Stray cat?

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Hi
We have various cats passing through the garden that run off as soon as we open a door. This last week a small tortoise shell cat has been coming to the garden, staying for quite a while, coming back late, playing and approaching the kids. It doesn't have a collar (do cats normally?)
Just wondering at what point, if any, we should put some milk/food out for it? It's a bit on the thin side, not painfully so, and otherwise looks healthy.
It walked into the house (back door open for the heat, shooed straight out) and apparently wandered through the neighbours house too.
We may well never see it again, but it just got me wondering......
Thanks!

p.s. have seen quite a few posters wondering where their absent cat is, and was concerned even before posting about luring a cat away from it's real home (if that is even possible) so just want to emphasise I'm checking what the right thing to do is.

I'd just keep an eye on it for now. It may be a cat that has recently moved into the neighbourhood and be finding its feet.

I had a cat who was doing similar to that and I spoke to the cats protection league who suggested putting a paper collar on the cat with, 'Do I belong to you? Can you ring - your tel no' on it.

In my case a lady rang me the next day to say it was her cat but she was a farm cat and was quite cheeky for going into other peoples houses!!

Thanks for replying!
We'd wondered about a collar - and wondered if an owner would think I was a loon! If it's still hanging around lots in a week I'll do that.
Thanks again!

I'd offer food and water, hunger hurts and if she's young her hunting skills might be a bit hit and miss.

She does seem quite young - hopeless jumping skills - had to rescue her from the shed roof where she ended up after not being able to get down from the fence.
I had to rush off to work a couple of days ago when it was really hot, so did leave some water as she was just sitting looking in through the kitchen door.
I'm much more a dog person than a cat person, but she is very sweet.

What's her nickname?

Tigger (mine) and puss puss (youngest DD)

We're suckers for a cute animal!

Not at all hoping she really is a stray of course!!

Of course not. I'd get going with that paper collar.

Please don't feed a cat milk. Water yes but I wouldn't offer food unless I was convinced it was homeless and hungry. (Some cats have medical conditions that require special diets and if you feed it then it could well move in and not go home!)

I would offer food and see what the reaction is. A very, very hungry cat will just attack a dish of food in an unmistakable sort of way (I saw this today with a starving cat I was called out to pick up), whereas a just a bit peckish/greedy cat will eat the food in a more relaxed sort of way.

A paper collar is a great idea. I would also keep a look out for any signs of pregnancy (skinny cat with large, firm belly mainly) and get it to the nearest vet/rescue if you even suspect this.

Good point wolfie about special diets.
We haven't given any food or milk. She's thin, but not overly so.
Really just wanting to check the right thing to do.

I disagree with wolfie. Yes it's just possible that a cat may be on a special diet. But the chances of it being stray and desperately hungry are much, much greater. Hopefully it's just a new cat in the neighbourhood, but I think I would try to find out and offering some food is the best way to do this.

Thanks too catneuterer. Will look out for her tomorrow and go with my gut feeling in the morning.
Going to be another hot one so will leave water at the very least.
Thanks everyone. Really appreciate it!

Also possible she has been left while owners are on holiday, she may be being fed by a neighbour but is lonely, or she may be a bit farther afield than normal as she is unsettled by being left.