Knock on the door before entering, and say something like "Coming in" in a soft voice. Even then, a scared cat may bite or scratch, leaving you prone to infection or worse. Some stray cats are actually lost cats that were previously domesticated. This article received 24 testimonials and 93% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Why should you avoid leaving canned tuna out for a stray cat? Read on for another quiz question. Provide a chair or couch with a blanket hanging over it so your cat has a place to hide when he feels threatened. It may take a stray a long time to warm up to a new person, and they can be easily startled. Try to recruit neighbors to help with the program and increase results. Many neighborhoods are home to a population of stray cats that live in alleys and backyards. Wait until you get such a gesture before trying to touch the cat. Cats see staring as a sign of aggression, so holding eye contact can mark you as a threat. Not exactly! Be careful, however, as you want a humane that won't cause the cat discomfort or harm. Let the cat stay contained for two days before you touch it. Because people frequently use the terms ‘stray’ and ‘feral’ interchangeably.Here on our website, we recognize three different kinds of cats that people encounter. This is the case whether you’re dealing with a feral or stray cat. Walk your dog parallel to the stray (rather than approach head on), as this is less threatening to the stray. Still, you will not see the above behaviors from a caged feral cat. Unlike dogs, who like to travel far from the house, cats prefer to stay close. When your cat opens up to physical contact, avoid touching his stomach. Monitor the amount of feral cats in your neighborhood to check how successful your work is. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? They have never been pets or lived inside. Supervise any initial face-to-face interactions with other pets, watching for signs of aggression. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Create a barrier or use a carrier, leash, piece of cloth, or length of rope to keep the animal in the area. Cat bites are normally reported to the appropriate authorities. Maybe that will make him closer to me, thank you. Don't scare the cat or force interaction. This can upset a cat's digestive system and you do not want the stray to associate the food you leave with any unpleasantness. When holding the cat, try giving it some treats. “If a cat is not comfortable with humans, they will mostly scratch or bite if you attempt to handle them. Check all traps with the ASPCA website to make sure they are humane and safe. If he moves towards you, then reward and encourage the bold behavior with quiet praise. This article has been viewed 79,541 times. unlocking this expert answer. There are those which make lots of noise, scratch the couch, dig, steal foods and leave urine and droppings in any areas of the house.Cats are generally self sufficient. Never, ever bring a stray cat in your home until the stray cat is vaccinated. Look around town for any posters or fliers that might have been put up for this lost cat. This is a cat who has, at some point, been someone’s furbaby and, possibly most importantly, could be again! She has also let me pick her up and pet her. Take the Stray Into Your Home As Your New Pet Cat. You should also let kittens stay with their mother until they are four weeks old. You lay in bed tormented about her at night. We have to establish the terms of the discussion in order to avoid any confusion. Pick the cat up, pet it, and talk to it at least once a day. Try leaving some food out for them and then petting them when they come close. To learn how to trap a stray cat, keep reading! ", "Thanks for the info. Cats often stare at humans, but do not engage in a staring contest with a stray cat. Make your cat feel comfortable by averting or closing your eyes and allowing them to feel like they are in charge. Be very careful handling a stray cat and let them come to you first. If you decide to go ahead with the adoption, you may want to use a contract … ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.petmd.com/cat/care/evr_ct_misunderstood_feral_cat?page=show, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/stray-and-feral-cats, http://bestfriends.org/Resources/No-Kill-Resources/Cat-initiatives/Helping-Community-Cats/Humane-Trapping-Instructions-for-Community-Cats/, http://moderncat.com/articles/5-ways-help-semi-feral-cat-adjust-domestic-home/68600, http://womanitely.com/important-tips-adopting-stray-cat/, http://www.paws.org/library/cats/home-life/introducing-cat-to-cat/, ganarte la confianza de un gato callejero, Conquistare la Fiducia di un Gatto Randagio. The easier it is for the cat to detect food, the better. Sometimes you just have to wing it. Be cautious when approaching one, and most importantly, be patient. Now I can have a bunch of tame cats! There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 396,756 times. This is an identification chip placed underneath the cat's shoulder which can be used to find the owner. There are other ways to indicate to your cat that you are not a threat. My neighborhood has so many strays and feral cats. If you decide to do this there are several things you should know. The cat could remain skittish for quite a long time. To learn our Veterinary reviewer’s advice on how to get your stray used to being part of the household, keep reading! Do not try to trap a cat with a trap used for other types of animals, as it may injure the cat. To learn how to trap a stray cat, keep reading! Talk with your local human society and veterinarians to ask if anyone is looking for the cat you have found. "I followed all the tips here to catch this kitty at work. If you see a stray in your neighborhood that you feel compelled to take in, you must first learn to engage with him in a way that is non-threatening. There's a chance that any food you leave out will attract other animals, like raccoons or feral cats. Adult cats are set in their old ways and habits and it can be tough to retrain an older cat. Be careful not to handle it yet. If a cat puts its ears back and is lashing its tail a lot, leave it alone. Feral cats are used to living without human assistance and will maintain their coats, though their coats will seem rougher than the coat of an outdoor cat with a home. I’m glad you asked! References After a few days, stay outside while the cat comes to eat, but don’t approach it yet. Workers can also explain how to use the traps correctly. The best way to catch the cat is to either hire a professional trapper or to purchase or rent a humane trap yourself. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Nope! Absolutely! Starting from 4 months, provide it with tasty and wholesome food once a … There’s a better option out there! She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Select strong smelling food. Use a carrier big enough for a litter box, bedding, and dishes for food and water. Cats that had previously been pets make the transition most easily. Allow the cat to come to you. Allow him to do so, and do not try to coax him out before he is ready. The modern cat is chipped, wormed, vaccinated and needs drops between its shoulder blades every so often to keep the ticks and fleas at bay. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Click on another answer to find the right one... Support wikiHow by What should you do after you take the stray cat out from the vet? When you reach the point where the cat is comfortable going all the way in the trap, latch it shut. He's used the litter box, so I'm pretty sure at one time he was a pet. To learn our Veterinary reviewer’s advice on how to get your stray used to being part of the household, keep reading! If a cat seems aggressive or hostile towards you, leave it alone. Cat scratches and bites can lead to serious infections. If you have other pets, allow them to hear and smell each other before physically interacting. Cats Control Rodents. You will have to have cat bites examined by a healthcare professional, if you are bitten. Smaller rooms make the best socialization rooms. We don't want to force him, but he has been here for 5 months now. "The part about getting the cat into the house. A stray has been hanging around with my cat. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Never use your bare hands to pick up a feral cat. You don’t have to invite the cat in to your home straight away (or at all), if you notice a cat that looks ill or hungry, start leaving food outside for it to eat. Feral cats rarely approach humans. Click on another answer to find the right one... {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Earn-the-Trust-of-a-Stray-Cat-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Earn-the-Trust-of-a-Stray-Cat-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Earn-the-Trust-of-a-Stray-Cat-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid665691-v4-728px-Earn-the-Trust-of-a-Stray-Cat-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"