If the cat won’t eat the food, try placing the bowl further away from the house. Try feeding the cat different types of food, such as cat biscuits or packets of cat food. These can be purchased from a pet store. If the cat has been on the streets for a long time, it may not be used to typical foods and will take a while to get used to its new diet.

Continue to feed the cat at the same time of day. This will help to increase the chances of the cat coming inside.

If the cat makes loud noises, starts clawing at furniture, or is terrified of people, this may indicate that it is feral. In this scenario, it is best to open the door and let the cat outside.

Wash your hands after touching the stray cat to avoid passing on any germs to other pets in your house. Talk to the cat regularly while it is in an isolated room. This will help it get used to you. Make sure the cat has a tray of litter in the room in case they have to relieve themselves.

A vet will typically charge around $50 for an appointment, but most will scan stray cats for free. Contact your local vet to receive a quote. If the cat won’t go into its carrier, place a bowl of food into the cage to tempt the cat inside.

In many states you are legally required to take practical measures to ensure that a stray cat doesn’t have an owner before taking it in, even if the cat isn’t microchipped. Keep the cat inside while you look for its owner.

Ask the vet if the cat has been neutered.

If the cat won’t let you touch them, don’t force it. Continue to talk softly to it until it is ready to let you stroke it. [8] X Expert Source Francine MillerCertified Animal Behavior Counselor Expert Interview. 10 September 2020.

Over time, slowly increase the amount of eye contact that you give your cat. If you accidentally stare at the cat, simply shut your eyes for a few seconds and slowly turn your head away.

If the cat won’t eat the food you give it, try different cat food brands until you find one that it likes. Your cat will be calmer and less erratic with a regular feeding schedule.

If your other pets don’t normally respond well to new animals, place them in their carry bag for 15 minutes in the stray cat’s room. This will help them to get used to each other very slowly.

If the cat is scared to go outside, walk beside it to help reassure it. Most vets recommend keeping the cat inside.