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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.

OP posts:

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Clandestino · 18/11/2016 14:59

And your cats sound gorgeous.

Won't tell them that. They have enough notions as it is. Rulers of the world and such.

Jaxhog · 18/11/2016 14:21

Don't feed it yourself, unless you want a pet cat! Cats are mainly loyal to who feeds them (unless they get spoiled rotten with play, attention and cuddles etc.)

Either let your neighbour know about your concerns. Then, if you don't get a satisfactory response, call the local RSPCA.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 18/11/2016 14:12

I'm so glad that you liked it! And your cats sound gorgeous. All the best to the older one - hope he gets better soon (and at least he only has to have one dose of antibiotics, not six).

Clandestino · 18/11/2016 13:18

Spartacus, thank you, the story was so funny!
I asked my younger cat which houses she lives in but she only wriggled her butt so it better fits my neck and kept snoring.
The older cat now doesn't talk to me and ignores me because he is fed up with the antibiotic drops he is getting. His eye is looking much better though so I am ready to be given cold shoulder for a few more days instead of having to explain to him why he needs to have a surgery.

SoupDragon · 18/11/2016 06:58

Why put out kibble when there is no indication that the cat is not fed at home? It's a pet a few meters from its own front door, not a scrawny stray.

HeyOverHere · 18/11/2016 05:26

Put out water, and maybe a bit of kibble, though be aware that that kibble might bring all the neighborhood cats.

If you feel like the cat's schedule and your neighbor's schedule aren't meshing, talk to him congenially about it. He may not realize how miserable his poor cat is after he's gone to work.

previously1474907171 · 18/11/2016 00:43

I have skimmed the thread, apologies if I repeat something. I re-joined MN because of a cat related thread.

Regarding leaving cats out at night and keeping them as house cats, it is no longer recommended to leave them out at night for various reasons, one being the M25 Cat Killer, previously known as the Croydon Cat Killer. SNARL, RSPCA and the Police are trying to catch the bastard. www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-37978772

I keep mine as indoor only, as do a lot of other people, including those that have already lost a cat to the road, either by accident or by seeing it deliberately run over as seems to be a new form of amusement to certain people these days.

The killings are not only restricted to the Greater London area, that is just the highest risk area, they have been reported in many areas of the country. Google will tell you more. If you have a cat, please keep him or her inside at night, at least.

Don't forget deaths caused by anti-freeze at this time of year also.

Chipscheesentomatosauce · 18/11/2016 00:13

Aaaaand... now he's back out. FFS.

OP posts:

Chipscheesentomatosauce · 18/11/2016 00:03

And now he's back in

OP posts:

Chipscheesentomatosauce · 17/11/2016 23:44

So, the cat's alive. I know this because I heard him open his door and let it out. Now it's sitting at the bottom of the close meowing and the close door is shut, so he can't even go anywhere!

OP posts:

RubbishMantra · 17/11/2016 22:47

Lock the cat flap after her evening meal?

Is she neutered?

jaffacakesaremyfave · 17/11/2016 22:27

Rubbish, how is it the OP's business to ask whether the owners cat has been microchipped and neutered? It's not her cat or her business whether the owner decides to do that or not. Yes it's the responsible thing to do as a cat owner but I would be seriously pissed off if one of my neighbours knocked on my door to ask me that.

Seriously some people have nothing better to do than harass complete strangers about whether their cat is capable of reproducing!!

Love your own cat and leave other people's pets and their owners alone

EveOnline2016 · 17/11/2016 22:24

I now worried about my cat, but I could call her all night tempt her in with her favourite treats and even put down cat milk and she just will not come in, as soon as I open the door in the morning in she comes and starts demanding food swear she thinks it's a hotel

How can I keep her in.

RubbishMantra · 17/11/2016 22:00

OP, you may want to request your thread be moved to "the litter tray" section. You'll probably receive more balanced and helpful answers there. Just report your post, requesting the above.

RubbishMantra · 17/11/2016 21:50

I think it's pretty grim that your neighbour locks his cat out at night. A good idea to leave some water and a litter tray and a bowl of dry cat food out until your neighbour gets his act together. Cats are very clean, and cat may have been desperate to get into his core territory to do his business.

My boys have a cat-flap, but it gets locked (with cats safely inside) from dusk til dawn.

I think you have the right idea chips, speak to the neighbour. It's not good for cats to be trapped in a communal hallway, or stuck outside, especially this time of year - fireworks, heavy drinking etc. Urban foxes can also be a threat to a young cat. Do you know if neighbour has neutered/microchipped his cat. You could enquire about this when you have a chat with him.

Cheval, most cats are lactose intolerant. This happens after weaning.

Thingamajiggy · 17/11/2016 21:30

No it's DEFINITELY cruel to leave a domesticated house cat out all night - even wild/ferral cats suffer in cold weather although they don't have any other option. Don't give it milk, give it cat food or tuna or something.

As a general rule I would not feed someone else's cat but if it's not being looked after, I definitely would. Personally I'd let it in to my house too if it is distressed at being locked out. I cannot believe how bloody callous some of the responses are here!

Animals we have raised as pets depend on humans totally for food, warmth and shelter. We are responsible for providing these things for them so yes, you should definitely keep an eye on it and talk to the owner or step in yourself if necessary.

cheval · 17/11/2016 20:28

When did cats become allergic to dairy?

Chipscheesentomatosauce · 17/11/2016 20:28

I came home yesterday and the water looked untouched. There was no answer at the door and I've not heard any noise to suggest he's around, or seen/heard the cat again. Not really been around tonight, so no update I'm afraid!

OP posts:

bunnyfuller · 17/11/2016 19:54

We lost our gorgeous Bengal, Billy, to a 'helpful' feeder. He was perfectly well looked after and well fed but he like fucking off and catching stuff and exploring everyone else's houses. He sees awed back and forth between us and the 'helpful' neighbour's until we last saw him (obviously after having paid for his annual vacs etc) a year ago. Cats are little twats and will beg for food/warm cuddles st anyone's house. The fact that this is the first time shows you it's not neglected. Just a little twat. My mum used to have a very nervy, home loving cat. She thought. Until their neighbour was showing them pics of decorating and said cat was in several, stretched out on their bed. Little twats.

Daydream007 · 17/11/2016 19:31

Give it water not milk

ScaryMonstersandSuperCreeps · 17/11/2016 19:03

DP's cat is an indoor cat. She lost her leg at six weeks old and was feral when she arrived. DP had lost a lot of cats living near a busy road so the indoor decision was made!

Fluffycloudland77 · 17/11/2016 18:56

I'd feed it,who the fuck locks a cat outside in this weather. You are meant to provid a home for pets, not just go. Thought the motions.

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Sara107 · 17/11/2016 18:37

Don't feed it, it's distressed because it's locked out, not because it's starving. But cats shouldn't be locked out at night (allowed out at night at all). This is when they are most likely to be hit by cars or get injured in fights etc - that's the advice of Cats Protection League.

Flowercat16 · 17/11/2016 18:27

Mine are indoor cats ( and happy being so ).

YoScienceBitch · 17/11/2016 18:20

I don't know a single person who keeps their cats inside.
It's a cat.
I'm sure it will live.

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