If you have a homeless cat that visits you often, you may be wondering what to feed a stray cat.
While leaving out a bowl of the best cat food seems like the obvious choice, there are plenty of other healthy things to nourish your new furry friend if you don’t have any kibble in your cupboards.
To find out which foods are safe to feed stray cats, we turned to veterinary expert Dr. Rebecca MacMillan. Below, she shares some of her favorite treats to give homeless cats, which ones you should avoid, and where to take a stray cat if one comes to your door. Here’s what he had to say…
What should a stray cat feed?
1. Tuna: Is tuna good for cats? Many of us wonder if this fishy dish makes for a safe snack for cats and the good news is that Dr. MacMillan that tuna in some forms is suitable for feral cats.
“It’s best to offer tuna to a feral cat if it’s canned spring water, not brine or oil,” he explains. “Too much salt and fatty oil is bad for the cat’s digestive system so it should be avoided. Pieces of fresh, cooked tuna are also good to give if it is plain and not seasoned.”
2. Chicken or beef: “Chicken is perfect to offer a wild cat. It is low in fat and highly digestible, so it should not cause them any stomach problems. Lean beef, which is not seasoned, should also be ok in small amounts,” says Dr. MacMillan.
3. Plain rice: If you have any plain rice in your cupboard that you can cook for your feline friend, Dr. MacMillan is another healthy food you can offer them — though whether they’ll eat it is another matter!
“You can offer plain, cooked rice to a stray cat because it’s highly digestible. However, not all cats will want to eat it, so don’t be offended if your stray cat doesn’t like it.”
4. Eggs: Can a cat eat eggs? The answer is yes, as long as they are cooked. “Cats can eat eggs if they are thoroughly cooked,” confirms Dr. MacMillan. “You can try a few pieces of hard-boiled or some fried eggs, as long as they don’t contain any spices or too much fat.”
What do stray cats eat to stay alive?
If you have a stray cat hanging around your home, it’s only natural that you worry about whether or not they have enough food to survive. So aside from the food they might be getting from you, what kinds of things do feral cats eat to stay alive?
“Wild cats generally survive by hunting mice, rats, and birds,” explains Dr. MacMillan. “However, they often supplement this by eating human scraps, picking up what they find in the trash or throwing out on the streets. Some feral cats also venture into people’s homes, eating from into other pets’ food bowls or pick up litter left for them.”
If you’re worried about your furry friend not getting the nutrition they need, leaving out a bowl of cat food will ensure they get all the vitamins and minerals they need to survive.
Foods to avoid feeding stray cats
When you think about feeding a feral cat, it can be tempting to consider putting out a saucer of warm milk but one of the little-known facts about cats is that most of our cat friend is lactose intolerant. No matter how much your furry friend enjoys the creamy stuff, Dr. MacMillan this is best avoided.
“Although it’s tempting to leave a bowl of milk for a cat, you must resist,” he stressed. “Milk can cause stomach upset in cats, especially if they’re not used to having something so rich and creamy. Many cats don’t digest milk properly so it can lead to issues like diarrhea .
You should also avoid leaving fatty scraps like bacon or meat rinds, which can cause digestive upsets again. Any food that is heavily seasoned, processed, or cooked in a lot of oil should be avoided. Also remember that onions, garlic, raisins, and chocolate are potentially toxic to cats so avoid giving them any food that contains these things.”
We often wonder if cooked vegetables can be offered to stray cats in a pinch, but Dr. MacMillan against it. “I would not advise offering a wild cat cooked vegetables,” he said. “Although technically great, cats are obligate carnivores so most probably don’t eat a lot of vegetables. It’s better to buy some commercial cat food and offer it to them instead.”
Should you feed a stray cat?
Stray cats really tug at our heart strings and we find it impossible not to put out a bowl of the best dry cat food or the best wet cat food for them to nibble on. Fortunately, said Dr. MacMillan that feeding feral cats is not only okay, it’s also the humane thing to do.
“If you’re absolutely certain that the cat is a wild animal, then, yes, it’s always a kind act to offer a hungry animal food,” he said.
However, just make sure that the kitty in question is indeed a stray and not a beloved cat who is very clever at charming everyone in your neighborhood with food!
“Issues arise when the cat actually has a home. Some cats may appear emaciated or in poor condition due to medical complaints (such as hyperthyroidism or inflammatory bowel disease). In this case, feeding to them can cause more harm than good, especially if they are on a special diet at home If you are confident that the cat is homeless and you choose to feed them, then be prepared that they will continue to come back!,” said Dr. MacMillan.
How often to feed a stray cat
When it comes to how long cats can go without food, there’s no definitive answer, which is why Dr. MacMillan to feed your stray kitty once or twice a day.
“Feeding a feral cat once or twice a day is usually enough for adult cats, but some people choose to leave a portion of dry kibble out for them at all times. to graze on what they want,” he explained.
“You should try not to overfeed a stray cat. Although it’s tempting to give a hungry cat a large portion, it’s better to start with a few small spoonfuls and gradually increase this amount. Some cats are not used to accepting large portions of food in one sitting, and their digestive system may not be able to handle it. Also, leaving large portions of wet cat food or meat can attract flies, especially in warm weather, and can become rancid.”
Where to take a stray cat
“The best thing you can do for a stray cat is to try and get them to a veterinary hospital or animal charity,” advises Dr. MacMillan. “They can be scanned to see if they have a microchip present, which could lead to them being reunited with an owner if they get lost. They will also be checked for any injuries and receive the necessary treatment.”
If your new fur friend has received the all clear and they don’t have a microchip, you may want to consider whether or not you want to give them a permanent home.
There are so many reasons to adopt a cat (not least the sheer joy it brings to our lives) but we understand that it’s also a big decision. Before welcoming a cat into your family, you’ll want to consider whether you have the financial means and lifestyle to support a cat.
Looking for more cute kitty content? We will find out the answer to can cats taste sugar? Plus, have you ever found yourself curious what colors can cats see? We talked to a vet to find out!
