Pets

mopinko

(70,238 posts) Wed Oct 17, 2012, 03:16 PM Oct 2012

feral cats and dog chews

ok, first, feral cats. i know there are some in my hood, but would like them to hang out a little closer to my farm. i am getting some good advice on all matters feral cat but we are stumped on one point- how to put out food for feral cats without attracting exactly the kind of critters that the cats are supposed to repel. especially in the beginning. so, any ideas along these lines are greatly appreciated.

second, dog chews. so, one of my pups has allergies. we have managed to find a few types of dogfood without beef, pork or potatoes. what we need now is chewies. rawhide is out. our favorite- cows feet is also out, and the obvious replacements- goat or deer are too small to be safe chews. looking for buffalo feet, but leary of getting beefalo. working on finding some goat or deer femurs, but...
the other good one is antlers, but geez, i think i can get a leg of lamb for the cost of a couple antlers.
anybody have an brilliant ideas on where to get good alternatives?

5 replies

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Highlight:

feral cats and dog chews (Original Post) mopinko Oct 2012 OP

Feral cats....do you know where they hang out? Curmudgeoness Oct 2012 #1

i have never had a dog look twice at a nylabone. mopinko Oct 2012 #2

Be really KC Oct 2012 #5

Here's a Google search that will get you plans and instructions for feral feeding sinkingfeeling Oct 2012 #3

can't eat sweet potatoes, either. mopinko Oct 2012 #4

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)

1. Feral cats....do you know where they hang out?

Reply to mopinko (Original post)

Wed Oct 17, 2012, 07:17 PM

Oct 2012

If you do, you could try putting food out in the area they are....and keep moving it closer and closer to your farm. It may take some time to do it, but I have done this in the past with success to have a feral cat come to my door for food. And if it doesn't work, you are not feeding them close enough to your farm to cause a problem with the other critters. You will have to stay far from the food for them to even consider approaching it though.

Dog chews---I have never had a dog so can't be sure if there are problems with this, but there are synthetic products out there. From the ASPCA website:

Durable chew products typically are manufactured from plastics, including nylon and other synthetic polymers impregnated with flavorings. These products are well suited for aggressive chewers. Pet parents should choose a product size consistent with their pet’s size and chewing habits. Dogs who find these chews desirable will slowly wear down the ends of the chews, resulting in thin sections that can be broken off and swallowed. Guardians should discard these chews before they become excessively worn.

http://www.aspca.org/About-Us/policy-positions/dog-chews-treats

mopinko

(70,238 posts)

2. i have never had a dog look twice at a nylabone.

Reply to Curmudgeoness (Reply #1)

Wed Oct 17, 2012, 09:45 PM

Oct 2012

they like the kong toys, but still need suitable foods for that. peanut butter works for a few minutes. chicken jerky can work. but the stuff that works the best- purpose made treats and soft foods- are just unavailable without beef or pork.

i have no idea where the kitties hang, and rarely see even one. i was advised to use the stinkiest possible food- canned mackerel or sardines. rodents, apparently, are not that into smelly food. i suppose it might comprise their anonymity.

KC

(1,995 posts)

5. Be really

Reply to Curmudgeoness (Reply #1)

Sat Oct 20, 2012, 03:54 AM

Oct 2012

careful right now on pet chews as there have been recalls on some having samonella

sinkingfeeling

(51,474 posts)

3. Here's a Google search that will get you plans and instructions for feral feeding

Reply to mopinko (Original post)

Thu Oct 18, 2012, 09:34 AM

Oct 2012

stations.

feral cat feeding station plans

As for treats, take big sweet potatoes or yams and slice them 1/4" thick, then put them on a lined baking sheet and bake in a slow oven - 200-250 degrees until they are dried.

mopinko

(70,238 posts)

4. can't eat sweet potatoes, either.

Reply to sinkingfeeling (Reply #3)

Thu Oct 18, 2012, 10:36 AM

Oct 2012

which is a real shame, since i hope i have a big crop in the ground.

thanks for the plans.

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