Im not sure whether to be upset or annoyed about this

[Ishouldanoticed]

Just been outside to call my cats in & one of my neighbours from 3 doors down was also shouting her cats in & asked if my cat was grey & long haired which he is .
Anyway she proceeded to tell me that he spends pretty much all day every say in her house , comes and goes as he wants & she also feeds him
I'm actually fuming at this , I was to gob smacked to say anything to her & not sure how to approach her as its the first time i have seen/spoke to her in the 3 years that i have lived here .

He is obviously well looked after as his coat is well groomed & he eats like a horse due to the size of him (Maine Coon) , he doesn't wear a collar as he can't stand them but he is micro chipped & neutered .

So why are they treating him as their cat , he is mine & now i feel as though I have to keep him in which will be a struggle as he is very much an outdoor cat .

Sorry for rambling i didnt realise it had upset me so much

Anybody

They shouldn't be feeding your cat, you feed him enough presumably!

If he wants to spend time with them (as my cat does, which I hate) you can't stop him, but you could ask them not to let him in.

If it's true - then he likes her household more than yours?

Long she said she keeps the back door open all day

Cozie Yeah thanks for that

He gets fed plenty , has four other Cats here to play with etc , they get along very well & he has the run of my house .

So I don't get why he is doing this

Hi OP....cats are notorious free-loaders! many cats eat in several houses ...happily helping themselves to anything available. Some people are also dim enough to actually feed an obviously well-fed cat with extra meals, too. Its quite likely your cat also has other pit-stops where he gets 'second breakfast' before even getting to the neighbours for 'third breakfast or elevenses!

Also, Maine Coones do like company so if you are not at home during the day, he may well go there just because its sociable for him. This is a difficult one. If he is happy there while you are out, but still coming home to be with you when you are there ...then is this a problem, other than that it feels as though he should just be waiting quietly at home for you?

The free roaming nature of cats makes 'finding a lap where they can' very difficult to prevent, and where neighbours are enjoying their interaction with the cat it is almost impossible, short of - as you say - keeping the cat in.

That said, the best way to respond is a polite note to say that you are grateful that your cat is enjoying spending social time with her cats, but you would much appreciate it if she would cease to feed as the cat needs to stay within a strict dietary guideline - on vets advice (just quote weight issues if she queries this....because any vet would tell you cats shouldn't be overfed!!!).

Look at it as a positive ....this could be the start of a friendship with a neighbour that will forever solve your problems of what best to do with your cat when away overnight or the weekend. Cats would always rather stay in their own home, than a cattery, so a happy cat-feeding neighbour can be an absolute godsend.

Thanks Mumngran im home all the time as I work from home , I will pop a note round to her later