Buzz
Taming a feral cat requires ample time, knowledge, patience, and utmost caution. Feral cats are essentially domesticated cats that have reverted to a wild lifestyle and avoid human contact. If the cat appears healthy and you wish to tame it, be aware that it might be frightened and could bite. However, if you find or are tasked with caring for a stray cat that is scared but can tolerate human interaction without scratching or biting, you can proceed with taming. While you may not fully revert it to a domestic pet, it can become a well-behaved outdoor cat. Sometimes, all you need is immense patience to transform a frightened cat into a lovable companion. The first goal is to make the cat feel comfortable around you. Subsequently, the cat should be taken for a health check to ensure it is free from diseases.
Steps
Observe the Cat's Nature
Understand the Cat's Temperament. Observe the cat for a few days. This will help you determine its nature, especially when approached by humans. Is the cat wary or fearful of humans? Is it aggressive?
- If the cat appears dangerous, do not attempt to approach it. Instead, contact animal control or a humane organization, as they are equipped to handle and approach feral cats professionally.
Observe the cat's body language. Cats express emotions vividly through body language. For example:
- An angry or annoyed cat may flatten its ears, dilate its pupils, swish its tail, arch its back, and puff up its fur. Often, the cat will growl, signaling that you should back away.
- If not fleeing, a frightened cat may crouch low or tuck its tail between its hind legs. Be cautious when taming such cats.
- Conversely, a calm cat will have its ears forward, tail upright, and fur smooth. It may stretch, lie down, or roll around.
Monitor the cat's overall health. Even if you can't get close, you can still observe the cat's health from a distance. Check if the cat appears thin or emaciated, which could indicate hunger. Examine its fur to assess its health. Patchy, shedding, or bald spots may suggest illness. Look for other issues like limping, cuts, or swelling.
Avoid cats suspected of having rabies. Feral cats are often unvaccinated and at risk of rabies. Although rare, rabies in cats typically occurs in unvaccinated outdoor cats. Symptoms can vary and may take months to appear after infection.
- Common signs include lethargy (dullness, loss of appetite, weakness) and/or behavioral changes (aggression, hyperactivity, disorientation, paralysis, seizures).
- If you encounter a cat with these symptoms, contact animal control and avoid approaching it.
Let the cat get used to your presence
Familiarize the cat with your voice. If the cat seems tameable, the next step is to help it get accustomed to your presence and voice. Sit nearby and speak to the cat in a soft, soothing tone.
Offer dry or wet food to the cat. While speaking softly, place some food near the cat. Repeat this process for about three days, avoiding any attempts to touch the cat during this period.
- After three days, observe the cat's positive body language to see if it feels comfortable around you. A content cat will have its ears and tail upright, back slightly arched, fur smooth, and may even purr.
Approach the cat with food. Use a spoonful of wet food or canned tuna and gently extend it toward the cat. Call its name or say "kitty!" If the cat hisses, it indicates fear and needs more time to adjust to your presence. Be patient and allow the cat to feel at ease eating near you.
Watch for signs of aggression. If the cat displays any aggressive behaviors, such as growling or hissing, give it more time to get used to you. You may also consider contacting animal control for assistance.
Use feline pheromone products. If you need help making the cat feel more comfortable, consider using cat pheromone products. These mimic natural feline pheromones to help calm the cat. Spray the product around the cat's area, but be cautious as the sound might startle or upset the cat.
- Alternatively, liquid pheromones can be applied to specific areas, or diffusers can be used if the cat is in an enclosed space.
Pet the cat with a spoon. Find a long wooden spoon or spatula and wrap it in soft fabric, such as fleece. Gently extend it close enough to touch the cat without startling it. While the cat eats, slowly use the spoon to pet it. This may take several attempts over a few days for the cat to get used to.
- If the cat runs away, do not chase it. You can try petting it again later.
Interact with the cat
Wear long clothing for protection. Before taking the cat for a health check, it's best to wear long clothing to protect yourself during interactions. Use thick gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants to minimize the risk of scratches or bites.
Use your hand to pet the cat. After petting the cat with a spoon for a while, try sliding your hand underneath the spoon to pet it directly. Focus on the cat's shoulders and head.
- Avoid touching areas near the belly. The cat may become defensive if it feels threatened. Only when the cat fully trusts you can you attempt to pet its belly.
Attempt to pick up the cat. Use a towel or blanket to lift the cat. Do this after you've petted it several times and it appears relaxed and comfortable.
- Reaching this stage may take a significant amount of time, depending on the cat. Some cats may never become tame enough to be picked up.
- If the cat struggles when lifted, release it immediately to avoid bites or scratches. Otherwise, you may have to start the taming process over.
Take the cat to the vet
Help the cat get used to a carrier. A carrier is necessary to transport the cat to the vet. Allow the cat time to familiarize itself with the carrier.
- Leave the carrier door open indoors so the cat can explore it on its own.
- Place food near the carrier entrance to pique the cat's interest.
- Move the food inside the carrier to encourage the cat to step in.
Take the cat to the vet. If you've successfully interacted with the cat, bring it to the vet as soon as possible. There, the cat can receive a health check, vaccinations, and appropriate treatments.
- Vaccinations are essential to prevent diseases like feline leukemia. Consult the vet about necessary vaccines.
Ask the vet about flea and deworming treatments. Since the cat may have been stray for a while, it needs treatment for fleas and parasites. The vet may use topical treatments or recommend methods for you to administer at home.
Have the cat spayed or neutered. One of the best ways to help the cat is to spay or neuter it to prevent unwanted kittens. The vet will clip a small piece of the ear, a painless procedure done under anesthesia. The clipped ear tip serves as a marker that the cat has been sterilized.
Help feral kittens get used to humans
Socialize kittens between 4 to 8 weeks of age. Kittens are more adaptable to socialization as they begin to wean. This is the period when they start becoming independent from their mother. Once a kitten is accustomed to human interaction, it becomes more suitable for adoption.
Provide a secure sanctuary for the kitten. When not training the kitten to interact with humans, ensure it has access to a small, quiet room for relaxation. This could be a bathroom or an unused space.
- Use a night light to keep the room from being completely dark.
Select an appropriate location. Training a kitten to be comfortable around people is more effective in a bustling environment. Consider practicing in a yard where people are active or playing. Alternatively, a similar setting indoors can also be beneficial.
Lower yourself to the kitten's level. Avoid towering over the kitten. Instead, sit on the floor to make yourself less intimidating.
Offer wet food to the kitten. Provided the kitten is healthy, using food can facilitate bonding. This approach encourages the kitten to approach you, driven by hunger and the desire for the food you possess. Stay close while the kitten eats.
- Placing the food dish on your lap can encourage the kitten to come closer.
- Remove the food when you leave to associate your presence with meal times.
Encourage the cat to lick food off your hand. Once the cat is comfortable with your presence during meal times, offer it a small amount of food from your palm. You can use wet cat food or baby food (opt for beef or chicken flavors).
- A kitten might bite the food instead of licking it, as this is a natural eating behavior. It may also gently nibble on your fingers while eating.
Begin petting the kitten. When the kitten is hungry and eager to eat, try gently stroking it. Start by petting its head and shoulders.
- If the kitten runs away, repeat the previous step for a longer duration.
Transition to petting without food. Once the kitten is accustomed to your presence and touch, gradually remove food from the process. This ensures the kitten enjoys being petted even without the incentive of food. Try petting the kitten after it has eaten its fill.
Gradually introduce the kitten to other people. If you're socializing a kitten for someone else to adopt, ensure it becomes comfortable with others besides you.
- Start by allowing one person at a time to approach the kitten. They should begin by feeding the kitten from a dish before using their hands. This helps the kitten get used to their voice, scent, and gestures.
Advice
- Avoid touching the cat's belly, tail, and paws until it trusts that you won't cause it harm. These are highly sensitive areas, and the cat might scratch or bite you.
- Proceed slowly. You may need to take extra time if you aim to help the cat step out of its 'comfort zone.'
Warning
- If the cat displays aggressive behavior, step away for a while.
- Only individuals trained to handle feral cats should approach them.
- If bitten by a cat (domestic or feral), seek medical attention immediately. Carefully tend to cat scratches to prevent infection.
