My Oliver

[Glammanana]

My big cuddly short haired British Blue Oliver is very sociable and everyone close by knows where he lives and he visits neighbours on a regular basis all my neighbours know not to feed him as he is slightly overweight anyway and certainly not hungry.
Unfortunatly my immediate neighbour Jim (the old man I cook Sunday Lunch for) has taken to feeding him and picking up sliced meats for him when he goes on his trip to Asda so Oliver is not coming home for his meals in fact he has made himself at home at Jims house rather than mine.
The past 2 nights he has not come in when called for his meals but has been in through the cat flap during the night as his bowls are empty when I get up.
How can I tell this dear man without hurting his feelings to stop feeding him ? should I go down the route of his weight and he is on special food I know he loves my boy but I need to have him home during the night now the nights are drawing in.

[Gemini]

I would tell a white lie Glamma and say the vet says you need to measure Oliver's food for a while to monitor what he is eating, and has advised you to ask any neighbours not to feed him as cats often get extras that way. That way it's not you is saying it, but 'the vet'.

[Fairyqueen]

Hi Glam I think if it was me I would go down the route of He’s on a special diet. He isn’t really doing him any favours and he is your cat not his. Only you should feed him then you know what he’s eaten. I agree you need him home now the nights are pulling in. It was dark at 7ish last night! Let us know how you get on.

[Oma]

I agree with Gem , that's a good idea .
Our DD's cat has a heart problem and has to have certain foods so you could fib a little about that and maybe slip in you dont want Oliver to die before his time .
Not being cruel just give him something to think about so he doesnt feed him .

[Lizzie48]

I don’t have a cat but would think Gems idea is a good one,

[Daisy]

I would go one step further than Gem and say he's developed several food allergies/intolerances which are causing problems and the vet is worried about his kidneys/liver, so he's put him on a special diet to try and pinpoint the problem. It's not a long way off the truth because those sliced meats have too much salt for us, let alone a little kitty, and various preservatives. It's quite feasible for some of those to be toxic to cats (sorry, not trying to frighten anyone).

It's sweet of you not to want to upset Jim, though, Glamm. Good luck. xx

[Nanto2girls]

Glamma, i would tell a white lie as well. Just hope Jim takes it on board.

[Glammanana]

Thanks ladies I will tell him Oliver needs to loose weight and his food needs measuring correctly .xx

[Plantaholic]

Good advice from the other ladies, sad really, he must enjoy the company of your cat.

[Daisy]

Plant, I agree, and feeding a pet is such a nurturing thing to do, especially if they turn on that 'poor starving me' look that a lot of dogs do so well, and I'm sure some cats do it as well.

I hope Oliver gets the message that Jim's is a no-food area and comes home properly for his dinner.