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While it’s generally not possible to tame a feral cat, with time and commitment (and lots of food!), the cat may become more relaxed and friendly. If you’ve noticed a cat wandering your neighborhood or hanging out on your porch, you may wonder whether the cat is feral or a stray, and whether it’s safe to interact with them. Learn how to tell the difference between a feral cat and a stray, the risks feral cats pose to humans and domesticated pets, and how you can help them. How Is a Feral Cat Different from a Stray Cat?The biggest difference between stray cats and feral cats comes down to their level of socialization to human beings. A stray cat has been abandoned by or separated from its owners; they may now be living outside on their own, but because they had a home once, they’re used to interacting with humans. Like stray cats, feral cats also live outdoors on their own, but the key difference is that they have never been socialized to humans and are therefore probably the offspring of other stray or feral cats. This lack of human socialization can make feral cats wild and unapproachable. Feral and stray cats typically behave differently when humans are near. Feral cats:
Stray cats:
Both strays and feral cats can be loners or part of a colony, and they will hunt or take food wherever they can — whether it’s from garbage cans or your pet’s outdoor feeding station. Can a Feral Cat Become a House Pet?You may have a chance of taming or domesticating a feral kitten. However, it’s not generally recommended to tame a feral cat — and it’s usually not possible to tame an adult one. Feral cats aren’t used to human contact, and they probably won’t ever be as docile and friendly as a domesticated cat. A feral cat will probably never wish to move into your home, but they may eventually become confident enough to sleep in a less-confining space like a garage, shed or utility room with easy access — as long are there aren’t humans around.
It’s difficult for humans to catch diseases from feral cats since they don’t often come in physical contact. However, because feral cats can carry diseases, worms and fleas, it is possible for them to pass infections on to your domesticated pets. Be aware that if you already have a cat or dog, the presence of a feral cat may cause other issues, too. Your pet may be upset by a feral cat that visits regularly, and a feral cat may not tolerate them and could act aggressively. If this is the case, your pets and the feral cat may need to be kept apart, or, more likely, the feral cat may need to be relocated elsewhere.
The first step is to inform your local cat protection or feral cat rescue shelter. They’ll offer advice and will likely follow an official “trap, neuter, return” (TNR) program. TNR specialists will catch the cat using a baited cage. They’ll then sedate the cat, check them for a microchip, examine them for diseases and treat them for worms and fleas. They will also spay or neuter them so the animal can’t add to the local feral population. Some of these programs may clip the cat’s ear, which helps animal control officials quickly and easily identify stray and feral cats that have already been spayed or neutered. Finally, the cat may also have to be shaved if their hair is matted or badly infested with parasites. Then, they will be returned to the outdoors or possibly relocated to another area. While trying to tame a feral cat isn’t a good idea, you can find plenty of cats in shelters and rescues that need a warm, welcoming home, including older cats that tend to get along with other pets you already have. If you’re ready to add a pet to your home, consider saving a rescue cat — they’ll be sure to thank you with lots of love.
Feral, stray, and pet cats are all members of the same species; they are all domestic cats. But stray cats and feral cats are also different from each other in a very important wayin their relationship to and interactions with people. Whether you are a shelter worker, veterinarian, or cat advocateor you just share your neighborhood with community catsknowing how to tell the difference can help inform how best to interact with a cat or what, if any, intervention would be in each cat’s best interest. What is socialization?When we say a cat is “socialized” we mean she is accustomed to and enjoys companionship with people. To socialize a cat means to acclimate her to human touch, human spaces, and human sights, smells, and sounds. It’s a process that’s influenced by many factors of a cat’s life and takes time and effort from compassionate people. Kittens becomes socialized by interacting with peoplebeing held, spoken to, and played withfrom an early age. If a kitten does not become accustomed to people holding her and petting her within this crucial window, she will grow up apprehensive of humans and will not be suited to or happy living in homes. What is the difference between a stray cat and a feral cat?Pet and stray cats are socialized to people. Feral cats are not socialized to people. While they are socialized to their feline family members and bonded to each other, they do not have that same relationship with people.
Stray:
Feral:
Why does it matter?
How do I tell the difference when the cats are outdoors?Since it is difficult to determine each cat’s socialization during a stressful event such as trapping, it’s a good idea to observe cats on their own outdoors using the guidelines below. NOTE: There is a lot of variation on the Socialization Continuum. Cats may not fit solidly in either socialized-stray or unsocialized-feral categories. Learn more variations possible using our Socialization Continuum guide. Socialization to HumansStray: May approach people, houses, porches, or cars Feral: Will not approach and will likely seek hiding places to avoid people Socialization to Other CatsStray: Will likely live alone, not part of a group Feral: May belong to a colony Body Language Stray: Might walk and move like a house cat, such as walking with tail upa sign of friendliness. Will probably look at you, blink, or make eye contact. Feral: May crawl, crouch, stay low to the ground, and protect body with tail. Unlikely to make eye contact. VocalizationStray: May be vocal, meow, or “answer” your voice Feral: Won’t meow, beg or purr ScheduleStray: Will be visible primarily during the daytime Feral: More likely to be nocturnal; occasionally out during the day Physical AppearanceStray: Will probably be dirty or disheveled; will not have an eartip. Feral: Will probably have a clean, well-kept coat. A male with a big head and thick neck, muscular body, and/or scars from fighting is more likely to be feral, since these are traits associated with intact males (and only 2% of feral cats are neutered in the U.S.) He may also have a spiky coat from high testosterone levels and less time spent grooming; may also have “stud tail”hair loss, greasiness, or bumps at the base of the tail due to hormones. Will likely have an eartip if neutered as part of a TNR program. Pregnancy, Nursing, KittensFeral: A female who is pregnant or lactating is more likely to be feral, since only 2% of feral cats are neutered in the U.S. Remember: A cat’s level of socialization and behavior is not always black and white, particularly for community cats who recognize their caregiver. They may show signs of familiarity, such as a tail up or hanging out on a caregiver’s porch, but these behaviors are usually limited to the cat’s interaction with the caregiver and only develop after building a relationship over time. It’s important to note that this behavior does not mean that the cat is a good candidate for living indoors. How do I tell feral and stray cats apart once I have trapped them?When in a frightening or stressful environmentsuch as a trap or a sheltera friendly stray cat may act like a feral cat, avoiding people and possibly even showing aggression to avoid being touched. Who can blame them? The cat is in a new and unfamiliar place. Here are some ways that will help distinguish a feral cat from a scared stray cat when they are frightened, confined, or in a new place. Touch BarrierStray: It may be possible to touch the cat eventually or she may tolerate a small amount of touching with an object. Feral: Cannot be touched, even by a caregiver. Cage BehaviorStray: May come to the front of the cage. May eventually rub against the cage in a friendly way. Feral: Will likely stay in the back of the cage and retreat as far back as possible. If jolted or frightened, may shake, rattle, or climb the cage, and could become injured banging into the cage. Level of RelaxationStray: May relax over time. Feral: Will remain tense and unsocial. ResponsivenessStray: May investigate toys or food placed near the cage. May respond to household sounds like cat food cans or bags being opened. Feral: Will likely ignore all people and toys, and possibly even food. Will not show any familiarity or interest in household sounds. Fear and AnxietyStray: May hiss or growl to show anxiety. Feral: Will be aggressive and lash out if threatened or cornered (signs of aggression include ears back and eyes dilated). What do I do next?Make sure you have all the information needed to make a good evaluation. Once you have evaluated a cat and feel like you have a sense of the cat’s level of socialization, the next step is to get the cat neutered. From there, use your evaluation to do what’s in the cat’s best interest, which may include: |
How long does it take a feral cat to become friendly?
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