well i live in an apartment where the landlord won't let me keep a cat. theres this orange tabby cat that looks old but keeps following me outside when i'm doing chores and keeps meowing. it followed me to my door and i fed it milk. (i don't know if that's the right thing) and it is always wanting to rub against my leg. i know it wants me to pet it, but my parents say that it may have a disease or fleas and i definetly can't touch it. I really want to pet it and feed it. Is it possible that i can pet this cat? It's been visiting me for a while now.
2007-10-29 00:17:50 · 10 answers · asked by asdf. 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
As someone who's had years of experience with handling stray / feral cats, my advice to you is -- go ahead, pet it. You can usually tell the difference pretty early on whether a stray cat is friendly or anti-social. I've handled strays who won't let me near them and will come up to their bowl of food only when I've gone away. And I've met stray cats who will purr and rub against my legs. From your explanation it seems like this particular cat is very friendly. I would suggest gently stroking him / her on the head. And yes, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
The question is, where do you want this to go? If you want to adopt properly, work towards forging a relationship. And then get it to be spayed / neutered.
If you can' keep the cat as a pet because of the no-pets policy in your building, but want to continue feeding it I would suggest giving the cat proper cat food apart from the milk from time to time.
Either way, good luck!
2007-10-29 00:39:38 · answer #1 · answered by dresstothenines 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should talk to a doctor. Stray cats sometimes carry diseases, parasites, etc, and she may have spread something to you. Be more careful next time you pet a stray cat- see if it looks healthy first, but just to be safe, use some hand sanitizer immediately, and don't touch your face or anything until you can get to some soap and water and really wash your hands.
2016-04-11 00:37:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it won't have any diseases you can catch! Unless you live in an area where rabies is present, though it certainly doesn't sound as if the cat has this!
Don't give it milk, this is not appropriate for cats, gives them diarrhoea. Feed it cat food if you must. The best thing to do is bring the cat to a shelter, or get him picked up. There are plenty of no-kill shelters. You can't keep the cat, so find someone who can look after him.
Chalice
2007-10-29 01:18:07 · answer #3 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go ahead and pet it - just make sure you wash your hands afterwards. Also, I wouldn't feed it milk unless it's a kitten. It can give cats diahrrea (sp?). You can feed it dry food and water, if you want to, but it will keep coming around if you do. Also, if it's going to get you in trouble with your parents, don't feed it. If the cat doesn't look like it's being taken care of, but it's friendly, call your local no-kill shelter to come pick it up.
2007-10-29 01:20:33 · answer #4 · answered by oj 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish you could send it to me,I love orange tabbys,and my best pets have all started out as strays.
If he is friendly and is rubbing up against your leg, I dont think youre in danger of him biting or scratching you .but I wont tell you to go against your parents wishes.the flea thing could be true.
what is really sad is that he doesnt have a home and that you cant keep him. with winter near it could be rough for him.
maybe your parents could help you find a permanent solution for him .a new home would be great ! maybe place an add or ask friends or family if they could keep him.or as a last resort an animal shelter.
I hope it works out for both of you.
peace><>
2007-10-29 00:44:54 · answer #5 · answered by matowakan58 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see any harm in giving him a little pet but he is a stray so make sure you wash your hands after because your parents are right, he could have fleas or something else yucky. Keep a close eye on his behaviour though if he starts acting weird then he may be sick and you may have to call animal control to come and pick him up.
Always be careful around strange animals.
2007-10-29 00:27:36 · answer #6 · answered by Nic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong with petting him. Most animal deseases dont transfer to people. As with petting any animal, wash your hands afterwords.
2007-10-29 01:06:21 · answer #7 · answered by skigod377 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have.
And by the way, when you feed a cat, it'll keep coming back.
2007-10-29 00:25:48 · answer #8 · answered by smoofus70 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes its fine,but it will probelly follow you more
2007-10-29 00:40:03 · answer #9 · answered by sky 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
maybe you could give it to someone
2007-10-29 00:58:22 · answer #10 · answered by - 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋