How Long Should a Stray Cat Be Quarantined?

Why Quarantine a Stray Cat?

Before you have an opportunity to commit to making an animal part of your family or a home, you need to get it out of its previous environment and put it through a quarantine period of time. Stray cats can transmit several diseases, including feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, parasites, or respiratory infections. Isolating the cat therefore reduces the risk of spreading these diseases.

Here is why quarantine is important:

  • Health Check: Quarantine gives you an opportunity to monitor the cat’s health and behavior closely.
  • By Spaying or Neutering the Stray Cat, You Prevent the Transmission of the Disease
  • Gradual Acculturation: The cat can gradually adjust to its new home without the pressure of being around other pets immediately.

How Long Should You Quarantine a Stray Cat?

How long should I quarantine a stray cat is a question many pet owners have. We recommend 14 to 21 days of quarantine, depending on the health of the cat and the conditions of the quarantine. Here’s what this period means, in a nutshell:

The First 7 Days: Monitoring Your Health

During the first week of lockdown, the focus is on tracking the stray cat for signs of illness. During this time:

  • Basic Medical Care: Get the cat to a vet for a complete check-up, vaccines, and a fecal exam.
  • Monitor for Symptoms: Be vigilant for signs of illness, such as sneezing, coughing, lethargy, or loss of appetite.

Next 7 to 14 Days: Watching and Treatment

If the cat is healthy and showing no signs of infection after the first week, monitoring can continue. For treatment of diseases or parasites, the quarantine may be extended until fully recovered.

  • Give Medications: If your vet prescribes any medications, follow the instructions for administering them.
  • If Symptoms Persist: Extend the quarantine period.

The Last 7 Days: Moving to Full Integration

At this stage, if the stray cat is healthy, you can start to introduce them to your other pets, but only in a controlled environment.

  • Slow Introduction: Take your time and slowly introduce the cat to other pets.
  • Maintain Monitoring: After the quarantine period has finished, keep an eye on the stray cat for signs of illness.
A cozy and isolated room prepared for quarantining a stray cat, with a comfortable bed, food and water bowls, and a litter box. Soft lighting and neutral pastel hues create a peaceful atmosphere with a window allowing natural light and a slightly ajar door for ventilation.

When to Extend the Quarantine Period

A stray cat sometimes requires more than 21 days of quarantine. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s important to keep the cat isolated:

  • Ongoing Illness: If the cat continues to show signs of illness (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea, coughing), quarantine should last until they are totally treated.

Positive Results: A cat that tests positive for diseases such as feline leukemia or FIV needs to be kept apart from other animals for life.

Stray Cat Quarantine: How to Do It Right

Quarantining a stray cat is not just putting it in a room and shutting the door. Here’s how to make sure the process runs smoothly, step by step:

Step 1: Establish a Comfortable Quarantine Space

  • Select a quiet, secluded room where the feral cat can relax undisturbed.
  • Basics: Food, Water, Litter Box, Cozy Bed
  • Increase Ventilation: Help limit the spread of airborne diseases.
  • Give the cat some space so it can acclimatize to its new surroundings.

Step 2: Visit the Vet Early

Get that stray cat to the vet ASAP for a full check-up. The vet will:

  • Vaccinate the Cat for common diseases, including rabies, distemper, and feline herpesvirus.
  • Test for Parasites and Other Diseases that feral cats might spread.
  • Administer Preventive Care for fleas and ticks, and treat for internal parasites (worms).

Step 3: Clean the Quarantine Space

We must make sure to keep the quarantine area clean and disinfected as much as possible to avoid the risk of spreading infections. Scoop the cat’s litter box and change bedding daily, and wash your hands thoroughly after you’ve handled the cat. Disinfect all surfaces a cat may have touched to minimize contamination.

Step 4: Monitor for Any Changes

Monitor the cat’s behavior and health closely during the quarantine period. It’s crucial to be on the lookout for early signs of illness, and to take your cat to the vet if you notice something is off.

Step 5: Assess Socialization & Behavior

Your quarantine period gives you time to begin the process of evaluating the cat’s temperament and begin understanding their socialization needs. Some strays could be very scared or timid, and in some others, they could be more friendly and curious. Give the new pet time to adjust and earn their trust.

  • Gradual Introductions: If the cat seems fearful, don’t barrel toward it for a quick scratch or make loud sounds.
  • Chasing Those: Tempt them with toys to allow them to get used to their new surroundings.
A veterinarian in a lab coat gently examines a stray cat on an examination table. The vet checks the cat’s ears and eyes, with medical equipment like a stethoscope and thermometers nearby. The veterinary clinic is bright, clean, and sterile, with a calming blue and white color palette.

How to Care for a Quarantined Stray Cat Long-Term

When your time of quarantine is over, and the stray cat has been checked and found healthy, you might want to let it out. But in preparing a stray cat for transitioning to a permanent home, proper care needs to be taken to ensure that the cat is in good health. Some important long-term care guidelines include:

Nutrition & Hydration

Most stray cats eat poorly, if at all, and are malnourished. The right nutrition, however, can go a long way in bringing them back to their feet.

  • Quality Food: Be sure to offer quality balanced cat food that is appropriate for your new pets and their nutritional needs.
  • Hydration: Provide fresh water at all times and monitor the cat drinking. If the stray cat had lived on the streets for a while, dehydration may be an issue.

Continue Monitoring Health

Even once the time for the quarantine is up, continue to monitor the health of the cat, especially if it was sick or had a history of infections. Frequent vet visits will allow for early detection of any issues hidden beneath the surface.

  • Annual Check-ups: Make sure to have the cat vaccinated and screened for health problems every year.
  • Parasite Prevention: Keep the cat protected against fleas, ticks, and worms with regular treatments.

What Behavioral Signs to Look Out For

A lot of cats that come into shelters are actual strays, which can also have behavioral problems from their past lives. They may express fear, anxiety, aggression, or have trouble with litter box training, for example. Be patient with yourself as you work through these behaviors.

  • Patience: Allow the cat to settle into its new home. Do not force interactions.
  • Safe Space: Make sure there’s a quiet, private place the cat can retreat to if it’s feeling stressed.

Behavioral Training: If your cat is exhibiting inappropriate behavior, consulting with a skilled pet behaviorist may be helpful

Steps Towards Outdoor Access (If Desired)

If you do choose to permit outdoor access after you’ve completed a successful quarantine period, precautions should be taken. Introducing outdoor time carefully is vital, as companion cats may not be familiar with the perils of life outside or traffic.

  • Safe Outdoor Space: If you can, provide a secure outdoor space (cat enclosure, catio) to keep the cat safe.
  • Take Supervised Outdoor Walks: At the starting point, keep walking with the cat until it gets used to the environment.
how long should a stray cat be quarantined

Q&As on Quarantining Stray Cats

Why does a stray cat need to be quarantined?

Keeping a stray cat in quarantine to prevent it from spreading infectious illness to your other pets and giving you time to evaluate the stray’s health, as well as its behavior, is a practical choice.

How do I tell if a stray cat is healthy?

Test the stray cat to a vet to do all vaccinations and check. Also, look for any signs of illness, such as coughing, sneezing, or lethargy, that might signal a health issue.

How long do I need to keep a stray cat indoors?

The duration of the quarantine period is usually between 14 and 21 days but can vary according to the cat’s health and the results provided by a vet.

Is it ok to immediately expose a stray cat to my other pets?

No. You should always quarantine a stray cat for at least 14 days until you are sure that it is healthy and free of contagious diseases before introducing it to your other pets.

What if the stray cat is actually positive for feline leukemia or FIV?

If also homeless, isolated from others, unexplained blood in a stray cat can also be a symptom of feline leukemia (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Both diseases are infectious to other felines and the cat needs continued care and treatment.

Can I keep a stray cat outside the quarantine?

It’s not recommended. Although you may wish for the cat to have room to roam, keeping it in a confined space during quarantine is essential for controlling its access to other pets and for monitoring it for illness.

How much should I be worried about fleas or ticks on a stray cat?

Yes, they are often host to external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites. These parasites should be addressed immediately with appropriate treatments. Make sure to consult with your vet for guidance on flea and tick prevention.