon" or "Angora" to most people. MC's are large weighty cats so she is probably just your domestic medium/longhair. But she is lucky to have you! :)

She probably is a domestic medium/longhair. Either way, she's a cutie! I'm just going by what her former owner called her. She has a vet appt. and grooming appt. lined up for next week. She's still hiding out under the bed. So far, it doesn't appear she's relieving herself on the floor, but it doesn't appear she's doing so in the litter box. I'm keeping an eye out though.So far no carpet or furniture scratching. I put some fresh catnip on the scratching toy thingy I got for her to encourage use of that.

If she ever comes out of hiding lol, I'll snap some photos of her for you all. She was letting me touch her under the bed and she tolerated it well. She seems to be a gentle cat, just naturally unsure of her new surroundings. It doesn't help that anytime I am in the guest room, Ari occasionally whines outside of the door and she isn't quite sure what to make of that.

I'll keep an eye out for those silicone claw covers. That's not a bad idea at all! In all honesty, it's just furniture and nothing we have is in pristine shape. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather she not destroy stuff, but I'm not sweating it either.

miranadobe

the_gopher

I'll likely have to travel a bit to find someone who has cat experience.

Ask your vet.  They may know someone who doesn't advertise but is experienced and good.

Also, if you're in the Seacoast NH area, PM me.  I know someone who might be able to refer you to the best people for grooming.  Also, she sells the best foods, too.

Seacoast area is too far from me unfortunately.

Well, this thread should be titled "I am a foster failure and I have the greatest significant other". He's said, as long as he doesn't have to do anything for the cat in terms of care, she can stay. So, she is 

Moki has come out of her shell with me quite a bit, and it's rather surprising! She loves head scratches. She was head butting my hand for more and she gives kisses! My hand got a thorough washing. I'm back downstairs with Ari now. I'll go back upstairs with Moki later on tonight. =)