Table of Contents
How do you get a feral cat to like you?
These 6 steps will help you turn that frightened neighborhood kitty into a new furry friend!
- Let the cat make the first move.
- Keep her coming back for more.
- Slowly desensitize her to life with humans.
- Respect her space.
- Consider a calming remedy to help her with the transition.
- Be patient!
How do you gain trust with a feral cat?
Feed the Cat The best way to gain a cat’s trust is to give them food. They say, “if you feed a stray it will stay,” but this is only true because it is hungry and you are finally giving it what it needs. Cats depend on humans for care, and even stray cats need food, water, and shelter.
Can you domesticate a feral cat?
Many experts agree that feral adult cats simply can’t be tamed. They are wild animals, like raccoons. They tend to stay away from humans, hide during the day, and when adopted, are very difficult to socialize. Just like you would never try to handle a raccoon, you should never try to pick up a feral cat.
How do you approach a feral cat?
If you feel safe, approach the cat slowly and speak in a soft voice. Hold out your hand and call it softly. Offer a can of tuna or cat food, a bowl of water and shelter, if possible. But don’t force it.
Should you bring a feral cat inside?
While you might have the time and resources to dedicate to adopting out a socialized community cat, unsocialized cats, also called feral cats, never belong indoors. A feral cat belongs one place—outside. Just because the shelter isn’t an option doesn’t mean you should bring the cats into your home.
What do you do when your cat is scared of you?
What can I do to help when my cat is scared or anxious?
- Make sure they have their own space.
- Avoid or reduce the things that scare them.
- Give them space.
- Close the curtains and try playing music or the TV.
- Always stay calm.
- Try to stick to a routine.
- Introduce new things slowly.
- Keep a few litter trays inside.
How do you get a feral kitten to trust you?
With a bit of patience, you can earn the trust of a feral kitten by approaching it gradually and creating a safe space for it. Feed the kitten and its mother. Offer the kitten and its mother food from a bowl at the same time each day. Back away and give them space to eat.
What is the best way to get rid of feral cats?
The ASPCA recommends a policy of Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) as a humane way to help curb the population of feral cat colonies. TNR programs humanely trap feral cats, examine them for medical disorders, provide a series of vaccinations, spay or neuter the cats, and then return them to the wild.
Should you adopt or foster a feral cat?
If you’re adopting or fostering a feral cat, all that is required for your mutual happiness is her trust. The rest follows naturally. The age of your kitty will affect her timeline. But you must turn off your clock.
How do you get a stray cat into your house?
Select a cat trap. While some strays may walk into someone’s home on their own, most strays have trust issues. A humane cat trap is often the best option to get the cat inside your home safely. Humane societies often provide safe traps to visitors trying to capture strays.