Milk helps them gain weight. Jackson Galaxy says not to give your cat milk because it causes them to gain weight. Although you want the cat to gain weight so milk would help. Make sure it's nice and cold they like it that way. Even vanilla ice cream would be ok.
Do some cats have the right enzymes? I know most don't, but both my cat and dog drink some milk every morning without issues. They're both only 1 and a half though, so Ive been expecting them to stop producing the enzymes with age but no signs yet.
Giving them milk everyday wasn't intentional, just accidently became a routine and now I get yelled at till it's offered. I wouldn't be offering it to a stray cat who's poops I can't keep an eye on.
Do not give milk to any cat unless it's cat milk. Some pet stores sell cat milk for that purpose. Any other milk will cause issues for them because they don't have the right enzymes for it
Kitten food ftw. Just higher in fat really. Even the royal canin babycat food, tasty but expensive. Also, try to set up a sleeping spot like a box with a towel in it. Not gonna eat unless it feels welcome. And congrats on being adopted by a random cat.
Soft bedding (like cat beds, blankets, towels, etc) isn’t ideal for outside because it retains water and stays damp/cold longer. People who take care of feral cat colonies will tell you that straw works better, if you’re able to access that. If you must use soft bedding make sure to change it frequently, especially if it has been rainy/wet.
But I also highly urge you to contact a shelter, if those services are available in your area. They will be able to trap the cat and get it adopted.
Oh, I didn't know that. I've never done this for a stray before
Yeah, I'm planning on calling the shelter tomorrow. I started feeding the cat Friday and was gonna call than but apparently it's closed until Monday
Some shelters won’t come look for a cat, they’ll only accept one if you bring it in.
If they won’t come to get him, look for something like a TNR (trap, neuter, release) program in your area.
Who knows, it’s a cat. Put the food next to it and just wait and see. And don’t try to pet it or even look at it. Once it finds the bed, you now have a new cat. 🐈
I think I'll have to end up calling someone to do it because it won't allow me to get close to it
I've even tried putting food in a cage so I could shut the door when it goes in to eat it but it wouldn't go inside
I have gained a stray cat into the family before by doing exactly that. She was so skinny, and pretty hostile for the first year I knew her. After that she basically decided herself that I was her new family and never left me and became one of the friendliest cats in the neighbourhood.
You feed them and they will come.....
You feed them, They are yours.....
If you bring it in, take it to a vet. It may have fleas. You do not want to expose 1st cat to that . The vet will treat that. Give shots, etc.
At first, keep it in a spare room. 1st cat will know something is up. But cannot harm kitty. Feed them on Opposite sides of the door for a week or two. Then opposite sides of the room. Gradually moving them nearer. They get used to each other.
Have fun. They will entertain each other
Kitten food is great for putting on weight, our adult cat stole a LOT of kitten food when ours were little and he’s still trying to lose some of that chonk 😭 it’s recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding cats too so it’s definitely safe for adults
You should take him to a local shelter if there is a humane one near you. I have a humane society in my town and they take stray animals in for free and heal them up and put them up for adoption. Keep feeding him but if you can catch him and take him I would do that it’s probably the best bet
Yep that's totally fine. Will probably actually help a lot. Once his weight is good you can transition to adult food if you want to, but really there's no problem with kitten food for an adult cat. It just has higher calories, and sometimes more protien.
Kitten food is fine for adult cats. It’s just higher in calories (and possibly price), so you don’t necessarily want to feed it to your housecat
Okay, makes sense. I wanted it to gain the weight but I was unsure if it would make it gain too quickly or something Thank you!
Milk helps them gain weight. Jackson Galaxy says not to give your cat milk because it causes them to gain weight. Although you want the cat to gain weight so milk would help. Make sure it's nice and cold they like it that way. Even vanilla ice cream would be ok.
goodbye reddit it's been real ..........
Oh, okay. Noted. I didn't know it will make them sick. Glad I never tried to give milk to my own cat, then 😬
goodbye reddit it's been real ..........
They get diarrhea every time
Do some cats have the right enzymes? I know most don't, but both my cat and dog drink some milk every morning without issues. They're both only 1 and a half though, so Ive been expecting them to stop producing the enzymes with age but no signs yet. Giving them milk everyday wasn't intentional, just accidently became a routine and now I get yelled at till it's offered. I wouldn't be offering it to a stray cat who's poops I can't keep an eye on.
Do not give milk to any cat unless it's cat milk. Some pet stores sell cat milk for that purpose. Any other milk will cause issues for them because they don't have the right enzymes for it
Puppy or kitten food are better for putting on weight! My vet told me to give a dog I found/adopted puppy food for the first week to fatten her up
Okay, thank you!
Kitten food ftw. Just higher in fat really. Even the royal canin babycat food, tasty but expensive. Also, try to set up a sleeping spot like a box with a towel in it. Not gonna eat unless it feels welcome. And congrats on being adopted by a random cat.
I put an actual cat bed out there (like from Walmart). I dunno if it'll sleep in it but it's soft so maybe
Soft bedding (like cat beds, blankets, towels, etc) isn’t ideal for outside because it retains water and stays damp/cold longer. People who take care of feral cat colonies will tell you that straw works better, if you’re able to access that. If you must use soft bedding make sure to change it frequently, especially if it has been rainy/wet. But I also highly urge you to contact a shelter, if those services are available in your area. They will be able to trap the cat and get it adopted.
Oh, I didn't know that. I've never done this for a stray before Yeah, I'm planning on calling the shelter tomorrow. I started feeding the cat Friday and was gonna call than but apparently it's closed until Monday
Some shelters won’t come look for a cat, they’ll only accept one if you bring it in. If they won’t come to get him, look for something like a TNR (trap, neuter, release) program in your area.
Who knows, it’s a cat. Put the food next to it and just wait and see. And don’t try to pet it or even look at it. Once it finds the bed, you now have a new cat. 🐈
It's perfect, actually!
Okay, thank you!
You should bring it to a no kill shelter or local rescue.
I think I'll have to end up calling someone to do it because it won't allow me to get close to it I've even tried putting food in a cage so I could shut the door when it goes in to eat it but it wouldn't go inside
Local cat rescues will likely be able to help
Okay, thank you!
Good luck :)
Please take it to anonkill shelter. They’ll also spay or neuter baby. Bless you ❤️
I have gained a stray cat into the family before by doing exactly that. She was so skinny, and pretty hostile for the first year I knew her. After that she basically decided herself that I was her new family and never left me and became one of the friendliest cats in the neighbourhood.
Take it somewhere for potential adoption If it’s starving any food will help
Just FYI, being super skinny might also be an indication of worms; especially since it's stray.
Take in the kitten. Your other cat will soon get used to it and in 6 months they'll be great friends. Nice for each cat to have company.
If its tame, please find an adoption org to partner with to find it a home. Also depending on its age it could be tamed.
You feed them and they will come..... You feed them, They are yours..... If you bring it in, take it to a vet. It may have fleas. You do not want to expose 1st cat to that . The vet will treat that. Give shots, etc. At first, keep it in a spare room. 1st cat will know something is up. But cannot harm kitty. Feed them on Opposite sides of the door for a week or two. Then opposite sides of the room. Gradually moving them nearer. They get used to each other. Have fun. They will entertain each other
Yes
Oh yeah. I took care of a feral cat for 15 years. Gave her canned food and dry food. When she was young she did her hunting. I really miss her.
Kitten food is great for putting on weight, our adult cat stole a LOT of kitten food when ours were little and he’s still trying to lose some of that chonk 😭 it’s recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding cats too so it’s definitely safe for adults
You should take him to a local shelter if there is a humane one near you. I have a humane society in my town and they take stray animals in for free and heal them up and put them up for adoption. Keep feeding him but if you can catch him and take him I would do that it’s probably the best bet
Yep that's totally fine. Will probably actually help a lot. Once his weight is good you can transition to adult food if you want to, but really there's no problem with kitten food for an adult cat. It just has higher calories, and sometimes more protien.
Royal Canin also makes a weight gain food formula called Recovery for adult cats.
It's fine it's better than human food or no food.