Abandoned cat going to new home. What should we tell the new owner.?

I would actually tell you no, this is not a good cat for a first time cat owner. The cat will always have to be kept inside, because it is declawed, and it sounds like it will need at least $1000 worth of care to get it up to snuff... the cat will need to be groomed, the cat will need its stool tested for worms, the cat will need blood work done to check for feline leukemia, AIDS, and HIV. The cat will need all its shots... and it will need any care that it was lacking. I would say quite honestly, if you cannot keep the cat indoors with you, and care for it properly, I would have it put down. It would be the humane thing to do.

Try not to use the granular clay litter, the larger pieces can hurt the cat's paws in the box. The clumping litter may be a good way to go as this stresses the paws less.

He should be patient with her and also keep her fully indoors. If he gives her the benefit of the doubt on actions, they'll learn to adjust to each other. Does he have patience for her? Can he be ok with a few missed litter box problems? Will he NOT yell at her? She's had a hard life and needs understanding. Make sure he knows that this is like raising a baby--the cat won't know that some things aren't supposed to be done. Have him take any fragile breakables and put them away just in case she's clumsy. And let him know that she needs attention every day, she's not a stuffed toy. She'll live 15-19 years so this is a long term committment. She'll also need regular vet checkups.

Declawing IS the removal of the first joint of every toe so what you're seeing might just be a normal declaw. It could be that the declaw never properly healed - which can happen. If you can afford to do so I'd recommend getting this cat checked out by a vet. The new owner should be doing that right away anyway so either way - get it done. As for what you should tell the new owner - tell them everything you know about her. If they don't want her after that, then find her another home or find a local no-kill shelter that can take her and rehome her. Good for you for saving this poor kitty!

FYI other responder - getting this cat groomed, checked out by a vet and tested for Feline Leukemia and FIV isn't going to cost "$1,000" - where the heck do you live???? And psst... cats can't get HIV - Human Influenza Virus.

If the guy can be loving to this cat, then it's fine for a first time cat owner - he won't know any different than taking care of this injured (declawed) cat.

Declawing can cause some mental issues though, and he does need to be careful about touching her feet if she doesn't like it.

She may develop an instinct to bite because her claws are gone, and she will also have trouble exercising since her ability to climb and even run fast is gone (Cats dig their claws into the ground and push themselves forward to gain speed) so he will also have to watch her diet to prevent her from getting overweight.

Otherwise, she should be a totally loving cat. She sounds like a real love bug. I wish you all luck with her and I hope everything works out. :)

Also, a visit to the vet is a good idea so you can find out her age, and make sure that she has her shots and has been spayed - though I'd hope if her previous owners took the time to declaw her that they'd also have her health taken care of. It's still a good idea though.

And she should be fine being indoor only. I just took in a stray whose been living in an empty house next door (Deja-Vu?) and she has no desire to go outside once she layed down on my nice comfy bed.

Great of you to be making sure she gets a nice home. That's messed up and then some.

But being a first time cat owner he needs to take her to the vet first and identify any problems. Having a cat declawed is bad. I had the vet dull my cats claws and that's as far as I'd go...

I don't really know what you should ask him... I guess the most important thing would be if he has problems with her will he take her to a vet or an animal shelter instead of just dumping her like trash?

I would just give the advice about how to take care of a cat like you have. Your cat is old so you must have done a good job keeping her healthy. Abandoned kitty needs to see a vet for shots and feline leukemia testing. Her feet issue is probably fine. If she's getting around alright then there should be no worries. My cats don't like their feet touched at all. They were both declawed at a young age and did just fine. Our vet does all the surgeries and shots. If the new owner doesn't want to bathe kitty for flees and the matting, suggest a decent groomer in the area. Make sure the new owner knows about food, litter box, water, etc. If he wants her to be an indoor cat it might be hard for her to adjust but in time she'll get used to it. With a healthy diet, good grooming, and a loving owner she should be just fine.

As you say, declawing is a barbaric practice that should be banned - oh, what am I thinking? It is banned in most civilised countries! being declawed means that this cat can not defend herself either by attack or retreat because she can not climb trees. Dumping her is one of a long list of sins her former owner has committed.

The new owner should make an appointment with the vet as soon as they get her and take her in to be scanned for a microchip. If she has one it will help find the previous owner. If she doesn't then I recommend it be done at the same time as the cat is neutered (which of course will need to be done as it will save future generations of kittens from suffering their mother's fate at the hands of irresponsible owners).

If she is overweight then it is important to address this fairy promptly by purchasing a proprietary diet cat food, preferably a wet food as dry foods can contain fillers that add to the weight problem. Encourage this person to join a cat-care internet forum where they will get lots of helpful advice and support from members.

Litterbox training tends to come naturally to cats, but if she has been declawed the particular litter may be painful to her tender feet (declawing can leave nerves exposed, your description is remarkably accurate BTW). Try some of the finer clumping litters which may be less painful. If she shows problems using it, then try restricting her to one smallish room with a tray and her food and water dishes well apart. She will not mess where the food and water are, so this will encourage her in the direction you want her to go. If she has free run of the entire house she may well make messes anywhere, so the 'one room' approach limits that to a confined area.

Most of all, patience, love and a willingness to remember that this is an animal who will be confused and frightened, so will need loving support. Oh, and a willingness to accept that for a while at least, she may not offer the sort of warmth and cuddles her new owner hopes to get from a cat...

Giving this cat a loving home will most likely save her life.

What a wonderful 2nd chance this guy is giving her.

Perhaps, as a "gift" to him, you can give him a "coupon" for a vet visit, and a book on caring for cats. You can even go with him to the vet.

I think it's a necessary trip. The badly declawed feet may get infected, if not already. There may be bone damage. Getting her cleaned up and on a good diet is not an expensive vet visit, but will provide peace of mind as they embark on their life together.

A good Vet (can be a small town guy, or a big city place...whatever) will become a friend to this guy and his new cat, and counsel him on how to best take care of her.

good luck

Well I understand wanting her to be a indoor cat seeing she has no claws but now that she's been outside most of the time for the past 6 months it might be better for him to put in a small pet door if he can so she can go in and out. Plus that way in case she's not litter trained she can go out any time and do her thing outside. I would be honest with him about the cats history so he knows just what he's looking at and hopefully still want her and do what he needs to to accommodate the cat too.

If he intends to keep her indoors and she is already declawed, then I can't think of much to ask him. I would want to find out if the cat is litter trained, but unless her feet are in pain, I wouldn't expect that to be a problem. He needs to feed her good quality food and try to get her weight down. 99% of vets give worthless nutrition advice, so I would probably advise him on that myself.