Present problem

[Indys Mamma]

well, went to bin the bodies and now it's just bones and feathers

I will never understand Mabel, but she also very very eagerly came in for her tea tonight! still no touchy yet though.

[Millys Mum]

You need to remove the bodies especially at this time of year, flies will lay eggs within hours 

The other really important thing is to worm her every month as she is at high risk from all her catches.

Her wanting you to feed her is a sign that she doesnt want to hunt to survive so you should feed her daily 

[dabs]

Cats prefer dinner, what ever form is takes, at blood temp. So yes, clean up is a must I am afraid. Welcome to the world of cat slavery! 

[Indys Mamma]

she always has some dry available. We are slowly introducing her to the house, she eats in the back porch. Unfortunately she doesn't get on with my dogs so is a long, process, they like her but she hates them. However it is unlikely we will have either dog more than a few more weeks/months as they are both very old.

so shall I just removed the bodies if they go funky before she eats them (ie in the morning if she didn't eat it overnight) and hope she normally will eat them? as I don't fancy clambering around nooks and crannies retrieving dead things because she's decided I'm an easier prospect.

[blackcat]

Also bear in mind that even a well-fed cat will hunt as cats do not hunt solely for food. they also do it for the thrill of the chase. Given that you have her baby indoors and her outdoors she is possibly also bringing prey to teach her baby how to hunt and dispatch various types of animals. That is perfectly natural. I would not be with-holding food from her, as feeding is also a way of establishing a better more loving relationship with her. So I would just keep feeding her normally, removing uneaten food if it is there for a couple of hours, and let her get on with her hunting.

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

Cats need a balanced diet. A raw diet is fine but needs to be supplemented.

I'd check with your vet, in case she needs any special requirements, however, do not withold food. Cat's don't naturally overeat and she should have at least some wet or dry food that is a complete diet rather than complementary.

I would also encourage her out of the garage into the house so that she can learn to socialise properly (based on what you said on your other thread).

[Indys Mamma]

Mamma cat (I call her Mabel) doesn't trust people, especially since we caught and got her spayed. She still lives out in the garage and in a ferocious hunter, every day I see signs of dead birds, mice, rats and the odd squirrel (we live in a rural area) so I only feed her a little bit of cat food, about 1/3 the recommended daily amount but she has started leaving the bodies and meowing for food at the back door.

 

Should I with-hold all cat food til she eats them? (they are fresh and in a cool, shady, well ventilated area of the garage) as we only fostered her on basis that she is so good at hunting and the rescue centres have no room so she would be euthanised if we handed her over. She is slowly coming in more and beginning to trust me and my mum, we can now watch her eat in the back porch.



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