What to do when a limping stray cat shows up on your porch

Dear Dr. Forsythe: There is a beautiful huge cat that has been coming around my back porch for the past month and I have been feeding him. He must weigh 20 pounds at least. He has long gray hair and I think extra toes, but I haven’t gotten close enough to pet him yet. Lately I’ve noticed him limping in the rear. Is there anything I could sneak into his food to help?
Worried Cat Lover

Dear Worried Cat Lover: Well, my answer depends on whether or not he is a stray. If he is matted, unkempt, and a likely stray, and the neighbors agree he appears to be a stray, perhaps catching or trapping him would be a good idea. If you can’t pet him and get him into a cat carrier, you could borrow a catch trap to secure him. From the description, it sounds like this feral beast could be a big beautiful Maine Coon cat, one of the most amazing and wonderful breeds of feline. They are a rather large cat breed that tends to have extra digits, a long coat that repels water, and are prone to hip problems and occasionally heart problems. One of the most fun things about the breed is their interesting purr/growl, which is unique to the breed. Getting this pet in for a check up by the veterinarian would be very kind of you, as he may be a wonderful pet who has come across hard times.
Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: How many litters should a dog have? I know somebody who let their dog have five litters, and it just seems like pet abuse. Isn’t there some rule about getting the pet fixed at a certain point? Thanks for sharing.
Mother of 5 myself

Dear Mother of 5: As of this printing, there is no law that requires owners of pets to have their animal spayed or neutered. This means that a breeder can keep breeding their female over and over if they wish. I generally recommend that clients wait until their female is two years old and has finished as a champion in the show ring before breeding. After a litter, most breeds “wait out” a heat cycle before breeding their girl again, and many responsible breeders limit their female to two litters and then have her spayed. (That is why they often “hold back” the “pick of the litter” for future breeding). It seems unfortunate that the person to whom you are referring is using his or her pet like a breeding machine, for this doesn’t sound like it is in the pet’s best interest. And as a mother of five yourself, I would agree that you are more than qualified to give advice on motherhood and raising a family. Perhaps a note from you and a copy of this column would help the person in question think about what they are doing. Please keep me informed about this “puppy machine,” okay?
Dr. F