A cat has chosen me

[Partey]

I posted a couple of weeks ago about a neighbours cats. They’re neglected basically. A new shiny pet arrived and the cats are shooed out of the house.

Confident Cat(his brother is a scaredy cat) has chosen us- and no doubt whoever else has bestowed pity upon him. We have a dog, who desperately adores Confident Cat and just wants to be best pals.

Confident Cat dished out head boops regularly to remind the dog that whilst it’s actually his house, it’s not actually just his anymore.

I am happy to feed, and while I think others are feeding him(one neighbour definitely is) he is very slim. I’ve bought cat food but me and the other kind neighbour have agreed to share worm and flea treatment costs.

Could anyone recommend either please?

Sadly Scaredy cat hasn’t been seen for a few weeks, I’m hoping he’s found a warm lap away from the chaos of his home and bossy brother

Well that's kind but you should probably speak to the owner before feeding, and giving worm and flea treatments? Just in case they treat him themselves at some point.

Well done on being chosen as a cat servant!

Pets @ Home are very good for giving advice on flea and worming treatment. See if you can weigh him first though so you can get the right doses.

Most cats are shooed out of the house - cat owners are usually lining up to remind us that cats have the right to roam. I think you should speak to the owners first to make sure they’re happy with your plans - it’s not your cat to medicate or feed, you need their permission.

@SmileyClare I did do a few weeks ago, She said they can’t feed them as the dog chases them away but they catch mice so they’ll be fine. Said they were outdoor cats and only cost a tenner. I very much doubt they worm and flea of they don’t even bother feeding.

I have scales so will definitely weigh first

And I’ll definitely let them know what I’m doing in advance. They know he comes in my house for a snooze and they know I feed him- I’ll absolutely tell them I’m worming and fleaing too

I very much doubt they worm and flea of they don’t even bother feeding.

Right, but you need to find out for definite or you could make the cat very ill by double dosing.

Most over the counter flea treatments don't work, so perhaps ask the owners if you can take the cat to the vet to have it weighed and then the treatments can be provided accordingly.

Much better to be safe than sorry.

Cats choose people they can be master of. It's a true privilege to serve a cat

X posted

Ideally a vet should prescribe flea and worm treatments. Very little you buy OTC is effective and some isn’t even safe.

@WorraLiberty and @Wolfiefan this was my next question re otc worming. I’ll ring my vets first thing.

I will definitely ask permission- they’re very blasé. I retrieved their dog last week, it was about half a mile away having escaped and they hadn’t realised.

If you've let your neighbour know what you're doing then fair enough. I think it's good of you to pay for vet bills and food for her cat! I hope he's happy in his new home

I’ve just spoken with other neighbour, he’s already spoken with them about flea and worming given that he’s got a cat of his own and he doesn’t want to risk his own cats health.
Apparently the cat had injections as a kitten but nothing since. He is going to source advice and treatments from his vet and I’ll take care of food.

He looks healthy but is slim and seems ravenous- neighbour will let me know tomorrow what his vets say

You'd be better off asking the neighbour which vet they took the cat to for its injections and going back to them.

If for example the cat is microchipped, the vet would probably need permission from the owner to prescribe flea/worm treatment, so they'd need to contact them using the details on their system.

Offer them 20 quid and a handshake...
Then they can't claim you have stolen them.

Handshakes not a euphemism is it? 😲

Tbh I’d do the same. I wish his brother was around though, that’s worrying that he’s timid and alone.

Handshakes not a euphemism is it?

Crying now at Offer them 20 quid and a handshake... 🤣🤣

He asked which vet, she said her Dad had taken them and she didn’t know. I’m dubious as to whether they’ve ever been to a vets tbh.
Nice neighbour will explain all of this to his own vets when he contacts them. I’ll ask him to check re microchip too.

Meanwhile Confident Cat is sprawled across the sofa. He’s fed and warm and rested. Even if that’s all we can do I’ll sleep easier

@Fluffycloudland77 I’m really worried about him too. I bought some dreamies and he came to me twice but he’s much more wary of my dog. I managed to get him sitting next to me with dog at my feet once for a few minutes but I’ve not seen him since.
Nice neighbour hadn’t seen him either

It's very kind of you to take care of it. I would be slightly wary that after you have forked out for vet check, flea and worm treatments and cat food that they could try to claim you have "stolen" their pet. Doesn't sound like they are too bothered at present but could they decide to cause trouble in the future ?

Certainly not an expert, but it might be a good idea to get something in writing if you are formally taking ownership ?

Partey I'd also like to remind you that you can't post about a cat without sharing a photo with us

I doubt he's microchipped. I think you should just crack on. Cats are thrown out all the time and the owners just don't care. I think some of the posters on here can't imagine such a thing and that's why you're getting the sort of comments above. In many places it's an almost everyday occurrence and the cats in question are never neutered/chipped/flea'd or wormed and they don't give a shit if anyone else takes them in.

You can buy Advantage for fleas and Drontal for worms online and they are fine, and even double dosing wouldn't be a major drama.

Is he definitely male and is he neutered?

Sorry guys hadn’t had chance to respond.

Now both cats are missing. Another neighbour also found a worm on his fur

Flat at one end and wriggling. Apparently Scaredy Cat has been given away but confident cat is also nowhere to be seen

@thecatneuterer definitely male and entire- now we know another neighbour found a worm we are just gonna do it. He’s been fed by at least three different houses too so I’m true cat style he’s got us wrapped around his finger BUT is also not gaining weight.