Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2015 17:58:29 GMT
Our next door neighbor's boyfriend has an outdoor cat. My dd's LOVE this cat. He is sweet, affectionate, and seems to spend most of his time in our yard. I'm not sure how much the boyfriend actually takes care of this cat. On several occasions, the cat has come running to us, not looking for attention but meowing and acting hungry. He seems healthy, maybe a bit skinny, but I've seen him hunt. We've given him milk and some ham a couple of times and he always eats heartily.
So we didn't see the cat at all for 3 days, which is unusual. Usually he comes running as soon as we go outside. So I was starting to get worried that something had happened to him (or maybe just that the boyfriend had moved out and taken his cat). Thankfully, the kitty showed up this morning, lovey as always but very hungry. We gave him some milk, and I noticed that he is limping slightly. I gently felt of his back leg and paw, and he meowed at me when I touched a certain spot on his foot. He will bear weight on it, and I don't see any obvious wounds.
Do I mention to the neighbor that the cat seems to be injured? Or is a slight limp even worthy of a vet visit? Should I wait a few days to see if the cat gets better before saying anything?
It's been 20 years since I've owned a cat. I don't remember anything about vet visits as I was just a kid.
(I'm thinking we may end up with a cat. I actually bought a bag of cat food and some kitty treats at Target this morning. LOL)
Lana
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georgiapea
Drama Llama
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Post by georgiapea on Aug 25, 2015 18:04:17 GMT
I'm happy to hear you bought the dry cat food for him. I'd feed him regularly. I did that with a cat that showed up at my house regularly, and now I have one of his offspring. If he lets you pick him up you might be able to see if the foot is injured. Perhaps the guy stepped on his foot.
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
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Post by freebird on Aug 25, 2015 18:06:15 GMT
sounds like he's your cat if you're taking care of him. Anyway, that's usually how the judge will define it. lol.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2015 18:25:38 GMT
If he's eating birds, mice or other rodents he will need worming, that could be one of the reasons he's skinny and begging for extra food from you. Also give him water not milk when he has the dry food and limit the amount of treats he gets. Thank you for taking care of him and I'd love to see some pictures  |
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Post by Zee on Aug 25, 2015 18:30:46 GMT
I would knock on their door and tell them their cat is limping and that he's thin and assists to be always hungry, like maybe he has worms. See what they say. Then keep an eye on him. I personally don't feed cats that aren't mine, because I don't want them hanging around getting my own cats worked up, but I think it's great that you do that.
Be prepared to either find yourself paying vet bills, or having a showdown with the neighbor, if kitty gets worse.
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Post by gailoh on Aug 25, 2015 19:18:18 GMT
Glad he has you and I would ask the neighbor if you could have him and make him an indoor kitty...and a trip to the vet to get shots and neutered..
Also please do not give cows milk to cats...it is not good for them,,,hugs to you for caring
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2015 20:46:36 GMT
I didn't know cow's milk wasn't good for cats! I will not give him any more for sure.
I'm keeping an eye out for the neighbor to let him know we think the cat's hurt.
By the way, the cat's name is Dee Ohgee (not sure how it's spelled, but I'm sure y'all will get the joke!)
Lana
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Post by gailoh on Aug 25, 2015 21:04:27 GMT
Lana if you give a milk product there is a product for kitties but you can get it at a pet place or ...darn can not think of the place ...it is a name that was Farm and Fleet but I can not remember the name it is now...TSC ...I think...Tracker Supply Company...believe they took over Farm and Fleet...
So glad you care...hugs
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Post by gailoh on Aug 26, 2015 23:09:06 GMT
Update please...
Did you get the kitty some help? Any luck with the neighbor?
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Post by baslp on Aug 28, 2015 11:41:12 GMT
Thank you for looking out for this cat!
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Deleted
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May 1, 2024 23:32:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2015 11:47:09 GMT
Yes, I finally did talk to the neighbor. I went over and knocked a few times but couldn't ever get any answer. But finally I caught her as she was taking out the trash.
She immediately looked over the cat, and go figure, he's not limping anymore! Last night he came running to meet me when I got home, so I think whatever happened to his paw has healed. I'm keeping a close eye on him just in case he starts limping again, but for now I think all is well!
Guess he'll stay just our part-time cat!
Lana
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Post by anonrefugee on Aug 28, 2015 12:06:50 GMT
I'm glad he's not limping! Now I can ask a question for my education I was raised that you don't feed someone else's pet, even a friendly cat that comes to your door. If you know the owner you ask first, so you don't disrupt its diet and prevent it from eating at home. Or give it something its allergic to, like you would a child. (This is assuming they're not abused.) Is this no longer necessary? There is a lean pretty cat that visits my yard. Are cats supposed to be thicker? (Not talking about strays here- talking pets with known homes) |
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scrapaddie
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Post by scrapaddie on Aug 28, 2015 13:23:22 GMT
Lana if you give a milk product there is a product for kitties but you can get it at a pet place or ...darn can not think of the place ...it is a name that was Farm and Fleet but I can not remember the name it is now...TSC ...I think...Tracker Supply Company...believe they took over Farm and Fleet... So glad you care...hugs You may be thinking of tabilac. But a grown cat does not need milk. They lose the enzyme to digest lactose and milk can cause diarrhea. Basically they become lactose intolerant. Water and dry food are fine |
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Post by miss_lizzie on Aug 28, 2015 13:29:13 GMT
Lana if you give a milk product there is a product for kitties but you can get it at a pet place or ...darn can not think of the place ...it is a name that was Farm and Fleet but I can not remember the name it is now...TSC ...I think...Tracker Supply Company...believe they took over Farm and Fleet... So glad you care...hugs We give our cat--who is crazy for milk--Catsip, which is made for cats. |
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Aug 28, 2015 14:33:05 GMT
I'm glad he's not limping! Now I can ask a question for my education I was raised that you don't feed someone else's pet, even a friendly cat that comes to your door. If you know the owner you ask first, so you don't disrupt its diet and prevent it from eating at home. Or give it something its allergic to, like you would a child. (This is assuming they're not abused.) Is this no longer necessary? There is a lean pretty cat that visits my yard. Are cats supposed to be thicker? (Not talking about strays here- talking pets with known homes) On the thicker vs. thinner, their fur type makes a huge difference in how a cat appears. I have two little guys who are within an ounce or two of each other in weight. The furry one looks like a little butterball and the one with shorter, sleek hair looks very skinny. |
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Post by MichyM on Aug 28, 2015 15:36:18 GMT
An easy way to tell if a cat is too thin is if it's ribs are protruding. If the fur is too thick to tell, just feel the rib cage. If there is a layer of fat over it (doesn't have to be a thick layer) the cat is not underweight. If the layer is thick and you can barely make out the ribs, the cat is overweight.
We have become so accustomed to seeing heavy cats that many don't realize that they're supposed to be leaner than they typically are.
I personally would not feed a neighbor's cat. I volunteer at the animal shelter and see so many cats who have dietary restrictions, I wouldn't want to mess with that. If you truly feel that the cat is not a healthy weight, contact your local animal control officers. They will stop by for a well pet visit.
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