AIBU to feed my neighbours cat?

[hollie84]

There's a small cat/kitten that has been hanging around my house recently, trying to come in and make itself at home. It must belong to someone nearby but I have no idea who.

I've noticed recently that it is very skinny, sticky out ribs and a sort of sunken stomach - you can see it breathing quite clearly through it's stomach iyswim.

Would I be wrong to "encourage" it by putting out some food and water?

How old is the cat?

I've seen some horribly skinny elderly cats- including my own. All were loved and fed properly at home.

You know this cat has a home if someone is replacing the collar. If you are concerned about it's health take it to the local vet who will scan it and if they have concerns about the condition take them up with the owner. You have no idea whether the cat is already being treated, or is on a prescription diet. If you feed a cat, then in the eyes of the RSPCA you take on responsibility for it's welfare and potentially you could be prosecuted for failing to procure vet treatment and causing suffering to it. You should not be charged anything by the vet if you take in a stray cat, but you'll then have to let them decide how to deal with it. CPL and RSPCA advice is that healthy strays are re released where they are found, we usually paper collar them asking the owner to get in touch.
We've had no end of problems with neighbours feeding our cat who has effectively left home, despite him being collared, microchipped and wearing a tally saying "please don't feed me" He's had extremely sporadic flea and worm treatment and missed a vaccination because he's simply not around. Now he's ill and surprise surprise he becomes my problem again because they don't want the responsibility.
If you are concerned about the cat take it to a vet and they will deal with it through the proper channels. If you want a cat, get your own, CPL etc have loads needing nice homes.

Hatespider's comment that her well fed cats wouldn't be interested in snacks reminded me of two cats I've known

The first was a real Bagpuss-type. Large, lovely, professional scrounger. His career ended the day he appeared wearing a homemade paper Collar of Shame - on it was written' Hunger Marcher! Will walk anywhere for extra grub. Please do not feed'! Having this cat plonk himself in front of me, giving that"poor starving me, please help" type stare, oblivious to what was written on his collar was one of the funniest things I've seen.

The second was a Siamese a friend had. She'd just moved from a flat to her first house, so the cat had its first taste of the potentials of free grazing. The house was at the top of a cul-de-sac and she was getting to know her neighbours. The first day cat was let out was a fine Sunday. Much banging of the cat flap as the cat appeared, in a state of high excitement, hauling behind her a leg of lamb. Perfectly roasted and obviously left to rest on a kitchen surface. Of a kitchen with an open window, obviously. Friend never heard who had lost their Sunday lunch. I asked her if she ate it. All she would say was "waste not, want not"

AlpacaCat has responded very well to medication and a special diet but a month ago anyone seeing her out and about would have wanted to call the RSPCA! If she eats any fish she is likely to go back to the same sorry state she got into over the summer.

Good luck finding the owners.

YABU.

If our cat is fed elsewhere she gets the runs. Not being nice and kind after all, she only uses the litter tray so how would anyone else feeding know the problems it causes. In fact it also dehydrates her so she looks more skinny. Most cats in our neighborhood are obese so she looks worse off despite being very loved but a healthy weight.
Please buy your own cat form one of the shelters which is probably full, rather than taking comfort for the nice side of pet companionship where someone else is paying the bills but being short changed by your behaviour.

I'd feed it.

Cats starve because people don't think they ought to get involved.

Saucy - it's a young cat I think. When it first turned up I thought it was a kitten but it hasn't really got much bigger. In fact it's small enough for my friend's 2 year old to pick it up quite easily.

I would speak to the local cats protection league for advice, they could maybe pop over and have a look at the cat.

It could be a much loved cat with a specific health problem that makes it look very thin

Or it could be neglected and not being fed enough.

I would get a professional cat person to have a look.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_litter_tray/2138803-If-in-doubt-feed?watched=1

Id feed it too....how on earth can you not ? Tis heartless I think really.Cats are not daft and as someone already said ,if it is being adequately fed at home it is not going to be looking for more food elsewhere. I don't buy the 'cats are greedy buggers theory either'.I know my two will not eat simply for the sake of it.

What chum and stinkle suggested. Definitely. Hopefully you'll quickly and easily find out if (a) you may/should not feed the cat, (b) you may/should not play with or encourage the cat too much to hang out at yours, or (c) they would like you to just take the cat over because they shouldn't really have let their DC talk them into getting one when dw is allergic and dh doesn't really care much.

My very well fed cat used to go begging off all and sundry. He was skinnyish because he was forever out climbing trees or begging. As he has got older and we lost our other cat he has become inactive and fat.
Different breeds of cat have different body types. As it seems to have a type of dwartism by your post OP I would be very wary of feeding it.

My skinny, friendly and well fed cat has gone missing. I'm really hoping that he has been taken in by a well-meaning person rather than being taken for bait in a dog fight.

It is breaking our hearts though.