Next Door's Cat Again

Better_Days

Do you have a shed or outside building where you could prop open the door and put in a box with an old blanket/towel and a bowl of water and food? At least he would be sheltered from the elements poor chap.

Glad at least someone cares for him.

tesuhoha

Well, I just found him sitting outside the back door. He looks like a different cat. Came in purring loudly. Seems like a few days of even bad food have made a difference to him. His fur looks better and a bit more filled out around his face. He tackled the dried food. My husband gave him milk although I told him not to so I tipped it over the dried food to soften it up as I haven't had a chance to go out yet. So desperate measures.

He started eating it purring loudly. He eats a little bit, sits and washes his paws then eats some more. He kept on with this pattern till all the bowl done. Now although my husband is using a hammer drill in the bathroom upstairs he is lying in the kitchen with his paws tucked under him and is dozing with his head up.

I will buy some cat milk as soon as and use dried food as I have bought two big packets of it. If he is still around once I have used it up I will buy some Purina or Iams but it seems that the Whiskas has some quite good nutritional things in it.

He is the most unplayful cat I have ever seen though is curious about things.

Iain_L

tesuhoha wrote: »

Well, I just found him sitting outside the back door. He looks like a different cat. Came in purring loudly. Seems like a few days of even bad food have made a difference to him. His fur looks better and a bit more filled out around his face. He tackled the dried food. My husband gave him milk although I told him not to so I tipped it over the dried food to soften it up as I haven't had a chance to go out yet. So desperate measures.

He started eating it purring loudly. He eats a little bit, sits and washes his paws then eats some more. He kept on with this pattern till all the bowl done. Now although my husband is using a hammer drill in the bathroom upstairs he is lying in the kitchen with his paws tucked under him and is dozing with his head up.

I will buy some cat milk as soon as and use dried food as I have bought two big packets of it. If he is still around once I have used it up I will buy some Purina or Iams but it seems that the Whiskas has some quite good nutritional things in it.

He is the most unplayful cat I have ever seen though is curious about things.

Careful tesuhoha, sounds like he is doing that cat magic and wheedling his way into your heart and head

There is nothing to stop you putting warm water on the dried Whiskas to soften it, this also releases some nice smells for him.

Regarding not being very playful, he may not have ever played before. When I adopted my 11 year old out here in Saudi last year, his previous owner had tears in his eyes when he saw the lad playing, because they had never played with him.

meritaten

I would say rather than waste the dried food try moistening it in a little hot water or gravy - the poor thing may have problems eating. I know you don't want it as a housepet, but could you see your way to treating it as an outdoor pet? I mean by that to provide food and water and vet treatment if necessary? I hope the cat is just neglected, but everything you say COULD be a symptom of FIV. its a shame - he sounds a real nice cat and starved of attention and affection.

minimad1970

I think you're doing a really kind thing looking after this cat, well done

gettingready

You are doing great, lucky little old man

But pls do not give him milk - this can cause a lot of problems for the cat and an upset tummy and you do not want him to be unwell.. and poo runny stuff all over the place, milk will cause this.

Cat milk is fine but they normally drink water when they are thirsty.

Any chance for a photo of the lucky kitty?

tesuhoha

I will try to take a photo though you may have to talk me through uploading it. He is not here now.

missindecisive

listen you are doing a wonderful job, but I understand you have been thrown onto this situation which you don't really want to be in.
You could make a waterproof box in your garden complete with blanket to offer him shelter, give him the food outside next to the box if you don't want him in your house. Believe me, it will still be luxury having somewhere dry to sleep, he's probably been sleeping in all sorts of places up until now.
If you contact the RSPCA they will probably put him to sleep if he has ongoing health problems, unless he is young and particularly friendly, they are to hard to re-home otherwise. If you want to pass him on to an animal charity, try something like the cat's protection or look up similar charities in your area.
If you continue to feed him, he effectively becomes yours, and then you will start to feel responsible for him, including vets costs, if you are happy to pay out for him to have proper care, carry on, and you never know, you might soon become attatched to him. Your neighbour sounds like an absolute !!!!!.

Froglet

Your intentions are admirable but the cat REALLY needs to see a vet for an honest opinion as to whether it is fair to keep trying to get him better with food alone.I could weep at the amount of neglect bestowed on this poor cat but in the long run it either needs proper veterinary treatment and good food and inside warmth,or it needs to be relieved of it's suffering.There are no half measures here, not really.You are doing great feeding him up but he needs a bit more than this.

If the vet gives him medication and states that food and warmth will bring him around then fair enough but i feel he has suffered enough.Keeping him outside any longer,even with shelter is not enough.

meritaten

winter is coming and a healthy cat can survive it with shelter and good food. I would recommend that the vet checks the cat over - if he thinks the cat is basically healthy, just malnourished and uncared for - then there is no reason that if you provide him a shelter, and his food, and some attention and love - he couldn't be a perfect outdoor cat for you!