Knowing what the physical and behavioral characteristics of an SRD cat (as it is also called) will be like, however, can be difficult. Since they don’t have a known lineage, it’s almost impossible to trace patterns.

We will now explain everything about the stray cat (SRD) and how to take care of your pet so that he has a long, happy and healthy life!

What is a stray cat?

Typically, SRDs have offspring from several crosses over time, which means they can carry genetic traits from many different breeds.

If, when talking about the purebred Persian cat , we can say that it will have longer, softer hair and a flattened muzzle, we cannot be as sure about a mongrel.

One fact, however, that we managed to arrive at a standard is that, generally, SRD cats are medium-sized, precisely because they come from many crossings.

Another important issue about SRDs is that, contrary to popular belief, not every stray cat is a stray. It is possible that that animal is of a specific breed.

Why adopt a stray cat?

Adopting a pet is more recommended than buying an animal, after all, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 10 million abandoned cats in Pak.

This means that they are all in NGOs, animal shelters or even on the streets, in need of a family to give love and care, and by adopting you help reduce that number. In addition, they can be taken home for free (except for vaccination, veterinary and other costs, which all pets have).

When you buy a pet, of course this is also an act of love, however, you can encourage a breeding market that will bring even more kittens into the world.

Now, understand why the SRD cat can be so special:

Stray cat is unique

If you adopt a kitten , you will hardly know what the physical traits of that pet will be like, such as height or type of coat. As they are mixed, they will carry very unique characteristics, such as hair color, eye color, size, muzzle shape, ear and others. In addition, the personality will also vary greatly from one kitten to another. And that makes it even more special!

They are very affectionate

If you still have that image that cats are not affectionate, it’s time to get that idea out of your head. Of course, not all SRD cats will be affectionate, as many have already been mistreated and react scared, but many owners report that they are more attached than purebred cats. Adopted cats are admittedly more grateful to tutors and this can be reflected in their behavior.

More healthy

It is also a consensus that SRD cats are more resistant to disease than many purebred cats. Living on the streets and with other animals inside the shelters made them “harder in the fall”. However, remember that it’s very important to take your pet to the vet as soon as you adopt it, for exams. Because they come from unknown origins and are in close contact with other pets (often unvaccinated), it is also common for stray cats to have infectious diseases and need to be treated as soon as possible.

How long does a stray cat live?

Because of this greater resilience towards health, SRD cats can live quite a long time, with a life expectancy of around 20 years.

Of course, this can change depending on your cat’s general state of health, if he has any illnesses or how you take care of him on a day-to-day basis.

How to take care of a stray cat?

Caring for the SRD cat will be the same as for any other pet. Cats basically need affection, health care and a comfortable space to live. Here’s how to take care:

Food

Always choose a good quality feed , as it will have all the nutrients your pet needs to develop. Wet feed are also highly recommended as they have a higher concentration of water in the composition, ideal for cats that do not like to drink water.

Veterinary care

When adopting, take your pet quickly to the vet and get a general checkup. If you do not know if he is vaccinated, the professional will start a protocol of essential vaccines , to prevent the main diseases. Annually, take him to consult and take the booster dose of vaccines. In addition, attention must be paid to deworming and flea and tick remedies. Talk to the vet.

Pranks

Every cat needs to play and exercise, especially those that live in small spaces. To prevent leaks and disease infection, it’s important to install screens in your home and, with that, cats tend to become more sedentary.

Therefore, “gatify” your home, that is, have toys for cats , shelves for them to climb on, scratching posts and other entertainment objects throughout the day.

Hygiene

Kittens are very hygienic and don’t need to be bathed often. A bath every 6 months will be enough to keep it clean. Also, for fuzzy cats, it’s important to brush their coat every week (or even every day if the hair gets matted). Thus, you avoid the accumulation of dirt and keep the coat brighter and more beautiful.