{"id":436777,"date":"2023-11-15T10:28:05","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T15:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=436777"},"modified":"2024-06-20T05:08:43","modified_gmt":"2024-06-20T09:08:43","slug":"what-to-feed-a-stray-cat-vet-answer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/ask-the-vet\/what-to-feed-a-stray-cat-vet-answer\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Feed a Stray Cat That Shows Up at Your Door? Our Vet Answers"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re feline-obsessed, then a stray cat showing up at your door might seem like divine providence. You were hoping for another cat, and here one just happens to show up! But many questions are running through your mind. Are you sure it\u2019s a stray? Can you keep a stray cat? What can you feed a stray cat and what do they normally eat?<\/p>\n

Each of these questions is sensible, and before you can determine how to best handle the situation, you\u2019ll need some answers. In this article, we aim to offer some succinct answers to help you figure out the right course of action to take when a stray shows up on your doorstep.<\/p>\n

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Are You Sure It\u2019s a Stray?<\/h2>\n

The first thing you must be certain of is that it\u2019s actually a stray cat. Truth be told, there\u2019s a good chance that it is. In the United States alone, it\u2019s estimated that there are more than 70 million stray or feral cats. To put that in perspective, there are approximately 95.6 million cats kept as pets in the country, according to a national survey of pet owners<\/a>. This means there are nearly as many stray cats as domestic ones in America.<\/p>\n

Still, you need to be sure that the cat is a stray before taking action. Appearances can often give us clues. For instance, if the cat seems very lean, has a patchy or rough coat, or displays an overall unhealthy appearance, it\u2019s a good bet that the cat hasn\u2019t had human contact for some time.<\/p>\n

Make sure to check the cat for a collar or some sort of identifying tag. If you find one, the cat is almost certainly someone\u2019s pet. Even without a collar, it\u2019s possible that the cat is microchipped.<\/p>\n

Exhaust all possible options when ensuring that the cat is a stray. The last thing you want to do is accidentally steal someone\u2019s pet!<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: 1000 Words, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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What to Feed Stray Cats<\/h2>\n

Once you\u2019ve determined that the cat is truly stray, you can start to think about providing some care for it. So, what should you feed a stray cat?<\/p>\n

You can feed a stray cat the same sorts of foods you would feed to your pet cat. Start by offering the cat a can of tuna or cat food. Wet food tends to be more appealing to cats, though if you only have dry cat kibble, you can try to offer that as well.<\/p>\n

Though you\u2019ll often see people offering milk to stray cats in movies, this is a bad idea. Most cats are lactose-intolerant. Their digestive systems are not built to process dairy. Giving a cat milk could be forcing diarrhea or an upset stomach upon them. Aside from food, you\u2019ll also want to make sure to provide the stray cat with plenty of fresh water.<\/p>\n

One important rule to follow is to only offer and never force. Remember, a stray cat is basically a wild animal. If you attempt to force it to eat, you could get bitten or scratched.<\/p>\n

What Do Stray Cats Eat Normally?<\/h2>\n
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Image Credit: Piqsels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Keep in mind that cats are not helpless creatures. You see a stray cat and might have an emotional reaction that causes you to want to help, but cats are natural predators and ruthless ones at that. Feral cats have many options for food and may not need your help at all.<\/p>\n

Some common foods that stray cats eat include:<\/div>
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