Taming a stray cat can be difficult, but the rewards are worth it. If you see a stray cat around your home to pet, you must first learn to relate to the cat in a non-threatening way. Learn about cat behavior and the do's and don'ts of interacting with stray cats.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Making Sure Cats Are Not Stray Cats
Step 1. Know the difference between a stray cat and a stray cat
When you find a cat outside your home, it could be a stray cat or a stray cat. Dealing with stray cats is very different from stray cats and it is very difficult to earn their trust. Before you approach the cat, find out if it is a stray cat or a stray cat.
- Feral cats are born in the wild or in the open. This cat has never been a pet or live indoors. A stray cat was once a pet but got lost or was abandoned by its owner.
- Stray cats act more ferocious than stray cats, their behavior more like raccoons or squirrels. Stray cats are generally more friendly and approachable and often play in residential areas and near homes.
- Stray cats can become savage if they live too long in the wild. Determining a stray or stray cat can take a long time through face-to-face interactions.
Step 2. Take a closer look at the cat's demeanor and appearance
A cat's demeanor and physical qualities indicate whether it was abandoned or born in the open.
- Dirty cats may just be getting lost. Cats that have recently been abandoned have a hard time adapting to the wild and are bound to be dirtier and less groomed than feral cats.
- If a cat approaches you when you are about to pet it, it is likely that the cat is stray. Wild cats rarely approach humans.
- The surefire way to determine if a cat is stray or stray is to cage it. When a stray cat is in a cage, it will meow, scratch, play, and raise its tail in a non-violent way. While feral cats will act this way out in the open, especially when being fed by someone, these cats will never exhibit this behavior when in captivity.
Step 3. Get ready to deal with stray cats
You may pick up a cat that you initially thought was a stray cat but is actually a stray cat. Feral cats are virtually untamed, especially if they are over 7 months old. The ASPCA recommends a Trap Neuter Return (TNR) method to help control feral cat colony populations.
- The TNR program humanely captures stray cats, checks cats for disease, provides vaccinations, neuters or neuters cats, and returns them to the wild. Keeping a stray cat can be a traumatizing experience because these cats are wild animals by nature. TNR is generally considered an ethical option.
- You can conduct a TNR program in your area by contacting your local animal control organization, ASPCA, or the Humane Society for information. Don't take care of a stray cat yourself unless you have been specially trained or have experience caring for stray animals. Stray cats can carry a variety of diseases, including rabies, and act aggressively when frightened. These cats should only be handled by professional animal controllers.
Part 2 of 3: Fishing the Lost Cat
Step 1. Earn their trust with food
Feeding is the most effective way to get a stray cat to interact with you. These cats are usually hungry and will respond positively to being fed. This gives you the opportunity to get closer to the cat and get used to your presence.
- Choose foods with strong aromas. The easier the cat detects food, the better. Cats have a strong sense of smell. Canned foods are generally sharper than dry foods, especially those with a fishy taste like salmon and tuna. However, don't give your cat human food, such as canned tuna or fish. These foods can upset your cat's digestion and don't let your cat find the food you give them unpleasant.
- Leave food in an open area where you saw the stray cat. Consistency is very important. Leave food in the same place every day so the cat learns to come to that place when hungry.
- After a few days, come out when the cat comes to eat. It may take you about a week for the cat to trust you enough to approach you. Be patient. Don't force interaction.
- Do not pet or physically interact with your cat at this time, unless the cat has come into contact with you by rubbing its body or muzzle against your feet. These stray cats have generally been abused by their owners. These cats may take a long time to open up to new people and they can be startled easily. If you force contact first, the cat will be alert to return to eating.
Step 2. Choose a cat trap
While some stray cats can get into someone's home on their own, almost all stray cats don't trust humans easily. Humane cat traps are generally the best option for getting the cat into your home easily.
- The Humane Society usually provides safe traps for catching stray animals. The workers can also explain how to use it properly. It is best to visit a local animal shelter and ask them for advice on how to catch a cat.
- If you don't have an animal shelter in your area, you can purchase cat traps through online stores. However, be careful, find a humane way that won't make the cat uncomfortable and won't hurt her. Check all traps through the ASPCA website to ensure they are humane and safe.
Step 3. Lure the cat into your trap
The cat will not automatically enter the trap, even if you leave food in it. The process of getting a cat into the trap takes some time.
- When the cat seems comfortable with you, carry a large trap with you when you approach it. Ethical traps, which don't hurt cats, can be found on Amazon or your local pet store.
- Put cat food closer to the trap for a week or two. In the end, put the food in the trap but open the door while the cat is eating. Your goal is to accustom the cat to the trap so that the cat is less traumatized when you close the door.
- Slowly move the cat food into the trap. When you see the cat is comfortable in the trap, close and lock the door.
Step 4. Check with the vet
If you want to tame a cat, you need to stay with it for a long time. Before you can do this, you need to make sure that your cat is free from diseases that can infect both you and your other animals.
- Before examining, keep the cat out of the reach of people or other animals. Keep the cat in a closed room. If possible, a trap or large cage kept in a warm garage would be ideal as cats may have fleas, so don't bring them into your home.
- Your vet can examine your animal's microchip. This is an identification chip that sits under the cat's shoulder that can be used to locate the original owner.
- Your veterinarian will perform a basic physical examination and carry out any important vaccinations. The cat will also be screened for common stray cat ailments such as fleas, liver flukes, immunodeficiency and leukemia.
Part 3 of 3: Taming at Home
Step 1. Create a cat room
Keeping a stray cat is much different from a regular pet cat. Your new cat is likely to be more shy and anxious about new places and territories. Create a special room for cats to make your cat feel more comfortable at home and then eventually trust you.
- Have supplies like food, water, bedding, toys, and a litter box ready somewhere. A must-have is anything you can think of to make your cat feel comfortable and safe.
- This room should be a quiet place in your home and not used by humans until your cat is used to its new home. Provide a chair or sofa with a blanket hanging over it so your cat has a hiding place when she feels threatened.
- Spend time in the room every day to get your cat used to your presence. Knock on the door before entering and say something like “I'm in” in a soft voice.
Step 2. Respect your cat's boundaries
Abandoned cats need time to get used to human interactions. Don't push things too fast and let your cat lead the interaction.
- Avoid eye contact. Cats usually stare at humans, but don't compete with a stray cat. Staring is a sign of aggression. To communicate with your cat without hurting her, close your eyes for a moment and then look away.
- Let the cat approach you. Wait for the cat to make physical contact with you before you try to pet it. Cats rub their bodies or muzzles against humans as a sign of friendliness. Wait for your cat to do this before trying to touch it.
- If your cat wants to hide, so be it. Your cat may want to hide under a couch or chair for a few days and only come out to eat. Let your cat do this and don't try to pet it until it's ready.
- Once your cat has been exposed to physical contact, don't touch her belly. The belly is a vulnerable part of the cat's body and the more you touch it, the more difficult it will be to trust you.
Step 3. Introduce the cat to your home
After your cat has spent a few weeks safely in her room and is comfortable with you, let her explore other parts of the house.
- Let your cat move as he pleases. Let your cat explore the house at his own pace. Supervise, but don't interfere too much when your cat is checking out its new area.
- If you have other animals, allow them to hear and smell each other's cats before physically interacting. Feed your other pets near your cat's room. Invite to touch each other's feet nicely and play at the door.
- You can temporarily replace your door with a screen door so other animals can see the new cat with the barrier. This can be especially helpful if your new cat is very shy.
- Supervise first-time face-to-face interactions with other animals, watching for signs of aggression.
- Make sure your cat always has access to her room so she can go there to protect herself when she wants to hide.
Tips
- Do not lure the cat with milk or cream. Most cats have enzymes that prevent the digestion of dairy-based foods and drinks and can cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- While you can put furniture in the cat's room, chaise longues can usually physically injure cats, especially kittens. Do not leave the cat alone in a room that has this type of furniture.
- Announce in the local paper or radio a description of the cat. Chances are the cat is missing and the owner is looking for it.
Warning
- Vaccination is important. Vaccinate the stray cat after you pick it up. Some diseases, such as rabies, are difficult to treat once symptoms begin to appear.
- Cats are aggressive when threatened and can carry dangerous diseases to humans and other animals. Be careful with stray cats and let this cat come to you first.
