what to feed stray cats besides cat food

Although cats thrive on a meat-based diet, you can safely feed a stray cat with fruits and vegetables. Broccoli, carrots, peas, and green beans are all healthy options for a stray cat’s diet. You should not give your cat anything that you’re allergic to, or it might end up in a traumatic situation. Don’t feed stray cats dog food.

Full Answer

What do stray cats eat besides Cat Food?

You can give a stray cat the following foods as a snack, but keep them to a minimum:

• Bread
• Couscous
• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Oatmeal
• Polenta
• Blueberries
• Bananas
• Melon without seeds
• Peeled apples
• Cheese

What foods attract Stray Cats?

• You can either grow catnip or hang dried catnip in small sachets around the places you want them to come.
• Feed them every other day. Unless you intend to keep them indoors. ...
• Set up a water fountain or simply put stainless steel bowls with fresh water. ...
• Do not approche them when they start eating or drinking. ...
• Start a bell or a chime or a

What happens if I stop feeding stray cats?

These are the common characteristics of a stray cat:

• a stray cat is usually wandering alone
• she may approach people, cars, or houses
• walks and moves like a house cat
• may make eye contact with you
• tends to be vocal and tends to meow and responds to your voice
• is active during the day just as it is with domesticated cats
• she could look dirty and disheveled because she has no owner to groom her

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What can I do to help Stray Cats?

• To take the cat to the veterinarian, place him in a cat carrier. This will help to keep the cat safe and secure.
• Make sure that you inform the veterinarian that the cat is a stray. ...
• The veterinarian will examine the cat and treat it for any internal or external parasites. ...
• If the cat has feline leukemia, you will be given some options. ...

What home food can stray cats eat?

Human foods that you can feed to stray catsEggs. Eggs are good sources of Vitamin B and protein and are safe to feed for cats. ... Chicken. Cats mainly eat meat since they are obligate carnivores, thus, chicken is a good choice for them. ... Turkey. ... Oatmeal. ... Salmon.

What's the best food to feed stray cats?

The 10 Best Cat Foods for Feral CatsPurina One True Instinct Ocean Whitefish Dry Cat Food. ... Purina Beyond Simply Wild Whitefish & Egg Dry Cat Food. ... Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Rice Dry Cat Food. ... IAMS Proactive Health Digestion & Skin Dry Cat Food. ... 9 Lives Protein Plus Dry Cat Food.More items...•

What do stray cats like to eat?

Favorite Food for Feral Cats. Feral cats will eat whatever they can to survive, but if they have a choice, they prefer small rodents like mice and rats. They will also go after hares, rabbits, squirrels, bats, shrews, and moles.

Can stray cats eat anything?

Feral cats are opportunistic feeders—they will eat whatever food is easiest to find. For many feral cats, people's garbage is a main source of food.

What human food can cats eat?

Whole grains such as oats, corn, brown rice and even couscous all contain lots of protein and are all human foods your cat can eat.

How can I feed a stray cat cheaply?

How to Feed Feral Cats Cheap!#1: Stop Being Food Snobs. If you feed only one or two feral cats, definitely grab the best food you possibly can! ... #2: Coupons! ... #3: Ibotta! ... #4: Food Banks. ... #5: Buy in Bulk and Online! ... #6: Scheduled Feeding and Portion Control. ... #7: Ask for Donations! ... Feed Them?

Can I give bread to stray cats?

The bottom line on cats and bread: While feeding small amounts to a healthy cat is not harmful, it's also not recommended. Given the high carbohydrate-based calories, it's better to feed cats treats of lean protein rather than bread that has no benefit to their overall nutritional health.

How long can stray cats go without food?

The average cat can technically survive for one to two weeks without food if they have a water supply. However, without protein, it may be more like three to four days, even if they have enough water. With no water or food, it is unlikely that a cat would survive longer than three days.

Can stray cats eat canned tuna?

A tin of tuna is perfect as one-off food for a stray. Most cats love tuna and the strong smell can help entice the stray (who may be nervous or weak) to the bowl to eat. While tuna can be fed to cats, it should not be the main part of their diet.

How can you tell if a stray cat is hungry?

Signs your cat could actually be hungryIncorrect portion sizes. It's important you know exactly how much you should be feeding your cat. ... Trouble keeping food down. ... Eating too quickly. ... Crying at mealtime. ... Stealing food from the table.

How do you gain a stray cat's trust?

To earn the trust of a stray cat, leave strong-smelling cat food outside where you've seen the stray, at the same time every day. After a few days, stay outside while the cat comes to eat, but don't approach it yet.

Can stray cats drink milk?

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) agrees that milk should not be fed to cats either as a treat or as a substitute for water because cats don't possess significant amounts of lactase in their bodies.

What to feed a stray cat?

If you don”t have any animal protein on hand, and you need to give a stray cat something to eat, you can set out some vegetables and grains. Cooked carrots, green beans, peas, asparagus, and broccoli are okay to set out, as well as cooked rice and cooked sweet potato. Many cat food brands use rice and sweet potato as part of their formula to aid in digestion.

Is milk good for cats?

Contrary to popular opinion, milk is not healthy for cats. They lack the proper enzymes to be able to digest it, and it can make them sick. If you find a stray kitten, you will need to find some specialized kitten formula to feed it if it is still in the nursing stage.

Do cats need protein?

Their bodies don”t process protein from plant sources efficiently, and they could get very sick or die from only plant sources of protein.

Can you give stray cats eggs?

Most people have eggs in their refrigerator, and it doesn”t take much to whip up an egg and scramble it before offering it to a stray cat. Don”t season or salt the egg, as any seasoning or salt might not be healthy for the cat”s digestive system. Wet and dry cat food does not use any seasoning either, so you don”t need to add seasoning.

What Foods are Suitable for Stray Cats?

If a cat has appeared outside your home and is crying for food, you may want to give it something, particularly if it appears to be underweight. Although there are many different foods that cats can eat, what most people do not realize is that all cats are classed as obligate carnivores. This means that cats need to have meat in their diet.

How to Tell if a Cat is a Stray or Feral?

If a cat has been hanging around your door, you may instantly assume it is a stray cat and, if you are an animal lover, your first instinct may be to try to coax it for food. Nevertheless, not all cats that hang about looking for food are strays.

What to Do with a Stray Cat

If it is ascertained that the cat does not have a microchip, you may want to post a picture of it on social media to see if anyone has lost their pet. You might also have success in finding the cat’s owner if you post a photo in your local area (think lamp posts, local shop windows, etc.); the chances are the cat has strayed from not too far away.

What if You Find a Stray Kitten?

Sadly, some people will dump pregnant cats and will drive the animal far from their home and abandon it on the roadside. These cats must then deal with the fact that not only have they been abandoned but also that they are due to give birth to a litter of kittens.

What is the best food for cats?

This the best savory dish that cats relish all the time. Little portions of cooked chicken can be a great meal for cats as it supplies all the nutrients essential for the cat’s health. Make sure that the chicken is fully plain and free of bones.

What to feed a cat with a beaten liver?

Combo meal of beaten liver, lentils, and rice. This meal is packed with proteins, iron, magnesium, and copper; all of these nutrients are great for cat health. An occasional feeding of this meal to the strays can give them a major health boost which they do deserve.

What is a feral cat?

Feral cats are the anti-social felines who avoid human contact or presence. Abandoned cats have no permanent place to stay and they might be tamed too. Free-roaming cats are just the street cats that were never owned. Lost cats are the house pets that may be getting looked for frantically.

What do cats eat?

Both hard-boiled or scrambled eggs can be opted to feed to the cats.

Can you feed stray cats milk?

A hungry cat will consume it surely but milk is generally indigestible for the cats. Milk should only be given to very young kittens.

Can you give meat to stray cats?

Don’t give meat by-products as the primary ingredient. Grainy cat meals must also be avoided at best. Never give microwave heated or hot food to the cats. Fishes are good food for the stray cats as their strong smell easily attracts them into eating it. However, don’t give them regularly.

Is a cat a carnivore?

Cats are carnivores by nature and this means that fruits and vegetables are not a part of their natural diet. They might suffer gastric issues upon consumption of certain veggies and fruits. Any food like nuts, garlic, onions, etc. that build acids shouldn’t be given to felines.

How to get rid of a stray cat?

1. Capture and contain the stray cat. Before you try to go looking for the stray cat’s owner, first make sure that the cat is safe in your care. Corner the stray by subtly surrounding him with barriers like a rope or a leash, without making any sudden movements that could scare him away.

What is a stray cat?

Stray cats are often lost or abandoned cats that have been domesticated at some point in their lives. As opposed to feral or roaming cats that are born, bred, and raised in the streets, a stray would be much more comfortable in the presence of people. You can of course help a stray cat by feeding it first. Later on, you can make an effort ...

What to do if you don't have space for a stray cat?

If you don’t have space in your life for a new pet, but are worried about the stray cat ending up in a crowded shelter, you can try to be more proactive in helping the cat find a new home. Ask friends and relatives if they or anyone they know would be interested to adopt a stray.

What is a TNR for cats?

Local governments, however, often have TNR (trap-neuter-return) initiatives for the care and management of feral cats. More than finding out how to feed a feral cat, you might be interested in volunteering your time or donating to local TNR programs.

How to spread word of a lost cat?

The fastest way to spread word of a lost cat is by printing flyers with the cat’s description, photo, and your contact details.

Can a stray cat be adopted?

In most cases, you’d be asked to turn the animal over to local shelters where he will be kept for a specific period, before the stray cat is officially declared “abandoned” and up for adoption.

Can you borrow cat food for a neighbor?

They are much easier to offer and prepare. You can ask to borrow some cat food for your next-door neighbor if you have a stray cat emergency. It’s also important to ensure that you provide the cat with a fresh supply of water.

How to Handle Stray Cats

Before you put out any food for a stray cat, you should know how to best handle the situation so you don’t cause any potential harm or stress to yourself or the cat.

Rehoming and After-Care

Often, it’s pretty easy to care for and rehome a stray cat, especially if it’s a kitten.

Final Thoughts

Overall, feeding a stray cat a portion of the cat food you already have on hand is the best approach. In most cases, most commercially bought cat food brands will be easy enough on any cat’s stomach and provide them with the nutrients and health benefits they need.

Katy Duncan

Katy Duncan is a writer/content creator based in the Pacific North West. When she's not busy writing captivating content for clients, she's working on her novel or spending time with her feline friend, Merlin Magoo, and her many prospering houseplants.

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