Automatic Pet Feeders - Anyone Use One?

[NPC 6060⁸42]

You could be right. This is the first time we've seen it around and our closest neighbor is at least a mile away. Not sure what brought him in but I was kind of hoping he'd stick around, this as opposed to moving on to the next farm. Started doing some reading about keeping a barn cat and providing some food, water and shelter were a few of the things that was recommended. Even if this one doesn't stick around, our local animal control offers spayed/neutered barn cats for adoption. They even come with trimmed ear tips that help identify them and we may pick one up if this one goes.

Yeah they’re good to have around (we have six but indoor only) Water would be the biggest concern I’d think. Sadly shelters are always full of cats and kittens so if that one sticks around you might should catch it and if it’s female spay her and have her ear tipped. If it’s a male leave him intact I’d get rabies shots too as they are a big vector around here for rabies.

 

[Disciple Off Road]

Do they go outside though?

Actually no, just inside.

Damn I hope you have an automatic sandbox. I had three cats and it made it near impossible to keep that thing clean. lol

This is my wife’s thing and she actually stays on top of it really good.

 

[jeeeep]

You could be right. This is the first time we've seen it around and our closest neighbor is at least a mile away. Not sure what brought him in but I was kind of hoping he'd stick around, this as opposed to moving on to the next farm. Started doing some reading about keeping a barn cat and providing some food, water and shelter were a few of the things that was recommended. Even if this one doesn't stick around, our local animal control offers spayed/neutered barn cats for adoption. They even come with trimmed ear tips that help identify them and we may pick one up if this one goes.

my neighbor has at least 100 cats coming and going at feeding time, I can box up a few and send them to you.
She's also recently attracted a few skunks to feed as well but I won't send any.
How long does NyQuil last on a cat? hmm.. should be long enough to box them up and get them on UPS ...
How many do you want?

 

[jeeeep]

This is my wife’s thing and she actually stays on top of it really good.

I bet not stating the joke, everyone thinks of the joke

 

[Trail Bud]

You could be right. This is the first time we've seen it around and our closest neighbor is at least a mile away. Not sure what brought him in but I was kind of hoping he'd stick around, this as opposed to moving on to the next farm. Started doing some reading about keeping a barn cat and providing some food, water and shelter were a few of the things that was recommended. Even if this one doesn't stick around, our local animal control offers spayed/neutered barn cats for adoption. They even come with trimmed ear tips that help identify them and we may pick one up if this one goes.

Get a pair, that are buddies already.
They’ll stay having each other.
Not that much more $.

 

[Jsouder53]

my neighbor has at least 100 cats coming and going at feeding time, I can box up a few and send them to you.
She's also recently attracted a few skunks to feed as well but I won't send any.
How long does NyQuil last on a cat? hmm.. should be long enough to box them up and get them on UPS ...
How many do you want?

 

[GP NOIR]

If it’s a male leave him intact

You don’t want to do that. Intact males spray to mark their territory and that smells horrible, especially if you feed them dry food.

There is a significant difference between a feral and a stray. Ferals can’t tolerate the presence of a human and chances are high they can never be socialized and never trust a human.

Strays can accept the presence of humans and with time, can be socialized to one degree or another. If a cat will come out to eat in your presence, it’s a stray.

The rule of thumb is to feed a barn cat enough they’ll survive if they can’t catch prey and not so much they feel full. A hungry cat is a better hunter and easier to teach.

Make a big deal out of replenishing the auto feeder. Cats respect you more when they know you’re the source of food. An auto feeder set to dispense food at a certain time everyday will keep a cat close by. They’ll make it part of their routine to return to the feeder at that time to eat.

Keep a clean source of fresh water always available, especially when feeding dry food. Without fresh water, cats will develop urine crystals in their bladder which is very painful and can kill a cat. Cats get 75% of the water they need from their food and dry food provides none.

Cats are corpuscular which means they do most of their hunting at dawn and dusk.

Build a shelter to protect your barn cat from the elements. It doesn’t have to be large and should be placed where the cat can easily retreat to and defend itself if threatened by a predator such as a coyote and, can safely survey its territory. Cats that can survey their territory from a safe place is more confident, better at defending its territory and a better hunter. The shelter should at least be insulated against winter and padded inside.

Ferals & strays surviving on their own have a life expectancy of two years. For unsupervised outdoor cats under human care, it’s five years. Indoor/unsupervised outdoor cats last 7-9 years. Indoor cats that are allowed outside only while supervised have an average lifespan of 15-17 years with many living to reach 20 or more.

An intact female will attract Toms and populate your property with many kittens. Intact Toms will stink up the place with their spraying.