What to do about ants and possums

I have a stray cat that I am feeding. If I put food out at night, sometimes possums will eat it. The wet food attracts ants like crazy. Anyone have a solution for keeping the ants and possums away?

Welcome to The Cat Site.  And thank you for feeding the stray cat.

There is nothing I found that will keep  possums (or raccoons) away, other than to take up the food within a set amount of time after putting it out.  Your stray cat will quickly learn when to show up and to eat fast!

Regarding ants, you can try putting the bowl of food in a large bowl; put water in the large bowl, place the smaller bowl (with food) on top of the water.  The theory is that if ants climb up the bigger bowl in order to get to the food, they will fall into the water and drown.

The bowl in a bowl of water works for ants. Same theory, if you're feeding on the ground, you can just dig a "moat" around the food dish.

As to the possums and raccoons, the only thing I've found that works is a table - but one on a pedestal, not with legs. Some pool-side tables fit the bill. The raccoons and possums can't jump high enough, and with the central pedestal, they can't climb it.

There is a thing called Antser; it's a "9 x 13 pesticide free ant proofing platform feeder". (I saw it on catinfo.org)

I don't personally know how it is though. The design seems simple enough, I think you can make a similar thing with what you have around the house.

Under "Raccoon proofing cat feeder" etc.on Google, there are all kinds of information available on the subject, including videos.

Thank you for all the great ideas. I will try the water in a larger bowl and the pedestal table.  I have not seen the stray today. He or she seems to show up every other day or so. He or she also has no particular time when he comes around. He eats, then trots off into the woods. I think I may put up some signs to see if he or she belongs to anyone. 

Avon has a product "skin so soft" oil for skin but the scent drives ants away. Use all the time around & under cat dishes & ants won't go near. Until you get that the second best deterrent is dish soap. Dawn is not harmful to cats or animals used to wash wildlife in rescue & with every purchase some money goes to animal rescue. The opossums will not hurt the cats and are good to have around since they eat poisonous snakes, snails, slugs, spiders, bugs, mice, rats, & fleas. If you can't afford to feed them cat food bring the food in when it gets dark out & put it back out in the morning when it's getting light out. Cats live much longer indoors if you can lure the cat in with canned food.