Stray Cat

[Veebird]

We have a stray cat that visits to be fed every night. He doesn't get on with my other cats and although I found his owner, she has other cats too and he won't stay with her. He is a good healthy weight and is probably living and getting fed at one of the farms. He turned up with a wound from a fight the other night but he licked it clean and it has healed very quickly. I'm concerned by the fact that he's sure to have fleas and worms too and uses the same shed that my cats do so I would very much like to free him of his parasites. He trusts me now and I've got to the stage where I can pick him up. I use the spot on treatment for my own cats but they always hate it and I thought it might frighten him. I wondered if anyone could recommend a pill that I could crush in his food hopefully that he would eat. He wolfs his food down, not like mine. I did contact his 'owner' about the wound and the flea treatment but it seems I've adopted him, so no help there.

[ladybirder]

How kind of you to take care of him Veebird and yes I think you should treat him for fleas and worms. However if there is anything other than spot-on or spray treatment then I haven't heard of it. I think the spray would upset him more than the spot-on treatment, (Advocate is brilliant for fleas and worms), and I'm sure he'll get over it quickly, especially as you are a source of food for him. Good luck with whatever you decide and I hope he appreciates it;-))

[woofgang]

there is this stuff but it needs a prescription and is expensive
http://www.viovet.co.uk/Comfortis_Chewable_Flea_Tablets/c4177/

there is also 4 flea and capstar but they only work for 24 hours, so good for getting rid of an infestation but won’t continually protect an outdoor cat.

[237SJ]

I would try something like Drontal and leave the fleas until next spring when the flea season starts.

[bunkmoreland]

We were in a similar situation,where a bullied, timid cat visited every day and
would not leave. She did have fleas and the spot treatment would have been too much as she barely trusted us. We used Bob Martin flea tablets,crushed,and mixed in with half cut up Dreamies treats. My sister also had success with bits of tablets wrapped round by cheese. That little bullied cat is now a proper diva btw ;-) and runs us ragged!

[Veebird]

Thanks everyone. I'm liking the idea of tablets crushed in Dreamies! I'll check out all the suggestions. I know he's been a stray for some time, so now I can get near him I will be able to sort him out.