Feral in from the cold.

[Bargebill19]

Fat Sam has decided that tonight is the night that the cold is too much.
This old man has been ruling the local area for at least 6 years. He’s fathered numerous kittens with Mrs cat (who refuse to come in from the cold, but does have a katden).
They both have meals together under our garden bench.
In November he accepted a cat bed by our back door and this week the addition of a hot water bottle.
So far my five have just looked at home and rolled over and gone back to sleep.
Fingers crossed for a peaceful night. I wonder what my chances are at getting him to vet the his week are.

Hopefully good. How cold was it tonight?

-4 and we have snow on top of ice. Currently around 6 inches of snow.

Has he tried to leave?.

Oh this makes me so happy!

Yes, he went out but has come back in. ! Like a normal outdoors cat. (My 5 are indoors or out in a harness & lead and only when warm and dry and basically a perfect day!)

Relaxation!

Hopefully once he’s known the pleasures of a warm fire he will choose to stay inside!

Keeping my fingers crossed. He’s appears much older than we thought. Very few teeth and very beaten up in general. He’s quite unsteady on his paws today. Maybe old age has taught him to enjoy a bowl of food and a warm, safe bed.

Still no grumbling etc from any of them. I’m very surprised.

He’s a full tom though, they know he’s going to be feisty.

Do you think he’s going to need a dental too?.

Awww, this thread has given me warm fuzzy feelz. That you for letting him in. Poor guy.

I suspect either a very hefty vets bill, or a quiet chat about how he might just need palliative care at this point in his life.
He can eat - felix and Harrington’s etc is ok so long as it’s in a high sided bowl and kitten sized biscuits. He adores full fat milk (I know I know!). I’ve done his worming and flea treatments even when he’s lived outside - as he will allow this as part of his ‘fuss me’ regime .

Do you think he is OK, Bill?

Cross post. I was wondering about the palliative care.

Once he has known the joy of a nap in front of the fire surely an entirely outdoor lifestyle will lose some appeal

This is so lovely. Hopefully he will take up some home comforts now. Hope vet bills aren't too much

He gone from being a very healthy, strong, massive tomcat to quite skeletal in comparison in around a month. Yes it’s got colder and he would be using his fat stores, but he seems to really showing his age. If he had a normal house at life I would put him at around 17/18 years old, but I think he’s nearer a very hard life of 10 - 13 years old. Quite possible he has cancer or kidney problems. Stroking him makes me wonder if he’s been hit by a car in past years, as his bones don’t feel smooth and straight, although they aren’t giving him any pain.

@trevthecat

I work simply to provide for any animals we become enslaved by! Least I can do for the sheer about of happiness and enjoyment they all bring.

That does sound like he's lost a lot of condition quickly. Poor old soul.

Just wanted to say you a wonderful! What a lovely thing to do for such a beautiful old boy.

@bargebill I would do the same. Our boy wouldn't be happy though! Not that he shows me any affection!

What a lovely person you are x

Cats love the warm. A few nice meals and lying in front of fire he might decide to grace you with his company until the warmer weather comes. My Auntie used to feed and provide a shed with a big cat bed and blankets fit for an old Tom cat in winter but come the warmer weather he was less happy and often only came back one or two nights a week. She used to say he keeps his options open. After several years of this he stayed after a very cold winter and he moved into the house for final two years of his life.

Tonight.

Bless him ❤️ My old girl (16 in March) has lost a lot of weight recently whenever she descends from her bed next to the radiator for food I open her a new sachet in the hope of fattening her back up

He’s got prime position
How are you all doing?
Has he been out and come back in?