I have 3 feral cats that I've had for awhile and they go thru 3 boxes of kitten chow every other day. why?

Question

I have 3 feral cats that I rescued about 3 months ago, and was able to get one male fixed and get his shots, the other male and female are not able to be handled! The male that's fixed I can pet but not pickup, the other two tho come at me recently hissing and growling, trying to bite sometimes when I go to feed and water them.They all use the litterbox, and other than the eating problem seem normal...that's the only problem I have with them is that they are constantly hungry, even after I feed them (3 plates, full) they are ravenous!! They would each eat a whole box of kitten chow in one sitting if I let them...what can I do...I have to let the other 2 go once it starts warming up, but want to get them as healthy as I can before that...Please help!!

I have 3 feral cats that I rescued about 3 months ago, and was able to get one male fixed and get his shots, the other male and female are not able to be handled! The male that's fixed I can pet but not pickup, the other two tho come at me recently hissing and growling, trying to bite sometimes when I go to feed and water them.They all use the litterbox, and other than the eating problem seem normal...that's the only problem I have with them is that they are constantly hungry, even after I feed them (3 plates, full) they are ravenous!! They would each eat a whole box of kitten chow in one sitting if I let them...what can I do...I have to let the other 2 go once it starts warming up, but want to get them as healthy as I can before that...Please help!! They live in my house, in a spare bedroom, and since they are feral they cannot go to homes.The nipping and growling just started recently after them being here for over 3 months!

Answer 1

They eat like that cause they don't know when their next meal will come. They don't know that they can trust you yet. Most ferals came from a home and was tossed out so you can understand why they are that way.
It takes a long time and patience to win them over but it will happen. Some longer than others. One way to speed up the process is to feed them on a schedule and stick with it. Another would to feed them can food from time to time.

Answer 2

You're doing the right thing and the wrong thing. If those kittens survive because you feed the mother, they will go on to produce even more unwanted feral cats. Ideally, the cat would be trapped and neutered before being released, and her kittens would be taken to a shelter, neutered when old enough, then found good homes or re-released as is the way with some animal charities. Leaving them to carry on regardless just perpetuates a serious problem. So while you're doing the right thing by feeding the mother, you're doing the wrong thing by potentially exacerbating a growing problem. Is there a dedicated cat charity nearby that could trap the mother and ensure she and her babies have a good life? Then the onus isn't on you to deal with someone else's problem. I understand your position too. I passionately hate cats, but when a skinny stray turned up on my doorstep every day 17 years ago I fed her. Flea-treated her too, she was in desperate need of that. Then one day she never turned up again and I found out a little while later she'd been hit by a car and just left beside the road.

Answer 3

These cats were probably starving when you started feeding them and any animal I've ever had that had almost starved will gorge themselves on food. I'd start feeding them regular cat food to cut down your costs and try a live trap to catch the other 2 to have them fixed if you don't mind taking care of them. If not, expect to have a lot more mouths to feed than 3. My parents lived out in the country where people would abandon these animals, specifically, cats. They eventually had over 30 feral cats. The Humane Society told them it was their problem and they got a live trap and started catching them and releasing them in different counties around them. It sounds cruel and this is a true story but the cruelest people were the ones who had the animals originally and dumped them when they didn't want the responsibility of having a cats/cats. You're doing a great thing trying to do the best you can. I wish you luck.

Answer 4

I rescued a pup that had literally been starved. He was shoved into a cage and left for close to a month. When I got him, he was malnurished and extremely thin. At first, when I gave him a bowl of food, he growled and nipped. But, he had been starved. It took a while, but about a month later, he realized that he would always have food in my home, and he quit growling and nipping. I've had him for years now, and he is extremely gentle when getting his "goody." Each critter is different. Give the cats some time. Don't force yourself on them, just show them lots of love. Don't let them overeat, just follow your vet's advice. Imagine dieting for months, then having a plate of your favorite foods set before you, with no restrictions! I hope that by letting the 2 go, you mean to good homes, and not by turning them lose!

Answer 5

Well I would suggest feeding them a better food than kitten chow.. they have to eat twice as much of that cheap food just to get the nutrition they need. I suggest a food which isnt that much more expensive but a little better, like Presidents Choice Nutrition 1st, or even Purina one is better than kitten chow.
Also since they have been starved they will be aggressive over food for a while, just give them time and when you feed them bring a book with you and sit quietly reading near them when they eat. Also I suggest giving them some canned food to satisfy their appetite better.

Answer 6

At our house, we have feral cats, too. Four come and stay all day, but I've seen a few different ones in the middle of the night. It's hard to see the ones that come at night, though, because if they hear me pull up the blinds they run away. Anyways, ours don't eat as much. We keep a bowl of food and water in our garage with a cat door so they can come in and out. I also leave a bowl of food and water outside, and I refill each one every day. Usually, between all the cats, they don't eat all the food. But since your cats eat so much...
I would say to try and feed them like three square meals, or, like, spread the food out. Do you feed your cats canned food? Because maybe they just like it too much and you spoil them. =)I hope I helped at least a smidge. Sorry for making you read so much. Well, bye.
~ Julie

Answer 7

If you are feeding them outside don't fool yourself. You are feeding every cat, squirrel and bird that can get to the bowl. Maybe even a few stray dogs.

Answer 8

they are responding like a cat. they have no idea how long the feast will last, so will put on weight. this behavior will stop soon. gradually cut back their food amount once they have gained weight and trust that they will be fed, so they won't wander off

Answer 9

Perhaps they have worms??