Stupid Neighour Disowned Cat.

[tararabumdeay]

He's been an outdoor cat for so long. A fella that sits on car bonnets to keep warm as soon as we pull up. He's 19 and obviously good at looking out for himself to last that long since she chucked him out for weeing and pooping in the house about 10 years ago.

He's nervous, but when it was cold my son managed to entice him to a warm place on the telephone table in the hall.

She's now stopped feeding him (outside) because she's assumed that he's our cat now and we've got no cat food. If I wanted a cat I'd not chose a 19 year old one but he's a little life that deserves respect.

What the hell can I give him? We're non meat eaters but have a tin of salmon. I can't see him cold and hungry.

I've never had a pet/animal apart from a fish that died when I was watching the 'Golden Shot' when I was 5.

The AIBU is why should I pay for cat food because neighbour has taken umbrage or sees an opportunity to save a couple of quid a week?

I can't afford it either as not yet met Mr Micawber's definition of Happiness.

Cat has just scoffed half an Aldi burger - that can't be good for him. Aldi burger is DHs choice of lunch. I'd kick him DH out in the cold for that if I could.

They say cats choose their owners. I think this 19yr old one has chosen you.

You fed your neighbour's cat a burger??

Hi OP. You don't need to spend a fortune on cat food. Old fella cat will probably be happy with supermarket own brand.

Please keep him! It's about to get really cold and his old bones will really feel the cold.

Is it possible to keep him? He sounds gorgeous.

I think you need to talk to your neighbour

Ahhh...poor cat that noone wants. I feel so sad for him.

Either keep him or get in touch with a cat rescue shelter. Don’t leave him out in the cold as if he is 19 he will not survive long if we have a bad winter.

You take in the elderly cat because you have compassion unlike your neighbor. The salmon will do for tonight. Tomorrow you can get him some pouches or tins.

She doesn't HAVE to take him in

Half a burger was all we had. He's polished it off. I didn't expect to have to feed this cat as well as keep him warm.

I can't go to the shop to get cat food, and anyway why should I?

I'm asking what a normal human, without cat knowledge, could give him out of the cupboard because stupid neighbour has abandoned him.

Some bog standard cat food won’t cost you much , I couldn’t leave a cat to go hungry out of principal and at 19 he probably doesn’t have long left so I’d try and make his twilight years a little happier and maybe make him a little shelter just so he can stay warm outside but then I’m a cat lover and not everyone is

Anything fish or meat based? Cats are carnivore, not omnivore or veggie. Poor old cat.

If you're going to keep him you'll probably need a litter tray and some litter (Aldi's is cheap) as well as food. He might not want to go out if he's old and it's cold. If you don't want him call Cats Protection or a local charity. Good of you to give him something to eat and very bad behaviour from your neighbour.

Tinned fish is good. Also scrambled eggs, but he may not like it!

By the time one of my cats was 19 he looked like a cat from a Tim Burton film. He was old, scrawny and absent minded, ill but not dying. He liked to be outside each day for a couple of hours. Reported to rspca by concerned neighbours once or twice, as he looked awful but he tottered on to 20. Cats don't reach such a great age from being neglected.

Give him a warm safe place to sleep, water to drink and, when you can, cheap cat food. At 19 his teeth may be beyond dry food though you can moisten it with warm water and it should be ok. If you keep him you should also give him a litter tray indoors.

Tuna or salmon will be fine.

My old cat used to eat scrambled eggs too (no cheese) and was very fond of fried mince too if you have that.

You really shouldnt have to feed the cat but it’s lovely that you are. In the long run you should call the rspca or a local cat rescue.

Thank you for taking him in. No cat should be out in these temperatures. Please look after him, cats are beautiful souls.

At least give him a bowl of water till you can get to the shops.

Normal human food items that a cat will eat:
Ham, cooked chicken, tuna, any tinned fish actually, any cooked meat scraps (scraps off a chicken? Scraps of beef?), cheese. Cows milk isn’t good for them, could give him/her the squits. Chocolate is also not good, although I used to have a cat who stole Maltesers and loved them.

Personally, I would go and have a word with the neighbour and report to RSPCA. But I would also nip over to aldi and pick up some cheap food, our cats only like the cheap stuff anyway (they were ungrateful little shits when I thought I would treat them with the posher named brand one )

Someone on Freecycle or Freegle might be able to give you some cat food if you post.

If you take him to a shelter please be aware that they often kill the oldies. Also look for a sanctuary where they keep them for life.

Which area are you?

Weetabix mashed with water will go down well, an egg, evaporated milk, etc. Any tinned or frozen (defrosted) meat or fish will do and if you put newspaper near the door he will ‘go’ on that.

Cats are practically wild animals. It doesn't really do them any harm to be outside although it would be nice for an old cat to be in.

You're feeding him nicer food than cat food, he's going to hang around yours and not hers if you doing that. I doubt she'll even see him to feed him if you're giving burger and salmon

If you didn’t intend to make him your cat you really shouldn’t have let him in and fed him in the first place. If you stop now he’ll be confused as to what he’s done so wrong to be abandoned twice. If you don’t want him then take him to a shelter or cats protection. By getting involved I think you’ve made it your responsibility to do right by him

Just to be clear from your OP, do you mean the neighbour hasn't let the cat inside for years?

Thank you so much for caring for him. If you do keep him pm me an address and I will send you some Senior cat food.