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Original poster

Is it OK to feed my neighbours cats?

27 replies

user1471867483 · 07/01/2025 10:34

It breaks my heart to see the two cats next door. Ever since our neighbours had their baby two years ago, the poor things have been relegated to a life outdoors. They no longer seem to be part of the family.
Now, their only refuge is a garden shed, which I sincerely hope is heated.I do see the owner’s put food in the shed often and then it gets locked shut after with a cat flap for entry. The rest of the day, they're left to their own devices, either sleeping on top of the conservatory roof, or simply wandering aimlessly around the garden and sitting on fences. It's hard not to feel a pang of sympathy every time I see them. I know it's not my place to interfere, but the other day I couldn't resist giving them a few pieces of my own cat's food, and they practically inhaled it.

OP posts:
MissMoneyFairy · 07/01/2025 10:36

Ask them if you can adopt them, theor baby takes priority, maybe there's a reason they are outside now but it's not fair if they're unhappy.

TwentyTwentyFive · 07/01/2025 10:38

Please don't feed other people's animals.

You know these animals are fed, cats are notorious for pretending they are starved beasts who have not eaten a meal in months.

If you want a cat of your own then either speak to the neighbours and see if you can take on ownership of them or consider visiting rescue centres which are full of mogs looking for new homes but please don't feed someone else's.

Beamur · 07/01/2025 10:39

It sounds like they're being cared for but pretty minimally.
One of my cats is an outdoor cat. He'd probably like to come indoors but my other cats say no...
He's given up and indoor home to do this, so I don't feel too bad! He has a warm outdoor house (heated pads inside) and nice food.
I suspect your neighbours cats would appreciate the kindness from you.

CurlewKate · 07/01/2025 10:41

@user1471867483 " they're left to their own devices, either sleeping on top of the conservatory roof, or simply wandering aimlessly around the garden and sitting on fences"

What do you expect them to be doing, GCSEs?

Weyohweyoh · 07/01/2025 10:43

Some cats would absolutely love and thrive on the life you describe. I had one who would pop in occasionally for food, but mostly wanted as little to do with me as possible! They might be happier outside, especially with a loud baby in the house.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 07/01/2025 10:54

No it's not ok.

What do you think the cats should be doing out of interest?

LoafofSellotape · 07/01/2025 10:56

CurlewKate · 07/01/2025 10:41

@user1471867483 " they're left to their own devices, either sleeping on top of the conservatory roof, or simply wandering aimlessly around the garden and sitting on fences"

What do you expect them to be doing, GCSEs?

Quite! They have somewhere dry to sleep and they're being feed. Do NOT feed them,you have no idea if they require a special diet for one thing.

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 07/01/2025 10:57

Ours are as pampered as you could possibly desire, and the ungrateful little fuckers still insist on sitting staring out the window for hours at a time, interspersed with periods of sitting at the top of the stairs in the dark in the hope of killing us. I thought they'd be in high powered jobs and supporting us all by now...

LaDeeDaDeeDa · 07/01/2025 11:02

Many cats will act like they are starved and scoff food given to them by well meaning gullible fools who feed them.

Stop feeding them until you know exactly what is happening with them and ask if you can take them on as yours.

Ethelswith · 07/01/2025 11:05

No it’s not ok

Do not feed them. But it would be OK to interact with them, as long as they always go home to be fed

Back when I was a student, our (shared) house had a cat arrangement like that. A lovely friendly cat whose owner was a nurse with long hours. We often had someone at home, and the cat liked company. So it was always fine for it to come to us, and her owner/slave knew this; but the strict proviso was that we never fed her at ours so she would happily go home of an evening. If owner was away and we were cat sitting, we’d still take her to her own house to feed her

HPandthelastwish · 07/01/2025 11:06

Don't feed them you have no knowledge of any allergy's. Cats are fine, they aren't outside with no shelter, you have no idea how nice and cosy the shed may be either.

Original poster
user1471867483 · 07/01/2025 11:08

Thank you. I'll stop feeding them xx

OP posts:
Original poster
user1471867483 · 07/01/2025 11:10

CurlewKate · 07/01/2025 10:41

@user1471867483 " they're left to their own devices, either sleeping on top of the conservatory roof, or simply wandering aimlessly around the garden and sitting on fences"

What do you expect them to be doing, GCSEs?

Silly me. I know.

OP posts:
ThatsWhatImTalkinAbout · 07/01/2025 11:17

CurlewKate · 07/01/2025 10:41

@user1471867483 " they're left to their own devices, either sleeping on top of the conservatory roof, or simply wandering aimlessly around the garden and sitting on fences"

What do you expect them to be doing, GCSEs?

This👆
Cats spend an enormous amount of time sleeping during the day. It’s something like 16 hours. Outdoor cats like to prowl at night as they are natural born hunters. Their fur is perfectly insulated to deal with cold temps. My cat goes out every evening and although he has a cat flap he is a lazy so and so and expects us to open/close the front door instead. He will howl his lungs out to be let in even though he can do it himself.
Please don’t feed another persons Cat. I know the temptation is a kind gesture but you will then create a problem for the owner by over feeding leading to health probs that the owner has to pay for. Cats are not loyal. If they find a better option they will take it.
the fact they are happy to stay in the garden next door tells me they are happy. If they were not happy they would be off looking for somewhere better.

Wexone · 07/01/2025 11:19

I actually couldn't do this - they were indoor cats and now outdoor. I would talk to my neighbours and see how they feel about the cats. Then if you are in postion to take them in and let them sleep in inside then i would, Cats may have shelter but its too bloody cold at mo to be out there. Plus as they get older they prefer their home comforts. My lad is sitting on sofa fast asleep and unfortunately my other one died before xmas at 17, when younger they would be out all the time, now as they have got older prefer inside

caringcarer · 07/01/2025 11:29

Nothing to stop you petting the cats or letting them in your house for a bit on a cold day. Just don't feed them unless you want to offer them a full time permanent home and if that's the case you'd need to speak to your neighbour. She may agree for you to take them if she can still see them sometimes and know the cats would be happier living indoors in the warm.

2JFDIYOLO · 07/01/2025 11:32

Ask them if they'd be interested in rehoming the cats.

If no, let it go, stop feeding them and go to a shelter and adopt.

ItGhoul · 07/01/2025 11:39

They're being fed and they have shelter. Don't feed other people's pets.

lovelydayIhave · 07/01/2025 11:51

CurlewKate · 07/01/2025 10:41

@user1471867483 " they're left to their own devices, either sleeping on top of the conservatory roof, or simply wandering aimlessly around the garden and sitting on fences"

What do you expect them to be doing, GCSEs?

🤣🤣🤣

Basketballhoop · 07/01/2025 12:03

My cat sleeps on top of our garden shed, in the pissing rain! Pampered little twat has access to a warm house, is fed on demand etc. But still prefers the top of the shed.

CurlewKate · 07/01/2025 12:14

@2JFDIYOLO "Ask them if they'd be interested in rehoming the cats."

Good luck with rehoming perfectly well looked after cats from next door!

mondaytosunday · 07/01/2025 14:31

They aren't 'wandering aimlessly' - this is what cats do! And mine often hang out on top of fences and one in particular spends most of her day on top of one of my neighbour's sheds. They have a cat flap to our home but it's what they like to do. She furs vine running when I call her for dinner! Of course they like affection and the comforts of home.
Don't feed them. They are being fed. But as PP suggests why not ask if you can have them?

Cheesyfootballs01 · 07/01/2025 14:45

I’m in the minority but I think putting cats that have lived indoors all their lives outside in a shed is pretty mean!

Yes a lot of cats do potter about “aimlessly “ but it sounds like the owners are doing the bare minimum by just feeding them and not interacting with the poor buggers…

If they had a child and didn’t want the cats in the house it would have better to rehome them really.

While it is tempting to feed them you shouldn’t really as they might have dietary requirements but definitely give them a stroke and fuss.

If you are friendly with the neighbour then maybe catch her when she feeds them next and ask if she minds you giving them a fuss? Or if she is looking to rehome potentially?

I know there is a fair bit of hatred on MN about cats and I expect a few knobbish replies to my post lol

SallyWD · 07/01/2025 14:49

Cats do tend to wander around aimlessly. That's just what they do. However, it does seem sad that they've been shut outdoors, particularly given how cold it is.
Why don't you ask the neighbours if you can adopt them? There's a good chance that they might be extremely relieved to have the cats taken off their hands.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 07/01/2025 15:12

Only your neighbour can answer that question