Cat desperate to come in - what to do?

[TurnipTales]

We moved house in the last month, and saw a friendly black cat hanging around. It came into our house one night and was miaowing like crazy, so I gave it some tinned tuna on a dish outside.

Ever since then, it has been desperate to come inside, hanging around outside windows and miaowing. It got in this morning through a small downstairs window and we had to physically put it outside. It's currently sat on our living room windowsill outside, staring at us with sad eyes.

It (not sure if he or she) tries to come inside even after being fed so it's not food related I don't think.

What should we do?? Are we now cat owners?

Have you posted on social media? That would be my first port of call with a cat like this.

Facebook
NextDoor
Neighbourhood WhatsApp groups if they exist etc.

He probably has a home but knows you feed him so keeps coming back - why on earth would he stop if he knows you're going to give him tuna?

Cats are generally opportunistic, lazy and greedy. If he knows there's food at your house, he'll be quite happy to wait it out until you cave in again

I didn't want this black and white thing (see my name) but I appear to be lumbered with him several days a week
To clarify, the black one IS mine. The other is not

@NotMyCat

I didn't want this black and white thing (see my name) but I appear to be lumbered with him several days a week To clarify, the black one IS mine. The other is not

What a gorgeous cat!!

Update -

I'm pretty sure he has an owner/other people who keep an eye on him because I've only seen him a handful of times over the last few days. He hasn't been interested in food that much, but still keeps sneaking in the house!

I don't think I'll bother getting him checked for a microchip unless he hangs around all the time.

I think he just wants affection and human contact, which seems very strange for a cat!

Cats love attention. Dh was coughing a lot last night so I went in the spare room with the cat who was very pleased.

Lol most cats absolutely love as much attention as they can get their paws on.

If you let it in your house, be mindful of fleas !!!!!! If the cat hasn’t been treated you could land yourself with a huge problem.

Even if you won't get him scanned please try and find out if he has a home. And if he doesn't have a home, think about giving him one, cats are amazing.
I'm actually crying thinking about people abandoning them, cats deserve far better than that.

I think he just wants affection and human contact, which seems very strange for a cat!

Why do you think it's strange?

The vast majority of domestic cats love a fuss and a head scratch! All mine love it and all the cats I look after (I'm a cat sitter) love it as well, with the exception of one very nervous rescue who just hides under the bed

It's a real myth that cats are aloof around people - mine constantly seek us out and climb on our laps for attention!

@icedcoffees

I think he just wants affection and human contact, which seems very strange for a cat!

Why do you think it's strange?

The vast majority of domestic cats love a fuss and a head scratch! All mine love it and all the cats I look after (I'm a cat sitter) love it as well, with the exception of one very nervous rescue who just hides under the bed

It's a real myth that cats are aloof around people - mine constantly seek us out and climb on our laps for attention!

I don't have much experience with cats admittedly, but the ones I have known are on a scale of very nervous to friendly but aloof. None have ever sought out the company of humans without wanting food, but my knowledge is limited and clearly I've been missing out!

Please don’t feed other peoples’ cats.

@FiddlefigOnTheRoof

Please don’t feed other peoples’ cats.

He isn't someone else's cat. Try reading the thread.

@FiddlefigOnTheRoof Actually ignore me. I hadn't seen the latest update so I am guilty of not reading the full thread.

OP - if he does start to hang around again you need to put a paper collar on him with a message. It's the only way to know for sure.

@thecatneuterer no worries. I see my message came across as bit more abrupt than I would hope! Paper collar is a great idea - and you might discover that the owners might not mind you feeding the cat either. I just know my very well fed cat can act like she’s bloody starving, and we are much afeard that she’ll find some other owner one day if they feed them better stuff (albeit ours is as spoilt as possible)! So it’s a bit close to home!

Op, you sound very kind and well-intentioned towards cats - but they are really great actors.

No problem @FiddlefigOnTheRoof , I get what you're saying.

I only feed him because he refuses to leave the windowsill, tries all the windows and doors to get in and miaows like crazy, he actually seems desperately hungry and wolfs down his food. But other times he isn't interested in it and appears a day or so later so clearly is getting fed elsewhere, but not enough?

I will try the paper collar!