Cat Chat Feline Forum

I've been caring for a stray tomcat for a long time since it was little. It would visit almost on a daily basis and sleep a lot but then it started taking prolonged leaves of absence until eventually it got so claustrophobic that it resumed to random encounters when I would take it in my arms (once it would follow me enthusiastically but no protest) and take it home but usually it would head to the door after eating. Lately it is a frequent guest again but it has become thin and weak and it has a poor appetite besides drinking a lot of milk. I know what to feed it to make sure it eats but I'm concerned whether elevated cholesterol, triglycerides and stuff could only worsen its frail health. I'm reluctant to take it to a veterinary for now as I don't want to frighten it into avoiding me.

it sounds like a combination of the usual muscle wastage of old age and kidney disease, which is very common in elderly cats - he could also be finding it difficult to eat because of bad teeth

I would go on feeding whatever the cat is likeliest to eat, but would replace the milk with water, as it is only the water component of milk that he needs, and many cats struggle to digest the lactose in cow's milk

are you feeding senior foods? and do you offer biscuits? if he has bad or missing teeth, which is quite likely with an older stray, one of the senior soft-centred biscuits might help - mine like Royal Canin Ageing for 12+ cats

Teeth seem fine as far as I could tell. The thing is my cat seemed ageless in all manners.

You say you have been feeding him for a long time, how long has it been as it might give us an idea as to how old he is.

We had a Ragdoll cat we had from a rescue centre that went really thin when he was about 13 even though he was still eating well (he still loved his dried food, even though he had had most of his teeth removed), he lived for another 3 years before old age finally caught up with him.

I would also say that milk is the wrong thing to offer him, even if it one of the specific cat milks that are available, cats can't digest milk and normal cow's milk can give them upset stomachs.

Cats get the most benefit from animal proteins, so I would suggest a good 'complete' cat food bought from the shops, or as is becoming more popular a raw meat diet, just make sure you give them the raw skin and bones as well as the meat, (make sure it is given raw, cooked bones can splinter and give problems), I have heard people recommend chicken wings. It's not a diet I use I prefer the ready made tins and pouches from the supermarket, but I thought I would mention it as I don't know what would be best for you.

Like the others, I think any of the senior food might help, and replace the milk with cat milk (which is lactose free) or water. Good on you for taking care of this chap!

Well done for looking out for this man.
Are you sure this cat doesn't belong to anyone? You say you have been looking after him for a long time - are you sure he isn't your cat now
Does he come into your house or otherwise have shelter? If hes' getting thin/poorly, he won't survive another Winter out.
I wouldn't worry about him avoiding you if you do take him to the vet, hunger will soon bring him back to his food source. I've neutered a few of the cats in my neighbourhood and they soon come back when they are hungry.
If he is poorly, he needs to be seen by a vet to know whether or not he is suffering, but if he belongs elsewhere then he could already been on thyroid meds (for eg) and a special diet.
The last cat I catnapped for the vet trip turned out to have a massive painful abscess on his face that I couldn't see, and one antibiotic injection and 'nut removal' later, he was back out again and is looking happier for it.

If you are sure he doesn't have a home, then at least you could get him scanned for a microchip - you never know....vets do this for free.