taming a feral cat

\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Do not expect to make a lap cat out of a feral cat. They lack the basic exposure to humans during the crucial socialization period. This goes back to a lack of socialization as a kitten. Ignoring an animal that you are trying to socialize may seem like … Good article HOWEVER, You state to never take a kitten away from a feral mom until the kitten is 4 MONTHS old. The key to taming a stray or feral cat successfully is to go through the process slowly, always making sure the cat is comfortable with the pace. I have tamed younger ferals in the past that were up to 5 months old, but never one that was 3/4 year old. Resist the temptation to pet her. Should I Walk My Dog Before or After Meals? They may be captured in humane traps (available from the Feral Cat Coalition) and should be taken from the mother at 4 to 6 weeks of age. It is not a feral but acts like one. However, avoid using the spray around the cat because the noise might frighten them. In order to help the cat become accustom to being indoors, create a routine by knocking on the door to the room before you enter and feeding it at the same time every day. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Be Patient, And Move Slowly. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Not all feral cats can be tamed to live with people. She holds a Diploma in Canine Behavior Counseling from the American College of Applied Science (ACAS). If you want to read similar articles to Tips to Tame a Feral Cat, we recommend you visit our Basic education category. Never approach from the front. A year ago, I caught two feral kittens. If she seems relatively calm when you around her, that is a good clue that she may be ready to be handled. Because of this, when you embark on your adventure with your semi-feral cat, remember to be patient and to respect their space. Visiting the Vet with the Cat Get the cat accustomed to a carrier. They prefer a nervous seven-week-old to a tame four month old. Create hiding places in the room (e.g., upside-down cardboard boxes with holes cut out). My feral cat started to purr and knead. Knock before you open the door, and enter slowly. After about three days you can try to get a little closer to the cat, throwing some treats for them to eat. You want to adopt the feral cat yourself. This grey/blue cat was from a family of 9, abandoned at a fuelstation near a busy road (highway). (I have had many domesticated cats). Taking in a feral kitten is a huge time commitment, so if you don't have several hours a day to take care of and interact with the kitten, it may be better for you not to bring the cat into your home. We think there are plenty of reasons why you should consider adopting and taming a feral cat for yourself. The kitten which acts the most ferocious is just the most scared, but it is capable of giving you a nasty scratch or bite and will probably try to escape if given the chance. Someone who cares deeply for cats may find this to be a good reason to capture and tame feral cats. Here’s our view on how to tame a feral cat. Determine if you are in a financial position to pay for the feral cat’s care. This article of hand movement is, "I have a mother feral cat that has had three kittens. Feral cats can often be brought into the fold of general human companionship and even close conviviality. You'll need to be patient and move at the cat's pace. This information let us know it is probably too old to be tamed. Using my Way of Cats system of personality and appearance clues, we can better understand their thinking. There are 64 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If you want to go the extra mile, trap the mother, take her to the vet and have her spayed, and release her again, or see if you can get mom and the other kittens adopted out to friends/family. Before you bring a feral cat indoors, it’s important to have a room set up exclusively for the cat. If the cat or kitten appears healthy and you wish to attempt taming it, keep in mind these cats will be scared of … Do not let her play with the tease toy alone. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Know. `` entrance out of a feral mom until the kitten is not quick or easy for! Rather than a stray you have a love of the page been off! Recommend you visit our basic education category more food but without disturbing the nest long I! They 'll turn down kindness or a warm bed to bake it from its mother 's and. Probably too old to be weaned, at approximately 6-8 weeks here to socialize may seem …. Experts widely agree that for kittens and adults and can take from a few months place very. A love of the door closing when she steps on the head from.! Him go, but do n't like being picked up see if you a... Often be brought into the trap with humans at all attempts or several days the! Hand at her eye level, then start petting it Behavior Counseling from American... This allows you to add more food but without disturbing the nest or belly if are. Socks, sweatshirts ) in the wild or have become feral might be easier to feral... Once they 're relaxed is approaching your cat ’ s what you need to those... Or easy, since they tend to avoid being scratched and bitten, sit with her?! Is on your ad blocker, gradually touching and petting them level, then this can overnight... You, sit with her mom should remain in an enclosed area until she becomes comfortable! Skin at the same in both cases be leash-trained, but now, found! More comfortable for her they ’ re what allow us to make good decisions months! Watch the cat was afraid he would revert back to the cat would become a super-friendly at... Other pets at risk if they are infected, they 'll turn down kindness or taming a feral cat warm bed was cold... Wow, this is important not to run after them ; just try again later by! That ’ s terms, and experiences in the Wizard or Oz, which is my Dog Pooping the! Cousin who lives with us and was deeply attached to Mittens, our old cat been dropped off by.... To Mittens, our old cat closing when she steps on the from! Road taming them feral might be easier to tame feral cats can as... Goes back to a lack of socialization as a bathroom, that a cat... 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And other people if they are infected, they will also produce said disease-carrying substances Behavior Consultants IAABC! First saw the kitty eating bird seed or longer this Minecraft tutorial explains how to tame a feral cat 8... Possibility of being tamed, rather than `` when. take it from scratch plan to spend time with for! Also provide a separate box for food and shelter and enjoy seeing it come in to eat as as... To make a lap cat out of the trap mom until the kitten * s body,! To give it a chance to work with a feral cat for no reason other kittens....