How to safely introduce a stray cat with hair loss to my cats?

Many thanks for adopting a stray! If you haven't yet, before you introduce Pumpkin to the rest of your household, I strongly recommend you take him in to see your vet for a check up as well as vaccinations. In addition, he should be checked for the feline viral diseases including feline leukemia and feline AIDS, since he could transmit these to your cats. If all checks out well, start by bringing him into the house (making sure the other cats can't see him) and getting him comfortable in his own room with food, water, toys, a litter box, etc. Spend plenty of time with him there every day, making sure that you also give plenty of attention to your other cats. After a couple of weeks, when everyone had gotten used to everyone's scent, you can try a controlled introduction, perhaps with Pumpkin in a carrier. If all goes well there, allow them to share space but make sure they are monitored and make sure there is a way for everyone to get their own space - a cat tree is perfect for this - until they are comfortable together.

How lovely of you to look after this stray! There are a number of things that could cause him to lose weight, such as intestinal worms, diabetes, kidney disease, or hyperthyroidism to name a few. He could also possibly have fleas. It's important to make sure your cats are up to date on their flea treatments and deworming treatments. As for the stray, I would take him into the SPCA if you don't want to assume financial responsibility for him. They can get him the veterinary attention he needs and find him a home. Otherwise, you can take him into the vet yourself :-)

You can bring Green Eyes into your house but you should have him seen by the veterinarian first to get flea prevention, a deworming and fecal exam and a Feline Lukemia and FIV check. You want to be certain there is nothing contagious that can be spread to your other pets (parasites can spread on clothing, pets escape...etc). Keep him separated until he is comfortable in the room and then allow slow, one on one introductions. He may be very afraid of dogs as strays generally get chased but every pet is different. Cats can take a few weeks to acclimate to each other so expect some hissing and posturing. Don't allow any of the pets to fight or get hurt. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Have the stray examined and treated by your veterinarian. Once he has recovered from his wounds, have him vaccinated and dewormed. Keep them separated during this time. Allow them to hear and smell one another through a closed door. Once they have acclimated to the sounds and smell of a new cat, allow them to see each other at a distance for ever increasing periods of time. Progress to placing the new cat in a closed carrier in the room with your cat until she acclimates. The use of pheromone products, such as Feliway spray or plug in diffuser, may decrease any anxiety or aggression.

The first thing I would do is treat her with Advantage or another flea prevention product until you can get her in for an exam. Fleas can cause some of these lesions and she most likely has ear mites also. If you are able to take her in they can examine her ears and skin and give her medication to stop the scratching and antibiotics or an antibiotic injection to treat the skin infection. If she is a stray I recommend a blood test first for feline leukemia and FIV as these are serious cat diseases that there is no cure for and are infectious to other cats. If she is negative for those getting her skin treated and getting her neutered are important for her health. I'm glad you are taking care of Baby as she certainly needs veterinary care. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Baby.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Some illnesses can be transmitted from one cat to another from your hands or clothing. I recommend washing hands and possibly leaving shoes away from your cats if the stray sneezed on or near them. Basic good hygiene will help prevent disease transmission to your kitties. If you are able please take the stray into the vet as soon as you are able as it sounds like she may have a significant respiratory infection. Be sure that she is tested for feline leukemia and FIV before you ever let her near your cats to be safe.

It would be prudent to keep him separated from your cat until he is examined by your veterinarian. The kitten should be dewormed, given flea medication if necessary and vaccinated before he is introduced to your cat. A blood test for FeLV and FIV is also recommended.