To foster a cat can be tremendously rewarding while at the same time, a little scary. After all, this is an animal who has come into your life on a temporary basis and she isn’t one you’ve known since birth.
If you’re thinking of fostering a cat, particularly one with medial issues, here’s what you need to know.
Is This Right for You?
The first thing you have to think about before agreeing to foster a cat with medical issues is whether or not this type of cat is the right one for you.
Think about your schedule and the schedules of your family and whether or not you are willing to put in more work than just providing love, support and nutrition. If you’re willing to do this, you are giving a cat with issues a place to rest, recuperate and be part of a loving family.
What’s Involved?
How much work you will have to do whole being a foster parent for a cat with medical issues is going to depend on what those issues are. If the cat is diabetic, for instance, you will need to be comfortable giving injections.
It really isn’t a hard task because you will be giving her the shot at the same time she’s eating some food so she’ll be distracted. The biggest issue with a diabetic cat is taking her blood sugar count and, for that, you may want two run her to the vet.
Learning to Spot the Distress Signals
Because this kitty is not one you’ve raised from kittenhood, you will need to learn from the foster agency or shelter what signs they have seen when the cat is in distress. Try to remember to relax because animals pick up your tension and that will add to their stress. Watch how the cat moves, breathes and eats. If anything seems off to you, get her to the vet as soon as you can.
Vet Visits
One of the most important functions of fostering a cat with medical issues is to be able to take her to regular schedule vet visits. For that, you’ll want a comfortable cat carrier. If your foster cat has to have additional medication, make sure that you get a written sheet from the vet you can send to the foster agency to be added to her file.
To foster a cat with medical issues isn’t impossible but it is more involved and takes more TLC.
Photo Credit: istockphoto.com
