soon to be adopted semi-feral cat - what food?

lucylocket35

My next door neighbour is a cat-lover and has three of her own. She also feeds a local stray which is semi feral. She is having to move soon, and although she is taking her three, the semi feral cat can't go with her. She has asked me if I would feed him. I said I would, thinking that if he is just a stray he would eat anything and would be happy with cheap stuff. Then yesterday when we were chatting about it she said he will only eat the same food as she gives the others which I know to be felix pouches and purina 1 biscuits. She also said he eats about 4 pouches a day!

If I get him cheap food will he get hungry enough and eat it, or should I stick to the food he gets now?

Also - considering he will be 100% outdoor cat, is there anything else I need to do with regard looking after him? De-flea? Worming?

I've never had a cat before and have no idea!

Thanks for reading
x

bimbo84

I'd try him on the cheaper cat food, cats can be fussy but if they're really hungry they soon get used to it.

Will the cat be coming in the house? If so you'll definately want to de-flea him, do you know if he's had any vaccinations?

picklepick

IMO cheap food doesnt always work out cheaper in the long run! My cats have purina and because its high in protein they tend to eat less of it than cheap biccies because it keeps them feeling fuller for longer. I used to get through tonnes of whiskas biccies for them.

I think 4 pouches a day is a little excessive aswell. Perhaps you could slowly wean him off them. Mine have 1 a day alongside their biccies and they sometimes dont even finish it!

Has he been wormed? I take it he isnt overweight currently?

I'd worm him anyway, feral cats tend to get wormy quite easily because of the wild animals they eat.
I'd only flea treat him during the summer months, unless you notice an infestation.

Over the counter or supermarket bought flea and worm treatments dont work! You might need to take him to the vets as he'll need to be weighed to get the dose right.

lucylocket35

Thanks for your advice.

At the moment I have no intention of letting him in the house, but unless I actively encouraged and coaxed him, I don't think he would come in anyway. He doesn't go in next doors, he sleeps in her disused rabbit hutch.

I don't think he is overweight. He has a funny fat face (he looks a bit like stewie from Family Guy!) but his body is normal.

I'll ask my neighbour about worming, and if she hasn't done it, I'll see about getting him done.

Does anyone know how much it costs to get him "done" too? My neighbours the other side of us joked about having to apply to him for maintenance cos he got to one of their cats before she was "done"! Naughty Boy! lol

lostinrates

lucylocket35 wrote: »

Does anyone know how much it costs to get him "done" too? My neighbours the other side of us joked about having to apply to him for maintenance cos he got to one of their cats before she was "done"! Naughty Boy! lol

You will be able to get help from a cat charity. Try Cats Protection and explain the situation. While he's under sedation its worth having ears, teeth and a general health check too, and a blood test for FIV...which might mean if he can't live happily indoors he might be better put down.

butler_helen

You're very nice taking him in! I found my rescued semi-feral (marauding Tom the tvaw called him) was happy just to eat! So now he gets what ever is on offer and raw meat as and when we can afford/remember.

bluebeary

purina is a complete food also, thats what my semi feral gets, although he was semi feral at nine weeks, hes two now and slightly nervous of other people but loves being with my partner and myself

nine weeks up to just under a year he had hi life kitten pouches and when he had a funny tummy i cooked chicken and boiled rice for him, i found the hills science plan biscuits for sensitive stomach good aswell although quite expensive

year till now hes had adult hi life which is doesnt like anymore, purina one chicken and rice and feiine fayre pouches

formaldehyde_perfume

A cat will eat whatever you give it if it hungry enough. Having said that, it might be best if you keep him on what your neighbour is giving him for a few weeks as it will be an easier transition for the both of you, he will slowly learn to trust you and then you can start feeding him something different if that's your choice. The same feeding bowl and sleeping area (ie move the old hutch to your back yard) would help too IMHO.

rita-rabbit

formaldehyde_perfume wrote: »

A cat will eat whatever you give it if it hungry enough. Having said that, it might be best if you keep him on what your neighbour is giving him for a few weeks as it will be an easier transition for the both of you, he will slowly learn to trust you and then you can start feeding him something different if that's your choice. The same feeding bowl and sleeping area (ie move the old hutch to your back yard) would help too IMHO.

cheaper food as per the supermarket is not cheaper on the long run. However I discovered the Burns dried food is cheaper in the short & long run but far better quality to that sold in supermarket or P@Home.