Feral/stray Cat Eats Alot Of Food At Once??

I feed a feral or stray cat and when it comes to eat , it eats alot. I feed it and then it waits here for more and more food. I don't think that is healthy for it to eat so much food at once... Do you think it's possible it has worms or parasites and that is the reason? At first I thought it might be pregnant but I don't think it's stomach has gotten bigger. I just think it's unusual , I have a cat and it does not eat that much at once or any cats I had before. I know eating large amounts of food at once can cause diabetes in cats but I feel bad because it is still waiting here for more. Should I just not give it more? Also it appears to be a healthy weight ...not too skinny or overweight.

You may be it's only source of food, and so therefore, it wants to eat all you can feed it. I wouldn't stop; besides having it hang around longer to eat gives you more time to spend with it in order to try to gain its trust.

You can also ask your vet about a de-wormer that you could feed to it in its food, just as a precaution.

What are your plans for this cat?

Hey! It could be several things with this kitty. Since it is feral it may eat a lot because the food is there and it doesn’t know when it’s next meal may come. Ferals can’t always get food and tend to eat a lot of it’s there. Poor kitties! It can be parasites making it need more. Tapeworms and others do drain the kitties. It could also be pregnant. Sometimes it’s hard to tell. Especially if the cat only has two or three babies. Ferals can stay pretty slim even when pregnant for many reasons as well. Is there any chance you can get the kitty? Spay and neuter will lengthen the Ferals life span by a great deal. A vet check could catch all kinds of things like parasites too. I have tamed/socialized many Ferals of all ages and they are wonderful and loving kitties. I think it’s awesome that you are feeding this kitty. You said it’s eating a lot but you didn’t say exactly how much. A can at a feeding? A plate of dry food? A little more detail would help. If you see it is female I would tend to think it is pregnant and may be in serious need of good nutrition. I fed the Ferals a 5.5 ounce can along with a 3ounce can and some dry food at each feeding and they ate almost all of it. I also thought it was a lot but living outside does mean they burn more calories than a housecat. Once I brought these kitties in their appetite lessened a great deal.
Thank you for helping that kitty! Please keep writing. Everyone here will want to know how things are for that kitty. We’d love to hear about your other kitty too!

Thanks! That is very helpful...this is my first time feeding a feral cat so I guess I'm not used to it's large appetite. I'm pretty positive it's feral not stray but I am not completely sure because it's not that scared of me. It won't come up to me close enough to touch it but it's got way closer than before . And it will eat near me. After it eats it usually hangs out here and since its been getting warmer out, I'v been able to open the kitchen window. My cat likes to sit on the window sill and they just stare at each other for an hour or so. I feed it about a large can and
some dry food also.

This cat is likely not a feral but a stray - possibly an abandoned cat. They will be skittish, but will be more inclined to allow you to be somewhat close by, especially when they are eating. Most true ferals hide and wait to get food when no one is near. There could be an exception to this if they are sick.

Are you thinking of keeping it? If no, what resources do you have available near you? No-kill cat shelters, rescue centers, vets you could consult with about rescue organizations they know of, neighborhood web sites? You need to start looking around for some people/groups who might be willing to help you trap and care for this cat.

If it will eat near you then that is a very positive thing. Sometimes when cats are dumped or lost and are living outside they become semi feral. It may have been loved by someone at one time in it’s life. I’m so glad you found it and are keeping it alive! You’re a kitty hero!

Wow I can't believe someone would abandon her. She seems so sweet. I could never do that to my pets. I really wish I could take her in at least when winter comes but my living situation won't allow it. All I can do is provide it food.

Providing it food is a great help! Sadly, people do abandon kitties and don’t worry about whether they survive or not. There are Rescue groups in nearly every corner of the country now. It’s become an epidemic of kitties needing help so many people are working at rescuing. Next Winter she might not do as well. If you could get a group or individual to help her, she will live a longer and much better life. You can do a Google search of cat rescue or feral rescues in your county, city and state to try to find help for her if you can’t take her in. If you can get her used to people again you might be able to find someone you know or meet to take her. I started doing that with cats over a year ago. I had kitties already but seeing the ones outside struggling to survive got to me. At first I had no idea how to get kitties like that and get them adopted. I’ve learned. I no longer have any lost kitties outside my home. It is possible to accomplish if that helps any. The people on this site will offer you tips and advice if you want to try and find her a safe place. Spay and Neuter is important so that she doesn’t have babies there. There are programs that help with that too. We’re all cat lovers here. We support what you are already doing for her!

If your area has a Next Door Neighbor web site, post a notice about her on there too. I did that with two strays my neighbor found, and received a private notice from a neighbor who works with a local rescue center. (She didn't want to advertise herself, as she already has had people randomly drop off kittens at her door - 4 just about a week or so ago!). I was surprised to find about 3-4 people in my area alone who work with local shelters/centers.

This lady worked with my neighbor and me, and once we were able to catch the two cats - she arranged for their care. This occurred about a month ago, and one of the cats has been adopted after the rescue center paid for her spaying/testing/vaxes. The other unfortunately was pregnant but is now being taken care of along with her babies.

You can also do the reverse and call any local rescue centers you have and ask about how to get care for the cat. You can also reach out to local PetSmart's to see if they are involved in a local rescue project. That is where the cat noted above was adopted from. They provide financial support to the local rescue center to help care for the cats before adoption.

Have you tried putting a litter box out side so you can watch her poo? They are more likely to go in the morning so stick around after you feed him/her

i would think an outdoor cat would be more active and therefore need more calories...

So my stray kitty hasn't showed up for feeding in 2 days now and i am so worried! She would usually come every morning, around lunch and evening and sometimes even later too. There has never been a time where she just hasn't come at all. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that's been feeding her because she comes so often and always eats alot of food at once . Like I said before , I suspected she could have been pregnant but not really sure because stomach was not that big . So I don't know if something horrible happened to her ... Or if she gave birth and doesn't want to leave her kittens? But if that's the case I feel horrible that she is starving! If someone else is feeding her nearby I would feel better but I don't think that's the case.. I was just starting to get her more comfortable with me and getting her at a closer distance. I am worried and guess just venting..

Being pregnant would have made her eat a whole lot more, so easily she could be/have been eating at someone else's place as well.

It is a good possibility that she gave birth and is hiding out with her babies. And, yes it is also possible that some harm has come to her. But, go with the former and take action! If you have neighbors to check with, go door to door and see if anyone has seen her. Check your property for hiding places, and ask the neighbors if you can check theirs as well.

If she likes treats from a bag or can, take them with you and shake them while calling to her. However, you kind of have to hang around in each area for a while in case it takes her time to get to you.

Go get looking and see if you can round up some neighbors to help you!!