Stray Cats: How To Befriend Stray Cats – Feral & Wild Cats
Cats have become one of the most popular pets in human society, Whether stray cats or feral cats, human has come to find a way to domesticate these group of pets.
There are plenty of cities full of stray cats and it is even estimated that there are over 70 million stray cats in the US alone. And some times some people do not want to take care of them considering the cost of looking after the pets.
However some others have large love for these pets and would want to look after them. In whichever case, the simple guide here could help you with one or two about being friendly with stray cats.
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Stray cats are usually someone’s former cats that no longer has a home. On the other hand, feral cats was born in the wild and are usually cautious about humans. Usually feral cats are not approachable compared to Stray cats.
Be it stray cat or feral cat, it is very necessary trapping and neutering the cat. Bringing it to the veterinarian for vaccinations and to be spayed or neutered is a an excellent practice and civic one indeed.
If the cat is approachable and friendly it could be a stray cat that belongs to someone.
Finding the owner of Stray cats
If a stray cat is not feral, the best thing to do is to try and find its owner by asking around the neighborhood to see if anyone knows who it belongs to.
In the event of not finding the owner of the cat, you may decide to take the cat home. If you decide to take the cat home, you should be able to care for the cat.
In Befriending Stray Cats – Feral & Wild Cats?
If the cat appears healthy and isn’t acting defensive and mean towards you, you can try befriending it. Find a place where the cat usually stays, and wait nearby until the cat reaches its spot.
Sit down or lie down, if you can, or at least crouch: The cat will find you much less intimidating that way. Stay there for a while. Teach the cat you won’t hurt it.
This should be a fair distance away, 10 feet or so, so you don’t intimidate the cat.
Offer the cat food: Try leaving out some smelly cat food (wet) or even a can of tuna to attract the cat while you are waiting for it to arrive. You want to get the cat to associate you with something good, namely a free lunch.
You only need to leave out smelly food the first day. After this leave out a little dry kibble to keep the cat coming back for more.
Continue putting little bits of tuna closer and closer to you: Each day the cat comes to eat, move your spot another foot closer. If you hold the cat food in your hand for a while, your scent will be on it, too. This won’t discourage the cat from eating it, but it may cause the cat to associate you with food, which is good in general. Put out your hand to let the cat sniff it.
If the cat starts hissing, or its ears go back, etc., you’re too close. Pull your hand back slightly and slowly.
Show the cat some affection: Eventually the cat should get close to you then put out your hand let the cat sniff your hand. Continue feeding the cat, and sitting nearby quietly, and eventually you should earn its trust to the point it will come up to you for food and gentle pats. Don’t expect this to happen right away. Don’t expect them to even eat any of the tuna right away.
With time the cat gets use to you and builds a level of friendship with you.
