The Danger of Bad Advice: Missteps in Helping a Sick Cat
Local social media pages and groups can sometimes offer the most misguided advice for lost, found, or sick cats. While these platforms are great for connecting with others, the lack of expertise often leads to shocking assumptions and poor recommendations. Not everyone is active on social media—or checks every group regularly—and critical posts can go unseen. For example, a post about a sick cat on a small private group within Nextdoor missed the wider audience it needed for effective help.
A Troubling Example: The Found Siamese Cat
Recently, I came across a post about a beautiful Applehead Siamese cat found in someone’s backyard on a blistering 108-degree day. Instead of taking immediate action to ensure the cat’s safety, the finder posted about it online without checking nearby houses or talking to neighbors.
The cat, likely overheated, dehydrated, and possibly starving after days of being lost, was left outside with a bowl of water. Rather than immediately taking the cat indoors to cool off or to a veterinarian for a checkup and microchip scan, precious time was spent on social media posts. By the time the finder decided to bring the cat to a vet, it was diagnosed with jaundice—a sign of hepatic lipidosis, a life-threatening condition caused by prolonged starvation. Combined with dehydration and potential heatstroke, this cat faced a grim prognosis.
This situation could have been avoided with faster, more informed action. But worse yet, the bad advice in the comments section was downright dangerous.
Misguided Advice: What NOT to Do
Here are just a few examples of the advice people offered—and why it’s problematic:
Person 1:
"These feral cats usually have feline leukemia, but we can only give them love and affection for their short lives. I just lost a cat in September but gave him a good life indoors and outdoors free to roam."
Letting a FeLV-positive cat roam freely is irresponsible. Not only does this put other cats at risk of infection, but allowing any cat to wander in extreme heat (105+ degrees) is dangerous and neglectful. FeLV-positive cats should be strictly indoors to protect their health and others.
Person 2:
"If it’s antifreeze, administer an antidote—high-proof alcohol (at least 40%). But only as a last resort."
Absolutely not. First, it’s impossible to diagnose antifreeze poisoning by appearance alone. Second, giving alcohol to a sick cat is extremely harmful and could worsen its condition.
Person 3:
"He probably has a brain tumor. My cat had the same symptoms."
Diagnosing a brain tumor based on appearance or symptoms without medical tests is pure speculation. This kind of comment creates unnecessary panic and confusion.
Person 4:
"Make some rice or chicken."
Feeding a sick cat plain rice or chicken may be harmless in some cases, but it’s ineffective—and inappropriate—for cats suffering from heatstroke, dehydration, or hepatic lipidosis.
Person 5:
"He was probably poisoned with antifreeze. If it’s heatstroke, give him some ice."
Again, do not assume poisoning without evidence. And giving ice to a heatstroked cat can shock their system. Instead, bring the cat indoors, cool them gradually, and seek immediate veterinary care. Heatstroke is a veterinary emergency.
The Finder’s Regret
The finder later expressed heartbreak over not being able to financially help or keep the cat, saying, “He was in my yard every day.” Yet no steps were taken to help while the cat was still healthy. Feeding him, providing water, and taking him to a vet for a microchip scan could have made all the difference. She could have also checked with neighbors, distributed flyers, or posted in larger, more active social media groups. Notifying local humane societies, rescue groups, or nearby veterinarians would have been far more effective than relying solely on a small private group on Nextdoor.
What SHOULD You Do if You Find a Sick Cat?
Here’s what you should do instead of turning to questionable advice:
1. Take Immediate Action: Bring the cat indoors to a cool, quiet place (if overheated). Offer water and observe its condition.
2. Seek Veterinary Care: Take the cat to a vet as soon as possible. They can scan for a microchip, assess the cat’s health, and provide emergency care if needed.
3. Spread the Word Effectively: Post in active, public groups across multiple platforms. Include clear photos and location details.
4. Notify Local Resources: Contact humane societies, rescue groups, and nearby veterinarians to report the found cat.
5. Check Nearby Neighbors: Go door-to-door or leave flyers around the area. Many pet owners don’t rely on social media and may not know their pet is being discussed online.
In situations like these, time and informed decisions are critical. Let’s use social media responsibly to spread awareness and seek expert advice—not to perpetuate harmful myths or misguided assumptions. Every cat deserves a chance at survival and reunion with their family.
This is my sweet Chloe, who lived a safe life indoors for almost 21 years.
