shadow theback black cat :3

Hi!! So earlier this year, somewhere in January or February I noticed two cats that I'd never seen before across the street. One was big and with a mix of beige brown and black fur,and the other was almost half its size and jet black. I watched them stair each other down until the bigger cat started to back away and the black cat slowly followed.(I never saw the bigger cat again). Over the next two months I saw the little black cat in my back yard. I threw some deli meet out of a window to see what he would do(yes i know deli meat is bad for cats now).He ate it so i threw some more then left. I never went out side when I fed him so that I wouldn't Scare him. But one day i saw him laying in the back yard and slowly walked towards him not making eye contact and left some boiled chicken out and went back inside. again he approached it and ate ALL of the chicken. A month later i saw him(shadow) again but he looked like he had been in a fight.missing fur-scratches-he looked thin too. This one particular day is why i think he is a stray. The reason i think he is a stray and not feral is that he has warmed up to me. Last week he pushed his head into my hand and let me pet him then when i went up the stares to the back porch and inside he followed and sat on the top stair for 20 minutes. Also after looking on the internet for a few days I am pretty sure he is in tact and possibly of the breed Bombay though his eyes are a pale green instead of copper. Iv been feeding him a mix of chicken(breast meat-liver-heart) rice and tuna if I have any. He has no collar but i know that he could have a microchip but im still not sure. that's all I'll update when he comes back again. Meow :3

Your best bet is to catch him and have him vet checked and definitely get him neutered.  Even if he doesn't come in the house, being neutered will help keep him  out of fights.  Intake males fight for territory and mating rights and it almost always gets them in trouble (injuries, infections, etc.)

Also, please buy him some wet cat food.  Even if he's fed only a can or two a day, it will keep him from having to hunt so much (and thus potentially get into trouble by entering another cat's territory).

He's a pretty cat.  Keep us posted!

Im not sure if I'll be able to catch him yet and he only comes by once every week or so. Do you know of any good cat food brands? Im afraid I'm a little under informed on good food for them.

Are you in the United States or somewhere else because that will help with people making food suggestions (there are people from all over on here)?  If you start putting food out regularly, he will most likely start showing up on a regular basis and this will help you get him comfortable around you.  You can then proceed with catching him and getting him checked by the vet.  Good luck!

I would definitely try and trap him.  You can just set out a trap, but not set it and get him used to the trap.  You can just place some food inside so he knows to enter.  Then get him to a vet to see if he has a microchip and if not, get him neutered.  It definitely will help with the fighting as well as his wandering.

You can find lots of canned cat foods at pet stores or even Target and Walmart.  Depending on your budget you can get some really high quality food such as Wellness, Innova, Blue Buffalo or you can find Friskies, Meow Mix, Fancy Feast or other.  I feed a combo of wet and dry.  They get wet food morning and night and then a bowl of dry food to last the day.  Food is then picked up at night.

Thanks for taking care of this boy. 

I live in the us,Georgia to be specific. he seemed to come early in the morning or around 5-7pm so i tend to keep an eye out through out the day but specifically those times. he seemed to like chicken and rice so until i can get some good cat food I'll stick with that. I got it from a cat food recipe.

Proplan makes a chicken and rice formula.  If you can, stick with wet food.  I use the Fancy Feast pate (the grilled has gravy, which isn't all that good for cats).

Always take up any food at night.  If you leave it out, it will attract other critters (raccoons and skunks)

Thanks ^-^

The Friskies pates are really good value as well. Pates in general are more healthy (higher animal protein/fewer carbs). A trap is a good idea.

You might be able to borrow a humane trap from a local rescue. They may also have info on low-cost spay/neuter programs, if there are any in your area.

ok thanks I'll look into that.

OK UPDATE TIME!Si shadow came on Saturday around three. I fed him(haven't gotten any cat food yet :[. I rubbed his back for a bit. I have to admit I tend to get a little nervous when I touch him because I don't know many of the signs that they don't want you to.

Shadow showed up around 3:30 pm and stayed till about five. This is the longest he's ever stayed so far. After he ate he fell asleep(10ft away of course) for about thirty minutes then left. he's still a little nervous about me but its getting better.

Sunday he came again around 6:50 and stayed till 7:30. He let me touch him while he was eating(that's a good sign right?). I user that time to try to fined a micro chip. I've herd that there usually around the shoulder blades but I didn't feel anything. Im thinking of trying to lure him into a safer place so that i can keep an eye on him until I can get him neuterd.

It sounds like he's liking your lovely accommodations!  If you buy or borrow a humane trap, you can feed him in it for a week or two before setting it to spring.  This gets him used to the idea of going into the trap and makes it easier for you to trap him.  Once he's used to going in the trap, make his appointment for the clinic/vet and set the trap.

Ok guys so I've run into a little problem. I did some checking and none of the animal shelters in my area are no-kill. do I've decided to leave him be but I'll continue to feed him and will try to get him checked out. I believe that would be best right now since there is no were i can take him that won't kill him. And who knows maybe in time I can adopt him ^-^

Well, now it is definitely up to you.  If he's neutered, he should stay close to your house.  You can keep an eye on him and provide him with food and shelter.  He sounds like he's used to being on his own but is probably going to other people's houses for food (and maybe shelter).  Have you checked with the neighbors yet?  Maybe one of them can help you trap him or give you some info about his other "homes".

Did you ask about the possibility of borrowing a humane trap?  If no one can lend you one, they have them at Harbor Freight and Tractor Supply.  Good luck!