Seeing stray and feral cats roam around our homes, streets, and roads is not an uncommon sight, and it is natural for humans to want to care for them. Just like their domesticated counterparts, stray cats also need sufficient food and nutrition to survive and live a healthy life. It is not troublesome to keep some extra food at home to feed stray cats, but not all food varieties are safe for felines. If you serve food that is toxic to cats, it will be harmful to your feral furry friends.

In this article, we will guide you through the types of food that you can feed safely to stray cats and the food variety you should avoid giving to these cats. We will also answer a few common questions that may come to your mind while planning to feed feral cats.

What to feed stray cats

Here is a list of things that are safe for cats and that you can feed to them without worrying about any adverse impact on their health:

• Packaged dry & wet cat food

  The packaged food options available in the market are formulated specifically to meet the nutritional requirements of cats. Keep packets/cans of commercial cat food handy and serve an appropriate quantity of food to stray cats every day to provide them with optimum nutrition. Though the diet a cat requires on a daily basis to maintain themselves depends on their size, age, activity level, and health condition; about one cup of dry food or half a can of wet food per day suffices their needs generally.

• Cooked eggs

  Cooked eggs are a protein-rich food option for stray cats. A great source of biotin and riboflavin, eggs should be fed only occasionally to cattos. Make sure that the eggs are cooked well to serve the purpose the best.

• Fish or cooked meat

  A good source of omega-3 fatty acids and iodine, the cooked and deboned fish meal will be nourishing and fulfilling for stray cats. Similarly, cooked meats like chicken or beef contain protein, iron, zinc, and taurine in good amounts. Fish or meat would be a wholesome bowl of nutrition for stray cats who are obligate carnivores and require scarce means of food and water for survival.

• Plain rice

  When the question is what to feed stray cats in India, one of the most readily available options will be plain rice. Beneficial for improving digestion and immunity, a bowl full of plain rice is a simple and convenient food to feed a starving stray cat.

Food varieties not to be fed to stray cats

Not all food is healthy for felines. If you unknowingly feed food that is toxic to cats, it will do more harm than good to them. Take a look at some of the things you should avoid giving to feral cats.

• Dairy products

  Cats are mostly lactose intolerant. Feeding them dairy products like milk, cheese, yoghurt, and ice cream can lead to serious health problems like diarrhoea, vomiting, gas, and bloating. Refrain from serving stray cats any of these in order to keep them out of trouble.

• Fruits and vegetables

  Fruits and vegetables like grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, mushrooms, avocado, tomatoes, etc are toxic for cats and can damage their liver or kidneys. Also, do not offer seeds, stems, and leaves to cats as they can cause choking or intestinal blockage.

• Dog food

  One of the most common misconceptions is to think that dog food can be given to cats. Dog food lacks the nutrients that cats require for living a healthy life. Dog food may also contain ingredients like garlic or onion that are toxic for cats. Feeding dog food to stray cats can result in malnutrition, anaemia, or heart problems. Make sure that you do not feed dog food to feral cats.

Frequently Asked Questions

While the previous segments of this article mention the food that can be served to stray cats and the food you should avoid giving to cats, you may still have some questions regarding taking care of stray cats. Here are some of the answers that may help you:

1. Is it safe to feed human food to stray cats? 
   As mentioned above, human food like dairy products and some fruits and vegetables can be harmful to cats. It is thus not advisable to feed human food to feral cats.


2. Is it required to feed a mix of dry and wet food to stray cats?
   Stray cats survive on food and water they can find in the open which is usually not sufficient for them to remain healthy. It is therefore required to feed them a proper mix of nutritious dry food and flavourful wet food.


3. Is there any danger involved in feeding stray cats?
   Leftover open food can attract pests and can lead to the spread of diseases. Make sure that you do not keep food intended for the consumption of stray cats open for more than half an hour. Clean the place properly after each feeding session to maintain hygiene.

Wrapping up

It is an act of compassion to feed stray cats. However, while you are taking care of your feral feline friends, take into consideration the type of food that will suit them and whether it will provide them with the required nutrition. Avoid offering food that is toxic for cats. It is always a good option to take the help of a veterinarian if you need more guidance about feeding appropriate food to stray cats.