Neighbours feeding cats!

[Judecat (Paula)]

Trouble will not entertain a collar, both cats are chipped though. I think I will have to fib. Her Husband says that they only have chicken so that she can feed the cats.

[Debsymiller (Rufus' mum)]

I was going to suggest one of those collars too. They now do ones which say 'PLEASE DO NOT FEED' in pets at home.

[sixfurballs]

I was convinced last year that someone else was taking Huxley in during the day and feeding him. I was getting really paranoid as well due to the fact that every time I put a collar on him it would be missing within a day and he never came home when I called him during the day - and he wasn't particularly hungry when he came in. Huxley had a terrible time with him tum when he first came to me and it took me months to get him right. Then during the time I was concerned someone was feeding him he took a nasty tummy bug. I got one of the kitty Collars and had it personalised to say Do Not Feed Special Diet. That collar lasted a couple of weeks but after I put it on him he stopped disappearing during the day, came home when called (well most of the time!) and came in looking dinner.

I know it doesn't fit your situation exactly but might save a confrontation with your neighbour and save you having to remember a little white lie.

[MrsR]

Tell them the vet has now put them on a strict diet for serious health conditions - hopefully that will work, it is naughty of your neighbour it really is.

[Debsymiller (Rufus' mum)]

I think you're absolutely within your rights to ask her not too feed. I have asked all of my neighbours not to in the past as I like to know what my cats are getting and when. The road is also an issue. Explain that your larger boy has become overweight because of the over feeding and so now needs a prescription diet so she must not feed him and that you want to prevent the same happening to the other pud as well as the fact that the road could endanger them.
I think you can be assertive as well as being polite and still remain friends. She is more than welcome to stroke and pet them but giving food is not love.

[Kay and Penny]

if she likes the idea, make sure she gets a really fierce cat who yours will avoid at all costs

[Judecat (Paula)]

Actually, that is a very good idea. Thank you. One of the objections to getting a new cat was cattery costs.

[Kay and Penny]

difficult one, as it is easy to sympathise with someone who wants some purries in her life

is it out of the question for her to rehome a cat herself, and you offer to feed it while they are away?

[Judecat (Paula)]

Trouble is, I can't use that excuse with Cassie as she is a skinny minney! I have tried to be nice, I don't want to fall out with neighbour, she just laughs me off when I talk to her! Ho Humm! I can't cite dietery for both of them.

[bonnielass]

What a dilema, i would try explaining that by feeding them the cats are now risking being run over as they are looking for her to come out and expecting her to feed them and running across the road,also tell her that they  are on a special diet because of weight problems, its worth a try ,hope you can sort this out

[Judecat (Paula)]

Two of my neighbours are feeding Trouble and Cassie. I have tried to politely explain that I would rather they didn't. Trouble is getting overweght. The main problem being that drivers use this road as a race track. The lady over the road does give them leftovers at the end of my drive, but, as soon as they see her come out her front door they dive across the road expecting food. I don't want to be rude and I know that Trouble reminds her of her cat who died a few years ago, but she won't get another cat as they go away a lot, so she spoils mine. Next door at least I don't have to worry about the road but Trouble is getting really fat. I have to keep feeding as normal because I don't know who is getting what at any point. They don't seem to understand that the kitties are fed on a diet that is complete, they don't need additional chicken, fish or whatever leftover meat they have. I get on pretty well with these people, I don't want to rock the boat, what do I do? Make up a dietary complaint? (Then I have to remember the lie which I am not awfully good at!)