Do I do something with this cat??

[rageface]

Sorry, not really AIBU, but needed some replies sooner rather than later.

I haven’t seen my neighbour for days, not actually sure when I did see him last. Have knocked his door twice over the weekend regarding something else, and no reply.

His cat has been in the communal close on and off over these few days and I’m feeling increasingly sorry for him.

Can I give him milk?? I know it probably best not to feed him, but is a little bowl of milk okay?? (Only have semi skimmed).

Sorry, if this seems ridiculous, but I don’t know what to do for the best. I know cats can fend for themselves, but last time the neighbour went away, I know he left the cat with a family member.

Are you sure your neighbour's alive okay? Does the cat look skinny?

Cats cannot digest lactose, so definitely do not give it milk.

Definitely do not give milk.

I second Sneaky, is neighbour old? Or known to bugger off for a few days at a time?

Sorry pressed send too soon. Please don’t feed other people’s pets unless youre 100% sure it’s been abandoned - it may be on a special diet and is actually being looked after properly. Also make sure neighbour is ok 🤔

I'd feed him.

Firstly are you sure your neighbour is OK? - he's not lying on the floor in his house or something?
Cats are actually lactose intolerant and are not meant to have milk - better to give it some actual food if you think it is hungry.
Does it have a collar that you could attach a note to asking if somebody is looking after it? Maybe he has somebody coming in to feed it in which case you could drop a note through the door to check.
Don't want a hungy kitty!

Have you got a can of tuna?

Tbh I would feed him if he seemed hungry and you know the owner is possibly away/dead.

Milk isn't good for cats. See if it'll drink some water. If it's been abandoned, it'll need feeding and finding a new home. Does anyone in the neighbourhood know your neighbour & his family & maybe know where he might have gone?

Is this thread supposed to make every single person reading it think 'I bet the neighbour is lying injured or dead'?

Really? Is it a myth that cats drink milk? Excuse my ignorance! Not had one since I was a child.

I know that on Saturday morning, the neighbour definitely wasn’t in there and I’m pretty sure he’s not been back since, although I was out much of today.

I guess he could have someone coming to feed him...

Are you sure he's not dead, OP? He's definitely gone somewhere?

Is this thread supposed to make every single person reading it think 'I bet the neighbour is lying injured or dead'?

This ^^ How is your first thought whether or not to feed the cat rather than checking on the neighbour?

Cats do drink milk, they quite like it... it just makes most of them ill.

Stick a note through the door saying you’re a bit worried about the cat, could they come let you know if someone’s looking after it because if not you’ll start feeding it after 24 hours of putting the note through.

Get him some cat milk (and a bag of cat food). In the meantime you can give him a bit of tinned tuna or salmon (in brine or water only) or plain cooked chicken, cod, beef or lamb mixed in with plain cooked rice. *Make sure all bones are removed!

I hope your NDN is okay, but wherever he is he will be grateful you are looking out for his cat. You are a good neighbour!

They do love drinking milk op but it’ll give him a very poorly stomach later on. You can buy lactose free milk for them - but like I said earlier please make sure he has definitely been neglected before feeding him. One of my neighbours used to constantly feed my cat because she said the cat looked hungry - no, she was just a greedy pig but needed a grain free diet. Cost me a lot of vet bills. Really hated that interfering neighbour.

OP, I would feed it. My cat occasionally gets a bit of milk and does not have any problems. It is not homogenized (but it is pasteurized), maybe that’s why she can drink it every once in a while without problems.

Yes I’d definitely feed him - in his own garden if poss by the back door - anything will do if you don’t have cat food - bit of chicken, corned beef etc - also importantly give water.
Also, try to find out if your neighbour is ok? Is he elderly? Could he have fallen/ or worse inside the house?

...,yes, you are a good neighbour! He’s s lucky cat having you look out for him.

I think tabulahrasa's idea of a note is a good one. Cats are notorious for doing the neglected abandoned look when they're actually getting three square meals a day - we lost one of our cats when a neighbour assumed she was a stray and started feeding her. Technically theft, but not a lot to be done about it - don't be that person, check what's going on before you start feeding a cat that's not yours!

My dcats have cast iron stomachs. 1of them drinks cold tea!!
Agree pop a note with your number through through their door.

Oh please feed him, poor little mite! Blackribboner - I don’t think feeding the cat in this unusual situation, and leaving him some water in his own garden is quite the same as someone feeding your cat and effectively tempting him away and making him their pet! 😂
Our cat visits both our neighbours most days - one two fields away - they buy dreamies and roast chicken thighs for him 😂😂

Ahahaha April - yes! Our boy drinks cold tea too - loves it!

Okay, I will leave him out some water for tonight and stick a note in. I’ll see if I hear from his human over the next day or so.

Thanks.