How To Keep Other Animals From Eating Cat Food Outside?

I posted a question the other day asking about the sex of a cat. Long story short, we have decided to keep the stray kitty that found us. I took him to the vet yesterday and other than some worms, he is the picture of health. I got him his rabies shot, he was dewormed, and he will be neutered on Monday.

For the time being, he will be an outside only kitty. I plan on keeping him in the garage for a couple days after his neuter, but we’re getting him a set up today with a heated kitty house for the porch. My question is, how do I keep other animals from eating his cat food? I’m not concerned about raccoons and other wildlife as much as I am about the neighborhood dogs who run loose around here. I the area where I live, it’s apparently common for people to just let their dogs run free. I caught two neighborboood dogs eating his food last night. I shooed them away, but they’ll be back. Is there anything I can do—maybe an additive that won’t hurt the cat, but makes the food unappetizing for other animals? A special bowl that only the cat can fit his head into?! I’ve never had an outside only cat, so this is all new to me. TIA!

Hi. The first thing that came to my mind would be an automatic feeder bowl. The bowl would only open for your cat because it is controlled by a chip that is imbedded in a collar/harness that the cat must wear.

Another option might be to place the bowl into a housing unit/box/etc. where the opening is too small for a dog to get through. Of course, that will only work with dogs that are larger than your cat.

Or, is there a place high-up off the ground that your cat could get too, but the dogs cannot?

Place food up high somewhere. Kitties jump and are quick learners.

Please don't make your cat an outside cat. 1) He will get fleas, 2) the fleas will give him tapeworms, 3) other parasites , ticks, etc. 4) another animal may attack him (other cats, dogs, raccoons) and severally injure or kill him, 5) he may get run over by a car 6) he may be shot or poisoned by a malicious neighbor.

The only good thing that can happen to an outdoor cat is to be made a full time indoor cat.

To keep other animals away, you need to feed only in the morning and evening and then pick up all traces of food. Otherwise all kinds of critters will find their way to the food. I had a separate feeding area for my feral cats. Once they ate, it was all cleaned up. During cold winters I did leave dry food out during the day, but never at night.

Since he is a stray and not a feral can you please reconsider bringing him inside? It really is safest and best for him.