Cat psychology help needed!

[Straycatty]

Hi, we have two cats, 1m 1f, that we got from rescue centre about 6 years ago. Aged approximately 10/11 now.
Earlier this year we started being visited by a very bedraggled stray a couple of days a week, unusually our cats didn’t react to him which was a surprise as they are usually territorial with local cats, especially our boy. Stray very thin and matted so would feed him when he visited, no problem. Think much younger than our cats.
To get to the point, with the weather becoming colder he is now coming more often and will now come in and sleep but no further than the utility room (his choice). The problem is that our two are now refusing to eat and as soon as stray comes in he wolfs their food. I’ve tried feeding in different rooms, feeding him outside and tonight we came home at tea time, only our 2 were in so I fed them, (they have continuous dry food plus wet twice a day) gave them an hour and half to eat, both sniffed and at the food then left it, then let stray in. He’s scoffed the lot and our two now disgruntled, stray asleep in utility room . Is there some kind of pecking order going on here? Stray cannot get in unless we open the door as cat flap is chipped.
Any advice welcome! Sorry for long post

It sounds like they are huffing and letting you know they are not happy about the cat coming in. I imagine they will get used to it but maybe get the stray there own bowl so he isn't sharing your cats bowl. Cats can be funny about things like that. Make sure they have beds in separate area's and are made a huge fuss off. Well done on taking in a stray.

I think you probably need to decide what you're going to do about this stray cat. It sounds like he's either someone's missing cat or a genuine stray that likely could do with some medical attention and tlc. Can you take him to a clinic to be checked for a chip? If he's young he could still be rehomed or rehomed to a farm. Your cats are probably just a bit stressed and the reason they're not eating. If you were to adopt this cat, they might adapt to it especially if they don't seem overly intimidated by him.