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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Need advice on a cat in our garden

8 replies

TwittleBee · 03/04/2025 10:00

Last year a cat appeared in our garden, he looked very unkept and was riddled with fleas. He would relax by our pond 24/7, didn't matter what time we went out there he was there. We ended up treating him with flea treatment and left him some water (as he kept drinking the pond water otherwise). He was very friendly and always wanted to say hello. He would come/go like this for a month at a time, then be off not to be seen for about a month.

Roll around to this year, he appeared again with fleas again and sore eyes. We have treated his fleas, given him a brush and that appears ro have sorted his eyes out too. Since his reappearance, he has now been living by our pond for almost 2 months now, his longest stint, and he has become very friendly with our toddler. The two of them hang out most of the day. They play around the slide and in the long grass. He rests his head on her when she sits down.

He never comes in our home, not even to follow our daughter into the house. He seems a bit wary about our house, he gives it a funny look as he watches her go back inside. He just sleeps by our pond 24/7.

I've posted on local FB groups but no ones said the cat belongs to them. He isn't our cat but I do feel the need to get him checked over by a vet, especially as this mornign he looks like he had a broke tail, but I think that would freak him out.

Can anyone advise.

Need advice on a cat in our garden
Need advice on a cat in our garden
OP posts:
FetidMoppet · 03/04/2025 10:03

In our local area (on local FB page) there are several volunteers who help out with situations like this, they come out and can scan for a chip which is the first step in establishing whether someone owns him. Can you investigate and see if you have similar? If not, a call to the local vets for advise would be my next step. Some will come out to trap the cat if they are not tame which might be what's needed to get them in.
hes absolutely gorgeous!

worrisomeasset · 03/04/2025 10:20

As the previous poster has said, it’s really important to have him checked for a microchip. It is worrying that he may have an injury. I would contact Cats Protection League and/ or a vet about that.

shellyleppard · 03/04/2025 10:24

Contact the cats protection league. They are very helpful and might be able to get him the help he needs. He's absolutely gorgeous though....❤️

thecatneuterer · 03/04/2025 11:32

He's almost certainly stray. Unless you are living hand to mouth then I would make an appointment at a local vet, ask them to scan for a chip, give a general health check, prescribe a decent flea treatment (Nexgard or Bravecto) and look at his tail. If any expensive surgery is needed then try charities

All charities are severely stretched, so the more you can do yourself the better.

TwittleBee · 03/04/2025 13:44

I'll contact the suggested charity, we really aren't in a position to have a cat - certainly are living pat cheque to pay cheque!

OP posts:
Favouritefruits · 03/04/2025 21:41

contact your nearest independent cat Charity. He’s beautiful 😻 can you give him a few scraps if food if he’s not leaving your pond area he must be starving

Iamacatslave · 04/04/2025 10:57

Could you pop a paper collar on him? He’s a handsome chap.

Breadcat24 · 04/04/2025 13:03

You can buy a microchip scanner on amazon for £15.99 which if you get nowhere with the charity or your local vet might be the cheapest option
He is a beautiful cat. If he if not going home then please feed him something.
Once you have the chip number you can see if he is reported lost
Animal Search UK | The UKs largest missing pet organisation

Animal Search UK | The UKs largest missing pet organisation

Animal Search UK provides a range of services to help pet owners reunite with their lost pets. Report a missing pet and get help from our 24/7 free phone number.

https://www.animalsearchuk.co.uk/report/found

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