Some stray cats are actually lost cats that were previously domesticated. Providing food, shelter and attention is often the only thing required to tame a lost cat. Try leaving some food out for them and then petting them when they come close. If they allow it, there is a good chance they are a lost cat. Try to track down the owner before claiming the cat as your own. Look around town for any posters or fliers that might have been put up for this lost cat. Talk with your local human society and veterinarians to ask if anyone is looking for the cat you have found. [1] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source It’s much easier to tame feral kittens than feral adult cats. Kittens have yet to learn the behaviors of either indoor or outdoor life. Adult cats are set in their old ways and habits and it can be tough to retrain an older cat. Socialize a feral kitten before it is eight weeks old. Socializing early on will help them grow comfortable with behaviors expected from an indoor cat. You should also let kittens stay with their mother until they are four weeks old. Newborn kittens will still have an umbilical cord stump on their stomach. They will also no open their eyes until seven to fourteen days have passed. [2] X Research source If the kittens incisor teeth have grown in, it’s likely about two weeks old. If you notice any teeth behind the canine and incisor teeth, where our molars are, the kitten is at least four weeks old. If the kitten has all of it’s adult teeth, you can assume it to be around four months old. [3] X Research source If a cat seems aggressive or hostile towards you, leave it alone.
Feral cats may hiss, spit and scratch so let the trap take the abuse. Use a special trap designed for cats. [5] X Expert Source Carrie Seay, MS-CABAC, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KAFeline Behavior Consultant Expert Interview. 1 March 2022. Do not use traps designed for other animals. You can get traps from your local trap-neuter-release organization. Set the trap in a place where the cat spends most of its time. You’ll need to bait it with a little tuna or other food to lure the cat inside.
Be careful not to handle it yet. The cat will not want to be touched. Seek medical attention immediately if you get scratched or bitten. Cat scratches and bites can lead to serious infections. Put a towel over the trap to help it feel more comfortable.
Use a carrier big enough for a litter box, bedding, and dishes for food and water. Keep the carrier in a room away from family members or other pets. Let the cat stay contained for two days before you touch it. Make sure it has enough food and water for two days. Put a full box of kitty litter in the cat’s litter box. Make sure the cat won’t be able to escape as it may cause harm to the cat or your home. It is normal for the cat to be agitated during this time.
Don’t force the cat to come out, let it willingly come to you. Provide a private hiding space where the cat can go to reduce stress levels. Make sure it’s an accessible spot so you can reach the cat if necessary. Make sure there’s no way the cat can escape through a door, window or crack. Smaller rooms make the best socialization rooms. Alert your family members so that the cat won’t escape the room if they enter.
Do this every day, possibly for weeks, until the cat comes close enough to be handled. Don’t make eye contact with the cat, as they view it as a threat. [10] X Expert Source Carrie Seay, MS-CABAC, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KAFeline Behavior Consultant Expert Interview. 1 March 2022. Try lying on the floor to help the cat feel more comfortable, as you will appear smaller.
Keep the food dish close to you while you’re feeding the cat. When the cat is finished eating and you’re ready to leave the room, take the food with you. Don’t starve the cat, make sure it is actually eating. You should leave water in the room at all times. [12] X Research source
Lift the cat gently and carefully. If he cat runs away or hisses, try again tomorrow. Never use your bare hands to pick up a feral cat. You might want to go in wearing thick jeans, long sleeves and gloves. Don’t scare the cat or force interaction. This will undo any trust. When holding the cat, try giving it some treats. [13] X Research source
If the cat resists, let it down. Do this every day until the cat comes to you to be picked up. Never approach from the front, as this will startle the cat. Always reward the cat for good behavior with some treats.
Change the cats food and water daily. Pick the cat up, pet it, and talk to it at least once a day. The cat could remain skittish for quite a long time. Invite your friends to visit the cat to help it get used to people in general. The cat will eventually not require treats when you pick them up.
If you keep the cat, be sure to get it neutered or spayed. Introduce the cat to other pets in your household slowly.
Cats that go through a trap-neuter-return program do not need to be house trained. These cats will go back to live outside, but they’ll be much healthier if they’re part of the program. See if there’s already a program happening in your neighborhood. Talk with a local shelter or vet about resources available in your area.
Trap cats and help them through the program one at a time. Do not try to trap a cat with a trap used for other types of animals, as it may injure the cat. Do not approach a stray cat and try to touch it with your bare hands. Seek medical attention immediately if you are bitten or scratched.
Medical procedures and surgery should be free under the trap-neuter-return program. Some programs clip a cats ear, marking that they are in the program. [17] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
Don’t try to force any interaction with the cat.
Monitor the amount of feral cats in your neighborhood to check how successful your work is. Try to recruit neighbors to help with the program and increase results.
