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AIBU?

Is this cruel and can I feed him?

111 replies

Chipscheesentomatosauce · 16/11/2016 07:16

I heard the guy from the flat next door go out about 12.30 this morning. Shortly after i heard his cat crying to be let in, then it stopped. Just as I was dozing back off, i could hear a weird intermittent banging noise in the close. It woke me as I dozed off a couple of times and I looked though the peephole, couldn't see anything. 6.15 the crying and banging woke me again. It's his poor cat jumping at the door handle. The guys gone out and left it locked out all night.

When I heard him go out earlier, he didn't sound to be in a rush and was chatting quite normally to whoever he was with, so i'm assuming he's not gone out in some emergency. Obviously I could be wrong and hopefully this will be a one off.

I know cats are quite self sufficient, but he's only started letting this poor cat out in the last couple of months. Isn't this cruel, to go out and leave him locked out all night? Should I leave him a bowl of milk? Can they have semi skimmed? The noise has been doing my head and ruined my sleep, but mostly I feel so bloody sorry for it! I've not had a cat since I was little, but he seems quite distressed to me.

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mumonashoestring · 16/11/2016 07:20

No milk, any cow's milk will upset the cat's stomach. If it carries on, have a word - otherwise it's possible he did have to get to work/be somewhere at a specific time and the cat was already out and not there to be let back in.

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LoonyLunaLovegood · 16/11/2016 07:21

Definitely don't give the cat cow milk as they can't digest it, if you want you can buy cat milk or maybe put a bowl of water down with some chicken? (If you eat chicken that is). Sounds a bit mean to put the cat out all night especially as it's cold, but then again my cats were spoiled...

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HermioneJeanGranger · 16/11/2016 07:22

Please don't give him milk. Water and plain cooked chicken if you must feed it.

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ohfourfoxache · 16/11/2016 07:24

I know it's wrong, but I'd be taking it in and making it it's own bed beside the radiator

You could put some water and food out (any meat in the fridge?)

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Chipscheesentomatosauce · 16/11/2016 07:25

I don't have any chicken 😩 He's really going at the door now. My DS is going to be upset when I wake him and he sees him.

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Chipscheesentomatosauce · 16/11/2016 07:26

I would take it in, but I need to go to work in an hour and I don't want him peeing in here.

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Mistykit · 16/11/2016 07:26

What fox said.

No milk unless you want to be cleaning cat diarrhoea from your communal hallway

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Laiste · 16/11/2016 07:27

Loads of people put their cat out for the night. If the cat has proper access to food when it is indoors then it wont starve for being out for 7/8 hours. It's probably more likely to want to get in for the warmth or a drink.

If i were you i'd put a bowl of water down now (not milk as has been said) and next time you see the man maybe mention that his cat jumps up at his door to get in when he leaves it out like that. I wouldn't give it anything to eat in case it's on a special diet.

Just to add - i don't put my cats out at night. It's not a good idea.

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Mistykit · 16/11/2016 07:29

Cats are pretty good at holding their wee, but not nice to do so all day. Definitely leave some water out for it. It will survive a day without food. I would buy a litter tray and some cat food on the way home from work if I were you.

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JustSpeakSense · 16/11/2016 07:30

Can you fold up an old towel for him to sleep on and put some food and water out, and a note through the door saying: 'hi, I hope you don't mind your cat was crying all last night so I left some food and a towel to try to settle it'

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user1477282676 · 16/11/2016 07:31

Got any tuna? Put a bowl of water out for him...and tinned meat or tuna if you have it. Sardines will be popular too.

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Babieseverywhere · 16/11/2016 07:31

Plain water. Tin of tuna would go down well. Or sliced meat at a push but I am not sure on the salt content for a cat.

All our cats stay in at night. Hope it is a one off for your neighbours cat.

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WellErrr · 16/11/2016 07:32

There's nothing wrong with cats staying put all night.

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stonecircle · 16/11/2016 07:32

So it's in a communal hall and can't get into the flat or outside?

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WellErrr · 16/11/2016 07:32

Staying *out

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Laiste · 16/11/2016 07:33

Hmmm, sardines and tuna make one of mine throw up. The cat has been out since 12.30 last night. That 7 hours. I don't think it's at the point where it needs a neighbor feeding it.

(remembers lots of cat/neighbor threads)

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Toffeelatteplease · 16/11/2016 07:36

I have a neighbour who "kindly" feeds my poor starving cat.

I think they feed him chicken.

At the start he just led to the cat not eating at home (which caused my kids a lot of distress) but then it changed and the cat would come home to be sick at my house.... Every single fucking time.

Thankfully the cat tends to avoid them now.

If you are concerned for the welfare of the animal call the RSPCA. But please don't ever feed a cat that isn't yours.

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maddiemookins16mum · 16/11/2016 07:36

Water and an old towel for him to lie on, that's all I'do (and speak to neighbour). No food.

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budgiegirl · 16/11/2016 07:41

Don't feed a cat that isn't yours. Maybe put some water out if you think it needs it, but nothing more, and definitely don't bring it in to yours.
It's not your cat, and plenty of cats get left out all night.
Maybe mention to the owner that it was crying to get in though.

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ratspeaker · 16/11/2016 07:45

In spite of what has been said here I don't know a single responsible cat owner who would knowingly leave their cat out overnight without access to food, water or shelter. So yes it's cruel.
I'd have a word when you can especially as it's been disturbing you. Could be the poor wee thing sneaked out and isn't meant to be there.
Don't give the cat milk, it can really upset them. Our cat also gets the runs or does smelly farts if he's been fed fish.
Put some water out and an old towel for it to curl up on.

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KingLooieCatz · 16/11/2016 07:48

Another one saying please don't feed it. Ours will get D&V from milk and any more than a scrap of tuna. If we don't shut her in the kitchen at night she cries for food through the night when there is plenty of food, water, a choice of cosy beds and a litter tray all readily available. Cats are contrary at the best of times. If the cat's waking you I'd ask the neighbor to keep it in or get a cat flap.

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Catsize · 16/11/2016 07:51

Our cats are pretty self-sufficient and the local mouse/shrew population knows it, sadly. I doubt the cat was hungry. One of ours disappears for days at a time and comes back the same size, It is a bit sad for the cat - mention it to him by all means.

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Laiste · 16/11/2016 08:00

If we don't shut her in the kitchen at night she cries for food through the night when there is plenty of food, water, a choice of cosy beds and a litter tray all readily available.

this! God one of ours will have you believe he's being tortured the way he kicks off if you forget to put 'his' dry food down (we by 2 brands of dry and 1 brand of wet). Yowling and tearing at the cupboard doors and jumping at handles. He's been known to refuse to eat for a whole day rather than have one bite of his sister's food Hmm

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Chipscheesentomatosauce · 16/11/2016 08:08

When I came out the shower I heard a door opening and closing (downstairs, not next door, I don't think) and I haven't heard him since, so someone's maybe taken him in, or he's gone back out. Had a box ready and towel heating on the radiator, so might just out that and aome water out anyway.

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Bakedappleflavour · 16/11/2016 08:10

well

There's plenty wrong with it actually, particularly if you live in London where a sicko is currently going round killing cats in particularly gruesome ways.

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