Persistent troll...
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Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2021 06:12:11 -0700 (PDT)
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Subject: Re: 3 cats in a house
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a) The implication is that these cats came to you, and you did not seek them out, or adopt them from somewhere else. Is this correct?
b) What sort of area are you in? And what region?
c) Size & Weight?
d) Do they have free access to the outside - such as a pet door? Or do you open doors for them to go in and out?
Please note the interpolations.
Post by The DoctorWe have 3 cats.
1) 10 years old. male. Still hunts. Does not use the litter box that much
.
Post by The DoctorHate vets. Came in a 4 moths old. Sometimes out all night in the summer.
Typical life-span, these days, for a properly vetted cat is +/- 20 years. For a cat, he is in his prime, approaching middle-age.
Post by The Doctor2) 5 years. Male. Came in 3 years ago. Out all night at times.
Stays near the house. Can hunt.
As above.
Post by The Doctor3) 2-3 years old. Female. Had 9 kittens. spaded. Can hunt.
Hates being held in hand.
Proper term is "spayed". How does she get along with the males?
Post by The DoctorWhat should I be looking for?
I would hope that the males are neutered.
1. Outdoor cats, especially those that hunt are prone to getting parasites - which include, but are not limited to: Fleas, ticks, lice, round-worms, tape worms, heart-worms and many more. Make sure that they are on the correct systemics, and are regularly checked for any active parasites. Note that in some regions, fleas have become resistant to some of the more common systemics and collars. Do be sure that your vet gives you the correct items. Do not 'wing it' on your own.
2. Make sure that their vaccinations are current and complete - this includes rabies wherever in the world you might be. And, as they are outdoor cats, that should include FLV, and if in most of the US, Lime disease.
3. If there are any potential predators in your area, make sure that the cats are checked regularly for cuts or damage.
4. Make sure that the cats have collars and tags. Microchips are nice, but invisible from the outside.
Given the implied history, I will spare you the lecture on 'outdoor cats'. The fact of the matter is that cats are apex predators, albeit small ones, and live to hunt. The other fact is that in the US, cats are responsible for the destruction of *billions* of small animals and birds each year, and in some regions create serious environmental damage thereby. So, it is always a balance of many variables, being their health, safety, longevity, happiness and environmental concerns.
Three cats can be difficult, as generally (not always) two will triangulate on the third in the pecking-order. This is less-so if the cats came to you, as they would have to be first accepted by the incumbents before actual admission. Intact males can be predatory towards kittens they have not fathered. Not always, but can be. And in some case, will fight over females, whether they are spayed or not. I am guessing you are not observing any of that behavior.
Best of luck.