Many neighborhoods are home to populations of stray cats that live in laneways and backyards. Most stray cats are feral cats, which means they are feral and never live in people's homes. You can tame a kitten or stray cat with effort and patience.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Taming a Cat
Step 1. Identify the cat to be tamed
If you see a stray cat in your environment that seems friendly and doesn't resist the presence of humans, you may be able to tame it. Taming a stray cat can be a difficult process that can take several months. Stray cats may never behave in the same way as tame cats, but many people get to the point where they can make feral cats fun and lively animals in the house.
- Some stray cats are actually lost cats that were previously tame. Providing food, shelter, and attention is often all it takes to tame a lost cat. Try leaving food for him, then petting him when he approaches. If the cat wants, then there is a possibility that it is a lost cat.
- Try to track down the owner before claiming the cat as your own. Look for posters or pamphlets throughout the city that might be posted looking for this missing cat. Talk to your local humanitarian community and your vet to ask if anyone is looking for the cat you found.
- It is much easier to tame a stray kitten than a stray adult cat. Kittens have not yet learned the behavior of life inside or outside the home. Adult cats are shaped by old ways and habits and it is difficult to retrain them.
- Socialize stray kittens before they are eight weeks old. Socializing early will help your cat to become comfortable with the behavior expected of a domestic cat. You should also leave the kitten with its mother until it is four weeks old.
- Newborn kittens still have the umbilical cord in their belly. Nor would they open their eyes until seven to fourteen days had passed.
- If the kitten's incisors have grown, then they are probably about two weeks old. If you see teeth behind the canines and incisors, then the kitten is at least four weeks old. If the kitten already has adult teeth, you can assume it is about four weeks old.
- If a cat seems aggressive or unfriendly to you, leave it.
Step 2. Trap the cat
You won't be able to catch a stray cat by hand. Feral cats are wild animals that must be handled with extreme care. The best way to start the stray cat taming process is to set a trap.
- Feral cats may hiss and claw, so let the trap take over the treatment.
- Use special traps designed for cats. Do not use traps designed for other animals.
- You can get cat traps from your local trap-neuter-release organization.
- Set the trap somewhere where the cat spends most of its time.
- You will need to lure it with bait in the form of small tuna or other food to attract the attention of the cat inside.
Step 3. Take the cat to the vet for a check-up
Cover the trap with a blanket or towel in the car and take it to the vet. Feral cats can carry disease, and are usually infested with fleas and other minor ailments. Work on these issues before bringing your cat home.
- Be careful not to touch it. Cats won't want to be touched.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you are scratched or bitten by a cat.
- Cat scratches and bites can lead to serious infections.
- Cover the trap with a towel to help the cat feel more comfortable.
Step 4. Move the cat to the prepared confinement area
Don't do this until your vet has managed the cat and has given approval to take it home. Cats should spend the first few days at home in a small confinement area to get used to the new location.
- Use a cage large enough to contain a litter box, bedding, and dishes for food and water.
- Place the cage in a room away from family members or other pets.
- Keep the cat confined for two days before you touch it.
- Make sure the cat gets food and water for two days.
- Put a box full of cat litter in the cat litter box.
- Make sure the cat won't be able to escape as this could endanger the cat or the house.
- It is normal for the cat to become restless during this time.
Part 2 of 3: Socializing Cats
Step 1. Give the cat more space gradually
Spend some time near the cage and speak in a calming tone so that the cat seems calm when you are around him. If your cat is used to your presence and is no longer acting wild, you can give your cat more room to move around. Allow the cat to leave the cage, but remain in a small, cat-safe room.
- Don't force the cat out, let it come to you at will.
- Provide a secluded, hidden place where the cat can go to reduce stress levels. Make sure the place is easily accessible so you can reach the cat if necessary.
- Make sure there is no way for the cat to escape through the door, window, or gap.
- A small room can be a good socializing space.
- Warn family members so that the cat will not run away from the room if they enter.
Step 2. Enter the room with a bag of food
Plan to stay indoors for a few hours to help the cat get used to your presence. You can draw your cat's attention closer by creating a food trail that leads to where you are sitting. Sit on the floor closer to the cat's height and be patient while the cat gets used to your presence there.
- Do this every day, but possibly weeks, until the cat is close enough to be petted.
- Do not make eye contact with the cat, as he will see it as a threat.
- Try lying on the floor to help the cat become more comfortable, as you will appear smaller.
Step 3. Consider attracting the cat's attention by exploiting hunger
If the cat seems uncomfortable approaching you after a few days, adjust how and when you feed the cat. Do not leave food for the cat if you leave the room. Bring food with you when you visit the cat and when he eats you should be by his side.
- Place a dinner plate near you when feeding the cat.
- When the cat has finished eating and you are ready to leave the room, take the food with you.
- Don't let the cat starve, make sure it's really eating.
- You should always provide water in the room.
Step 4. Approach the cat and catch it
After a few days, most cats will begin to feel more comfortable approaching you for food. Now is the time to go further to help the cat feel safe when caught or petted. When the cat approaches, use a towel to pick it up with your hands.
- Lift the cat gently and carefully.
- If the cat moves away or hisses, try again the next day.
- Do not use bare hands to catch stray cats.
- You may need to wear thick jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and gloves.
- Don't scare the cat or force interaction. This will destroy his trust.
- When holding a cat, give it food.
Step 5. Caress the cat's head from behind
If you manage to hold the cat, stroke its head from behind, very gently. Talk to the cat in a soothing tone. Rub his head and back for a few minutes.
- If the cat refuses, put the cat down.
- Do this every day until the cat comes to you to catch it.
- Never approach it from the front, as this will startle the cat.
- Always reward your cat for good behavior.
Step 6. Play with the cat every day
The last thing of the taming period can last more than a month. Continue to tame the cat until it no longer shows fear or trouble when held and petted. Ultimately, the cat should feel comfortable being held.
- Change food and water for your cat every day.
- Catch the cat, pet it, and talk to it at least once a day.
- Cats can be nervous for a long time.
- Invite a friend to visit the cat to help it get used to humans in general.
- Later, the cat will not need food if you catch it.
Step 7. Keep a cat or offer it for adoption
When the taming period is over, the cat is ready to lead a normal domestic life. You can decide to keep the cat at home or take it to a shelter to offer adoption.
- If you have a cat, make sure that it is neutered or neutered.
- Introduce cats to other pets in your home gradually.
Part 3 of 3: Using the “Trap-Neuter-Return” Program
Step 1. Learn about the Trap-Neuter-Return program
This program has proven to be an effective way to suppress the feral cat population. The trap-neuter-return program is a safe way to control feral cat populations. Populations that are allowed to grow uncontrollably can be bad for cats and the environment they live in.
- Cats undergoing a trap-neuter-return program do not need to be house trained.
- These cats will return to living outside, but they will be healthier if they are part of the program.
- See if the program already exists in your environment.
- Talk to your local shelter or veterinarian about the resources available in your area.
Step 2. Set a trap in the area where you see stray cats
Use the special traps provided by the local trap-neuter-return n program. Set the trap in a laneway, backyard, or other place where you see lots of cats congregating.
- Trap the cat and help him get through the program.
- Do not try to trap the cat with traps used for other types of animals, as this could injure the cat.
- Do not approach a stray cat and try to touch it with your bare hands.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you are bitten or scratched by a cat.
Step 3. Take the trapped cat to the vet
The vet will examine the cat for signs of disease, fleas, and other ailments. Most importantly, the vet will neuter or neuter the cat, so the cat will not be able to produce offspring. Once the cat has recovered, the vet will release the cat back into your care.
- Medical and surgical procedures must be free within the trap-neuter-return program.
- Some programs pinch the cat's ears, indicating that the cat is following the program.
Step 4. Return the cat to its environment
Return the cat to the same location where you trapped it, and free the cat back into its environment. If you fed the cat before, keep going, and allow the cat to live outside.
Don't try to force interaction with the cat
Step 5. Repeat this program with another stray cat
Continue this process until the population is reduced and all cats have been neutered or neutered. Without help, this can take months to complete.
- Monitor the number of feral cats in your neighborhood to check how successful your efforts are.
- Try recruiting your neighbors to help with the program and increase the yield.
Tips
- Treat stray cats with kindness and attention.
- Do not move quickly or change positions while taming the cat as this can frighten him.
- Don't talk to the cat too much as this can make him uncomfortable.
- If a cat moves its ears back and wags its tail frequently, leave it alone.
Warning
- Cat bites are usually reported to the authorities.
- You should have your cat bite checked by a health professional.
- A cat can scratch you and cause serious harm, so be careful.
- Never bring a stray cat into the house until it has been vaccinated.
- If you have other cats in the house, be sure to update their vaccinations.
- Be aware that stray cats can carry rabies or other diseases, so be sure to take the proper precautions.
