Cat just returned after a week missing,can I feed him?

[DingyHall2026]

My 18 month old cat has been missing, just sauntered back into the bedroom.

I've read that starved cats mustn't be fed right away. He doesn't look starved, looks the same as ever. I assume he's found a kind person to feed him.

It feels a stupid question but how can I tell if he's been starving? Will he be noticeably thinner? There is a bowl of crunchies down that he's nibbled at half heartedly, is this all the proof I need that he's fine to eat his meat, which I know he'll scoff down

I think the advice means if they have been actually starved, so locked in a shed or something with zero sustenance. If your cat hasn’t been fed by others ( he probably has, in fact he has probably been staying / cheating with another family) he will lost certainly have been catching rodents etc, and you’ve already given him food anyway? So moot point really, give him his pouch .

He might leave again if you don’t give him food.

Just feed the cat!

What’s makes you think he’s starved? Just feed the cat. He’ll be absolutely fine.

OK, I'll feed him!

The cat is beautiful 😍

He is very pretty, he's a rescue kitten so no idea of his dna but his mum is a basic short haired tabby and white, as is his sister. He got something a bit more exotic from somewhere.

He's thick as mince and can't miaow so I was worried but it seems a neighbour must have been feeding him.

I didn't think he was starving really, just wanted some reassurance that if he had been locked in a shed for the last 5 days I'd be able to tell by looking at him. Having gone through the worry then heartbreak fearing him lost, then the elation of his sudden return, I didn't want to be responsible for his demise by feeding him too soon if "everyone knows you can't tell they're starving just by looking at them" and i needed to be a bit more thorough in my assessment

He is a beauty, I hope he is safely snuggled up with you tonight 😻
And no unpleasantness in his litter tray tomorrow!

I found a starving cat.
Like really starving, near death.
Big framed animal but weighed 2kg

I let her inhale all the food she wanted until I could get her to a vet.

The starvation knackered her heart, kidneys and thyroid
but the vet reckoned she'd not eaten properly for at least a month

She lived with us for best part of a year till old age caught up

Your cat looks fine. Spoil it.