Stray cats and feral cats are not the same. A stray cat is usually a result of someone’s neglectful pet care. For instance, leaving a cat to take care of itself and/or neglecting to have their cat spayed or neutered. Feral cats are wild cats, while strays usually have had experience with humans. Feral cats have had little human interaction and as a result can be very hard to socialize.
Since feral cats are extremely hard to tame, they are generally regarded by many as unsuitable pets. As a result there are rescue organizations dedicated solely to the care of feral cats. Many times, these organizations trap the cats, have them spayed and neutered and then release them near where they were originally found. Then, they dedicate themselves to providing food to these colonies.
Feral cats are everywhere. You can find feral cats in rural or farm areas, abandoned buildings and even parks and alleyways. Although it’s common to catch a glimpse of a feral cat, it’s unlikely that you would be able to catch them easily. Their lack of human interaction makes them very shy. Have you wondered how hard it is to convert a feral cat into a friendly house pet?
Taming a feral cat can be a challenging task simply because they are not trusting of humans. Depending on their previous contacts with people, some cats might be classified as totally feral, semi-feral, or converted feral. This classification will largely dictate how much potential there is that a cat can be made into a pet.
If you find a cat that is has been feral for years, chances are that there is little to no chance of socializing it. With no human interaction at all, totally feral cats are overly independent and would never depend on a person for food or companionship. But you might have some luck with a semi-feral cat. The semi-feral cat has some previous experience with people.
Taming a converted a feral cat is a more realistic task. Since it was previously a pet, it is likely that it will eventually respond to the love and attention of a caring individual.
If you want to attempt to domesticate a feral cat, remember that it can be hard to get the cat to trust you after being out on its own for so long. Sometimes, your efforts will not pay off for months, especially with older cats. But if you are persistant and succeed, the rewards are worth the work, since you will have developed an extremely tight bond with your pet.
There are a few things to remember if you’ve decided to undertake this labor of love. First, feral cats will almost always see you as an adversary and as a result will spit, bit, hiss, and scratch.This behavior is to be expected. After all, you are a perceived danger to them. Be ready to treat any bites or scratches you get.
Also, it is imperative to immediately take your feral cat to see the veterinarian. You need to be sure that the cat is not diseased. It’s also important that you have the cat neutered or spayed.
After you bring your cat home, you need to let it acclimate itself to its new home by giving it a place where it can feel safe. Allow the cat to stay in a small bathroom or laundry room, where it will not feel overly stressed. To help the cat feel at home, consider getting a cat condo or cat tree to add to the room. You will need to take time every day to spend time with the cat and allow the cat to adjust to you. Increase the time daily until the cat comes around.
Remember, not all feral cats can be socialized; however with love and patience, you might just be rewarded with a gentle, loving cat that will be eternally grateful.
