There is an abandoned cat in my complex. Bless its heart it is so skinny. I would like to bring it into my home so I can have it checked by a vet. I am a dog owner and am not sure the ins and outs of properly caring for a cat.Any good advice and does it matter what I give it until I can go get cat food.
2006-08-26 23:52:31 · 14 answers · asked by flower 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
You can give it dog food until you get some cat food but a cat has to have cat food to get the appropriate nutrients they need. One such vital nutrient is taurine, only found in cat food. If cats don't get this they go blind. Also, cats are lactose intolerant so normal cow's milk can cause them to have tummy aches and diarrhea. If you give them milk it must be goat's milk or the cat milk you buy from your pet section. Thank you for wanting to take the cat in and give it a home. So many animals are abandoned and it is just a terrible thing cause when they are abandoned they don't live long and healthy lives like they should. Is the cat kind of wild? If it is then get it used to you before you try to take it in. If not then take it in and let the vet check him or her out. Thanks again for taking care of the poor kitty. Good luck.
2006-08-27 00:03:28 · answer #1 · answered by Turtle 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dog food is OK in a pinch until you can get cat food, but not for a prolonged period. Cats have unique nutritional requirements that dog food won't meet. But dog food or any food is better than no food until you can get to a store.
Please be very careful when you introduce your new kitty to the dogs. Remember that dogs are programmed to see kitten-sized critters as prey! You'll have to let them know that kitty is a member of the family!
Here's a site you must check out of you're going to adopt this kitten. It's all about properly feeding a cat, and if you read up you'll know enough not to be influenced by all the bad advice you'll be getting about what to feed kitty. (Hint #1: Cats have unique nutritional needs that are very different from those of dogs and humans. Hint #2: Vets don't study feline nutrition in medical school. Hint #3: You aren't likely to run into any veterinary nutritionists in this forum!)
http://www.catinfo.org
Here's a couple more good sites:
http://web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/FelineHealth.html
http://www.vas-awareness.org
And if you run to the store before you check out the catinfo site, please don't buy any dry food!
2006-08-27 04:19:48 · answer #2 · answered by Mick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cows milk is very tough fot cats to digest .... still with cat food& water. A little pyrantel wormer would be a great thing .... one tenth cc per pound of body weight is the correct dosage, but just putting a little over the food if it would let you administer orally will work. Odds are the poor thing will be wormy & the pyrantel takes care of all but the tapeworms. You can order it from Revival Animal Health & its what my vets use. I would mix it in a little canned food... I find they will all eat whiskas or fancy feast even finicky cats!
2006-08-27 01:58:41 · answer #3 · answered by kspersian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do NOT give cats aspirins---they are deadly to cats. (Whoever left that suggestion should have their head examined!)
Milk products are also not good for cats - they can't digest them properly. Sometimes I let my cats lick my empty yogurt or ice cream containers, but that's it.
Dog food is missing a few important nutrients that cats require. It won't hurt them to eat it once or twice, but they cannot live off of it. You're better off feeding it tuna, meat table scraps, or cat food. Dry food is best as it won't stink.
2006-08-27 00:49:26 · answer #4 · answered by leahdshae 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi i used to work for a vet. No dog food, itisnt good for them,same for dogs with cat food. give it water and dry or wet cat food.. good luck
2006-08-27 00:02:26 · answer #5 · answered by Leigh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try giving it a bit of tuna, salmon or even a scrambled egg. Do not give it milk; cats love the taste but cannot digest it properly.
2006-08-26 23:56:35 · answer #6 · answered by Chief BaggageSmasher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes to the gravy, no to any sort of milk. My dogs won't eat dry dog food without a little gravy or meat juices in it :)
2016-03-26 21:41:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a stray will eat just about any thing but dont give it milk can cause him to get diaira and dehydrate winter is comming soon they need all the extra weight and food
2006-08-27 00:00:26 · answer #8 · answered by Genesis A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's really skinny and you don't or can't take it in with you, you might want to take it to a shelter so it can get some proper medical treatment and hopefully a home.
2006-08-26 23:58:45 · answer #9 · answered by First Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it does matter, but go ahead and give it table scraps until you can buy cat food, but no milk, water would be better
2006-08-27 02:13:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋