Fingers crossed you can catch him. You might want to look at their diet, burgess is quite a poor quality food.
-
Too many ads? Join our community of cat lovers now to reduce ads by 90%! Click here to join for free!
The perils of outdoor-feeding
- Thread starter dunnyboy69
- Start Date
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #22
Hi all - thanks for the good vibes.
1/ still no luck catching Rudi. The good news is that his eye looks loads better. On Thursday/ Friday there were certain angles when it seemed 75% closed. Yesterday and today (in particular) it's almost back to normal. Am still going to get him to the vet, I promise
2/ some more Rudi background. Had some friends over last night, and one of them saw him in the garden and said 'oh that's your cat - I remember seeing him when we were driving away from your BBQ last year'. A bit of calendar checking revealed this was august 2010. So that's now at least 9 months he's been hanging around - and it means 5 months until he started meowing at me and c. 8 before petting. No wonder he's such a bugger to catch ;-)
3/ saw little cow yesterday wandering to her feeding station just outside the courtyard while Rudi was curled under a hedge at the side of the courtyard (his
favourite place these days). So having not had a chat with her for days, I opened the back door and stood on the step for a natter. Understandably Rudi
thought I was talking to him and so came up to see me while little cow
watched on about 25-30 feet away. Rather splendidly, she saw me petting him for a few seconds before he turned in her direction and she bolted. Don't think he saw her - he was too busy purring.
4/ thanks to booktigger for the info on burgess. When I got the ferals (long before the Rudi reveal) I was told they'd only had dry before in the shelter and so to be initially sparing with wet. Long story short, I ended up buying 3 x 20kg bags from the shelter (via cash and carry). There's probably about half of it left! I'll switch when it's done - any recommendations? Good news is that it's the one thing they are unfussy about: Rudi in particular seems to enjoy it over and above wet at the moment. Little cow seems to eat pretty much anything wet I give her as long as it's in gravy, not jelly (I reckon she was born ooooop north) but Rudi will often eschew even decent quality food (Sheba or Felix or la perle, I think it's called) in favour of his dry food. As long, of course, as a couple of treats are mixed into his 'roodifoodi' - an expression he now seems to know
1/ still no luck catching Rudi. The good news is that his eye looks loads better. On Thursday/ Friday there were certain angles when it seemed 75% closed. Yesterday and today (in particular) it's almost back to normal. Am still going to get him to the vet, I promise
2/ some more Rudi background. Had some friends over last night, and one of them saw him in the garden and said 'oh that's your cat - I remember seeing him when we were driving away from your BBQ last year'. A bit of calendar checking revealed this was august 2010. So that's now at least 9 months he's been hanging around - and it means 5 months until he started meowing at me and c. 8 before petting. No wonder he's such a bugger to catch ;-)
3/ saw little cow yesterday wandering to her feeding station just outside the courtyard while Rudi was curled under a hedge at the side of the courtyard (his
favourite place these days). So having not had a chat with her for days, I opened the back door and stood on the step for a natter. Understandably Rudi
thought I was talking to him and so came up to see me while little cow
watched on about 25-30 feet away. Rather splendidly, she saw me petting him for a few seconds before he turned in her direction and she bolted. Don't think he saw her - he was too busy purring.
4/ thanks to booktigger for the info on burgess. When I got the ferals (long before the Rudi reveal) I was told they'd only had dry before in the shelter and so to be initially sparing with wet. Long story short, I ended up buying 3 x 20kg bags from the shelter (via cash and carry). There's probably about half of it left! I'll switch when it's done - any recommendations? Good news is that it's the one thing they are unfussy about: Rudi in particular seems to enjoy it over and above wet at the moment. Little cow seems to eat pretty much anything wet I give her as long as it's in gravy, not jelly (I reckon she was born ooooop north) but Rudi will often eschew even decent quality food (Sheba or Felix or la perle, I think it's called) in favour of his dry food. As long, of course, as a couple of treats are mixed into his 'roodifoodi' - an expression he now seems to know
RoodiFoodi,
. I love kitty nicknames
. The more little cow sees you petting on Rudy, the better. Cats learn from watching and that might spark a bit more desire to become friendly with you down the road. I have had no luck at all with Dixie, she reminds me of your little cow. I rarely see Dixie, unless I am peeking out the window. She takes off the second I come out the door
. She is so reclusive, smart and savvy and does not want to seem to have any contact with me. Yogi always waits out there for me and I can get about four feet away. he will hiss, but he just stays put. With the warmer temps here now, I am going to try to spend more time outside with him. I would love to have Yogi be like your Rudi, someday
.
On Rudi's eye looking better. It truly amazes me that these feral cats are sometimes able to just overcome these issues all on their own without vet assistance. I sure hope it is on the mend and sending more vibes to Rudi
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #24
Thanks, Feralvr. Yep, I reckon Dixie and Little Cow may be long-lost relations!
That said, just had another splendid Rudi/ LC exchange. I'm having to write a report this afternoon (and boo to that - it's gorgeous here, about 22 degrees C/ 70F) and my upstairs office looks out over the courtyard. I saw LC come for grub to her happy hutch and, once she'd had her fill, I popped to the back door to say hello. She was about 35ft away, but she let me come a few steps outside the back door to say hello.
Anyway, I was chatting to her for a couple of minutes and then heard the big lad come a-meowing. So he and I had a couple of minutes of petting whilst she watched us from under the shade of the caravan. This time Rudi definitely saw her and, though he stiffened, he didn't make to chase her. Just as importantly, she didn't scoot off either. Indeed, after watching us for a few minutes she just walked calmly away to her barn.
You know, I reckon they might have had a tiff, she's given him his black eye and he's now gained some respect for her. More (girl) power to her elbow if so! And his eye seems even better, too. So it's been a win-win day on the cat front: now if only I could summon the enthusiasm to write this report....
That said, just had another splendid Rudi/ LC exchange. I'm having to write a report this afternoon (and boo to that - it's gorgeous here, about 22 degrees C/ 70F) and my upstairs office looks out over the courtyard. I saw LC come for grub to her happy hutch and, once she'd had her fill, I popped to the back door to say hello. She was about 35ft away, but she let me come a few steps outside the back door to say hello.
Anyway, I was chatting to her for a couple of minutes and then heard the big lad come a-meowing. So he and I had a couple of minutes of petting whilst she watched us from under the shade of the caravan. This time Rudi definitely saw her and, though he stiffened, he didn't make to chase her. Just as importantly, she didn't scoot off either. Indeed, after watching us for a few minutes she just walked calmly away to her barn.
You know, I reckon they might have had a tiff, she's given him his black eye and he's now gained some respect for her. More (girl) power to her elbow if so! And his eye seems even better, too. So it's been a win-win day on the cat front: now if only I could summon the enthusiasm to write this report....
Great news it's healing - sounds like he managed to avoid an infection.
I don't know about brands of food in the UK. I do know that many people feed ferals/outdoor cats poor quality food and they thrive - basically because they supplement that food with what they SHOULD be eating (mice and other little nibblies)! If you want to get them a better quality food, by all means do so. But I also wouldn't fret overly about it.
That said... cats actually require no grains, but they're cheaper protein. A higher quality food will have meat (of some type and in some shape or form) as the first three or four ingredients, and if possible, avoid meat by-products. Avoid stuff with "wheat gluten" up there on the list.
I don't know about brands of food in the UK. I do know that many people feed ferals/outdoor cats poor quality food and they thrive - basically because they supplement that food with what they SHOULD be eating (mice and other little nibblies)! If you want to get them a better quality food, by all means do so. But I also wouldn't fret overly about it.
That said... cats actually require no grains, but they're cheaper protein. A higher quality food will have meat (of some type and in some shape or form) as the first three or four ingredients, and if possible, avoid meat by-products. Avoid stuff with "wheat gluten" up there on the list.
I bet you are right. LC might have given Rudi a sock to the eye!!! That's great she is staying and watching you more
. BTW, I feed my feral's plain old purina cat chow and friskies canned food. YEP, they get some wet food too. Over the winter I felt is was important. What I am noticing lately since temps are on the rise, is that they are not eating as much as over the winter. I do think they are out hunting rodents and such and have fuller bellies. Over the winter I fed twice a day a.m. and p.m. Lately when I go to feed the p.m. meal the food hasn't been touched. So I might just feed in the a.m. only to see how that goes. I haven't seen two of the regulars at all. Just Yogi and maybe Dixie here and there. They must be enjoying their hunting outings.
Glad his eye is looking better. Purina has better ingredients without being too expensive and is rice as the carb. You could also try pets at homes own brand - in silver bags - they have a very good money back guarantee if they don't like it. If they will eat tins butchers classic is a good price and can help with gum issues so might be good in case they aren't catching a lot.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #28
Thanks for the info and advice
Food: unless they are famished, they don't seem to go for tins. Indeed, at the moment neither has much of a hankering for any wet stuff. I shared a pouch between them first thing this morning along with plenty of dry food, came back this lunchtime and found the wet hadn't been touched but that the dry had a big dent in it. 'Twas the except opposite over the winter
Rudi: well, his eye's fine. But as I was petting him this lunchtime I noticed quite a painful-looking cut/ tear on top of his head. I shall watch him (and the cut) very closely for signs of infection. Given that he' loves being petted, I'd have thought that, if antiseptics of any kind are appropriate (do let me know!!) that I can apply these while I'm tending to him.
I suspect that we have an overnight interloper who is having fisticuffs with Rudi. LC runs from him and so, while she might have bopped him once, I can't see it being an ongoing thing. The other possibility is a fox - but I've been told that foxes tend to shy away from cats as they have an in-built sense of 'ooh, that thing has short claws'. Time to spend an evening outside with the night vision lens.....
bests to all
Food: unless they are famished, they don't seem to go for tins. Indeed, at the moment neither has much of a hankering for any wet stuff. I shared a pouch between them first thing this morning along with plenty of dry food, came back this lunchtime and found the wet hadn't been touched but that the dry had a big dent in it. 'Twas the except opposite over the winter
Rudi: well, his eye's fine. But as I was petting him this lunchtime I noticed quite a painful-looking cut/ tear on top of his head. I shall watch him (and the cut) very closely for signs of infection. Given that he' loves being petted, I'd have thought that, if antiseptics of any kind are appropriate (do let me know!!) that I can apply these while I'm tending to him.
I suspect that we have an overnight interloper who is having fisticuffs with Rudi. LC runs from him and so, while she might have bopped him once, I can't see it being an ongoing thing. The other possibility is a fox - but I've been told that foxes tend to shy away from cats as they have an in-built sense of 'ooh, that thing has short claws'. Time to spend an evening outside with the night vision lens.....
bests to all
It is possible it could be a feral cat whom you never see!! Some ferals are so very reclusive and you might not see them. Hope Rudi's cut heals up well. You could always clean it with saline (I doubt he will allow it
) and put some neosporin on it. But most of the time these scuffs and cuts just heal up on their own.
So how have things been going? Any more cuts?
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #31
Apologies for the delayed response - going on hols in a couple of days (to the good old US of A) so lots of things/ work needed doing. Glad to say that some good friends have agreed to look after the cats - not that they take much looking after. The instructions read:
"Ideally to be done before 10 am ... put the fresh ice cream tub full of water in the lean-to, put LC's food in her hut and put Rudi's on top of his. Only feed dry unless the weather is lousy, as the flies get to the wet. If it does rain, put Rudi's food inside his hut. When you see Rudi (and you will, and he will love on you), give him some of his Whiskas Milk and you will have a friend for life. If you see Little Cow, award yourself five bonus points"
Anyway, news is as follows from this end:
1) Rudi's eye is 100% ok, as is the gash on top of his forehead. There are 1-2 other little marks around his ears area that would suggest he's continuing to be in the wars, but generally he seems in good spirits. What a fine farm cat he is: he basically patrols the whole acre and a bit that the houses and gardens are on, from the front gardens through to the compost heap at the back of the barns.
2) no actual signs of any interlopers...but am increasingly convinced of their presence. England is experiencing a very mild and gorgeous spring, so I've found that LC and Rudi don't seem to have much appetite. Even so, I've continued to put out ample food for the two of them - probably actually enough for 2 1/4 cats. On 3 of the last 5 days I've found they've left plenty (probably about 1/2 a cats daily requirement, maybe more), which is fine. On the other two days, I've come home at lunchtime to find almost everything gone!! It could just be my two supplementing on some days but not others. The time of day would rule out hedgehogs. So it's something I'll continue to monitor. I'm hoping (probably against hope) that Ruby has come home.
3) when I originally got the ferals (LC and Ruby), the key aim was rodent control. I've not seen any mice or rats for ages, so I've assumed the job is being done. Just spoke to the neighbours, however, who told me that, on both the last 2 mornings, they've had a dead/ chewed mole left on their driveway. This is seriously good news: moles did well over £100 worth of damage on the farm last year and, whilst we hadn't had any in the main mole months (Jan and Feb), I did notice a few mole hills last week. I'm guessing that Little Cow is behind the cull and I could kiss her! With Rudi very much laying claim to our courtyard, I'm guessing she has given the neighbours a present to show what a fine hunter she is. The man who killed my moles in 2010 said that cats can be good catchers of moles but that they'll never eat them as they taste awful!
So, there you go. Hope all are well and I'll catch up with you on my return from Florida (just in time to take up my seat at St Paul's to see Bill and Kitty tie the knot ;-)). If any of you are in that part of the world, I'll be doing my bit to keep up the English traditions: ill-fitting shorts, a combo of sunburn and milk-white skin, muttering 'it's too bloody hot' under my breath, telling locals 'no, I'm not Australian ;-)' and generallly marvelling at things. Can't wait!
"Ideally to be done before 10 am ... put the fresh ice cream tub full of water in the lean-to, put LC's food in her hut and put Rudi's on top of his. Only feed dry unless the weather is lousy, as the flies get to the wet. If it does rain, put Rudi's food inside his hut. When you see Rudi (and you will, and he will love on you), give him some of his Whiskas Milk and you will have a friend for life. If you see Little Cow, award yourself five bonus points"
Anyway, news is as follows from this end:
1) Rudi's eye is 100% ok, as is the gash on top of his forehead. There are 1-2 other little marks around his ears area that would suggest he's continuing to be in the wars, but generally he seems in good spirits. What a fine farm cat he is: he basically patrols the whole acre and a bit that the houses and gardens are on, from the front gardens through to the compost heap at the back of the barns.
2) no actual signs of any interlopers...but am increasingly convinced of their presence. England is experiencing a very mild and gorgeous spring, so I've found that LC and Rudi don't seem to have much appetite. Even so, I've continued to put out ample food for the two of them - probably actually enough for 2 1/4 cats. On 3 of the last 5 days I've found they've left plenty (probably about 1/2 a cats daily requirement, maybe more), which is fine. On the other two days, I've come home at lunchtime to find almost everything gone!! It could just be my two supplementing on some days but not others. The time of day would rule out hedgehogs. So it's something I'll continue to monitor. I'm hoping (probably against hope) that Ruby has come home.
3) when I originally got the ferals (LC and Ruby), the key aim was rodent control. I've not seen any mice or rats for ages, so I've assumed the job is being done. Just spoke to the neighbours, however, who told me that, on both the last 2 mornings, they've had a dead/ chewed mole left on their driveway. This is seriously good news: moles did well over £100 worth of damage on the farm last year and, whilst we hadn't had any in the main mole months (Jan and Feb), I did notice a few mole hills last week. I'm guessing that Little Cow is behind the cull and I could kiss her! With Rudi very much laying claim to our courtyard, I'm guessing she has given the neighbours a present to show what a fine hunter she is. The man who killed my moles in 2010 said that cats can be good catchers of moles but that they'll never eat them as they taste awful!
So, there you go. Hope all are well and I'll catch up with you on my return from Florida (just in time to take up my seat at St Paul's to see Bill and Kitty tie the knot ;-)). If any of you are in that part of the world, I'll be doing my bit to keep up the English traditions: ill-fitting shorts, a combo of sunburn and milk-white skin, muttering 'it's too bloody hot' under my breath, telling locals 'no, I'm not Australian ;-)' and generallly marvelling at things. Can't wait!
Enjoy your trip to Florida!!!! Lots of sunshine and HOT too
. I am sure LC and Rudi are getting their fill on the moles!!! Those are bigger than voles! We have a vole problem near my house and not any more since the ferals have taken up residence
. They too leave some food on some days and then on other days, they are there waiting to be fed. They are not eating as much food as they did over the winter, that is for sure. That is good news about Rudi's eye! PHEW. All is well then. Have a wonderful trip!!
Aw, it's all good!
The neighbors must be very happy with LC's presents!
Hope you have a FABULOUS trip!
(And seriously - most US citizens can't tell the difference between an English accent and Australian? I didn't know that!)
The neighbors must be very happy with LC's presents!
Hope you have a FABULOUS trip!
(And seriously - most US citizens can't tell the difference between an English accent and Australian? I didn't know that!)
Oh you forgot one - wearing socks with your sandals.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #35
Hi there - hope all are well.
Been back from hols for a few days and so thought I'd send a quick update:
*Good news
generally everything. Since returning, Rudi has been more vocal and loving than ever. Speaking with the lovely friends who looked after him and Little Cow, they mentioned that they saw and heard him plenty while we were away but he kept his distance. Hence he's been making up for lost lovin' time with me: I'm getting the kind of headbutts that could knock a man off his feet, while bellyrubs and THE BRUSH (capitalised because that's the way I say it to Rudi.....as in 'do you want (dah-dah-dah)....THE BRUSH!!!!'...daft, I know!) have been in full effect. He also bravely ventured through the utility room into the hallway tonight. Come the Autumn (or, basically, whenever he wants it), that boy's gonna have a warm indoor bed.
Haven't seen much of Little Cow but what I have seen suggests she's becoming a cheekier scamp than ever. She was spied popping up to Rudi's food station - right outside the backdoor - a couple of days ago and I've also seen her lying on the roof of a barn sunning herself.
* Interesting news
Think I saw (another dah-dah-dah moment!) The Interloper last night. It was twilight and, through my night vision lens, I saw a dark shape bouncing across the garden. It was about 40ft away, but it was clearly too big for Rudi and too uni-coloured for Little Cow. I'd say we have a smallish black cat that is stopping by for a mouse or two. And he/ she is, of course, very welcome
* Probably bad news
The jetlag that follows a flight across the pond west to east is pretty horrid, so I've lain awake the last couple of nights. As well as catching up on the stories here (and my goodness there are some cutre kittens around), I had a quick squizz at my vet's site to see if anyone had responded to the Rudi ad. There was nothing doing there. However, I did notice another post that read 'found - end March -small b/w female cat - young adult - on road x (road x being exactly where I live - it's a fairly rural, 3/4 mile long road - DOA at vet clinic'. My heart sank: that's the original Ruby to a tee. If it is, it's a small crumb of consolation that she didn't go very far. But it's a crumb that wouldn't feed a thing.
To end on a positive note, I've just opened the window and taken out my night vision lens to look for the interloper but have only been greeted by the big lad, Rudi, meowing his little heart out at me. I think I can stand one more petting session tonight....
best to all
Been back from hols for a few days and so thought I'd send a quick update:
*Good news
generally everything. Since returning, Rudi has been more vocal and loving than ever. Speaking with the lovely friends who looked after him and Little Cow, they mentioned that they saw and heard him plenty while we were away but he kept his distance. Hence he's been making up for lost lovin' time with me: I'm getting the kind of headbutts that could knock a man off his feet, while bellyrubs and THE BRUSH (capitalised because that's the way I say it to Rudi.....as in 'do you want (dah-dah-dah)....THE BRUSH!!!!'...daft, I know!) have been in full effect. He also bravely ventured through the utility room into the hallway tonight. Come the Autumn (or, basically, whenever he wants it), that boy's gonna have a warm indoor bed.
Haven't seen much of Little Cow but what I have seen suggests she's becoming a cheekier scamp than ever. She was spied popping up to Rudi's food station - right outside the backdoor - a couple of days ago and I've also seen her lying on the roof of a barn sunning herself.
* Interesting news
Think I saw (another dah-dah-dah moment!) The Interloper last night. It was twilight and, through my night vision lens, I saw a dark shape bouncing across the garden. It was about 40ft away, but it was clearly too big for Rudi and too uni-coloured for Little Cow. I'd say we have a smallish black cat that is stopping by for a mouse or two. And he/ she is, of course, very welcome
* Probably bad news
The jetlag that follows a flight across the pond west to east is pretty horrid, so I've lain awake the last couple of nights. As well as catching up on the stories here (and my goodness there are some cutre kittens around), I had a quick squizz at my vet's site to see if anyone had responded to the Rudi ad. There was nothing doing there. However, I did notice another post that read 'found - end March -small b/w female cat - young adult - on road x (road x being exactly where I live - it's a fairly rural, 3/4 mile long road - DOA at vet clinic'. My heart sank: that's the original Ruby to a tee. If it is, it's a small crumb of consolation that she didn't go very far. But it's a crumb that wouldn't feed a thing.
To end on a positive note, I've just opened the window and taken out my night vision lens to look for the interloper but have only been greeted by the big lad, Rudi, meowing his little heart out at me. I think I can stand one more petting session tonight....
best to all
Welcome back. Hope you had a wonderful time!
I'm glad for the good news.... but I'm SO sorry to hear about Ruby!
At least you know what happened, and she's at peace.
I'm glad for the good news.... but I'm SO sorry to hear about Ruby!
