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AIBU?

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Original poster

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:
YetAnotherSpartacus · 16/11/2016 12:07

The bloody animal kept removing his "do not feed me" collar so that was no help.

Neighbours of mine had a cat once that worked out how to do this using the bars of a gate - I'm not sure how. He had a few collars and we always found them near the gate. We used to post them back through their letterbox - he wore them in rotation. Who needs thumbs anyway?

ItShouldHaveBeenJingleJess · 16/11/2016 13:27

I'm now creating a new video in my head to the tune of 'Scatman', but with 'Catman' instead...

TaylorSwiftMakesMyShitItch · 16/11/2016 20:50

My cat goes out at night and comes back in when we wake up - his choice, he sits by the back door miaowing if we don't let him out.

Don't feed somebody else's cat - it may have dietary issues. Unless it looks malnourished or poorly treated, in the nicest possible way, mind your own business.

milliemolliemou · 16/11/2016 21:02

Hope all goes well OP and you've done your best. But I do remember the children's story, Six Dinner Sid.

kali110 · 16/11/2016 21:06

What is this story?

Flowercat16 · 16/11/2016 21:39

Have you managed to speak to Catman yet or left a note on his door? Bless you for being concerned about the cat. You have a lovely heart.

DontMindMe1 · 16/11/2016 21:55

I buy Lacto free milk from supermarket for my cats...cheaper than buying the 'cat milk'.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 17/11/2016 14:05

Just bumping this because I have been wondering what the outcome was, and hoping that the cat was OK in the end...

TooTooCarMoon · 17/11/2016 14:21

I'm also curious because I secretly want a cat and love cat threads

Susieangel · 17/11/2016 18:08

Not all cats are self sufficient. Cats Protection recommend keeping cats in at night. Cats are not nocturnal and are more likely to be hit by cars or stolen at night. The cat would probably be on my sofa by now but I may be soft in the head.

Janey50 · 17/11/2016 18:14

A responsible cat owner would never deliberately shut their cat outside all night. It's a myth from years gone by that they should be out out at night. If they go out of their own free will and stay out,that's different. Some cats are happy to do that (especially un-neutered toms) but a lot of cats wouldn't thank you for it. They are at risk of road accidents and getting into fights with other territorial cats and possibly getting injured in the process. So if you love your cat,it should always be given the option and means to come in at night!

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.

Flowercat16 · 17/11/2016 18:27

Mine are indoor cats ( and happy being so ).

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.

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.

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!

Daydream007 · 17/11/2016 19:31

Give it water not milk

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.

Original poster
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:
cheval · 17/11/2016 20:28

When did cats become allergic to dairy?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!! Hmm

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