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328 results for “stray cat”
What happens if my house cat contacts a stray cat? It touched necks, and there’s a slimy patch on my cat’s neck — what is it?
Stray cats may carry parasites or viruses, so a house cat can easily get sick after contact — external parasites, bacterial skin disease, or viruses. The slimy feeling may be the stray's oils, mucus, or slug slime. Clean the cat or deworm promptly, minimize contact, and watch for abnormalities.
I just rescued a stray cat; it won’t eat or drink, looks weak, and sometimes passes bloody water—what is wrong?
A stray cat that won't eat or drink and has bloody stool may have an intestinal scrape, parasites, a virus, or poisoning. See a vet for a fecal test or other exams to find the cause.
My rescue stray cat (about two months old) has almost no fur on ears and tail, none on its nose, and has dandruff and scabs including in the ears
Hair loss with itching, redness, scabs, and dandruff on the head, ears, and face suggests ringworm (fungal), but external parasites like ticks and fleas cause the same signs. Check for parasites and deworm; if ringworm is confirmed, use antifungals.
What do stray cats eat in the wild?
Stray cats mainly eat small mammals—birds, mice, insects, other small animals—and human leftovers. They hunt well but face uncertain food and quality, so they often live short lives; owners should take responsibility and not abandon cats.
A stray cat with a black face and pus from the eye corners
From the photo, heavy eye/nose discharge and black face likely result from bacterial, fungal or viral (mixed) infection. Strays are usually unvaccinated and prone to respiratory disease; chronic discharge causes crusting and blackening and eye pus—test for herpes and calicivirus. Fungal infection causes hair loss, crusts; clean with saline and apply cat antibiotic eye drops/ointment, and use an Elizabethan collar.
I found a stray cat and don’t know what to feed it—can you tell how old it is?
From the photo the cat is clearly still a kitten, though the exact age can't be determined without a birth date. Based on its small, thin build, it is likely around two months old and can be fed softened kitten kibble, canned food, and goat's milk formula.
A stray cat can’t open its eyes, has no fur around the nose, and parts of its face are stiff
The photo suggests severe respiratory disease and facial skin ulceration. Eye discharge from infection builds crusted, stiff plaques; needs veterinary screening of respiratory/communicable disease. If no hospital, use antibiotics, antiviral eye drops, disinfectants, and softeners with daily dressing and a collar.
A stray cat has small red spots on its front leg with no fur around them; what is it?
Red spots signal skin disease; use a Wood's lamp at home (green fluorescence suggests ringworm) or get a skin scraping at a vet. Treat with E-collar, shaved and disinfected area, and antifungal spray; keep the environment dry and clean.
A stray cat I found could not move its hind legs; touching one hind leg it can move slightly; it can still eat and drink
From the X-ray a comminuted fracture of the femoral head is diagnosed; pelvis and spine unclear. If stable, do full exam and internal fixation surgery, with anti-inflammatory and pain or swelling meds; cage rest post-op. In daily care avoid strenuous activity and provide balanced nutrition with calcium and vitamin D.
How to Show Kindness to a Stray Cat
Start at a distance and read the cat's mood—soft eyes and a relaxed body mean it's open; a lowered body, hiss, or airplane ears mean back off. Crouch to seem smaller, avoid direct staring, and blink slowly. Food, a gentle voice, and head/chin strokes build trust.