I think this guy is starving his cat.

[blinkyblinky]

The cat is skin and bones, I'm not exaggerating. I fed it in the street and it was ravenous. I talked to the owner and he assured me it was just old, and he feeds it every day and the vet told him that some cats just get like that when they are old. I also asked if it has worms, and the guy said it doesn't. I just want to stress, I've never seen an animal so skinny, like the ones you see in the animal charity photos in newspapers. I get bad vibes from this guy and I know some people get some kind of weird sadistic kick out of doing this kind of thing to their pets. Has anyone ever heard about cats getting old and losing weight like that?

Also, if I was to call the RSPCA, what would they do? Just go round the guy's house, have a word with him and accept any answer they are given? Or would they insist on examining the cat themselves?

[loopey]

i've got a siamese and they are always skinny looking even though he eats loads, cats do get really skinny as they get older (like old people) what was your first impression of the guy?

[Noweia]

Weight loss is a clinical sign of many diseases, many of which appear in old cats, so it's quite possible that the cat is being looked after properly and it's condition is down to its age.

[mimififi]

you could always nick the cat take it to a PDSA clinic, get them to check it over, it's usually free for strays.  Explaint he situation and if the vet says it's ok, just old, then you could just take it back and put it back inthe street. 

I don't normally advocate this kind of cloak and dagger, but I don't like to see animals suffer either.

[KPD]

The cat is old and has lost a lot of muscle, eats like a horse and never puts on any weight.  Yes, this is old age in a cat and very normal. Absolutely nothing can be done except feed it enough but not too much. It may have worms but this is unlikely to be a major problem, and unlikly to be the cause of the problem. If the cat is well groomed, chances are the owner is looking after him okay, as cats that old don't tend to groom so much and require assistance.

[Piper-AK]

If this was some kind of sicko, surely the cat would not be coming out on full view for you to be able to see how sick it is?   However, it sounds like it is starving.  This may not be the old guy's fault.  Get him to take it to the PDSA (free!!).  If he refuses, then he is either proud, scared or evil so just take the cat to the PDSA/RSPCA yourself, or take it in. 

[Eels]

The cat could easily be diabetic, or hypothyroid.  Either way just because it's thin doesn't mean it is being neglected or abused.  Perhaps the best course of action would be a friendly suggestion to the owner that it might benefit from a second check over by the vet (you could offer to take them) but remember that investigating and treating some conditions of old age will run up a bill which someone will have to pay.  It may be that the owner has discussed this with a vet and decided that financial constraints make the best option letting the disease run its course.  He might have been embarrassed to admit this to you.

There are a million reasons for this, and I think to assume that this cat's (probably very caring) owner is neglectful or abusive is entirely wrong.  And as for suggestions that you basically steal the cat - well, if you think it's right to steal someone's long-term companion on the basis that it isn't as lardy as the average mog these days, then you've got bigger problems of your own to deal with.

[Fern57]

You need to be very careful feeding other people's cats. I have three, who are all quite old now, and have all lost weight due to old age. One of them has many dietary problems. He has to eat low protein food, and cannot tolerate lactose at all. A neigbour who believes he is starving is feeding him and giving him milk! My only option would be to imprison him for the rest of his life, or punch the lights out of the neighbour! - and I don't think keeping the cat in would be fair. He enjoys going outside. Watch out neighbour!!!

[jackyp]

my cat is 18years old eats loads but also very thin and looks ill treated but she is very much loved she has recently been to the vets and she is in good health

[Bottom]

I would call the RSPCA, they will at least check it out, They will only take it if they believe it is being ill treated! Sorry never looked at the other answers just incase some else has put this.

[blinkyblinky]

From what you've all said, it seems that some of you have experience of very old but healthy cats getting really thin, and as long as you are talking REALLY thin then I guess I'll just keep an eye on it and try to feed it when I have the chance (and look out for the neighbour trying to punch me!)

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

[Fern57]

But blinkyblinky, if the cat does need special food, and you are giving it bog standard cat food, you could be killing it faster than anyone. Have you even talked to the owner about what the cat is allowed to eat, or has it been put on a special diet? If you are really that concerned then take the cat to a vet for tests.

[blinkyblinky]

Hi Fern

Don't worry about that, I mentioned to the owner that I'd been feeding it because I'd assumed it was a stray, and he said that it eats a tin and a half of kit-e-kat every day.

[Shipstabber]

I had an elderly cat which continued to lose weight despite eating healthily. She turned out to have hyperthyroidism which is common in old cats. This is totally treatable however, and my cat was put on tablets which soon enabled her to put weight back on. She had to take  the tablets for the rest of her life however but they weren't too expensive. I would encourage the cat's owner to take it to the vets.

[phildelaney]

I'm afraid some elderly cats do lose the ability to get any nourishment out of what they eat, it just goes straight through them. We had a much-loved old tom whose kidneys packed up and he just couldn't get enough to eat, and was starving before our eyes. It wouldn't hurt to let the RSPCA know you're worried though

[snapdarlich]

We have a lovely Cat, who's getting on a bit (but we're not sure of his age, he was left with the house)

I never liked Cats. Only Dogs, But I wouldn't be without them now - Lovely wee beasties.

We try all sorts of things. The best food, cat milk.

Plain cooked chicken. Fresh Fish.

But his rear end is wearing away, I reckon we've spent about �1000 in vet's bills on him. He had a tumour that nearly killed him. We sometimes joke that the new extension at the vet's should be called Toby's wing.

He wolfs down his food and hunts regularly. Everyone on the road (in the country) knows and loves him

- And even carry him back home to us, because they feel sorry for his failing health. He just won't put on weight.

If you're really bothered, then give the RSPCA a call.

But there may be more to the situation. Although, the man you talk about probably would've said so if it was old or ill. Difficult situation. Sorry to go on.

[blinkyblinky]

Don't apologise. I fed it again yesterday, and there is an old folks' home there which had a tray of milk and tuna outside, so others have noticed and are taking an interest in it too. Maybe between us we can get it fat before the winter sets in.