Young possibly wild cat - should we feed it?

If it's a true wild cat it will be very valuable and sought after as they are rare. Would contact a cat organisation as it could be trapped and go to a centre where wild cats are used for study and species preservation. Otherwise, if you keep feeding the cat you'll never get rid of it. Keep low level of food so that it searches for mice etc at least for spring and summer.

Next question: have you got close enough to him to be absolutely sure he is a he`? Otherwise you will have kittens on your hands sooner or later
DD's cat was a kitten from a feral litter. The mother just wandered on to a neighbour's property and made herself at home but never went indoors.

Third - wild/feral cats feed off of BIRDS. Your beautiful songbirds may go missing
Unfortunately, even some domesticated, well-fed cats do that.
DD's cat, although originally feral, does not catch birds but other seemingly sweet, well-fed little cats in the family do.

Some have the killer instinct.

I am a firm believer that you shouldn't feed somebody else's cat as they may have intolerances of which you are not aware. Do what others have suggested and call the Cats Protection League as they can do a number of things. They can check for a microchip and they can neuter the cat if it is wild so that there won't be a population explosion of wild cats. They can actually rehome a wild cat to somebody's garden so it is well looked after but retains its independence.

My barn cats (both rescued ferral) have a wide range and have been seen a long way from home. When one or other fails to turn up for a meal I worry (not about them going hungry, they are both good hunters) but that they are being fed elsewhere as I want them to come back. I am very fond of them, have taken responsibility for all their vets bills etc. Although well fed and tame to me they wouldn't let anyone else near them but like all cats are greedy opertunists.
On the other hand I did feed a malnourish young cat that turned up in our garden years ago. She quickly became tame enough to catch and within weeks produced a litter of four kittens in our green house.

We’ve had cats, and dogs, for nearly fifty years, most rescued, some with health conditions and the latest quite elderly. I couldn’t not feed this cat and would try to help it any way I could. Cats Protection/RSPCA vary from area to area, as do vets, so I wouldn’t be put off contacting them. Good luck.

Hardly think this is a wild cat as you say it is smaller than the local cats. Real wild cats are bigger than domestic cats and pretty rare so this is probably just a local stray. If you are not willing to feed it please get in touch with The Cats Protection as others have said. They will come and take it away or at least advise you. Hope for a happy solution for all concerned.

From your description, this sounds like a feral cat, rather than a wild cat. There's also a chance that it may even belong to someone, as cats are notorious for establishing various "scrounging stations" with multiple households. For this reason, even if you did manage to trap it safely, a Vet or an animal refuge or charity might be reluctant to step in. Perhaps a starting point would be to contact the Cat's Protection League for advice.

I just saw this on Facebook and thought of this thread

Nour98

It’s kind to offer cat food instead of duck food—cats need meat-based diets. Feeding it won’t “steal” it or stop it hunting; many stable cats still catch mice even when fed. Just don’t overfeed, and see if it gets friendlier over time.

You are replying to a post that is 2years old
The op has probably made up her mind what to do with the cat.

Feed him. Don't let him be hungry. He's come to you for help.

Thread is 2 years old!

If you are prepared to have the cat living in your garden on its own terms, to feed it, make sure it has clean water every day, including while you are away on holiday, and that it has a sheltered place to sleep - go ahead and keep on feeding it.

If you do not want to take responsiblity for it, chase it out of your garden now!

It may become tame, or it may not. But by accustoming it to be fed by you, you must realise now that you are responsible for getting it to a vet if it is hurt or ill at any time.

Next point: if it is female it will have kittens - loads of them, around six in an average litter, six or eight times a year, so you will either have to catch the kittens and have them put down, or catch the mother cat when there is not a litter depending on her, and either have her neutered or put down.

However, adorable they are, you cannot find homes for all the kittens she will produce.

If the cat is male, the kittens he sires will not be your headache, unless of course, he persuades his mate or mates to move into your garden, but unneutered tom cats spray their territory and their urine stinks.

So, it boils down to: do you want a cat, or not? If you do, talk to the animal every time you see it in your garden and it will probably become willing to come near you. Have a suitable cat carrier or basket with a lid handy, and as soon as you can, lift cat gently, plonk it in basket, FASTEN THE BASKET VERY SERCURELY and go to the nearest vet, or animal shelter, if you do not want to keep the cat and cannot face having it put down.

If you intend to keep the cat, have it neutered, vaccinated and either tattooed or chipped so you can prove ownership.

And welcome to the world of cat lovers and all the pleasure they bring.

Do you mean "wildcat" or "feral cat" ?

THREAD 2 YEARS OLD.
I’m sure the OP had done something with the cat by now.