this post was submitted on 29 Jan 2026
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My gentleman caller swung by for a drink of water so I brought out some food in a disposable bowl.
spoiler
He was excited for pats and hungry but couldn’t finish the whole pouch.I managed to get a feel of his spine and that boy is knobbly. A few little bald patches in thin fur. And by the snuffly snorty nose, the occasional sneezes, and the creaky meow he might have an upper respiratory infection. He was breathing huffily in excitement while being patted so I think so.
He finished eating and wandered a distance away to wash so I left the remainder out there. I came inside but removed my shoes at the door, and then washed my hands and clothes and showered to avoid bringing any diseases or parasites back to Melbcat.
I need to guess his weight or find parasite treatments that have a wide recommended weight range and see if I can get them in pill form.
Melbcat is being both clingy and sulky. Welcome home cheater…
Edit: She’s now lying on me
You're an amazing person to consider helping a stray. We have such an incredible collection of humans in this thread!
Not really, these animals deserve better :(
Wish people would fkn look after their cats Edit: and dogs
All sentient creatures even.
aw, he does sound like he needs some regular feeding
just dry food would be good
hugs, you're so caring 😘
I’m now trying to think if I can get him to the vet (as they won’t treat an animal they haven’t seen). But I don’t want to risk sending him to the shelter which would be the outcome.
And the public water is probably infecting any other cat that drinks but there’s not much I can do without overextending myself ie. getting rid of the dispenser and washing an outside bowl daily (without wanting to bring an infectious item inside so I can use hot soapy water)
I have a possum trap if he's feral level stray. My stray is feral but I've nowhere to send him if I catch him so I leave him be and keep the food and water up. He doesn't immediately flee when I top off his food, so that's an improvement.
public water is the water that is in nature
it's ok