Most kitty diseases that I know of need direct contact. Some other
things, like respiratory infections and maybe distemper, could be passed
on if you petted the kitty then petted your own. Some of those things
are in the environment anyway, but I'd wash after petting the stray
until she's check out.

We've fed lots of strays and haven't had a problem. Soon though, you'll
want to get the stray into the vet for a spay (so you don't have LOTS of
yard cats) and hopefully get vaccinations.

Then there's that magic moment when you're attached and the cat comes
inside...

Good luck!

Rhonda

wrote:
We have two male indoor cats that we only allow outside in the yard in
the evening while we sip a cocktail and keep an eye on them. Lately, a
female stray cat has decided to make our yard her home. After a few
weeks of hanging out, my wife has even begun settting out some food and
water for it. Oddly, our two indoor cats don't seem to mind this cat's
presence, and calmly watch her through the glass door when they usually
make quite a fuss when some cat or other critter visits their domain.

My question is whether there's any risk involved for our indoor cats by
letting this stray cat hang out in our yard? Could the stray pass
along some kitty ailment to our cats, even if they never come in
contact with each other?

-Fleemo