Starving stray cat

[Twylasmom]

Well, an extremely skinny stray has showed up on my back porch the past two days. Yesterday, it sat there and bathed and today it came back and was so hungry it was eating bird seed. I can’t see a cat starve so I put out some food and the cat devoured it and Is now lounging on my patio furniture. Does not seem scared of humans but that may just be because it appears to be starving. I am going to keep feeding because I won’t let any animal starve and see if I can catch and check for a microchip and some basic medical care (including getting fixed if needed). Will also try and get a picture and post on local cat group.

However I am hesitant about eventually taking it in - Hooper goes BALLISTIC whenever he sees it -yowling, throwing himself at the back door, tail puffed out. It took months for him and Twyla to acclimate and now he is a muscular 17 pound boy who can be aggressive, not a skinny young thing. I don’t know that I want to go through that again.

How do they always know where the cat people live? It is pretty rare to see strays in my neighborhood as our HOA requires cats be kept indoors, though not everyone abides by that (ex: Hooper!).

 

[Furballsmom]

How do they always know where the cat people live?

 

[Margot Lane]

I’ve always wondered that too. Thank you for helping this stray! Let’s hope for a microchip and a human desperately looking for their cat!

 

[DeesCats]

Good for you getting this poor cat some food to fatten it up a bit. It's possible it was a dumped cat or maybe the CDS sent it your way for some help.

I am sorry that Hooper is acting out so badly though, maybe the poor cat is not neutered/spayed and hence the attitude. We have an occasional black cat visit the patio door which sends our indoor cats into a free for all fight with tails puffed out and lots of cat screaming while they beat each other up a bit.

 

[Twylasmom]

Good for you getting this poor cat some food to fatten it up a bit. It's possible it was a dumped cat or maybe the CDS sent it your way for some help.

I am sorry that Hooper is acting out so badly though, maybe the poor cat is not neutered/spayed and hence the attitude. We have an occasional black cat visit the patio door which sends our indoor cats into a free for all fight with tails puffed out and lots of cat screaming while they beat each other up a bit.

Possible. Hooper started life outdoors, too. He is devoted to me but also has a variety of neurotic issues. He is extremely timid about other people and very territorial. I feel that he is best suited to be an only now that Twyla is gone, but we’ll see.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I am not sure cats necessarily gravitate to people who have cats, but rather because people who have cats are more interested in their welfare, by offering them food and paying attention to them.

I hope you can help this cat! In the meantime, call around to shelters/rescues to see what you can found out aside from seeing if this one has a chip. It might not look positive right now, but if you get a hold of the 'right' people, they may give you other leads that you can reach out to in order to give this cat a home temporarily or permanently. Next Door Neighbor is another place to look for cat lovers and resources.

 

[tabbytom]

Well, an extremely skinny stray has showed up on my back porch the past two days. Yesterday, it sat there and bathed and today it came back and was so hungry it was eating bird seed. I can’t see a cat starve so I put out some food and the cat devoured it and Is now lounging on my patio furniture. Does not seem scared of humans but that may just be because it appears to be starving. I am going to keep feeding because I won’t let any animal starve and see if I can catch and check for a microchip and some basic medical care (including getting fixed if needed). Will also try and get a picture and post on local cat group.

However I am hesitant about eventually taking it in - Hooper goes BALLISTIC whenever he sees it -yowling, throwing himself at the back door, tail puffed out. It took months for him and Twyla to acclimate and now he is a muscular 17 pound boy who can be aggressive, not a skinny young thing. I don’t know that I want to go through that again.

How do they always know where the cat people live? It is pretty rare to see strays in my neighborhood as our HOA requires cats be kept indoors, though not everyone abides by that (ex: Hooper!).

Thank you for taking care of this kitty

Wandering cats are usually pretty starved as they don't have enough to eat especially if they are in a hostile neighbourhood.

Cats have great sense of smell. Several months ago, we had a stray outside our door and my boy sensed that the stray was outside and he went berserk and they were fighting behind the closed door. I lived on the 12th floor and I guess the cat may have wandered his way up as I've never seen this cat before and later I found out that he was a stray living in the vicinity.

But cats know who are the good cat people and that's why you have this cat at your door step.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Somehow, cats always know. And your boy's reaction is pretty typical. It may abate over time, as the new cat becomes more familiar. This is kinda the "let them see each other through a baby gate" stage, the "stray version." I know that when the ferals first showed up here, Miss Hek (may she rest in peace) went CRAZY! Her tail bushed out, and she would charge the glass door, hissing like a demented dragon in heat. Several weeks in, and she was just alertly watching. A few months in, and she was actively flirting with the toms.

 

[Twylasmom]

Somehow, cats always know. And your boy's reaction is pretty typical. It may abate over time, as the new cat becomes more familiar. This is kinda the "let them see each other through a baby gate" stage, the "stray version." I know that when the ferals first showed up here, Miss Hek (may she rest in peace) went CRAZY! Her tail bushed out, and she would charge the glass door, hissing like a demented dragon in heat. Several weeks in, and she was just alertly watching. A few months in, and she was actively flirting with the toms.

This is kind of what I’m hoping for. The ideal situation would be the cat is microchipped and has a home, but I need to work on nourishment and trust before trying to catch or trap to get checked, which is tricky with my work hours.

 

[FriendofFerals]

I did this once...just to fatten him up a bit. Then he got injured by another cat and had an abscessed leg. Trapped him (on my patio and then in a carrier) and got him to the vet. Found out he was estimated to be between 12-15 yrs old, ear-tipped, TNR and just have survived two hurricanes outside and who knows what else. Couldn't let him out again after that. Now....5 years later...all teeth removed because he had bleeding stomatitis in his entire mouth...he is the sweetest, most affectionate cat ever. He gets along find with my other two rescue boys but it took a good year. If you're willing to put in the time and patience in case he's a slow progress case, it's worth it.

 

[Twylasmom]

Was on the porch early this morning waiting for breakfast. Reared up to get a pat on the head and could barely wait for me to put the food down. I was able to run my hand along its flank and it is skeletal! I am being cautious to give multiple smaller meals rather than one or two big ones so it doesn’t gorge itself. Then just hanging out on the back patio with Hooper watching from inside.

 

[tabbytom]

Was on the porch early this morning waiting for breakfast. Reared up to get a pat on the head and could barely wait for me to put the food down. I was able to run my hand along its flank and it is skeletal! I am being cautious to give multiple smaller meals rather than one or two big ones so it doesn’t gorge itself. Then just hanging out on the back patio with Hooper watching from inside.

You can fatten him up (although it'll take some time) and give him more proteins by feeding him wet food for kittens. This will help replenish the nutrients he's lacking.

 

[Twylasmom]

You can fatten him up (although it'll take some time) and give him more proteins by feeding him wet food for kittens. This will help replenish the nutrients he's lacking.

That’s a great idea, thanks!

 

[tabbytom]

That’s a great idea, thanks!

You’re welcomed!
You can also add KMR kitten milk replacer to his food for added nutrient or if he drinks water, you can dilute the formula for him to drink. You see which is a better way not only for you but for him too. Not sure if he likes the taste of the KMR kitten milk replacer.

 

[Twylasmom]

Stray update: 90% sure it’s an unneutered boy as I detect fluffy danger nuggets. I had a half day at work so picked up some kitten food, which he scarfed down. He is super friendly and tried to come into the house. Aside from him being undernourished he seems in good health. Provided he is around, we have a vet appointment tomorrow to check for a chip. If no chip we will do a checkup, shots, dewormer, etc and he will move into my spare room until he’s fixed and introductions can begin. His name will be Ollie.

Hooper is doing a little better and spends a lot of time just sitting and observing.

 

[Margot Lane]

Yaaaay! I was wondering if he’d get a name! Can’t wait to see photos!

 

[Twylasmom]

Ollie update! He is SUCH a good boy! Got him in the carrier with ease, quiet as a mouse in the car ride to the vet and behaved better at the vet than Hooper or Twyla. As expected, no microchip. Aside from his malnourished body condition he is in surprisingly good shape - combo test negative, fecal clear for parasites, though he did have ear mite eggs (though no active mites) and one small scabby spot where he had been scratching. Also has a slight old malocclusion of his jaw though nothing that causes a problem. He weighed more than I thought (8 pounds) but is tall and long so definitely underweight. The biggest surprise is he is a young adult between 18 months to 2 years. Goes back in three weeks for second round of mite treatment and to get the big snip. He got his vaccinations today. They told me to feed him as much as he wants for the time being.

He is now ensconced in his own room and has checked out the beds, the tunnel and the litter box (he did try to eat the litter, but it’s grass seed not clay, so I think he thought it might be food). I am planning to get a slow feeder and a lickimat since he gobbles his food like no cat I have ever seen. Giving him a few hours to settle in and then I’ll check on him again.

Pictures once he gets settled in. I am not planning to do introductions with Hooper until after he is neutered, for obvious reasons. I am a little concerned that spraying might be an issue given his age. Hoping he will take to the litter box easily.

To my knowledge, Hooper has not been upstairs since we lost Twyla (that was her domain) so we will see how long it takes before he realizes we have a new roommate. I anticipate challenging introductions, as Hooper doesn’t like anyone or anything new, so expect an introductions thread in a few weeks.

 

[tabbytom]

Ollie update! He is SUCH a good boy! Got him in the carrier with ease, quiet as a mouse in the car ride to the vet and behaved better at the vet than Hooper or Twyla. As expected, no microchip. Aside from his malnourished body condition he is in surprisingly good shape - combo test negative, fecal clear for parasites, though he did have ear mite eggs (though no active mites) and one small scabby spot where he had been scratching. Also has a slight old malocclusion of his jaw though nothing that causes a problem. He weighed more than I thought (8 pounds) but is tall and long so definitely underweight. The biggest surprise is he is a young adult between 18 months to 2 years. Goes back in three weeks for second round of mite treatment and to get the big snip. He got his vaccinations today. They told me to feed him as much as he wants for the time being.

He is now ensconced in his own room and has checked out the beds, the tunnel and the litter box (he did try to eat the litter, but it’s grass seed not clay, so I think he thought it might be food). I am planning to get a slow feeder and a lickimat since he gobbles his food like no cat I have ever seen. Giving him a few hours to settle in and then I’ll check on him again.

Pictures once he gets settled in. I am not planning to do introductions with Hooper until after he is neutered, for obvious reasons. I am a little concerned that spraying might be an issue given his age. Hoping he will take to the litter box easily.

To my knowledge, Hooper has not been upstairs since we lost Twyla (that was her domain) so we will see how long it takes before he realizes we have a new roommate. I anticipate challenging introductions, as Hooper doesn’t like anyone or anything new, so expect an introductions thread in a few weeks.

Good job!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I detect fluffy danger nuggets.

"fluffy danger nuggets" has entered my lexicon forever now! THANK YOU for that!

GREAT NEWS! Ollie has a name and a home. And from everything you have said, this poor boy had a home, and was dumped, for whatever sad, stupid reason. Now, he is Somebody's Cat again. And my heart is so very full!

 

[Kwik]

Twylasmom

CONGRATULATIONS to you and Ollie on finding each other and many Blessings to you Hooper & Ollie for a long,healthy ,happy life together

Ollie and Hooper will be fine( in time) you know the process,you've got the experience- it's just meant to be ... Imo that's why Ollie boy showed up

My Vet teased me ,saying " Have you seen the sign posted on Federal Hwy?I said " what sign?" He said' well it's for cats". "CATS" !? I replied...

Yes,he said- it's a huge sign with an arrow that says " Attention ALL strays n ferals -This way to Kwiks house"

I do agree with , FeebysOwner that I believe homeless cats are pretty much invisible to most humans except for cat people who are concerned for their welfare- we are very much like cats and are attracted to movement - hahaha!Who else would go over to a wiggling bush to see what's in it or who would go outside to investigate because ' I thought I heard a meow "

Very happy to hear this wonderful news- God Bless you