Street cats are used to defending themselves without human care or attention. However, that doesn't mean that you can't get close to him. With patience, you can encourage street cats to trust you. Start by providing food and letting the cat get used to your presence. In the end, the cat may become your pet.
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Part 1 of 3: Getting to Know Cats
Step 1. Know what breed of cat you are dealing with
Before you start trying to approach a street cat, make sure that you can identify the breed of cat.
- Cats that roam free but have owners. This type of cat is usually left to roam alone around the house. It's best not to try to approach this breed of cat; if you start feeding him or let him into the house, the cat may leave its owner.
- Street cat. A street cat is a cat that previously had an owner, but that person no longer cared for or disposed of. Street cats may roam wild, taking food and sheltering where they are found. Some street cats may not mind being approached, or allowing you to hold them and take them to an animal shelter.
- Wild cat. This breed of cat spends all or most of its life outdoors and without human care. Many feral cats are born and grow up with these conditions in remote or feral areas choosing to stay away from humans. Some feral cats don't mind being approached, but in general they are quite difficult to tame.
Step 2. Pay attention to the condition of the cat
Having lived outdoors and not being cared for, street cats may be hungry, sick, frightened, or injured. Some street cats may be friendly enough to approach and let you hold and examine them. However, if the cat runs away or looks frightened, you should lure it away.
Step 3. Provide food
Feeding is one of the most effective ways to start making friends with street cats. Pay attention to where the street cat is commonly seen and leave some food there.
- Strongly flavored foods like tuna or canned cat food are great food choices.
- Leave food in the same place every day. This will make the cat come back and expect food.
- Pay attention when the cat comes and eats the food you left. After a few days, wait near the feeder and see if the cat will still come and eat even if you are around.
- Don't immediately try to pet or hold the cat.
Step 4. Approach the cat
Try to wait nearby while the cat eats your food for a few days. Once you seem used to your presence, try to approach the cat. Move slowly and sit on the ground so you don't seem too intimidating. Try doing this technique for a few days while getting closer and closer to the place of food each time you do it.
Part 2 of 3: Making Contact
Step 1. Avoid confrontational behavior
Don't look your cat in the eye or try to touch it the first time you see it. These movements can be considered threatening, especially for cats who are not used to being around humans. Move quietly, without making a lot of noise, and focus on gaining the cat's trust.
Step 2. Be cat-shy
If your cat is comfortable enough to let you around, pretend to ignore it. Let your cat watch you do non-threatening activities like reading or gardening. If you're lucky, your cat will notice you and know you're not a threat.
Step 3. Leave the treat on the ground
Once your cat is used to the food, you can also try putting treats (such as tuna powder or chicken chops) on the ground between you and the cat.
Step 4. Lure the cat to eat the food out of your hand
If the cat approaches, try placing the treat in your hand. The response is uncertain. But regardless, don't try to immediately pet or hold him. Be patient as this process will take some time. A street cat or stray cat may start to trust you in a few weeks or so.
You can also try letting your cat lick small amounts of wet or soft food from your fingers
Step 5. Try to pet the cat
Once your cat is used to eating from your hand, you can start trying to touch it. While treating him with one hand, try to gently and gently touch the cat with the other hand. If the cat seems startled and moves away, don't try to catch it. Wait a moment and try again.
If your cat won't let you touch it at first, try reaching out to get close to it. Keep repeating this technique, extending your hand closer to the cat each time you do so until the cat lets you touch it
Step 6. If the cat won't let you touch it, offer it a toy
Some street cats will respond more quickly to toys they can touch or hold. If he doesn't seem to want to be touched, try having your cat play with a toy such as a laser pointing device, a toy mouse, or a toy wand with fur, ribbon, or other object on it. If your cat plays with the toy even if you don't let you touch or hold it, it's getting used to your presence.
Step 7. Don't touch a cat that looks scared
Street cats or stray cats may be very used to defending themselves. If the cat reacts negatively when you try to touch or approach it, leave the cat alone first and try again at a later time. A frightened cat can be rude and won't trust you if you try to touch it. Signs of a frightened cat are:
- The tail is standing and stiff
- Her ears are folded back
- The cat raises its hand, with or without showing its paws
- âAttackâ with his hands
- Meow in a low tone or growl
- Hissing or spitting
- The ends of the feathers stand up
- Her back looks curvy
Part 3 of 3: Helping Cats
Step 1. Determine whether the cat has an owner or not
If you suspect that the cat is stray, you can try to return it to its owner.
- If your cat has a collar or badge on it, check it and see the owner's name, address, and phone number there.
- The vet can check whether the cat has a microchip implant containing information about its owner or not.
- If you can't find any information about the owner, you can try creating and posting flyers with his photos around your neighborhood, animal shelters, advertising sites, etc. in the hope that the owner will find the cat.
Step 2. Bring the cat
When trying to take the cat home, to the vet, or to an animal shelter, you must lure it into a pet carrier. Once your cat gets used to you feeding it, try these techniques:
- Prepare the carrier and open the door.
- Place the food near the carrier so that the cat is attracted to it.
- If the cat moves closer to it, place the food closer to the carrier.
- Place the food in the carrier and wait for the cat to come inside and eat it.
- Once the cat is completely in the carrier, quickly close the door gently.
- Take the cat carefully to its destination.
Step 3. Take the cat to the vet
If you decide to adopt him, take your cat to the vet as soon as possible. This is so that their health, fleas, worms and other parasites are checked and the cat receives the vaccines it needs.
Step 4. Consider catching and releasing the cat
Most animal groups recommend a TNR (trap, neuter, and release) policy for stray cats and street cats. This method is considered a humane way of controlling the street cat population. You can ask your vet or animal shelter to neuter the cat, then release it again when the cat recovers. You can also continue to feed him.
Step 5. Help the cat to adjust to his new home
If you decide to adopt a cat permanently and bring it into your home, you should be patient and understand that many street cats have a hard time getting back indoors.
- At first, put the cat in a quiet room so that the cat is not disturbed.
- Make sure that the cat has food, water, a place to sleep, and a litter box.
- At first, you may have to use the soil in the litter box, then a mixture of soil and cat litter, before using only cat litter. This will help the cat to adjust to the texture.
- Visit the cat regularly. Give treats, talk softly, and try to get the cat to play with some toys. If your cat allows it, you can pet it too. However, if frightened, leave the cat alone and come back later.
- Your cat may feel comfortable in a short time and be ready to leave the room and explore your home. However, be patient, as the cat may be startled into hiding in various places, scratching furniture, or dropping objects as it gets used to its new environment.
