I gave some leftover sardines to some cats living in my backyard. a mother, and 2 kittens. I tried to give some to the kittens because I know they didn't have anything to eat, cause I've been watching and feeding them for fun these days. and the mother just tried to grab the food from me and her paw touched my index finger. Is something gonna happen to me now? and what I really fear is getting those worms in my body, cause I've read some stuff on that.
Also, I don't plan on raising those cats, but just feeding them for fun or until they leave. so, I'm not getting any cat food for them either. and it also looks like both the kittens lost 1 eye.
2007-07-14 09:29:47 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
The right thing to do would be to take them to a non-kill shelter (if there is one) nearby. They need medical attention. How come you won't give them cat food? Too much human food like tuna can harm them.
If you just feed them for fun, it's not just fun for them. They're surving from your help. Get a bag of food and maybe a few cans.
Call people you know & trust to see if they could help out.
The cat touched you; it's ok. If it scratched you and drew blood the wash with antibacterial soap and apply ointment and you'll be fine. It's ok.
2007-07-14 09:34:00 · answer #1 · answered by Malia 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
You've got a mother cat trying to feed her kittens and herself (so she can keep producing milk for them), she's got a very hard life and can use some help. At the very least make sure there's a bowl or dish of water out there for her.
You can't get worms unless there was one on her where she touched against you and then you put that into your mouth--which I'm SURE you didn't do--so calm down. If you're worried, just wash your hands with soap and water. Not all outdoor cats have worms or fleas or anything else like that. We feed the feral cats here and some are friendly enough to pick up, we've been taking care of them for 6 or 7 years now and have seen no ear mites, the vet's found no round worms or tapeworms, and they're healthy.
Feeding dry food to them won't cost much. Every month I get a 18 pound bag of dry food and put out 3 cups a day, the cats who need food come and eat out of the bowl (the squirrels do too but I can't stop that) and the ones who don't need food won't come to it. We're not raising them, but we ARE helping them to be healthy as they can be and it only costs $8 a month for the big bag of food. What THEY did for us was to get rid of the rats in the neighborhood, and reduced down mice and chipmunks in the area. The squirrels are too aggressive so they leave those alone, but really, they don't cause problems here at all.
Don't think that they're all diseased, they aren't. If they have trouble finding food then they'll be weaker and very desperate (especially the mom cat) but you can help her by giving her some food when you can. AND the water bowl, that's very important.
2007-07-14 19:29:24 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fret not! x
Every Summer when I go away on holiday, I feed the stray cats and stroke them. Last year I went to Agadir, Morocco and even held one of the kittens.
You don't need to worry about catching any diseases or anything. But, I would advise you to wear gloves when feeding them for hygiene reasons. If one does SCRATCH you and draw blood, then to be on the safe side I would have it checked out by a doctor. Better to be safe than sorry!
The most IMPORTANT thing you need to know, you have to have the mother spayed. Please! It will cost, but let this be your good deed! It will mean she won't be able to have babies! Otherwise, she'll continue breeding and the way in which the cats are living doesn't sound pleasant!
You said 'Just feeding them for fun or until they leave' if you are feeding them, they won't leave! They have become dependant on you! Without you, they might not live! You are the one place, they know will get fed.
Continue feeding the cats. Although an owner of 3 beautiful cats, I am not an expert. Looks like "Davl" has given you a helpful link, and I know that "Davl" knows what they are talking about! I'm not sure but maybe if you pretend the cats are being a nuisance to you, then the RSPCA may come? They may take them away and find them nice, new, permanent homes.
Take Care! :-)
Well done on feeding them! x
2007-07-14 18:30:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Once you feed a cat you have a friend for life, Never a good idea unless you want a friend.
Usually feral cats are able to hunt and care for themselves, if they can't they aren't wild they've likely been dumped and are used to being fed to survive.
If the cat only touched you you are fine, wash your hands and go about your day, if she drew blood, ie: scratched or bit you, then you may have some reason for concern if she's sick.
The first thing to do again is wash out the wound if there is one, use antibiotic ointment and watch for any signs of infection or reaction.
Call animal control to come and get the cats, if there is a problem they will get back to you.
Don't feed animals that you don't want to keep.
2007-07-14 16:38:52 · answer #4 · answered by Kathi 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you can't find help for these cats then I would also suggest getting a humane trap-borrow one-and trap the cats and have them fixed so that the feral cat population does not increase due to them. I know that spaying/neutering is seldom cheap. I've paid for 2 neuters and 4 spays. Two of the spayed cats are strays that adopted my house. I would also see if there is a long time resident in my neighborhood who is willing to take on the task of feeding these animals since you did not indicate whether or not you will be in your current home long term.
Since the mama cat got close enough to touch your hand she is either desperate for food or is not feral. From what I have observed feral cats tend to not get too close to people who have not been feeding for long periods of time.
2007-07-19 16:10:13 · answer #5 · answered by Iljimae Fan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sorry, but if you're feeding them, they aren't going to leave! Ferral cats won't leave a good food source. You're not going to get worms or anything from them as long as you wash your hands after contact with them. The only way to get them is through fecal/oral contact. If the cat scratched you consult a doctor and keep it clean. Since the kittens have already lost one eye, they are probably diseased and won't live long. Sorry to be so grim. That's just experience talking.
2007-07-14 16:38:57 · answer #6 · answered by Pet Luvr 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
is No you wont get sick from the cat touching you.Just wash your hands with antibacterial soap and that is it. If the kittens are so small and you do not plan on keep on feeding then take them to an animal shelter.As long you keep on feeding them they wont leave.They are suffering and need help.Can you do something humane for them?
2007-07-14 16:52:35 · answer #7 · answered by nanika yarey 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
First of all, if you've fed these cats they're probably not going to leave now.
Second, if her paw touched you you're fine.
I suggest you try to catch them and take them to an animal shelter.
2007-07-14 16:35:34 · answer #8 · answered by altaira 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Feeding them for fun til they leave.. That's not going to happen.. Feeding them will only encourage them to stay..
Cat touched your finger.. You'll be fine.
2007-07-14 16:34:42 · answer #9 · answered by DP 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well if you dont plan on raising these cats and kittys get online andget in touch with the local cat refuge a useful website is www.catsaction.org they will help you and maybe save these little mites lifes do it now and they will come and get them even if they are wild cats they will still help you. keep us posted
2007-07-14 16:53:50 · answer #10 · answered by DAVL 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋