Not sure what to do

kerrirobberts

My housemate is always skint as she doesn't have a stable job. She has a lovely little cat that is spending more and more time in my room and waits for me to come home so she can come in. My housemate confessed yesterday, that whilst she is waiting to be paid (doesn't know when this will be and hasn't paid half her rent), she has been feeding the cat smaller portions.

The cat is definitely showing signs that it is hungry as it gives the "I'm hungry purr", and follows you around all the time. (My parents have cats so I know what to look for.)

I bought a box of whiskers for the cat on Saturday which my housemate didn't give me any money for. I can't afford to keep a cat myself, I'm trying to pay off my debts and stay afloat, but I can't see a cat go hungry.

Does anyone have any ideas? I've bought a box of wiskers and put it in my room tonight, I also bought a 45p sheba pouch which the cat devoured like it was christmas. She's not a fat cat, she's tiny so she must have been starving.

GonzoAston

Im no cat expert (im sure someone will be along soon) but didnt want to read and run.

I think you need to have a talk with her about what is best to do for the cat. For example, if you're both happy, could you not share ownership and responsibilities for the cat? Then maybe its more manageable for the both of you.

Just talk to her, she may have something in the pipeline and be more stable soon. Sometimes things happen, im sure there is something she/you could cut back on to make sure the cat gets what she needs. The only other option I can see is if its not looking to improve for you both, think about rehoming her.

End of the day, you need to do whats best for the cat, no matter how hard it may be.

HTH somewhat?

rising_from_the_ashes

Awww Kerri, poor wee mite and what a horrible situation to be in.

I agree with Gonzo that you need to have a word with your flatmate - no matter how skint someone is, they must put the needs of their pets first (I know I struggled when I was paying off my debts but I always made sure I went and bought supplies of cat food for the month as soon as I got paid - he would eat before I did if it came to it).

There are lots of tinned foods out there which work out a lot cheaper than pouches - if you hunt around for offers especially. (I just had a quick look at PAH website & you can get 2 x 24 packs of 400g tins for £18 (which works out at 37p a tin & is 4 x the size of 1 pouch).

If she can't afford to keep the cat, then she must face that and find it a new home (((hugs)))

QuackQuackOops

It isn't your cat so don't let it in. If you let it in, it will keep coming in.
Your neighbour is feeding her cat and it is up to her to rehome it if she wants to.

Caroline_a

Good quality dried food can also work out a lot cheaper - they won't eat as much, but will eat when they are hungry whereas with the 'wet' food they often gorge themselves on it.

Doesnt sound a great idea for either of you to have an animal though if you're skint! What if it gets ill..?

Person_one

QuackQuackOops wrote: »

It isn't your cat so don't let it in. If you let it in, it will keep coming in.
Your neighbour is feeding her cat and it is up to her to rehome it if she wants to.

Its not a neighbour, its a housemate. Seriously, read the OP before commenting or you may as well not bother.

kazwookie

I suggest the housemate look to rehome the cat with someone who can look after it correctly. it is not just the cost fo the food, but it may require a vet at times as well.

Person_one

kazwookie wrote: »

I suggest the housemate look to rehome the cat with someone who can look after it correctly. it is not just the cost fo the food, but it may require a vet at times as well.

If she's that skint she may well qualify for PDSA or RSPCA help with vet care, I wouldn't jump straight to rehoming, there are hundreds and hundreds of cats waiting for homes so nobody should be adding to that list unless they absolutely have no other option.

I like the idea of splitting the cat's care 50/50. It sounds like the OP would like a cat if she could afford one.

krlyr

I agree about looking into help with the vet care - the cat may be healthy now but it's good to have plans in place just incase.
Also agree that a dry food might work out cheaper than the wet food, or she could offer both. I had some dumped cats turn up in my garden that I ended up feeding for a while, didn't want to spend a fortune on cats that weren't my own (I was only feeding them to establish a feeding routine so the local cat rescue could set up traps, as they were very people-shy), I was feeding Tesco own brand pouches but several people recommended the dry food from CSJ. I've used their dog food in the past and it's a good food for the price they sell it (not the best but not as bad as some), and the company are meant to be great at sending out free samples so could be worth contacting them - Google "CSJ cat food" for the link. It's about £20 but that's a 15kg bag which will last a while (Wilkinsons sell cheap bins or boxes for storage)

kerrirobberts

Thank you everyone. I spoke to my OH and my Dad this morning. Being from a cat-owning family I couldn't sit by whilst the cat effectively went hungry. My Dad and OH agree with me that I can't let the cat go hungry and that I should feed it but not tell my housemate. My housemate is the type of person that expects other people to deal with their problems. The cat came in this morning and polished off the other half of the Sheba as soon as I opened my door, so I don't think it was fed this morning.

My household is a typical London houseshare, no living room only communal room is the kitchen, so I wouldn't want to keep a cat of my own in those conditions. I've always been brought up to expect that cats will go outside and they're always so much happier. The cat did do a Houdini on Friday night when my OH and I accidentally left the kitchen window open, we called her and she came back all smug which was lucky.

The cat seems healthy enough at the moment. My housemate has never taken her to the vet, I think she acquired her rather than getting her through proper means.

Dad said to get some cheap whiskers, which I've bought a £1.50 box of. They need wet and dried food though don't they?

rising_from_the_ashes

A mix of wet and dry is generally thought to be best (everyone has their own views on this).

Tinned foods can be just as good as pouches and do work out a lot cheaper so if it's going to be a regular thing, I'd try these. With dry, good quality foods are generally best and although more expensive to buy, you will need to feed less so work out favourably in the long run.

I still think you should mention it to your housemate though..... but that's up to you. If you're happy to feed the poor wee mite a bit extra here and there.