How do stray and outdoor cats survive...?

I ask this as our gracie has such a delicate tummy. She came to us at 7 weeks old ! Was sick after eating most commercial cat foods and took us weeks until we found a particular brand of vetinary food she could eat ! I can tell when she is constipated as she just sits there and looks unhappy ! She's an indoor cat and we do open the kitchen door and she just sits at the door looking out and I always say to her 'how an earth would you survive out there with your tummy ?' Well yesterday not only did she fall into a sink of soapy water when she was being nosey to see what I was cooking, but she took a bit of roast chicken soaked in spices and gravey from the side ! Well after this she spent all night sat under the clothes rack, staring at us as we slept ( she usually sleeps with us) she looked so unhappy and very unwell and didn't eat or seem interested in us or anything ! She usually follows us around the house however just stayed under the clothes rack ! We took her to the vets and he advised thought the herbs had upset her and 3 injections later and a diet of boiled chicken she's getting back to her old self! So as my question : how an earth do stray and outdoor cats survive ? They must eat all sorts !

Not all do survive, but a lot are born to make up for the death rate.

MollyBlue said:

Not all do survive, but a lot are born to make up for the death rate.

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Yes, also the average life expectancy for free roaming cats is only 4 years... indoor cats live 15-20.

Some people have made ne feel guilty about Her being an indoor cat ! They say cats have to be free and roam outside ! That's why I let her sit by the door when I'm there so she can see what she's missing! She seeks happy aka we are going to make her an outside pen in the summer ! She's so delicate, shy and can't eat anything dodgy so I hope she stays happy at home ! Plus we can't afford £45 for 3 injections everyone she eat something ! [emoji]128516[/emoji]

daisyD said:

Some people have made ne feel guilty about Her being an indoor cat ! They say cats have to be free and roam outside ! That's why I let her sit by the door when I'm there so she can see what she's missing! She seeks happy aka we are going to make her an outside pen in the summer ! She's so delicate, shy and can't eat anything dodgy so I hope she stays happy at home ! Plus we can't afford £45 for 3 injections everyone she eat something ! [emoji]128516[/emoji]

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I feel your pain... our kitties are rescues too, and poor puffy cat... when they got her she was mostly dead... had mange really bad, lost most of her fur which settled into chronic dermatitis, major sinus/upper respiratory infection that is now also chronic, poor girl also has sensitive tummy and between hairballs and food that disagrees with her throws up a lot or else chews all the fur off her tail and rump because she gets to itchy... But really, now what would we do with out them?!

People are right when they say cats were meant to roam.  Its their instinct to eat, and unfortunately, food in the wild doesn't come hop on your plate, you go out and look for it, and stalk it and patrol your territory so others don't come hunting and stalking and taking your food (sort of how we would feel if the neighbor kept coming into our kitchen and emptying out our fridge).  Because cats and kittens are also prey for a number of animals that stalk them, and because whether or not a feral cat eats depends on many things, that's why their lifespan is so low in the wild. 

Your LUCKY Cat will live much longer, safer and happier because of your decisions to make her an indoor kitty.  Lucky for us, you can let her mimic the staking and hunting of prey by playing with toys before you feed her.  A pen outdoors this summer is another clever idea.  And finally, cats can be taught to walk on a leash and harness or taken for rides in a stroller outdoors if you just want to enhance and stimulate them.  But be forewarned, it is natural or cats to be outdoors, and most of them will grow to love it... meaning they will beg to go out, just like dogs.  If you are not committed to this, and she is happy inside, you might think about that before transitioning her to be used to something else.... they do get used to being told no... but not as easy as a dog.  Always remember Dogs have Masters, Cats have Slaves...

Food for thought ! We will see how it goes! I love her so much already in these short months - our naughty kitten !

daisyD said:

So as my question : how an earth do stray and outdoor cats survive ? They must eat all sorts !

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Dumpster diving if no one is feeding them. Also in America there are many trap, neuter & release colonies (TNR). The cats are taken to a shelter & adopted if they are adoptable. Otherwise, they are fixed, one of their ears is clipped, & they are returned to the colony if someone there is feeding them. There are a couple on my street. Others feed them, but I have paid hundreds to get any new cat who appears fixed. What I don't want on my street - ever - are kittens.

I fostered a cat in my house who subsequently had three kittens. Watching her take care of her babies was fascinating to me. All I could think of every day was how the heck do they do it outside? When they have to leave their babies to find food.

daisyD said:

Some people have made ne feel guilty about Her being an indoor cat ! They say cats have to be free and roam outside ! That's why I let her sit by the door when I'm there so she can see what she's missing! She seeks happy aka we are going to make her an outside pen in the summer ! She's so delicate, shy and can't eat anything dodgy so I hope she stays happy at home ! Plus we can't afford £45 for 3 injections everyone she eat something ! [emoji]128516[/emoji]

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Never feel guilty. I've heard it too. In fact my FIL went so far as to leave the door cracked open once. Among other things he's no longer welcome here. There are cats in shelters and rescues that live their whole lives in small cages with just minutes to exercise. Out door cats are subject to all kinds of bad people, stray dogs, cars , you name it. If you want your cat to enjoy the outdoors teach her to walk in a harness or build an outdoor catio.

Thank you ! We've had her for nearly 5 months and she seems happy indoors ! She has every toy there can be and we play with her all the time ! If anything everytims and spots us opening the door she legs it and hides ! We laugh and say to he 'you wouldn't like it out there ' ! The vets Jones Her by first nane already and we feed her the best food, clean water about 4 times a day and as soon as she has a number two in her kitter I clean it before she has the chance to bury it !

daisyD said:

Thank you ! We've had her for nearly 5 months and she seems happy indoors ! She has every toy there can be and we play with her all the time ! If anything everytims and spots us opening the door she legs it and hides ! We laugh and say to he 'you wouldn't like it out there ' ! The vets Jones Her by first nane already and we feed her the best food, clean water about 4 times a day and as soon as she has a number two in her kitter I clean it before she has the chance to bury it !

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To be honest I would let her complete her litterbox ritual before scooping. We love our cats like that too.