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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what to do with the cat?

168 replies

FleurDelacourr · 17/10/2017 18:57

There's been a cat yowling outside my front door for a good 10 minutes. It's pissing it down here and the poor thing is probably drenched. Am I okay to let it in until it stops raining/overnight? None of us have ever had a cat, we're not sure what to do with it.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
42
overnightangel · 17/10/2017 19:21

Your life as you know it is over
(Picture please !!)

Taffeta · 17/10/2017 19:22

Cooked chicken is fine - cut it up small. Our cat loves gravy. I wouldn’t worry about drying him or getting a box.

Bubblesblue · 17/10/2017 19:22

You might want to make it a makeshift litter tray just in case 🙈

overnightangel · 17/10/2017 19:22

Bits of chicken will be fine to feed, been in same situation myself, he/she prob feels threatened so just leave bits of food next to a water bowl and let him/her go to them in their own time once they have relaxed a bit

Rugratwrangler · 17/10/2017 19:30

Oh bless it. Window open will probably fine. Most cats I've known get in and out fine

Just make sure the chicken is bone free

TheCatOfAthenry · 17/10/2017 19:38

Congrats on your new pet. Here's my new kitten (or rather failed foster) Duck.

To ask what to do with the cat?
ethelfleda · 17/10/2017 19:44

Yes, definitely let him hide if he is nervous!

overnightangel · 17/10/2017 19:48

@TheCatOfAthenry

Gorgeous

MissConductUS · 17/10/2017 19:48

Offer him the plastic box and do let him stay where ever he feels most comfortable.

I was going to mention the litter box issue but I'm not sure how you'd improvise something. Perhaps just let him back out if he starts pacing in front of the door. If you've fed him he'll return.

NancyDonahue · 17/10/2017 19:52

Poor thing. Maybe he's lost his way and your hous looks familiar to him. Lucky he's found soneone nice Smile. If you call Cats Protection or a local rescue they might be able to send someone out with a scanner. If not you'll have to get him to a vet. Can you borrow a carrier from a neighbour or friend?

NoKidsTwoCats · 17/10/2017 19:53

Please don't feed him. Assuming he's owned, he may be on a specific diet for health reasons. If he looks otherwise healthy, he's not going to starve, is he? Cats are very clever at milking us for an extra meal and too many people fall for it! It leads to so many disputes and legal issues.

Taking him in for shelter is one thing (although you COULD set him up a garden shelter rather than taking him in)but please don't make a regular thing of it. He may well be owned and imagine how you'd feel if someone took in stole your beloved pet. Do try to find his owners, they may be missing him. If no owners, claim away!

TheCatOfAthenry · 17/10/2017 19:55

As a cat keeper and fosterer, I'd rather have one of mine warm and fed than not, but could you have this kitty checked for a microchip if he/she sticks around?

Alltheprettyseahorses · 17/10/2017 19:58

Leave the cat outside if it looks okay apart from being wet. It probably belongs to someone. YY to NoKidsTwoCats about feeding - my cat's a bit of a moocher but if he's fed anything other than his strictly controlled diet he has the shits like water. Don't feed random, healthy-looking cats.

MikeUniformMike · 17/10/2017 19:58

Go to Pets are Nice tomorrow and get lots of nice no expenses spared food and treats for it, scratching post, litter tray and a fab bed.
Cat will need a name too. We want photos.

MikeUniformMike · 17/10/2017 19:59

You beat me to it. Thank you.
Duck is lovely. Love and strokes from Aunty Mike.

PovertyPain · 17/10/2017 20:05

If you decide to keep it overnight, get a box/basin and pour some dried rice grains in it, so it uses it as a temporary litter tray. You could line it with paper, too, if you wish. It will make it easier to clean. Poor puss, out in that weather.

Lovestonap · 17/10/2017 20:06

I'm surprised at the amount of people saying to feed it.

Unless it looks neglected or like a stray you'd be better off sticking a picture of it on your local Facebook lost and found page.

It isn't yours to keep (yet!)

Troubleinstore · 17/10/2017 20:06

So desperate for this to happen to me. Dh says no to another cat...but if one just presented itself....well....Wink

SchadenfreudePersonified · 17/10/2017 20:09

@TheCatOfAthenry

She is exquisitely pretty

Original poster
FleurDelacourr · 17/10/2017 20:11

Shit well i've already given him some chicken and he's eaten it Blush

I called cats protection and they can't send someone out, and I've looked on fb and no one has registered a lost cat in the area. He must have wandered pretty far, we live pretty rurally and I checked with my neighbour who was cats he's not one of hers. I fully intend on taking him to the vet tomorrow morning when it opens to get him scanned.

@TheCatOfAthenry he's beautiful!

OP posts:
TheCatOfAthenry · 17/10/2017 20:11

@SchadenfreudePersonified she is also a big ball of purriness and furriness!

ferrier · 17/10/2017 20:12

Why is everyone suggesting to keep it in? Please make sure it can get out to go home. Its owners are probably worrying already about where their cat has got to Sad

limitedperiodonly · 17/10/2017 20:12

On a very hot day I found a very fluffy cat flaked out outside my front door. I carried him inside, covered him with a damp tea towel and pressed wet cotton wool to his mouth in case he would drink. He wasn't interested but didn't seem that bad so I gave him a bowl of water and kept an eye on him. He perked up and was sitting around looking normal when my husband came in. He insisted on opening a tin of crab for him.

That cat added us to his daily patrol for years until he died.

Sonders · 17/10/2017 20:14

Please don't feed the cat unless it looks absolutely emaciated. Cats can fast for up to 48 hours so it won't hurt to wait until the rain has passed.

If you're feeding a healthy, loved cat, you're just giving it a reason to not go back to their real family :(

Wait until it stops raining and let it get back to its merry way.

MikeUniformMike · 17/10/2017 20:14

I was only joking about the buying stuff. Chances are it's been fly-tipped. Lucky thing has got lucky though, new potential home and all that...